Rights Advocates Describe Winning Litigation Strategies for Protecting the Rights of People with Disabilities

On December 3, the Partnership for Human Rights (PHR), marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, by describing how the strategic litigation supported by USAID/PROLoG as part of its Strategic Litigation for Children project, expanded protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.  During the on-line event PHR’s Ana Arganashvili and Sopiko Menabdishvili described the cases that led to the determination that the State must provide 12-hour homecare assistance to children with severe forms of autism, and how it must provide full anesthesia for dental procedures for persons with profound disabilities and communication difficulties.  The speakers also explained how their litigation efforts in the Ninotsminda Orphanage case have begun a movement to deinstitutionalization large-scale care homes for children.  As part of the on-line discussion the mother of 14-year old Luka, whose case led to the 12-hour assistance provision, described her family’s desperate efforts to protect themselves and their child.  Other parents of children with disabilities were on the call and shared their experiences and ideas for acquiring greater protection and support for their disabled relatives.  Nino Valikov, of the Public Defender’s Office, promised continued support and advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities.