On June 19-20 the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR) organized a training for the attorneys of the Legal Aid Service on the rights of the persons with disabilities, communication with them, stigma and mental health issues. The participants were welcomed by the UN Special Representative for the South Caucasus Vladimir Shkolnikov, who noted that the UN OHCHR promotes protection of the rights of the people with disabilities in Georgia and the establishment of the inclusive society. Georgia has made great progress, especially in the protection of the rights of the persons with disabilities.
The curriculum covered the issues of ethics in dealing with people with disabilities. Through interesting role-playing games, the participants thoroughly analyzed the specifics of dealing with people with disabilities and the process of ensuring effective use for them under stressful situations.
According to Nino Meladze, First Deputy Director of the Legal Aid Service , this training will help the attorneys of the Service in their daily activities, in communicating people with disabilities and providing legal assistance. "Since January 1, 2021, the legal Aid Service mandate has been extended to persons with disabilities. The Service is authorized to represent these persons in court and in the administrative bodies in case of appeal. "Attorneys have to deal with beneficiaries on a daily basis. Thus, mastering communication skills with them will help lawyers to effectively protect the rights of these people."- said Nino Meladze.
The present training was conducted within the framework of the "Transformation of the Social Protection System for Persons with Disabilities" Program. It has been implemented since the beginning of 2020 by six agencies of the UN( UNFPA, UNICEG, WHO, UNDP, UN WOMEN, OHCHR) with the support of the Sustainable Development Goals Foundation.