The project is aimed at people who experience disability face manifold physical, attitudinal, social and policy-related barriers in Georgia, hindering realisation of human rights guaranteed by international and national legislation on equal basis with others.

Due to enduring negligence and marginalisation, disabled communities, especially in regions, are passive and lack capacity to effectively represent their interests individually and collectively. The Government of Georgia (GoG) ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2013 and thereby, committed to ensure full and equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons with disabilities (PwDs). The UNCRPD has boosted changes in laws, programs, and social services.

One of the major achievements since the ratification of UNCRPD, has been the adoption of the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Law), which opened new mechanisms for disability rights enforcement and, if duly implemented, will nominate a turning point in ensuring equal opportunities for all. Among others, the Law has expedited establishment of long-awaited Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) at the Government Administration, which is the responsible body for implementation of the UNCRPD, and introduced the “special plaintiff” mechanism for better protection of the rights of PwDs’.

Despite fragmented successes in some areas of disability protection and the progress in developing disability legal frameworks, there are significant gaps in laws, policies and practices undermining the realisation of the rights and equitable access to their entitlements. 6 Disability movement and organisations, as several studies suggest, lacks capacity to collectively advocate 7 and exert pressure on local and central government to meet their obligations.

Developing capacity of civil society organizations to enhance access to justice and eliminate discrimination against
persons with disabilities including women with disabilities and those belonging to ethnic minority groups through
effective advocacy and development of the legal services.

-Increased access to justice for PwDs, including women and ethnic minorities with disabilities, through awareness
raising, strategic litigation and capacity building of lawyers, judges, attorneys and PwDs.

-increased capacity of CSOs working on disability issues in project regions to foster effective advocacy, empowerment
and representation of persons with disabilities.

- improved implementation of PwD legal capacity law reform in Georgia.