| USCID Collaborates to Develop
Global Disability Rights Library |
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Millions of people with disabilities, advocates, and policy makers around the world will soon find it easier to access hundreds of thousands of educational and organizational resources on disability rights, whether or not they have access to the Internet.
With support from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), USICD is collaborating with the University of Iowa's WiderNet Project to produce and distribute a Global Disability Rights Library for use in both developed and developing countries. This library will be an enhanced version of WiderNet's eGranary Digital Library, an off-line information storage and collaboration platform that provides Internet-like access to digital resources without requiring Internet connectivity.
This project is guided by a spirit of collaboration with the global disability community as the project moves forward. The formation of an international advisory board for the project will assure the guidance of stakeholders in implementing this innovative project.
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| First Universal Periodic Review
of the United States Provides Opportunities for Advocates |
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In December 2010, the United States will participate in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for the first time. Six weeks prior to the December review the United States government will submit its report to the HRC for its consideration in the process. The UPR is a relatively new process through which the human rights records of the United Nations' 192 Member States are reviewed every four years.
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| A Message from the Executive Director |
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Dear Friends,
There is a lot going on with USICD! With the important work of our members, the growth of our activities, and the advancement of the global disability rights movement, we have entered 2010 energized and inspired. We hope this newsletter and a newly revamped USICD website will inform, inspire, and engage you in the diverse array of new and ongoing efforts in the USICD community.
The vision for U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is one of the driving forces behind our work. We are committed to fostering your participation in this and other initiatives through our online resources, educational events, and advocacy activities. Our members asked us to collect news and referrals related to Haiti earthquake recovery. We have devoted part of our homepage to this critical situation. Our passion for building bridges with the international disability community is more vibrant than ever. The Global Disability Rights Library Project is one way we are deepening our relationships with colleagues around the world.
The USICD Board of Directors and I thank you for your continued interest, and we ask for your support as a member or donor, so that USICD can continue to meet the tremendous workload associated with these important initiatives. Please do not hesitate to contact me, or any of our Directors, to talk about USICD's work. I look forward to staying in touch with you this year.
Sincerely,
David Morrissey
Executive Director |
