News

December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities which is marked by CIL every year. This time CIL organized an outdoor campaign called “Solidarity Train” during which persons with disabilities including wheelchair users, blind, deaf, children, etc. along with volunteers formed a "live" train and marched from Trinity Church in Vake to Philharmonic Concert Hall. The campaign mdsc_0094.jpgeant to popularize the topic of disability, empower persons with disabilities and promote their rights and interests.

Down the way of the Solidarity Train symbolic stations/stops were set up about subjects such as: employment, education, disability rights, accessible tourism, etc. and participants and volunteers were disseminating relevant flyers and information among the audience. The last stop of the Solidarity Train was in front of Tbilisi Concert Hall where a special wheelchair obstacle course was set up to demonstrate the barriers wheelchair users face in Georgia and promote the idea of independent living. In total more than 50 persons with disabilities participated in the campaign along with about 40 volunteers and supporters.

The day was concluded with a concert at Tbilisi Event Hall, where Dato Archvadze and Giorgi Sukhitashvili performed together with performers with hearing and visual impairments.

Coalition for Independent Living would like to thank members of Tbilisi Rotaract Club and Alliance of Pupils of Georgian Schools for their support and readiness to volunteer in our efforts.