The Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, responds to the International Day of Disabled Persons on the social network.

As the Chairman of the Parliament points out, "regardless of the progress, we must always remember that providing equal opportunities for people with disabilities is the task of our daily work."

"December 3 is the International Day of Disabled Persons. In 2017, our government defined the rights of persons with disabilities in the Constitution of Georgia, and in 2020, the new law on the rights of persons with disabilities opened a new door of opportunity.

Today, when there are a few days left before the European Council grants Georgia the status of a candidate for the European Union, the role and commitment of disabled people to these processes is particularly noteworthy. Especially, our wounded military personnel, who defended global peace in hot spots of the world and today, as successful para-athletes, bring success to our motherland at the international level.

There will be important news in the 2024 state budget - the social rehabilitation and child care program will increase by 10 million GEL, which is a record increase, and will become 76 million. The sub-programs of this program create sustainable and strong services for disabled people with different needs, and the increase of the social package will affect all categories of disabled persons.

But no matter how much progress we have in different directions, we must always remember that providing equal opportunities for people with disabilities is the task of our daily work, and quick and right decisions are guaranteed by the participation and involvement of people with disabilities themselves," Shalva Papuashvili writes.