Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, (CRPD) by Arthur Tackman

Advocacy is one of our most important functions. It gives us a chance to share our views and concerns with our family, friends and colleagues as well as our political representatives. If we ban together with others who share our positions, we can add to the strength of our positions.

Right now we face a challenge getting our country to ratify the UN Convention on People with Disabilities. This treaty provides moral support and leadership on securing disability rights throughout the world.

Most UN member states have already ratified this treaty. The United States has not yet ratified this treaty. Treaty ratification was brought before the U.S. Senate on December 4, 2012 and fell 5 votes short of the two thirds needed for ratification. The New York Times editorial board published an excellent editorial on November 24, 2013, in support of ratification making it easier to work, study or travel abroad.

The U.S. International Council on Disabilities reported:

Opponents of the Disability Treaty have claimed that the Senate should not take up ratification until the Supreme Court had announced adecision in the Bond case. “The Supreme Court has spoken. Bond is no impediment to ratification of the Disability Treaty, and the Chief Justice has given the Senate a clear blueprint on how to ratify a treaty while preserving existingstates’ rights,” said Marca Bristo, President of the U.S. International Councilon Disabilities. “It's now time to restore American leadership on disability rights by moving forward immediately with ratification of the Disability Treaty. One billion people worldwide with disabilities have waited long enough.”

It is now time to bring the UN Convention to the Senate floor for another vote on ratification, but we need all of us to take action. Make contact with staff in your Senatorial offices to let them know that this is an important issue. Follow this link to join The Leadership Conference in sharing a message together at the same time - automatically.

Call for Senate Action on Treaty Following Supreme CourtRuling in Bond Case.