On February 8th, the round table event “Needs-based
supportive services for People with Disabilities” was organized in Zugdidi. The
meeting was organized by the Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC).

Lika Kiladze, Chairperson of the Board of the Education
Development and Employment Center (EDEC), and Giorgi Arsenidze, representative
of ASB Georgia and manager of the EU-funded project “Equal Opportunities for
People with Disabilities” held speeches on the project and presented the discussion
topic.

Giga Sopromadze, Executive Secretary of the
Council working on People with Disabilities in Tbilisi City Hall talked about
the supportive services implemented by them.

Gia Kakachia, Director of the organization
“Partnership for Social Welfare,” introduced their methodology to
develop needs-based services. He also analyzed local and international
practices.

Nino Skhulukhia, Head of Social and Health
Care Service of Zugdidi City Hall presented supportive programs for people
with disabilities envisaged in the budget of Zugdidi City Hall for 2019.

Mayzer Nanava, the Acting Mayor of Zugdidi,
and Mamuka Tsotseria, Chairman of Zugdidi City Assembly, expressed their
commitment towards the issue.

Members of the council working on matters
related to people with disabilities in Zugdidi, as well as representatives of the
local government and NGOs attended the meeting.

The discussion was organized as part of the EU-funded
project “Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities.” It is implemented
by Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Georgia (ASB Georgia) in cooperation with its
partner organizations, the Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC)
and Accessible Environment for Everyone.