Abkhazian Blind and Deaf Union Hera

The Union of the Blind and Deaf of Abkhazia "Hera" in Tbilisi is a social enterprise whose purpose is to promote employment of people with disabilities and ensure equal access to literature and information for the blind, visually impaired, deaf and hard of hearing. Founded in 2011 with the support of the Eurasian Cooperation Fund and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), this enterprise includes the "Gera Recording Studio". The economic mission of the project is to reinvest part of the profits back into the organization to support its activities and future financing of grants and loans for Union members. Since March 2012, the studio has been producing audio and multi-volume books, which are sold in leading book chains in Georgia. The studio employs up to 15 employees on a permanent basis, including displaced persons and disabled war veterans. A visit to "Gera" can be useful for those who are interested in supporting social initiatives, creating jobs for people with special needs, or gaining access to unique audio literature.