Social Inclusion of children with disabilities
We work with the Government and other partners to make a shift from a purely medical to a bio-psycho-social approach to disability
- Available in:
- English
- ქართული
The Challenge
Georgia has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, but local legislation is still not in line with international standards. Although the number of children in large state institutions has significantly decreased, children with disabilities are still in such institutions.
Services for children with disabilities are insufficient. In many regions and municipalities, such services do not exist at all.
Many children with disabilities do not have access to social support and services. Existing statistics on children with disabilities and their needs are unreliable, which has a negative impact on the development of effective national policies and programs. In addition, there is still a negative attitude towards children with disabilities in Georgia.
The Solution
We work with the government and other partners to replace the medical model of disability assessment with a bio-psycho-social model that takes into account people's capabilities and the barriers they have in terms of participation in public life. according to the international classification of health.
We help the Government to review existing policies and legislation, improve the national data management system for children with disabilities and create both family support systems and alternative care services
(e.g. specialized, family-type homes and foster care services, day centers for children with disabilities) to promote the development of such children and their integration into society. We also actively work to eliminate negative attitudes and stereotypes towards children with disabilities in society, for the purpose of their social inclusion.
Meet Babi
Babi is a 7-year-old girl who loves sculpting, music, walking, sliding, and listening to stories. Babi can't see. She is blind.
Listen as Babi tells her story about getting her disability status and shares what it means to be a child with a disability.