Mariam Tabatadze interviews Eltaj Zeynalov about the issues that persons with disabilities face in Azerbaijan. They discuss the main challenges for these individuals, including societal attitudes. Zeynalov reflects on the results of NGO and governmental programs to assist these problems.
authors
Mariam Tabatadze
Mariam Tabatadze is a graduate from Connecticut College with a double degree in International Relations and Economics. Her work experience includes internships at the Greater Paris Investment Agency, Institute for New Economic Thinking in New York and the National Bank of Georgia. Currently, she is a Senior Specialist of Innovations at the Public Service Development Agency. Mariam is strongly interested in studying and contributing to inclusive, sustainable economic growth both globally and locally throughout the South Caucasus region.
Author's stories
Chai Khana Talk Show with Eltaj Zeynalov
Mariam Tabatadze interviews Ana Mikiashvili, Beka Gozalishvili and Lusia Oganezova. They discuss Mariani, a Georgian NGO which assists blind and vision-impaired persons to help advocate for their rights and support them in adapting to society. Gozalishvili reflects on his efforts to bring vision disability adapted technologies to Georgia and discusses his views on governmental priorities and political correctness. He is currently working creating a speech synthesizer for the Georgian language, which will read Georgian text aloud. Oganezova shares her experience of how being a mobility trainer for vision impaired persons is rewarding because it helps them accomplish independence.
Chai Khana Talk Show with Mariani, Beka Gozalishvili and Lusia Oganezova
Mariam Tabatadze interviews Shompi Sharp, the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Georgia, to inquire about how UNDP is working to improve the field of emergency service delivery to people with disabilities in Georgia. He explains how emergency service “112” uses new technology to make emergency services more accessible for the deaf and speech impaired.
Chai Khana Talk Show with UNDP
Mariam Tabatadze interviews Keta Matiashvili and Tako Kvelidze from Anika Association, as well as President of the Deaf Union of Georgia, Amiran Batatunashvili and his wife, Maya Metonidze. The talk talk show discusses the creative efforts of each organisation, including music and art therapy, photo exhibitions, leadership trainings, english classes, improving awareness, developing the Georgian sign language, and other positive initiatives.