Personal Assistance – More Independence, More Opportunities
"Independent Living is not doing things yourself; it is being in control of how things are done"
— Judith Heumann, International Disability Rights Leader
Independent living is a fundamental human right. It does not mean that a person must carry out every aspect of daily life independently or without support. Rather, independent living means having the freedom to determine one's own way of life, make personal decisions, and, when needed, receive the support necessary to put those decisions into practice. One of the key ways to ensure this right is through personal assistance services.
What Is a Personal Assistance Service?
A personal assistant is a trained individual who supports a person with a disability in carrying out everyday activities that may be difficult to perform independently due to various barriers.
Importantly, a personal assistant does not make decisions on behalf of the person they support. Their role is to assist only in the manner and to the extent determined by the service user. The foundation of personal assistance is respect for the individual's choices, dignity, autonomy, and right to self-determination.
What Support Can the Service Provide?
- Personal assistance is always tailored to the individual's unique needs, preferences, and lifestyle. Depending on the person's circumstances, the service may include:
- Assistance with personal hygiene and self-care;
- Support with dressing, mobility, positioning, and other daily living activities;
- Assistance with meal preparation, grocery shopping, maintaining the home environment, and other household tasks;
- Accompaniment to medical appointments, educational institutions, workplaces, and other community settings;
- Support with using transportation and ensuring safe mobility;
- Communication support, when required.
In addition, personal assistance may include taking notes, reading information aloud, acting as a sighted guide for blind or partially sighted individuals, facilitating communication, or providing any other support necessary to enable full participation in everyday life.
Effective personal assistance is built on trust, mutual respect, and clear communication.
A successful partnership requires:
- Agreeing in advance on the type and scope of assistance needed;
- A clear understanding of each person's rights and responsibilities;
- Respect for privacy, confidentiality, and professional ethics;
- Appropriate practical training for personal assistants;
- Open communication and mutual respect between the person with a disability and the personal assistant.
Above all, a personal assistant is a professional whose role is to support, not to direct. Therefore, professional boundaries should be clearly defined, and the right to make decisions must always remain with the person receiving the service.
Why Is Personal Assistance Important?
Personal assistance services empower persons with disabilities to:
- Access education;
- Obtain and maintain employment;
- Participate fully in cultural, sporting, and community life;
- Maintain independence and control over their own lives.
Personal assistance is not simply a support service; it is an essential tool for the realization of human rights and equal participation in society.
Our Vision
We believe that personal assistance is one of the cornerstones of independent living. Its purpose is not to replace the individual, but to create the conditions that enable every person to live according to their own choices, make their own decisions, and participate fully and equally in society.
That is why we are committed to strengthening the professional training of personal assistants, improving the quality of services, and advancing a rights-based system founded on human dignity, equality, and individual needs.
Author: Anano Lartsuliani