International News
An International Convention on the Human Rights of People with Disabilities
A United Nations panel drafting a treaty to promote and protect the rights of the world's estimated 600 million people with disabilities is moving at a fast pace and hopes to complete its work late next year. The treaty will likely require ratifying nations to adopt laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of any form of disability. The disability movement, both within the United States and internationally, is working to embrace rights already enjoyed and to a large extent secured by non-disabled people.
Above: UN Delegates Gather for the August 2004 Meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee.
One of the central principles of the treaty is that all people should be able to enjoy their basic human rights - the right to a decent education; the right to vote; the right to due process; the right to participate in the life of the community, whether through eating at a restaurant or attending a movie theater, without the threat of violence or harassment. The proposed treaty will, for example, require governments -- as resources permit over time -- to build ramps and provide other means of access to existing buildings and facilities and to guarantee medical treatment to newborn babies with physical or mental disabilities.
The process of crafting such an international treaty may also generate a number of additional benefits including:
- Raising public awareness about disability related issues;
- Highlighting human rights abuses;
- Developing the knowledge-base of governmental and non-governmental participants; and
- Offering capacity-building opportunities for disability groups as a result of increased global focus on their issues.
"It is a very important convention because it guides a process of change, not only of legal change but also a change in societies -- as to how we view and integrate people with disabilities into our societies," said Ambassador Luis Gallegos of Ecuador, chairman of the UN Ad Hoc Committee charged with writing the treaty. "I think there is a willingness amongst the delegations and nongovernmental organizations to reach a consensus."
UN General Assembly resolution 56/168 passed on December 19, 2001 and established an Ad Hoc Committee "to consider proposals for a comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, based on the holistic approach in the work done in the fields of social development, human rights and non-discrimination and taking into account the recommendations of the Commission on Human Rights and the Commission for Social Development." The first meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee took place from July 29 to August 9, 2002, the second session from June 16-27, 2003, the third session from May 24 to June 4, 2004 and the fourth session from August 23 to September 3, 2004. The committee's next meeting is scheduled to take place in January 2005.
Gallegos' goal is to have a treaty ready by September 2005 for signature and eventual ratification by the United Nations' 191 member-nations. One of the main stumbling blocks to this process has been to what extent the treaty will oblige wealthy nations to assist developing countries with the financial resources and technology they will need in order to provide people with disabilities equal opportunities. Another potential sticking point is the form and powers of the system to be set up to monitor abuses and ensure compliance with the treaty. Information regarding the Ad Hoc Committee's work can be found at the following web sites: Landmine Survivors Network - Rights for All 
(www.rightsforall.org) and Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities (www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/adhoccom.htm).
(Source: "Progress on International Disability Rights," by Irwin Arieff, Reuters, June 4, 2004.)
USAID Issues New Access Policy for Overseas Projects
In July, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a new policy to ensure access to construction projects it funds worldwide. USAID operates programs and services in over 100 countries to help improve economic growth, agriculture, trade, governance, education, and health. Some of these projects involve the construction or renovation of facilities. The new policy promotes universal design, which focuses on accommodating the broadest range of people, including those with disabilities, and recognizes available standards used in a host country. USAID will also require that the access provided meet or exceed what is specified in the Board's new ADA and ABA accessibility guidelines. Under this policy, the Board will serve as USAID's consultative partner in developing and maintaining accessibility requirements and providing technical assistance and training on accessibility criteria.
The policy applies to all construction activities funded by USAID, including those undertaken by contractors and other government agencies through inter-agency agreements. The policy will also recognize certain exceptions, such as emergency construction that is temporary in nature, and sets up a waiver process. For further information on this policy, contact USAID at (202) 789-1500.
(Source: Access Currents, Volume 10, No. 4, July/August 2004.)
Access Board Participates in European IT Access Conference
The European Commission, the Access Board, and other organizations held an international workshop on accessible information and communication technologies October 19-21, 2004 in Brussels, Belgium. The conference focused on harmonizing accessibility requirements for use in public procurement of information technology and communication products and services. Briefings were given on approaches taken and policies implemented in European Union member nations, the United States, Canada, and Japan. Additionally, the Board provided information on its standards for electronic and information technology and its guidelines for telecommunication products. For further information, contact Doug Wakefield by e-mail at wakefield@access-board.gov.
(Source: Access Currents, Volume 10, No. 4, July/August 2004.)
