Information on Humanitarian Response for People with Disabilities in Japan

A severe 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck the eastern-north part of Japan on March 11, 2011.  A subsequent massive tsunami has caused even further damage, including damage to nuclear reactors in Japan.  USICD wishes to extend its support to the people of Japan during this difficult time and will continue posting information on our website.

Disabled Peoples International of Japan has created a fund for international donors that is focused on the disability community. 

Click here to find a link to this donation site.
  

Click here to read an appeal from the Relief Headquarters for Persons with Disabilities of Tohoku-Kanto Great Earthquake that shares what is known as of March 17 and that urges relief organizations to take the needs of people with disabilities into consideration.

Further resources will be regularly updated on USICD's Humanitarian Response page, as well as on Facebook and Twitter as they become available.

Click here to read USICD's full statement 

New Ways to Connect with USICD

USICD is constantly searching for new ways to reach our membership and our larger community.  Now, you can follow USICD and developments in the world of International Disability Rights in new ways.  In addition to our regular newsletters and press releases, community calls on the CRPD and GDRL, USICD is branching out to new forums:  

  You can follow events and commentary on new CRPD ratifications and events in the world disability community on our twitter feed at twitter.com/usicd

 'Like' us on Facebook  to find new forums for news and discussion or disability rights issues.

 And follow USICD's blog, which will feature posts by Disability leaders, Board Members, Staff, and other guest writers as we take a more focused look at real issues in disability inclusion and rights today. Read David Morrissey's most recent post on his recent visit to Vietnam and reconnection with friends in the disability movement there.

We hope you will join us in reaching our friends and colleagues through USICD!

USICD Annual Meeting Coming Friday April 29, 2011

USICD's Annual Meeting is coming, and we are excited to have so many members of our community in one place at the same time. The meeting will be an opportunity to learn more about USICD's projects, network with colleagues, hear from guest speakers, and to share your own activity news. 

The event will also feature a special benefit for our friends in Japan, and your attendance will be extra important

 Here is basic informaton:

Esmé Grant has joined USICD as a Disability Rights Educator.  Esmé has past appointments with the ABA Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law and currently sits on the American Branch of International Law Association's Disability Committee.  She received her J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco where she earned a public interest specialization, focusing her studies on cross-disability issues including emergency preparedness, voting rights, and amendments to state education laws.  

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with USICD and provide education about the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. As an advocate, I think this is a wonderful way to advance the rights of people with disabilities-by raising awareness of the human rights of people with disabilities and this important international convention.  I look forward to coming together with people around the country in this effort."

You can Read Esme's Full bio at:  

http://usicd.org/index.cfm/news_usicd-welcomes-esme-grant

Sherzodbek Sharipov Joins DRI for Training
on Community Integration in Ukraine

March 02-03, 2011 Kiev, Ukraine- Sherzodbek Sharipov, USICD's Research and Programs Fellow, participated in a two-day training workshop on Disability Advocacy and Community Integration in Kiev, Ukraine.

Sherzodbek Sharipov leading a workshop on Article 12 of the CRPD

The workshop was organized by Disability Rights International with help from the Coalition of Disabled Peoples' Organizations in Ukraine.

"It was refreshing to find that these Ukrainian DPOs are eager to collaborate with their peers, and sharing their own experiences of advocating for disability rights in their communities," Sharipov noted.

The two-day training was followed by visits to local DPOs, schools for children and adults with different types of disabilities, including people with autism and down syndrome, and rehabilitation centers for children with mental disabilities and their families.

Click Here to read more about Sherzodbek's Ukraine trip, and his trip to Detroit with the Developmental Disabilities Institute at Wayne State University

David Morrissey Joins Judy Heumann for 'Conversations with America'

David Morrissey, Cheryl Benton, and Judy Heumann discuss Disability Rights on 'Conversations with America'

On Thursday, February 17, 2011, USICD Executive Director David Morrissey joined Judith Heumann, Special Advisor for International Disability Rights for the U.S. State Department a "Conversation with America," on International Disability Rights.  The discussion was moderated by Cheryl Benton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Public Affairs and streamed live on DipNote, the Department of State's official blog. 

You can view video of the discussion at:

http://www.state.gov/video/?videoid=795316932001

And read a transcript of the conversation at:

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/plrmo/cwa/156916.htm

Reminder: USICD Has Moved!

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Global Disability Rights Library Internship 

Application Process Open for GDRL Deployment Sites

Apply now to be recipient of Global Disability Rights Library.

Save the Date: Symposium on the World Report on Disability

February 25, 2011

The New Transatlantic Agenda and the CRPD

February 25, 2011

UNICEF Senior Adviser on Children with Disabilities: Rosangela Berman-Bieler

February 17, 2011