Presented by Esme Grant, J.D.U.S. International Council on Disabilities

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1981: International Year of Disabled Persons

1982: World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons

1993: Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities

People with disabilities have the same human rights as everyone else but◦Invisibility of people with disabilities in the international human rights system

◦Existing treaties and reports to monitoring bodies do not address disability

◦Other standards (e.g. 1993 UN Standard Rules) not legally binding

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CRPD process started by Mexico in Dec 2001

8 sessions of a General Assembly Ad Hoc Committee at UNHQ in NY 2002-2006 plus 1 Working Group session

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December 13, 2006: CRPD & its Optional Protocol adopted

March 30, 2007: CRPD & OP opened for signature (Over 80 States & EU signed & 1 ratification (Jamaica) - record-breaking for a human rights treaty)

May 3, 2008: CRPD entered into force after 20th

ratification

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Guiding principle: Full inclusion of all relevant stakeholders

Unprecedented access of DPOs at all stages

Positive involvement of DPOs changed how UN does business

Educational process for all

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Notable elements:◦50 Articles

◦Cross-disability in approach

◦NO definition of disability

◦Strong thread of non-discrimination and

equality

◦Focus on monitoring at all levels

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Freedom of expression and opinion (article 21)

Respect for privacy (article 22)

Respect for home and the family (article 23)

Right to education (article 24)

Right to health (article 25)

Right to work (article 27) Right to adequate standard of living (article 28)

Right to participate in political and public life (article 29)

Right to participation in cultural life (article 30)

Equality before the law without discrimination (article 5)

Right to life, liberty and security of the person (articles 10 & 14)

Equal recognition before the law and legal capacity (article 12)

Freedom from torture (article 15)

Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse (article 16)

Right to respect physical and mental integrity (article 17)

Freedom of movement and nationality (article 18)

Right to live in the community (article 19)

PWDs are at a higher risk of exposure to HIV◦In part because of lack of access to information, education and services

Persons living with HIV/AIDS more likely to become disabled

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Article 25 - Health

States Parties recognize that persons with disabilities have the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of disability. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure access for persons with disabilities to health services that are gender-sensitive, including health-related rehabilitation.

Medical Model: Defines disability as a problem and medical intervention as solution

Charitable Model: Misconception that people with disabilities are helpless and need to be cared for

Social Model: Includes promoting positive attitudes, modifying environment and making sure laws and policies promote integration and non-discrimination

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153 signatures, 117 ratifications

CRPD impact: ◦ Peru has restored voting rights to people with mental disabilities

◦ Kenya has included the rights of people with disabilities within its new constitution

◦ India is currently amending its national disability law to reflect CRPD principles

◦ Moldova is using the CRPD as a roadmap to de-institutionalize

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The U.S. signed the treaty on July 30, 2009

The Obama Administration is supportive of the U.S. becoming a ratifying States Party and has completed its interagency review

Submitted for Senate advice and consent on May 17, 2012

Currently being considered by Senate

July 12th, 2012 – Hearing on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Senate Foreign Relations Committee)

A global standard of accessibility! New opportunities for technology and solidarity

A seat at the table for implementation!

A new tool for disability advocates! An affirmation of human rights!

STEP 1: The treaty needs to be voted out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

UPDATE! A vote is planned for this Thursday, July 26th at 9:30AM

(ADA Anniversary!)

STEP 2: Need 2/3 super-majority vote in the Senate for the U.S. to be able to ratify and become a States Party to the CRPD◦ 67 Senator votes

◦ MUST be a bipartisan effort

STEP 3: The treaty package is returned to the President for his signature and for submittal to the U.N.

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