According to media reports, ramps have been installed for persons with disabilities in 4 residential buildings in the Nadzaladevi district of Tbilisi. Similar efforts are underway in other buildings as well.

The Public Defender supports all measures aimed at promoting independent living of persons with disabilities. At the same time, he notes that the efforts carried out in this direction should be in full compliance with the national legislation and international regulations.

The released photos and video footage clearly shows that the installed ramps do not meet the minimal security standards and cannot ensure independent movement of persons with disabilities.

The Government of Georgia adopted technical regulations of architectural elements in 2014 for the purpose of adaptation, individual development and social integration of persons with disabilities.

The document establishes that standards of physical environment accessible to the persons with disabilities must be taken into view during designing and constructing processes. At the same time, it is important buildings to be designed according to universal design principles. All public facilities must comply with the technical requirements.

Protection of the rules is mandatory for every individual who works on construction projects.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), adopted by the United Nations in 2006, recognizes the importance of accessibility to the physical, social, economic and cultural environment, to health and education and to information and communication, which enable persons with disabilities to fully enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Public Defender calls on respective agencies to strictly observe the requirements imposed by the legislation in order to promote independent living of persons with disabilities.

For his part, the Public Defender plans to monitor the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities within his mandate in the near future.