USICD President Marca Bristo.

2009 has been monumental in the movement for the United States to become a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).  On July 24, during the White House celebration of the 19^th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, President Obama announced that the U.S. would become a signatory to the CRPD.  One week later in New York at the United Nations, Ambassador Susan Rice signed the treaty for the United States.  

President Obama declared in his announcement, “Disability rights aren't just civil rights to be enforced here at home, they're universal rights to be recognized and promoted around the world.” 

For me, witnessing my country signing the CRPD was a tremendously gratifying event, affirming the hard work and dedication of the American and global disabilities community--but our work is not complete.  The process to U.S. ratification of the CRPD will require a unification of advocates, a comprehensive outreach strategy, and a commitment to the work until our goal of ratification is reached.  The board of directors of USICD pledge this commitment and are working intently to facilitate the best prepared and positioned advocacy campaign possible.  And we need the community with us.

USICD’s core strength is its membership.  Through our network of disabled people’s organizations and other disability advocates and allies, USICD brings together a diverse membership in support of the global disability community.  I welcome you to browse our website and learn about our membership, our activities, and the resources we wish to share.  I hope we will inspire you to become a member of USICD.  This is an exciting time for Americans with disabilities--we are joining our global community.  Won't you join us?