UNICEF launches the study on the cost of raising children with disabilities in Georgia

Tbilisi, Georgia, 30 June – Children with disabilities require additional goods and services to ensure equal participation, however, much of the financial burden in addressing their diverse needs falls on families, finds a UNICEF study on "The cost of raising a child with disabilities in Georgia - The goods and services required for the equal participation of children with disabilities."

The study, developed by UNICEF Georgia, aims to provide a deeper understanding of the financial burdens faced by families and the specific goods and services required for children with disabilities to communicate, move around, attend school, socialize, play with peers, and engage in all other activities necessary for their holistic development.

The findings of the study provide significant insights into the realities faced by families raising children with disabilities in Georgia. Key findings include:

• Cost Barriers: The study reveals that the cost of the required goods and services for the equal participation of children with disabilities is beyond the reach of most families in Georgia. This highlights the financial strain experienced by families caring for children with disabilities.
• Diverse Support Needs: Children with different disabilities have varying support needs, subsequently the structure and level of costs differ significantly between groups of children with different functional difficulties and support needs. The research highlights the vast diversity of support requirements among different groups of children with disabilities. The evidence gathered by the report provides new insights on this diversity. Children with higher support needs face higher costs across different categories.
• Uniform Support: The study reveals that the current system of support is relatively uniform for children with disabilities and does not respond to the level and diversity of their needs. The lack of consideration for varying support levels and costs leads to a large number of children with disabilities being inadequately covered. The analysis also highlights that expenses related to mobility, accessibility services, home renovations for improved accessibility, and transportation are largely borne by families and thus increases the financial burden on families.
• Rural Challenges: Families living in rural areas face additional costs due to the geographic inaccessibility of services. The need for transportation to urban centers where services are concentrated adds financial strain to these families, including short-term residence rentals and associated incidentals.

UNICEF Georgia has been supporting the Government of Georgia to strengthen the disability assessment system to enable comprehensive insights into functional limitations and needs, which could then inform the provision of tailored support. However, further work is needed to expand, enhance the quality, and conduct additional pilot projects or tests to further address the diverse needs of children with disabilities.

The study was developed by UNICEF Georgia as part of its ongoing collaboration with the Government of Georgia, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, including parental association and research institutions to optimize the disability support system. By generating crucial evidence, UNICEF aims to assist the Government in formulating an individualized support package that can effectively meet the needs of children with disabilities.

Full research:

The Cost of Raising a Child with Disabilities in Georgia - The goods and services required for the equal participation of children with disabilities