June 14 is National Disability Day in Georgia. The day aims to raise awareness about persons with limited physical capabilities in society and to promote their rights.

According to the information released by the Georgian Public Defender’s Office, despite the rights granted and guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Georgian legislation, persons with disabilities face various challenges in Georgia.

The challenges include defining the status, quality of inclusive education, employment prospects, accessibility to services, information and communications, limited possibilities to engage in social and political life, scarcity of services, and inadequacy of rehabilitation programs.

The Public Defender noted that the existing conditions in most psychiatric institutions cannot ensure the protection of the rights of the patients housed there and the therapeutic approach.

“The Public Defender of Georgia intends to prepare several special reports in thematic areas this year,” reads the information released by the Public Defender’s Office.