United States International Council on Disabilities

World disabled people's association to be officially established in Istanbul
September 8, 2011
Source: World Bulletin
Senturk said 54 countries would attend the meeting in Istanbul, and this number could increase till that day.

Easy Read guide to voting rights
September 7, 2011
Source: European Union Agency for Fundemental Rights
Fundamental rights of persons with intellectual disabilities and persons with mental health problems

ISO works on global standard of accessibility for packaging
August 30, 2011
Source: http://finchannel.com

Russia: Billions Pledged for PWD's
August 19, 2011
Source: New York Times
Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin pledged help and cash for 13 million disabled Russians on Friday

Turkmenistan Holds Workshops on CRPD Implementation
August 16, 2011
Source: UN Turkmenistan
The Working Group of the Interministerial Commission on Implementation of the International Obligations of Human Rights advances knowledge on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

USICD Leads InterAction Discussion on International Disability Development
August 12, 2011
As a member organization of InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S. based international NGOs, USICD was excited to participate in the InterAction Forum this month.

CRPD Moves Transit Accessiblity in Nova Scotia
July 28, 2011

Presidential Proclamation-Anniversary of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act
July 26, 2011
A proclamation by the President of the United States of America regarding the Anniversary of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act.

CRPD Inspires Moldova's Roadmap for Protecting the Rights of People with Disabilities
July 25, 2011
Source: UNDP

Mexico and Republic of Korea present their national reports to the CRPD Committee
July 20, 2011
Source: International Disability Alliance
Mexico and Republic of Korea have submitted their national reports to the CRPD Committe. For the moment, the reports are only available in Spanish for Mexico and in English for Republic of Korea.

National CRPD Awareness Campaign in India Starts November 2011
July 19, 2011

UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Addresses World Congress of WFD
July 18, 2011
Address of the High Commissioner on the occasion of the Opening of the XVI World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf in Durban, South Africa

UN Publishes July Report on the Status of the CRPD
July 7, 2011
Source: United Nations

High Commissioner for Human Rights Releases 2010 Annual Report
July 1, 2011
Source: Rehabilitation International

High Commissioner for Human Rights Annual Report 2010 available
July 1, 2011
Source: Rehabilitation International
The High Commissioner for Human Rights has published the Annual Report for 2010

Cyprus 102 Country to Ratify CRPD
June 30, 2011
Source: United Nationa Enable

Cyprus Ratifies the CRPD
June 27, 2011
Source: UN Enable

Fijian Prime Minister Opens Community Center for People with Disabilities
June 22, 2011
Source: Fiji Village

Australia to Improve Human Rights for People with Disabilities through CRPD
June 22, 2011
Source: Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs

CRPD Education and Outreach Going Strong
June 22, 2011

India Plans to Replace Disability Law with New Law Mirroring CRPD
June 17, 2011
Source: The Mangalorean

CRPD Advocate Joins Turkish Parliament
June 16, 2011
Source: Los Angeles Times

Chairman of CRPD Committee Comments on WHO World Report on Disability
June 15, 2011
Source: http://www.iddcconsortium.net

Regional Conference Wraps up in Turkmenistan on Development and Disability
June 15, 2011
Source: http://www.undptkm.org

UN High Level Meeting on AIDS Addresses Disability, Accessibility, and the CRPD
June 9, 2011
Source: UN AIDS

Young Coalition in UK Presents Minister of Health with Video on CRPD
June 3, 2011
Source: Children & Young People Now

Belize Ratifies the CRPD
June 2, 2011
Source: UN Enable

Multiple Sclerosis and the Right to Work
May 24, 2011
Source: Accra Mail

Jamaica, first to ratify the CRPD, to Enact its National Disability Bill in March 2012
May 24, 2011
Source: http://www.jis.gov

Nigeria to Create Ministerial Committee on Albinism, Upholding Signature to CRPD
May 23, 2011
Source: http://www.worldstagegroup.com

IDA Press Release: CRPD Reaches 100 Ratifications
May 13, 2011

UN chief welcomes 100th ratification of UN disability convention as ‘milestone’
May 13, 2011
Source: United Nation

Disability Convention Receives 100th Ratification
May 12, 2011

Colombia Is 100th Nation to Ratify the CRPD
May 10, 2011
Source: United Nations

Singapore Announces Its Intention to Sign the CRPD by 2012 During UPR Review
May 9, 2011
Source: http://www.scoop.no.nz

UAE Continues Path to Compliance with CRPD
May 9, 2011
Source: http://www.thenational.ae

Belize becomes 148th signatory to the CRPD
May 9, 2011
Source: UN Enable

Canada Works to Strengthen Legislative Language in Light of the CRPD
May 6, 2011
Source: http://www.thestartphoenix.com

Committee Makes First Concluding Observations after 5th Session
May 6, 2011
Source: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

New Zealand's Minister Explains CRPD's Role in Advancing Disability in the Country
May 4, 2011
Source: Voxy

New Building Standards in Australia to Move Forward with CRPD Compliance
May 3, 2011
Source: Constructor Contractor

ENABLE NEWSLETTER (April 2011)
May 3, 2011
The Enable Newsletter is prepared by the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SCRPD) at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) with input from UN offices, agencies, funds and programmes, as well as from civil society.

Maria Otero of State Department Discusses CRPD at Human Rights Conference
April 28, 2011
Source: U.S. State Department

Peaceful Rally and Celebration of Disabilitiy Rights in Armenia's Capitol include CRPD Praise
April 28, 2011
Source: News AM

Turkmenistan Moves Forward with CRPD Implementation
April 22, 2011
Source: UNICEF

UAE Minister of Social Affairs Acknowledges How UAE Ratification of CRPD Has Helped to Empower Women with Disabilities
April 19, 2011
Source: Emirates News Agency

Key Convention Players Comment on the 5th Convening of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
April 19, 2011
Source: The United Nations

Hungary-based Mental Disability Advocacy Center (MDAC) Creates Guidelines for the CRPD's Article 33
April 18, 2011
Source: Mental Disability Advocacy Center

Fifth Session Concludes for the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
April 15, 2011
Source: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

The European Lotteries and the Disability Movement Join Forces for a More Inclusive Europe
April 14, 2011
Source: European Disability Forum

The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Begins Its Fifth Session and Welcomes New Members
April 11, 2011
Source: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Mexico Designates the Agencies Responsible for Monitoring the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
March 2, 2011
Source: ISRIA

Togo Ratifies CRPD and Optional Protocol
March 1, 2011

The New Transatlantic Agenda and the CRPD
February 25, 2011

Study on the situation of women with disabilities in light of the UN Convention for the Rights of People with Disabilities
February 14, 2011
This study analyzes and interprets information on the situation of women with disabilities in Europe in light of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The study also specifies what still has to be done to allow women with disabilities to enjoy their rights and fundamental freedoms.

Romania Ratifies the CRPD
January 31, 2011

EU Ratifies CRPD; First Intergovernmental Group to Join
December 23, 2010
Source: Human Rights Watch

NZ Human Rights Commission Welcomes Disability Report
December 8, 2010
Source: Scoop Independent News

EU: Way Cleared to Join Human Rights Treaty
December 6, 2010
Source: Human Rights Watch

On the Occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 3, 2010

Australia Submits Initial Report on CRPD
December 3, 2010
Source: Australian Government Human Rights
Australia submitted its initial report to the United Nations on 3 December 2010, which is International Day of People with Disability.

Ukraine to speed up implementation of UN convention on rights of persons with disabilities
December 3, 2010
Source: Ukranian Radio

IDA Disability Rights Bulletin November 2010
December 3, 2010

Government calls on disabled Luxembourg residents
November 29, 2010
Source: 352 LuxMag

Initial report on Hong Kong implementation of CRPD available for public inspection
November 25, 2010
Source: 7th Space Interactive

OSCE Centre in Astana raises awareness of disabilities as human rights issue
November 25, 2010
Source: Finchannel

Have your say on New Zealand's international disabilities report
November 4, 2010
Source: Scoop Independent News

New Zealand Appoints Disability Rights Commissioner
October 26, 2010
New Zealand has announced the establishment of a full-time Disability Rights Commissioner within the Human Rights Commission, a protection and monitoring role for the Office of the Ombudsmen and resourcing a formalised role for disabled persons' organisations.

Sierra Leone Ratifies the CRPD
October 4, 2010

Greece Signs Optional Protocol to the CRPD
September 27, 2010

Nigeria Ratifies CRPD and Optional Protocol
September 24, 2010

Armenia and Republic of Moldova Ratify the CRPD
September 22, 2010
Source: UN News Centre

Bhutan signs CRPD
September 21, 2010
Bhutan signed the CRPD on September 21, 2010 at the UN

USICD Represented at Third UN Conference of States Parties to the CRPD
September 10, 2010

At UN, countries call for strengthening of rights of persons with disabilities
September 3, 2010

Top UN official urges all Member States to ratify landmark disability convention
September 1, 2010

Latvia Ratifies Optional Protocol to CRPD
August 31, 2010
Latvia became the 57th ratifier of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on August 31, 2010.

Lithuania Ratifies Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
August 18, 2010
Lithuania became the 90th ratifier of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on August, 2010. On the same day, Lithuania also ratified the Optional Protocol, making it the 56th to ratify.

South African government takes steps to protect rights of children with disabilities to access education under CRPD
August 13, 2010

Survey examines attitudes toward people with disabilities among residents of Dubai, United Arab Emirates
August 9, 2010

Australia's government releases 10-year plan for citizens with disabilities
August 3, 2010

Pakistan to Lead "South Asian Disability Forum"
August 2, 2010

Community Letter to Senators Kerry and Lugar on CRPD Ratification
July 29, 2010

President of Paralyzed Veterans of America Acknowledges ADA, CRPD
July 25, 2010

Editorial critizes Japan's education system as not sufficiently inclusive of students with disabilities
July 24, 2010

People with Disbilities in Nigeria Face Accessibility Barriers in Transportation, Infrastructure
July 24, 2010

Tony Coelho Calls for Your Support for CRPD Ratification
July 19, 2010

Malaysia becomes 89th Ratifier of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
July 19, 2010

Author calls upon Philippines government to recognize human rights of people with disabilities
July 16, 2010

Disability organizations urge Ghana government to ratify CRPD
July 15, 2010

Grenada Signs Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on July 12, 2010
July 12, 2010
Grenada signs the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, making it the 146th country to sign. It has not yet fully ratified the treaty.

Maldives president passes bill on people with disabilities
July 8, 2010

National census counts people with disabilities in Gambia, Africa
July 7, 2010

Barriers for people with disabilities in Syria slowly being broken
July 7, 2010

Ethiopia Ratifies the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
July 7, 2010
Ethiopia became the 88th ratifier of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on July 7, 2010.

Study finds 50% of children with disabilities in Bangladesh experience sexual abuse, mostly from relatives
July 6, 2010

Australia launches national consultation process to inform initial report on implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
July 6, 2010

Nigerian disability advocates urge government to create laws protecting rights of people with disabilities
July 6, 2010

Malaysia signs, does not yet ratify, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
July 6, 2010

Disability Advocates in Ghana call upon judges and lawyers to support disability rights
July 3, 2010

Prime Minister of Swaziland pledges to implement UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
July 1, 2010

Vietnam enacts its first disability law
June 22, 2010

Mind Freedom Ghana appeals to Ghana's government to ratify Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
June 22, 2010

Ghana federation of disabled asks government to improve implementation of disability rights legislation
June 22, 2010

India's minsitry of social justice proposes new legislation to protect rights of people with disabilities in consonance with Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
June 18, 2010

Children with disabilities in Somalia often left behind, forgotten
June 17, 2010

United Nations Caribbean representative calls upon region to include people with disabilities
June 17, 2010

Canada introduces legislation to protect rights of immigrants with disabilities
June 17, 2010

Action on Disability and Development supports campaigners in promoting human rights of people with disabilities in developing countries
June 14, 2010

Guyana's parliament passes disability rights legislation
June 12, 2010

Ghana holds country's first career fair for people with disabilities
June 11, 2010

India Government to Include Deaf Person in Committee Drafting New Disability Legislation
June 9, 2010

Indians with Disabilities Call off Hunger Strike
June 9, 2010

New United Nations Project to Improve Early Education for Children with Disabilities in Kuwait
June 9, 2010

People with Disabilities Hunger Strike for Better Legislation in India
June 8, 2010

Events, Radio Broadcast for Disability Awareness Month Highlight Challenges in St. Kitts & Nevins Island Nation
June 4, 2010

Local Disability Advocacy Organization Calls for Pakistan's Government to Include People with Disabilities in Forming Disability Policy
June 3, 2010

Fiji Signs Disability Rights Treaty and Optional Protocol
June 2, 2010
Fiji is the 145th country to sign the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the 89th to sign the accompanying Optional Protocol. It has not yet fully ratified either treaty.

Hong Kong Government Working to Improve Accessibility and Transportation for People with Disabilities, Says Chief Secretary Henry Tang
June 2, 2010

Slovakia Ratifies Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
May 26, 2010
Slovakia ratifies CRPD, Optional Protocol.

Hong Kong's Secretary for Labour and Welfare Responds to Concerns Regarding Government's Implementation of Disability Rights Treaty
May 26, 2010
The deputy chair of Hong Kong's Democratic Party, Emily Lau, expresses concern that the country's implementation of Article 9 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), requiring improvements in accessibility, has been faulty. Hong Kong's Secretary of Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, responds.

Peel Region Council of Onatario, Canada proclaims May 30-June 5 "National Access Awareness Week"
May 26, 2010
The Peel Region Council in Ontario, Canada focuses attention on the need to overcome accessibility barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating in society.

Former High Justice of Delhi and Madras High Court Urges India's Government to Ammend Laws to be More Consistent with International Disability Rights Treaty
May 24, 2010
A P Shah thinks the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has the potential to improve protection of human rights for people with psychosocial disabilities in India. But, first, he says India's government must ammend the law to comply with the CRPD.

New rules to influence special education programs in United Arab Emirates
May 21, 2010

Fulbright Scholar at Tel Aviv University, Israel, promotes disability rights
May 20, 2010
Scholar hopes to establish disability studies program at Tel Aviv university; envisions potential for disability rights advocacy movement to unite Jewish Israelis and Muslim Palestinians.

New Zealand Maori Party secures funding to enable independence for people with disabilities
May 20, 2010

New Zealand Minister for Disability Issues Delivers speech on Disability Rights
May 20, 2010

European Court of Human Rights Affirms Rights of People with Psychosocial Disabilities to Vote
May 20, 2010

Pakistan government criticized for alleged failure to implement Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
May 20, 2010

Disability Advocates in Canada call for closing institute in Manitoba
May 18, 2010

Disability Advocates in Bangladesh calls upon government to improve implementation of disability rights treaty
May 15, 2010

Disability Community of St. Kitts-Nevis Celebrates Third Disability Awareness Month in May
May 14, 2010

New service helps web developers in India improve web accessibility
May 14, 2010
Advocates call upon India's government to improve web accessibility for people with disabilities. Wiki service provides related information, guidance for web developers.

UN Expert to Advise on New Zealand's Report on Implementation of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
May 13, 2010

Disability advocate organization in Bangladesh asks government to allocate more of its budget to needs of people with disabilities
May 11, 2010

Deaf people in Kenya face accessibility barriers
May 10, 2010

Psychiatrist in Ghana urges government to pass bill, states it would protect rights of people with psychosocial disabilities
May 10, 2010

People with disabilities in Tasmania, Australia invited to comment on local legislation
May 8, 2010

Nepal Ratifies CRPD and Optional Protocol
May 7, 2010

Spain is first to submit report to United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
May 6, 2010

India to replace old disability law with new law written to be more consistent with Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
May 6, 2010
The government of India had initially intended to ammend their 1995 disability legislation with more than 100 modifications. Disability advocates in India persuaded them that there was a better approach.

Disability advocates in Berlin protest in support of equality, better implementation of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
May 6, 2010

Author discusses implication of disability rights treaty on meeting accessibility needs of tourists with disabilities in Australia
May 4, 2010
How can the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) be used to improve accessible tourism for people with disabilities visiting Australia? Author discusses the implications.

Malaysian disability community looks to government to ratify Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
May 3, 2010

Croatia's Unfulfilled Promise: People with Disabilities Remain Institutionalized Two Years After Croatia Ratifies Disability Rights Treaty, Says Human Rights Watch
May 3, 2010
Human Rights Watch calls upon Croatia to fulfill the promise of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which it ratified two years ago, by de-institionalizing people with disabilities.

Cyprus government pledges to integrate principles of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into its federal law
May 1, 2010

News Stories Related to Canada's Ratification of the CRPD (Last Update: May 6, 2010)
April 28, 2010
On March 11, 2010, Canada pledged to be governed by the CRPD, the newest international human rights treaty which boldly articulates a human rights framework for addressing the exclusion and lack of access people with disabilities have encountered in Canada and in all societies. Ce faisant, le gouvernement s’est engagé à être régi par la CDPH, le tout nouveau traité international de droits de la personne qui, audacieusement, instaure un cadre de droits humains dans le règlement de l’exclusion et de l’inaccessibilité subies par les personnes handicapées au Canada comme à l’étranger.

Workshop on Mexico's application of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Begins
April 28, 2010

Ghana Considers Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
April 22, 2010

India's Prime Minister Pledges to Address Concerns of People with Disabilities
April 20, 2010

Norfolk Disability Organization Promotes Concerns of People with Disabilities in UK Elections
April 19, 2010

South Africa's Department of Women, Children, and Persons with Disabilities Urges Government Attention to Human Rights Issues
April 18, 2010
Government Minister in South Africa addresses human rights issues in relation to women, children, and people with disabilities. Includes discussion of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

UN Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities Calls Upon Chile to Account for Disabilities in Post-Earthquake Reconstruction
April 15, 2010

Maldives Ratifies Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
April 5, 2010

UN Secretary General Calls for Increased Global Understanding of Autism, Other Disabilities, and Disability Rights Agreement
April 2, 2010

Mental Disabilities Advocacy Center (MDAC) Launches Project for Monitoring Implementation of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
April 1, 2010

Inclusion Ireland calls upon government to ratify CRPD and recognize legal capacity for people with intellectual disabilities
March 30, 2010

Ireland considers allowing people with disabilities to serve as jurors, refers to CRPD
March 29, 2010

Writer examines broader human rights issues in Israel--including the challenges confronted by disabled Israeli Arabs
March 22, 2010

Disabled People's Organization in Dominican Republic express's concern about government's implementation of the CRPD
March 22, 2010

India strives to modify disability laws to be more consistent with CRPD
March 20, 2010

United Arab Emriates Ratifies the CRPD: News Stories (last updated March 19)
March 19, 2010
The United Arab Emirates became the 84th country to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on March 19, 2010.

Former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Calls for New Advisor on Disability for India's PM
March 18, 2010
Former chief justice of the Delhi High Court Ajit Prakash Shah said India's Prime Minister should establish a national advisor on disability to help India implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

What does China's ratification of the CRPD mean for people with disabilities in Hong Kong?
March 17, 2010
Hong Kong's Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, responds.

Conference in Cyprus Discusses Country's Legal Capacity Law, Supported Decision-Making, CRPD
March 13, 2010

Shadow report on situation of Australians with disabilities reveals CRPD not yet adequately implemented
March 12, 2010

Bosnia and Herzegovina ratify the CRPD, Optional Protocol
March 12, 2010
Bosnia and Herzegovina became the 83rd nation to ratify the CRPD and the 52nd country to ratify the Optional Protocol on March 12, 2010. Visit the United Nations Enable website to learn about the most recent CRPD ratifications.

An open letter praises Malaysian government for ratifying CRPD, urges inclusion of people with disabilities in society
March 10, 2010

A Columnist in Ghana Urges Government to Improve Implementation of 2006 Disability Rights Bill and to Ratify the CRPD
March 9, 2010

Women with Disabilities Frequently “Invisible” says Huffington Post
March 8, 2010

Swazi news columnist urges Swaziland government to implement CRPD
March 6, 2010

International Labour Organization (ILO) to explore job opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities
March 6, 2010

Russian Organizations Meet to Strategize Reformation of Legal Capacity Laws
March 5, 2010

Maldives Parliament Approves Ratification of CRPD
March 4, 2010

Malaysian lawyer and columnist calls upon government to implement CRPD
March 4, 2010
Author calls upon Malaysia’s government to move away from the charity-based approach to disability towards the rights-based approach.

Malaysia pledges to ratify CRPD in April 2010
March 2, 2010

Malaysian Deputy Minister calls on country’s government to improve enforcement of laws meant to protect disability rights
March 1, 2010

Advocates in Canada urge government to ratify CRPD
March 1, 2010

Philippines association of people with disabilities urges popularization of disability rights
February 26, 2010

Brazil Strives to Implement Article 24 of CRPD, Promoting Inclusive Education
February 24, 2010

Civil Society Organizations in Czech Republic Urge Constitutional Court to Comply with CRPD, Strike Down Discriminatory Laws
February 24, 2010

Leading National Disability Organizations to Write Shadow Report on Australia’s Implementation of CRPD
February 24, 2010

European Union Debates Completion of CRPD Ratification Process
February 22, 2010

New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO Promotes CRPD, Offers Educational Resources
February 15, 2010

CRPD Advocacy Organization in Moldova Urges Government to Ratify Treaty
February 13, 2010

European Union Ratifies CRPD
November 26, 2009
The European Disability Forum reports that the European Community has just ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. vUnprecedented step forward for the first human rights treaty ratified in the history of Europe and a great signal sent to all EU Members States.

The CRPD: Briefing for Americas Diplomatist Magazine
August 14, 2009

America and the CRPD: Editorial for Rehabilitation International Journal
August 3, 2009

Statement from USICD President Marca Bristo on the day of US signing
July 30, 2009

Workers with Disabilities in Turkey Fired for Going on Strike

Mexico - A Seminar on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Is Inaugurated in the Foreign Ministry

uropean community urges the EU to adopt a disability strategy for the next 10 years.
Source: European Disability Forum