LocationsUNDP, EU, and Sweden Empower Sign Language to Bridge Gaps Across Abilities
‘How Are You?’: A Simple Question, A Deep Connection
September 23, 2019
Photo: UNDP/Vladimir Valishvili
"Sign language feels even more natural to me than spoken Georgian," says Maia Kublashvili, a sign language interpreter who grew up using it to communicate with her parents.
“My mom and dad have hearing impairments,” Maia explains. “I was just 15 months old when I first signed to them, letting them know my baby brother was awake and crying.”
Today, Maia is one of Georgia’s most sought-after sign language interpreters. She works tirelessly to create a more inclusive environment for people with disabilities and actively promotes sign language education.
“We train social workers, psychologists, and teachers. We also support families with children who have hearing impairments, helping parents communicate with their kids,” she says.
The demand for sign language interpretation is growing in Georgia. Unlike five or ten years ago, interpretation is now a standard feature at most major public events.
Photo: UNDP/Vladimir Valishvili
Maia vividly remembers interpreting at the UN-organized Sustainable Development Goals Festival in Ambrolauri in June 2019.
“As I stepped onto the stage to translate the speech, I noticed people with hearing impairments in the audience. Their eyes sparkled with joy—they saw themselves included!”
After the event, a woman and her eight-year-old son, who had a hearing impairment, approached Maia. The boy was eager to learn sign language but didn’t know where to start.
“I told him it was his language, and he could learn it easily if he wanted to,” Maia says. “We agreed that his mother would bring him to Tbilisi so he could begin his studies.”
The Racha region, where the SDG Festival took place, like many other parts of Georgia, lacks facilities for people with hearing impairments. Many families have no choice but to travel to the capital for education and essential services.
To address disability-related challenges at the local level, Georgia has established 50 municipal councils since 2015. These councils, composed of representatives from local governments, civil society, and people with disabilities, aim to tackle pressing issues and drive change in their communities.
Photo: UNDP/Leli Blagonravova
Another critical challenge is the development of Georgian sign language. When Georgia’s Public Service Hall introduced disability-sensitive services in 2018, officials realized that many essential public service terms—such as property registration and ID issuance—had no corresponding signs. UNDP and the Government of Sweden stepped in to fill this gap, helping to create over 400 new signs and training 750 front desk operators in disability-sensitive communication. These principles were later incorporated into the Public Service Quality Standard and applied across all Public Service Hall branches in Georgia.
In Tbilisi, 20 Public Service Hall operators received specialized sign language training to ensure more accessible services for people with hearing impairments.
“Learning sign language has been an incredible opportunity,” says Pikria Siprashvili, a Public Service Hall operator. “I’ve been fascinated by it since childhood and always felt frustrated that I couldn’t understand it. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I was determined. Now, my sign language is almost perfect!”
Since the introduction of disability-sensitive services in November 2018, more than 500 people have received assistance in sign language at the Tbilisi Public Service Hall.
“Serving people with hearing impairments is an emotional experience,” Pikria says. “Every time, I feel excited that we can communicate directly, without an interpreter. I’m proud that we can offer public services in sign language.”
Photo: UNDP/Nino Zedginidze
Flora Bezhanishvili and her family are regular visitors to the Public Service Hall. Eight members of her family have hearing impairments, and they all need various public services in their daily lives. An active member of the Georgian Union of the Deaf, Flora organizes public events and works as a trainer.
“Before, I had to bring an interpreter with me every time I visited the Public Service Hall—it was frustrating,” Flora recalls. “Now that the space is adapted to our needs, I no longer feel excluded. I feel part of the community. I know many of the operators and enjoy chatting with them before getting down to business. I only wish all public institutions in Georgia would follow this great example and provide services in sign language.”
According to the Georgian Union of the Deaf, around 4,000 adults in Georgia have hearing impairments. Many struggle to access sign language interpretation and essential services. Even this incomplete data highlights the ongoing challenges of inclusion and human rights protection in Georgia.
However, the country has made strides in creating a more accessible public space. Since 2015, UNDP—together with the European Union and the Government of Sweden—has been at the forefront of these efforts. Key achievements include the introduction of SMS and video call services for the emergency hotline 112, initial steps by the Public Service Hall, Legal Aid Service, and Parliament to improve accessibility, and specialized training in sign language and disability-sensitive communication for civil servants and public service operators.
“UNDP firmly believes that equal rights and opportunities are the foundation of sustainable development that leaves no one behind,” says Louisa Vinton, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia. “Georgia is making significant progress in creating an inclusive environment and accessible public services. However, more work remains, particularly in adopting the legislation and policies needed to advance the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
This landmark convention envisions a society where everyone has equal opportunities to communicate, study, work, access services, exercise their rights, live independently, and reach their full potential.
Maia Kublashvili believes that small efforts can make a big difference.
“Just saying ‘How are you?’ in sign language can make a person with a hearing impairment feel valued and included,” she says.
Then, with a smile, she adds:
“I truly believe that change is coming. For the sake of those who live alongside us every day, I hope it happens soon.”
Disclaimer:
This story was produced with support from the European Union, Sweden, and UNDP. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the donor organizations.
4,000 adults in Georgia have hearing impairments. Many struggle to access sign language interpretation and essential services. Even this incomplete data highlights the ongoing challenges of inclusion and human rights protection.Union of the Deaf of Georgia
