Learning Labs for Equal Rights – CIF1 Winning Project

In the first grant competition of CIF, the consortium of Ilia State University and Gori State University gained funding for the project “Learning Labs for Equal Rights.” This innovative project aims to create multidisciplinary practical laboratories promoting the employment of people with disabilities in the higher education system. The labs will serve as a place of practice for psychology and social work students, where they will analyze various job opportunities for people with disabilities and determine specific work-related skills. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the social integration of people with disabilities and their involvement in a supportive community.

To achieve this objective, 4 laboratories will be established at Ilia State University: Unifood – a healthy food corner, polygraph shop – a photocopying station/publishing office, Fablab – a wooden products manufacturing station, and a meeting garden for organizing social events for students and other interested individuals. Additionally, 4 laboratories will be set up at Gori State University: a gardening laboratory, a gastronomy lab for bread baking technology, a viticulture laboratory, and a computer lab. In total, 8 laboratories will be established.

Within the framework of the project, international experts Maria Kapanadze, Research Professor of Occupational Therapy at Terrace University, and Salvador Simon, Director of the Mental Health Center from Spain, visited Ilia State University from April 29 to May 3, 2024, to share their experiences with the academic staff and students. They led the training for people with disabilities in the laboratories. During this period, representatives of the CIF administrative unit of the I2Q Project observed the process of teaching computer skills to individuals with disabilities.

A meeting with organizations that employ individuals with disabilities was also held at Ilia State University as part of the project “Learning Labs for Equal Rights.” Approximately 40 representatives of social enterprises, non-governmental organizations, state organizations, and the business sector attended the meeting. The plan is to establish a network of “Modi-laboratories” throughout Georgia to advocate for the employment rights of individuals with disabilities.

The implementation of this project aims to facilitate the full integration of individuals with disabilities into society and provide them with equal opportunities.