David Morrissey Visits Iowa for the Launch of the Global Disability Rights Library |
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David Morrissey and Widernet Staff
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As September drew to a close, USICD's Executive Director found himself in Iowa to officially recognize the launching of the GDRL. While there he was able to:
- visit with students and faculty of the University of Iowa in various forums
- speak to the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council
- speak with parent advocates and people with disabilities at the University of Iowa's Center for Disabilities and Development
- appear on Iowa Public Radio talking about disability in international development
- contribute to an article in the Daily Iowan on accessibility services around the country
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September - An Active Month for the CRPD! |
The Committee on the Rights of Persons met from September 19-23 in Geneva this month. The primary objective of the Committee's sixth session was to consider the initial report of Spain on its implementation of the CRPD. Spain ratified the Convention in December of 2007. In its presentation, the Spanish delegation highlighted that key legislative developments in 2008 had enhanced employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Overall, the delegation reported that Spain was proud of its overall accessibility improvements and inclusion of people with disabilities through its comprehensive constitution. Experts on the Committee questioned Spanish delegates on data collection, educational opportunities, and universal design. A formal report of the Committee's findings is forthcoming.
Also this month was the Treaty Event 2011: Towards Universal Participation and Implementation. The September event included the opportunity for nations to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The CRPD currently has 153 signatories and 105 ratifications. During the course of the international event Palau, Saint Lucia, Micronesia, and Kyrgystan signed the CRPD and Bahrain and Luxembourg ratified the treaty.
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Enabling Development, Realizing the CRPD through Civil Society Cooperation |
| USICD Executive Director David Morrissey, Diana Samarasan of Disability Rights Fund (DRF), President of Rehabilitation International, Anne Hawker, and Co-chair of DRF Catherine Townsend speak on a panel at the United Nations COSP. |
From September 6-9, government delegations and disabled people's organizations (DPOs) from all over the world gathered at the UN Headquarters in New York for the Conference of States Parties (COSP). DPOs from different countries had a chance to share their experiences and best practices in advancing disability rights movements in their communities in a one-day civil society forum organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the International Disability Alliance, a network of global and regional organizations of persons with disabilities.
Sherzodbek Sharipov, Research and Programs Fellow
New York, UN Headquarters
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GDRL Demonstrated in Africa |
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Rachel Garaghty demonstrates the GDRL in Tanzania |
Two GDRL deployment sites in Tanzania, the Information Centre on Disability (ICD) - Tanzania and SHIVYWATA (Tanzanian Federation of DPOs), received demonstrations of the eGranary this past August. USICD intern Rachel Garaghty visited both organizations during a stay in Dar es Salaam. Staff at both ICD and SHIVYAWATA were enthusiastic about receiving the GDRL and using it to further disability rights in Tanzania.
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Equality, Dignity, and Independence through Sports |
| USICD's Esm� Grant with BlazeSports Members Angelica and Enrique Gomez |
"Sport builds bodies and minds, promotes public health and instills important values, such as teamwork, fairness, inclusion, cooperation and communication. It also teaches the importance of principles such as interdependence and respect."
- Charlotte McClain-Nhalpo, USAID Coordinator for Disability and Inclusive Development
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A view of Atlanta, where the BlazeSports Conference was held |
This month, I had the honor of presenting on the CRPD at the 11th Annual BlazeSports International Conference on Paralympic Sport and Physical Activity. It was wonderful to work with an engaging audience and discuss how the treaty's values of dignity, independence and respect are advanced by participation in sport. I also enjoyed the opportunity to discuss Article 30.5's approach to greater inclusivity of athletes with disabilities within the world of sports. Not only does the CRPD promote access to mainstream sports, but it also requires that ratifying nations promote the creation and participation of disability-specific sporting activities. This dual-track approach has been widely embraced in the athletic disability community, and has in fact allowed more fluidity for integration and inclusion within sports and society.
Esm� Grant, Disability Rights Educator
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A Day on Capitol Hill |
| Rhonda Neuhaus and David Morrissey at "My Medicaid Matters" Rally |
From every corner of the country, people converged at the Peace Circle on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 for the "My Medicaid Matters" rally. Senators, Congresswomen, and civil rights leaders took their turns at the podium, including disability community leaders, speaking out among a sea of yellow t-shirts and waving American flags. Over a thousand voices chanted and cheered to the rhythm of the day's events. Believed to be one of the largest disability rights demonstrations since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, the national capitol heard the voices of Americans with disabilities. For the international community, this rally was evidence of the right to political participation and freedom of speech that Americans with disabilities hold dear. Every day, these rights are denied to disabled people around the world, but this is changing, one country at a time, and people with disabilities are exercising their rights!
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Member News and Opportunities
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Program Officer for Latin America and the Middle East / North Africa opportunity
Disability Rights Fund
Independent Living Peer Guide
opportunity
Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann Inc.
PROJECT MANAGER - Disability and Vulnerability Focal Point opportunity Pakistan. Starting date: ASAP. Closing date for application : 31/12/2011
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WORLD HEADLINES AND OPPORTUNITIES | |
Study Session Sunday, October 9, 2011 - Sunday, October 16, 2011
DISABLED PEOPLES' INTERNATIONAL 8TH WORLD ASSEMBLY Monday, October 10, 2011 - Thursday, October 13, 2011
Inequity to Equity Monday, October 17, 2011 - Tuesday, October 18, 2011
International Research Symposium Tuesday, November 8, 2011 - Tuesday, November 8, 2011
2nd Asia Pacific CBR Congress Tuesday, November 29, 2011 - Thursday, December 1, 2011
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2011 Saturday, December 3, 2011 - Saturday, December 3, 2011
Pacific Rim International Forum Saturday, March 24, 2012 - Sunday, March 25, 2012
28th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity Monday, March 26, 2012 - Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Democracy Fellowship - Disability/Human Rights opportunity
Posted: Wednesday, September 7, 2011
International Disabilities Consultant
opportunity
IFES is engaged in a two year cooperative agreement with USAID
Thematic Study on Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Political and Public Life
opportunity
Extension of time to make submissions:15 October, 2011.
Call for Papers: Rethinking Socio-Economic Policy for a Recovery for All
opportunity UNICEF is organizing an online call for papers on the theme of "Rethinking Socio-Economic Policy for a Recovery for All." Deadline: 20 October 2011
MASTERS IN DISABILITY AND PUBLIC POLICY opportunity Masters in Disability and Public Policy, School of International Service, American University, Washington DC.
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CRPD Ratification Watch |
As of
September 28, 2011
CRPD:
- 153 Signatories
- 105 Ratifications
Optional Protocol:
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90 Signatories -
63 Ratifications
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Recent Ratifications:
Luxembourg ratified the Convention and Optional Protocol on September 26, 2011
Micronesia signed the Convention on September 23, 2011
Bahrain ratified the Convention on September 22, 2011
Saint Lucia signed the Convention on September 22, 2011
Kyrgyzstan signed the Convention on September 21, 2011
Pulau signed the Convention on September 20, 2011
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