On Thursday, October 24th, ACI participated in a round table discussion on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), hosted by NJ Senator Menendez at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange. Luke Koppisch was on the panel representing ACI and equality for people with disabilities worldwide.
CRPD, an international disability treaty, is a vital framework for creating legislation and policies that would help ensure that millions of people with disabilities around the world have basic rights, open markets to American business abroad, and reestablish the US as a global leader on disability rights. It was inspired by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which served as the model for the CRPD, and values independence and respect and the concept of reasonable accommodation.
"This is not a partisan issue; it's a human rights issue." - Colleen Roche, ACI Board Chair
More than 700 American organizations, including disability groups, 20+ veterans' service organizations, and faith-based organizations have pledged their support to this treaty. The United States signed the CRPD in 2009, though the US Senate has failed to pass the treaty. Over 130 countries have already ratified the convention, which ensures that these nations will pass and refine laws to promote the rights of all persons with disabilities.
"[CRPD ratification] in and of itself is movement in the right direction." - NJ Senator Menendez
On November 5th and 12th, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chaired by Senator Menendez will conduct hearings on CRPD. If you would like to go: the hearings will take place at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Constitution Avenue and 1st Street, NE Washington, DC, 20002.
Want to show your support? Please visit the CRPD website and find out how you can urge Senators to vote YES on CRPD!
For more information on CRPD, visit the United Nations website at un.org.
