PRESS
RELEASE
May 25, 2012
May 25, 2012
Today, seven United States
Senators issued a statement of bipartisan support for United States ratification
of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“The Convention was undertaken
with the same goals as America had in enacting the ADA: to empower individuals
with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and
inclusion and integration into all aspects of society. While we have fostered
considerable progress through international collaborations, far too many people
with disabilities languish under their countries’ insufficient governmental
frameworks. Ratification of the CRPD will be a huge step forward in enhancing
the lives of people with disabilities around the world,” stated Joan Durocher,
NCD’s General Counsel and Director of Policy.
Ratification of the CRPD will allow U.S.
participation at the CRPD Conference of States Parties and permit the U.S. to
appoint a member of the CRPD Committee. Through these mechanisms, the U.S. can
influence guidance on the implementation of the treaty and lend its expertise as
more countries develop their own disability rights laws.
Marylyn Howe, NCD Board Member,
added, “In both our mandated advisory role and that of promoting policy that
enhances the lives of people with disabilities, the National Council on
Disability (NCD) was pleased to support the efforts of the United States
throughout the development of the Convention.”
By being a signatory to this
historic document, and submitting it to the U.S. Senate for ratification, the
United States provides its clear support for the principles of the Convention.
NCD urges the Senate to expeditiously ratify this historic treaty. Upon
ratification, the United States will join
more than 140 other countries in committing themselves to protecting the rights
of people with disabilities.
The public
announcement of the support for ratification by this bipartisan group of U.S.
Senators can be found here:
About the National Council on
Disability: NCD is a small, independent federal agency comprised of 15
Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed Council Members and a small staff,
who advise the President, Congress and other federal agencies on disability
policy, programs, practices, and procedures.
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