Friday, July 31, 2009

US Signs UN Disability Rights Convention



President Obama announced the US signing of the
United Nation’s International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).  Susan Rice, US Ambassador to the UN, signed the treaty on July 30th at the United Nations as required under international legal arrangements. Upon signature, the U.S. must uphold the general purpose of the treaty, but is not legally bound under international law to any specific article until the Senate ratifies it by two-thirds majority vote. Read the President's related remarks at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-on-Rights-of-Persons-with-Disabilities-Proclamation-Signing/

US participation in the UN CRPD has been a long time coming, stalled for years under previous administrations. When ratified, the US will join numerous other nations who’ve signed and ratified the protocol. Here’s looking forward to the day the US is “in the red” on the map!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

In President Obama's press conference speech on the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, he did a great job of discussing ADA and the difference it has made in the United States. He also shared the story of his wife's father that was diagnosed with muliple scelrosis in his 30's and how he spent a lifetime working and providing for his family in the days before ADA was passed. I am glad to see the President is both professionally and personally empathic to persons with diabilities. In addition, the United States participation in the the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is communicating to the world that persons with diabilities have rights and should be treated as human beings. It is sad to know that this is not happening everywhere in the world. The United States is a leading country in many facets and this shows that our message to the world is to respect and provide rights to all people.
Cindy V.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Cindy in the respect that People with disabilities deserve the same rights as everyone else. President Obama was very sincere when talking about people with disabilities. I believe when a person has experienced first hand with their family, they are more empathetic. The great thing is that the President of the United States does care about people with disabilities and believes in giving opportunities just as everyone else!!!

Gabby S.

Noemi said...

While its a shame that we stalled to jo the other nations who signed, it is great to see that the US finally signed. I feel that all people should be treated equally and it shouldn't matter if they have a disability or where they live.
On another note, I feel that some of the great advocates for people with disabilities are those with disabilities or those who have a personal experience with people with disabilities. I think that it is great that President Obama knows the realities that some people with disabilities have to live. Hopefully his experience will help in the future advocating for people with disabilities.

Karla said...

It is good news to see that the UN is taking an interest to concerns with people with disabilities, its “first new human rights convention of the 21st century.” I agree with Noemi, it is a little disappointing that the United States did not sign sooner (after 141 countries.) Especially when finding out that the US participated in the negotiation process during the Bush Administration, but chose not to sign it.

Now that the US is on board, it will be interesting their role they will take. The UN stated that issues like discrimination in employment, education, housing, and medical care were going to be researched and monitored. It’s good to see the world getting involved…
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Valerie-Jarrett-and-Ambassador-Rice-on-the-UN-Convention-on-the-Rights-of-Persons/

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/31/content_11801192.htm

Miguel said...

I agree with all you guys, in President Obamas speech you could see what he went trhough when he delt with his wifes father disability. He knows all the dificulties that a person with a disability goes through and he is very sympathetic with them. Its about time that PWD get recognized and be treated equally like everyone else.

Anonymous said...

I am just still wondering why the U.S. is just joining this? Haven't we come a long way with the rights of people with disabilities in history? WHy is the U.S. barely joining? Its good to see that Obama is really putting his foot forward on more issues that he had promised DURING his campaigning. This is a great issue that has come up and more times should people with disabilities be put on the front lines. I think that people without disabilities need to pay more attention to what is going on in the U.S. with health care and treatment for people with disabilites. ANother important aspect that needs to be noticed is the problem with employment of people with disabilities and the unequal treatment and pay. AIssa S.

Ruby Quesada said...

It is great that President Obama recognizes the importance of the ADA in the United States. He has had to encounter family members aquiring disabilites such as his mother who past away and his father in law. I feel when individuals experience things at a more personal level they are more sympathetic towards others who may be experiencing the same.

Anonymous said...

Although the President may have received mixed reviews about certain policies he has endorsed, by signing to join the UN Disability Rights Convention, he has made a huge stride for people with disabilities. I think it is important that we continue to press for advancement in areas such as those involving people with disabilities because it one step closer to achieving equality for all people.

Maggie Ybarra
REHS 6300

Nora A.Rodriguez said...

It is good that the president signed and finally people with disability are getting regconized and thier voices are getting heard. I also believed that they should be treated equaly like every one else. The United states are taking steps and there is still things to improve and we should listen to them and make that change just like Obama says "Its time to Make a change."

Anonymous said...

Comment on a comment: I like what Cindy said about President Obama. I like that he went on to explain his father in law who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and how they have worked through it. Nice choice of words for describing President Obama's speech. Very well said. :)
Aissa S.

Anonymous said...

This is such an amazing feat for people with disabilities. Worldwide recognition is something that we all have praying for. All people regardless of disability, nationality or gender deserve the same rights as the next guy. It is such a refreshing reminder of the new administration that we are under!
Jeanette G.

Anonymous said...

this is a great message for other countries in terms of the importance of including individuals wih diabilities on international legislation, this is the type of chane that i was hoping obama would make.

-Pete Castaneda III
REHS 6300

Anonymous said...

It is good to hear that the UN is taking an interest to the concerns with people with disabilities. Its also good to know that our president has compassion towards people with disabilities and that he can relate due to his wife's father having MS. In would have been nice though to see the US take action earlier, but its better late then never.

ALINA L. REHS 6300

Juan said...

In President Obama's press conference speech on the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, he did a great job of discussing ADA and the difference it has made in the United States. Truly does show that he understands what ADA is and were we have to be in the future to have a better world for all people. It also showed that he has a very knowledgably team behind him that understands that we are still in need of more reform to be able to equality in this world. The question I do have is, why did it take so long for the US to participate in the UN CRPD, why did previous administrations not see this as a property for not just your country but for the world. It seems that we did really need a new kind of president and a new kind of government, because since Obama become president a lot of things that for some reason or another previous administration would say we can’t do, are now being done. A good example is the US joins the UN International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Juan Leija

Anonymous said...

I agree that it's a shame that the United States is just now signing,but we should concentrate on the fact that it finally happened,and not how long it took. President Obama's personal experiences with disability show in the sincerity and devotion that he expresses when speaking about the topic. I feel that it is refreshing to finally have someone who valitates people with disabilities and is willing to be an advocate for equal rights in the white house.

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