In accordance with the resolution of the UN General Assembly, Autism Awareness Day is celebrated worldwide on April 2. 17 years after the establishment of this day, its significance has expanded further and, along with raising awareness, includes the inclusion of people with autism in public life, their respect, and recognition of the contribution they made to the development of the community and the world.

The main theme of 2025 is “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” which draws attention to the importance of aligning efforts for neurodiversity and global sustainability.

People with autism continue to face obstacles in the process of exercising their rights and freedoms in Georgia. The issue of introducing services that promote and support independent living, tailored to the individual needs of these individuals, is acute. Rehabilitation programmes in several municipalities operate only for minors and are still inaccessible to adults with autism. Access to health care services for individuals with autism is also problematic. Ignoring the principle of reasonable accommodation and difficulties in communicating with medical personnel create additional barriers in the process of realizing the right to health care. No services providing psycho-social support to individuals with autism and their families have been developed to date. Other challenges are the provision of quality inclusive education, meaningful participation in the decision-making process, and stigmatizing attitudes in society, including statements made by politicians, which incite discrimination.

The Public Defender of Georgia once again calls on the central and local governments to make appropriate efforts, with the involvement of interested parties, to raise awareness of persons with autism, form an inclusive society, promote the realization of the rights of these persons and their independent living, and ensure their access to healthcare and continuous rehabilitation programmes.