“I work, I leave the house, get on the bus, and go to my job. I do all this independently. I travel alone,” says 29-year-old Gigo Shiukashvili, one of the individuals in Georgia providing an example of independent living for those with Down syndrome.

Gigo entered public school later than usual but studied alongside children with typical development, a practice that was a novelty at that time and the one that, despite numerous challenges and unequal conditions, has become part of inclusive education over the years.

“We need to promote inclusive education, work hard, and be determined. Let’s go together in schools and higher education institutions, and help our country develop” - says Gigo, co-founder of the Georgian Down Syndrome Association.

To deepen knowledge on topics that are important to them and provide complete information, individuals with intellectual disabilities require so-called easy-to-read materials.

For this purpose, the Georgian Down Syndrome Association, with the support of the UNFPA Georgia Country Office and the UN Partnership for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Multi-Partner Trust Fund (UNPRPD MPTF), has developed an easy-to-read guide for those, interested in decision-making, a practice long established in Europe. 

“Until now, there has been no supportive tool for individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities in Georgia, and we have practically laid the foundation for this direction because we believe it will significantly simplify their lives, and not just theirs” - says Nino Kalandia, a member of the Board of the Georgian Down Syndrome Association.

According to Nutsi Odisharia, Head of Social Policy at UNFPA:

“Once we acknowledged the fact that people with intellectual disabilities are least involved in the country's development and decision-making processes, we decided to prepare a guide to participation in decision-making processes, together with them and for them.” 

Nutsi highlights that the guide is available in three languages and, importantly for UNFPA, contains information about reproductive health, as well as the needs of women and girls with disabilities. 

“We hope that this initiative will lay the groundwork for the participation of marginalized groups in decision-making processes and will facilitate their active engagement” - she says.

28-year-old Sesili Ghvinjilia believes that education is essential for everyone, as success cannot be achieved without knowledge:

“I attended public school in Tbilisi, studied all subjects hard. Every child who goes to school should learn and get good education. After all, how can you study at university without education?”

Sesili and Gigo are also actors at Georgia's first Integrated Theater “Azdak's Garden.” Both enjoy being on stage and recommend that parents bring their children to their performances. They also unanimously emphasize the crucial role of their mothers in encouraging and supporting their independent living.

“Gigo and I became actors thanks to our mothers. They taught us everything... The biggest credit goes to them. If it weren’t for our mothers, we probably wouldn’t be actors” - says Sesili, advising parents to teach their children to live independently.

As the mother of a child with Down syndrome, Nino Kalandia also underscores the great importance of family and parental support in ensuring the success of their children.

“We all were specialists and had jobs, but at some point, it became clear that we had to put our jobs aside, establish the association, study completely new things, and then fight for the well-being, development, and independent living of our children” - says Nino.

“My greatest concern is what will happen to my child when I am no longer around. European mothers no longer have this worry because the state takes care of people — both those with typical development and those with disabilities. This is what we are fighting for here most of all: so that when we are no longer around, our children can live independently and with dignity in this country, have their personal lives, and not be dependent on someone’s goodwill” - she adds.

Gigo and Sesili are self-advocates, speaking out about the challenges they face in the country, because it is important for their voices to be heard.

“We want to empower these people more. While doing our work, we need to step back a little and be their support, while they should be at the forefront, speaking about their problems and challenges. We are giving them the opportunity to do so” - says Nino.

For independent living, Nino also emphasizes the importance of a personal assistant who should play the role of a friend, helping people with Down syndrome manage various aspects of their daily life.

“There is a lot needed for a person to live independently. Our ultimate goal is for our children, once we are no longer around, to be able to live fully and with dignity, independently of others’ goodwill, with the support of appropriate state services.”