Historically persons with disabilities have been marginalized, stigmatized and deprived of opportunities and freedoms afforded to individuals without disabilities; and the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a landmark treaty, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). It was signed by the President of the United States on July 30, 2009 and needs to be ratified by the US Congress to be the law of the land. Please help grassroots efforts to support the ratification of the CRPD by Congress.
We the undersigned are calling on the United States Congress to Ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
WHEREAS, the Convention is the first human rights treaty of the 21st century; and the President of the United States signed the treaty on July 30, 2009 and it is now necessary to ratify the treaty to give it the force of law.
WHEREAS, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a landmark treaty, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on December 13 2006, to promote and protect the rights of the world's 650 million Disabled people; and
WHEREAS, the Convention will require ratifying nations "to promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity" and promote awareness of the capabilities of those who have disabilities; and
WHEREAS, historically, persons with disabilities have been marginalized, stigmatized, and deprived of opportunities and freedoms afforded to individuals without disabilities; and the Convention also requires governments to fight stereotypes of people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the Convention also recognizes that attitudes need to change if disabled people are to achieve equality; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we as advocates support the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we will actively pursue a commitment from the United States to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and recommit ourselves as a country to human rights, empowerment and independent living for all people with disabilities of the world.
