Tbilisi, June 14, 2016, 6-10pm – On National Disability Rights Day, over 200 people from throughout Georgia—including persons with disabilities, disability rights advocates, and government officials—will gather for a public march and cultural fair to raise awareness about disability rights issues. The event will be organized by The Coalition for Independent Living (CIL), with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Persons with disabilities in Georgia tend to be excluded from mainstream society, unable to realize their political, social, economic, and cultural rights. They are often subject to unequal social treatment and are victims of almost daily discrimination.
In order to combat negative attitudes toward persons with disabilities, CIL and partner organization Youth Media Union will bring together persons with disabilities and their family members, Wounded Warriors, students, celebrities, and other supporters for a public march from Rose Revolution Square to April 9th Square; and a cultural fair in April 9th Square that will include a photo exhibition, wheelchair race, dance performance, and the Paralympic sport, boccia. The event will culminate with an awards ceremony and concert performed by differently abled artists.
The event is organized through USAID’s Disability Legal Advocacy Project, which is implemented by Coalition for Independent Living. The events are also supported by Tbilisi City Hall, Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Ministry of Defense, and Zedazeni Company. In attendance will be Courtney Austrian, U.S. Acting Deputy Chief of Mission; Douglas Ball, USAID Mission Director; Davit Narmania, Mayor of Tbilisi; and Tariel Khechikashvili, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs of Georgia.
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