Yesterday, U.S. Representative Susan Rice signed a UN convention on the rights of people with disabilities. The convention seeks to "[support] international efforts to prohibit discrimination against the estimated 650 million people around the world with disabilities." 141 countries have already signed the pact. Rice said the signing was representative of "an ongoing source of inspiration for us all in our shared struggle to bring all barriers down"
Valerie Jarrett, the assistant to the U.S. president for intergovernmental affairs and public liaison, pointed out that "In developing countries, 90 percent of the children with disabilities do not attend school and women and girls with disabilities are too often the subject of deep discrimination." By signing the convention, the US has pledged to abolish legislation that allows such discrimination in our own nation.
To read about the aims and current news about the convention, visit the UN Enable website. To read more about disability rights from books in CeDIR's collection, check out our resource guides on the Americans with Disabilities Act, advocating as a parent, and self-advocacy.
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