What is it like to live with a disability?

Georgia’s capital is taking action to raise awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities by hosting several events this month, including a photo exhibition showing intimate details of the lives of people with disabilities.

This month 22 photos telling the story of people with different disabilities will be displayed in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi. The portraits, by Swedish photographer Markus Marcetic, capture the hopes, dreams and daily struggles facing 14 Georgian and Swedish people who suffer from various mental and physical disabilities.

The photos are being displayed at the National Museum in Tbilisi. Photo by Embassy of Sweden in Tbilisi. 

The portraits can be summed up in one word: dignity,” said Swedish Institute who organised the AccessAbility exhibition.

To live with dignity, regardless of disability, is a human right according to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The personal stories of this exhibition can hopefully initiate conversations and strengthen cooperation internationally on accessibility, dignity and disability policies.”

A special conference was held at the National Museum of Georgia to raise awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities. Photo by Embassy of Sweden in Tbilisi. 

The AccessAbility exhibition aimed to raise awareness about disabilities and reduce the stigma attached to such conditions. It will be held from June 8-29 at Georgia’s National Museum in central Tbilisi.

In parallel with the exhibition, several conferences and seminars focusing on the country’s disability policies are being held this month by Swedish experts and activists.

In addition, to promote awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities, a large social campaign featuring people with various disabilities is being shown on the back of buses and on local transportation billboards in Tbilisi during June.

The AccessAbility exhibition, conferences and seminars and social campaign was dedicated to the dignity of Georgia’s disabled community and was supported by the Embassy of Sweden, the Swedish Institute, Tbilisi Mayor's Office and the coalition for Independent Living.

Meanwhile the AccessAbility exhibition will also be presented in Turkey and Brazil later this year.