The International Dayof Persons with Disabilities is celebrated on December 3. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities. Every year, celebration of this day is related to various themes. The 2017 theme is: “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all”.

The right of persons with disabilities to live independently, as well as full and effective participation in the implementation of sustainable development goals, is a challenge due to many problems in recent years, including the right to education, healthcare, habilitation-rehabilitation, labour and employment, accessibility and proper realization of social rights. The process of introduction of social model for granting the status of a person with disabilities is delayed in the country as well.

Three years have passed since the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, though there is no effective mechanism for the enforcement of the Convention; the Optional Protocol to the Convention has not been ratified either; no amendments necessary for harmonization with the requirements of the Convention have been implemented at the legislative level; access to physical environment, infrastructure, transport and information for persons with disabilities remains problematic.

The Public Defender of Georgia calls on the state to support protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and their equal participation in the process of establishment of sustainable and inclusive society in the country.