Ana Sikhashvili is a graduate in political science and a disability rights activist from Tbilisi, Georgia, with a focus on the significance of independent living. During her time at university, she began advocating for universal design in the capital city to gain the ability to move around independently. She found that the mobility and orientation training she needed was not a systemic program, but rather depended on the goodwill of others. This experience drove her to work on a political level to raise awareness and translate the principles of independent living into party platforms and legislation. She also serves as a prominent public voice on disability rights, appearing in national media and participating in public discussions to represent the voice of the disability community on every platform. Currently, she is contributing as a European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteer in Slovenia.

For the CIP Fellowship, Ana is conducting a research project titled “The Interdependent Path: A Qualitative Study of How Independent Living Systems Affect Access to Inclusive Higher Education in Georgia.” The project aims to provide evidence that systemic barriers, such as inaccessible housing and transportation, directly impact students’ ability to succeed in higher education. The project will result in a report with integrated policy recommendations to foster a more coordinated support structure for students with disabilities.