The Public Defender has addressed the National Communications Commission with regard to ensuring access to information for persons with disabilities.

Persons with disabilities still face barriers in realization of the right to equal access to information. Entertaining, informational and other TV programs, as well as movies, are unavailable to them. Broadcasting companies do not provide information in an adapted form. The lack of specific means of communication hinders full participation of persons with disabilities in public life.

The efforts taken by the National Communications Commission of Georgia cannot properly provide the use of sign language interpretation, subtitles, braille system, typhlo-comments and other special means of communication in mass media.

Given the above-mentioned, the Public Defender has proposed the National Communications Commission to:

• survey the needs of persons with disabilities for electronic services and their development opportunities;
• timely and effectively ensure availability of mass media sources, TV programs and movies for persons with disabilities by using sign language interpretation, subtitles, braille system, typhlocomments, tactile communication, large print, multimedia, amplifier or alternative communication and other accessible forms, methods, tools and technologies, through cooperation with relevant agencies;
• develop an action plan for ensuring access to information for persons with disabilities, which will in detail define all necessary measures/efforts, timelines for their implementation, information about the agencies responsible for the implementation, sponsors and performance indicators.