In June 2018, the Coalition for Independent Living (CIL), with support from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) conducted awareness raising activities with youth with disabilities and their peers on disability-inclusive participation in public life. Activities included a sports day, flash mob, and seminars with university students. As part of the project, CIL produced two videos on inclusion. The videos are also available with interpretation in Georgian Sign Language. English transcripts for the videos are available below.
Student girl # 1: We, students, have come here, because we want people with disabilities to become fully realized citizens of the society.
Student girl # 2: I support people with disabilities’ fundamental integration into the society.
Student boy #1: For us, students, it is crucial that people with disabilities are engaged into political and social processes.
Student boy # 2: We have come here because we want to empower people with disabilities so that they will be more actively engaged in the life of a society.
During the project, around 200 students have attended seminars at various higher academic institutions. On June 14, which is a Disability Rights Day, and through engagement of students, an advocacy campaign was held.
Student girl # 1: We, students, have come here, because we want people with disabilities to become fully realized citizens of the society.
Student girl # 2: As a student, I am here to make my voice heard and state that I support people with disabilities’ fundamental integration into the society.
Student boy #1: For us, students, it is crucial that people with disabilities are engaged into political and social processes.
Student boy # 2: We have come here because we want to empower people with disabilities so that they will be more actively engaged in the life of a society.
Gia Dzneladze, CIL: It is great to see so much support, because people who do face serious challenges and are targets of discrimination – they really need support.