Politics as Usual

Former Senator Bob Dole, at right in a wheelchair, entered the Senate with his wife to support a United Nations disabilities treaty.

In late November of this year, a news story appeared in USA Today that received very little attention elsewhere.  The Senate rejected a United Nations treaty banning discrimination against people with disabilities.  This failure to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was purely political.  It was essentially done in by a coalition of Republican legislators who balk at anything that has to do with the UN.  This unfortunate happenstance represents a lost opportunity for the United States, who has led the way in creating greater opportunities for people with disabilities, to be seen as a champion for the rights of people with disabilities in the rest of the world. 

I contacted Bruce Knotts, Director of the Unitarian Universalist Association United Nations Office.  He responded promptly and informed me that..."we very much support U.S. ratification of all UN treaties.  It was shameful that the senate failed to ratify the UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities."

While the Senate vote is disappointing, it is heartening to know that our UUA-UN office is advocating for people with disabilities and serving as our voice in speaking out on this critical issue.

Mark Bernstein

CERG Growth Consultant and UUA Liaison to Equual Access