Disability community remembers   

Charlie Swenson     

USICD is excited to launch its first year of the Youth in Development (YiD) internship program with the vital support of the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation. YiD provides young American students and recent graduates with disabilities the opportunity to spend nine weeks in DC in the field of international development and aid.  

This deadline to apply to the YiD program for Summer 2013 is February 18! CLICK HERE TO APPLY NOW!

The American disability community is eager to begin advocating for the 2013 passage of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)! As the 113th Congress is settling in, USICD is preparing a new website, new materials, and a new webinar to get more of the community involved and informed about this important disability rights treaty. If you want to get the latest information and email alerts on CRPD ratification efforts, email [email protected].

This month, USICD is launching a new webinar with its first educational presentation to the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). Esm� and Executive Director David Morrissey will continue to offer local, state, and national webinars - let us know if your organization or coalition would like one (contact [email protected])! Later this month, David will present on the CRPD at the American Council of the Blind's Legislative Seminar. The ACB has been an active partner in the CRPD ratification effort.

Also later this month, Esm� will present on the CRPD and inclusive development for the Global Human Development program at Georgetown University. The new program at the School of Foreign Service aims to prepare students to understand the challenges of development and provide them with the tools and experience they need to address them. The GHD program has collaborated with the International Development Program at Gallaudet University to address disability inclusiveness in development.

Photo Credit: Disability Rights International

After years of advocating for change, Disability Rights International recently announced that the Mexican government, in following DRI's report and recommendations, has amended its health law to provide for a community-based system.

USICD Board Member and DRI Executive Director, Eric Rosenthal, has worked tirelessly to improve the situation of people with mental disabilities in Mexico. In 2010, Disability Rights International (DRI) released a widely publicized human rights report, Abandoned and Disappeared: Mexico's Segregation and Abuse of Children and Adults with Disabilities Adults with Disabilities, which documented atrocious conditions in state-run Mexican institutions (see New York Times and other press coverage). DRI documented children and adults left in unsanitary and unacceptable conditions in institutions. USICD was present and reported on hearings held by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on the rights of people with disabilities detained in institutions in March 2012 (watch DRI's testimony before the Commission).

To read this article in English CLICK HERE. 

• End Exclusion: The European Union has been funding a three-year project, "END EXCLUSION-Let's Enable the Millennium Development Goals", to raise awareness among journalists, politicians, teachers, and leaders about the importance of including people with disabilities in programs designed to reduce poverty. Learn more about End Exclusion HERE.
• Disabled Police Force in Sierra Leone: For the first time in the country's history, Sierra Leone is hiring people with disabilities in its police force. Following passage of the Disability Act of 2011, the hiring of people with disabilities became a priority for the police force. None of the new workers are yet working on the street but the inspector general acknowledges this could happen soon. Handicap International finds that 95% of people with disabilities in Sierra Leone are unemployed. READ MORE.
• Asia and Disability: A new publication, "Disability at a Glance 2012: Strengthening the evidence base in Asia and the Pacific" has been released. It stresses the urgent need to work toward a greater common understanding of disability and related data and data collection practices. It is available in PDF format HERE
• Miss Montana International: Anna Biegel, a Montana native with dyslexia, will represent Miss Montana International as she competes for the title of Miss International in Chicago this July. She will be joined by contestants from India, Australia, Africa, and Scotland. READ MORE
• Uganda and Access to Education: Uganda has a new Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act to provide access to education for people with disabilities in line with the CRPD. Read about one student's experience, successes and remaining challenges HERE.
• Employment and the CRPD: The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has recently published a study on work and employment of persons with disabilities in relation to Article 27 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The study highlights good practices in promoting employment opportunities for people with disabilities and identifies the main challenges in ensuring they enjoy access to, retention of, and advancement in employment on an equal basis with others. The submissions for this thematic study can be found HERE.
• Wheelchair Tennis Star Retires: After a ten year winning streak in wheelchair tennis, Dutchwoman Esther Vergeer has decided to retire. Her accomplishments include winning gold medals at four straight Paralympics competitions. She has won 148 single titles and 136 in doubles. Read more about her impressive career HERE.
• Disability is Not Inability: Need a quick break? Watch this catchy music video hosted by Leonard Cheshire Disability Young Voices with music artist Baba Gurston Opar of Kenya. WATCH HERE.

Connect with USICD!

Member News and Opportunities

Health Disparities Research at the Intersection of Race, Ethnicity, and Disability: A National Con
Thursday, April 25, 2013 - Friday, April 26, 2013

Disability Integration Advisor(National IMAT Disability Integration Advisor)
Posted: Tuesday, February 12, 2013  opportunity  

Executive Assistant to the President/CEO
Posted: Monday, February 4, 2013 opportunity

Regional Disability Integration Specialist, GS-301-12
Posted: Monday, February 4, 2013 opportunity

 Executive Director
Posted: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 opportunity    

Empower Partnerships for Inclusive Communities
Posted: Monday, January 14, 2013 opportunity

The NAD Seeks a Director of Communications
Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2013 opportunity