Summary

The Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, Gerard Quinn, visited Georgia from 4 to 14 September 2023. In his report, he highlights the progress made through legislative and policy reform, particularly following the adoption of the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2020. Most of the key ingredients for change and progress are in place: the commitment to move away from the medical model of disability, the goal of deinstitutionalization, the will to apply relevant international standards and learn from existing best practice, a vibrant and vocal disability community, and the support of the international community. The key challenge now is how to practically reimagine social and economic policy to achieve tangible progress, so that persons with disabilities can exercise their rights, especially concerning legal capacity, access to justice, independent living, accessibility, education, health care and rehabilitation, and employment. To that end, the Special Rapporteur makes recommendations and particularly emphasizes the importance of an effective coordination mechanism to support rational reform and strong enforcement mechanisms, as well as ensuring that the least heard voices among persons with disabilities are included.