General News

Enable Newsletter January 2013

The United Nations Enable Newsletter is prepared by the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (DSPD/DESA) with input from UN offices, agencies, funds and programmes, as well as from civil society organizations, including organizations of persons with disabilities. It is also available online at: www.un.org/disabilities.

In this issue:

STATUS OF THE CRPD

127 ratifications and 155 signatories to the CRPD

76 ratifications and 90 signatories to its Optional Protocol (OP)

Cambodia ratified the Convention on 20 December 2012.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE UN SYSTEM

Commission for Social Development, 6-15 February 2013

The 51st session of the Commission for Social Development (CSOCD) will meet in New York under the theme: โ€œPromoting empowerment of people in achieving poverty eradication, social integration and full employment and decent work for allโ€. This year, the Commission will have before it two reports on disability: โ€œReport of the Secretary General on Mainstreaming Disability in the Development Agendaโ€ (E/CN.5/2013/9) and โ€œReport of the Special Rapporteur to the 51st Session of the Commission for Social Development: Monitoring of the implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilitiesโ€ (E/CN.5/2013/10). (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?navid=48&pid=38)

Panel Discussion on post-2015 development framework

A panel discussion will be organized by DESA in collaboration with the UN Regional Commissions on 12 September during the 51st session of the Commission for Social Development, entitled: โ€œToward a disability-inclusive post-2015 development framework: Regional perspectivesโ€. As part of a series of events organised to provide inputs to the outcome of the High-level Meeting on Disability and Development, this panel discussion aims to provide regional perspectives on mainstreaming disability in development. Focusing on the role of Regional Commissions, the discussion will also highlight current efforts to integrate existing international instruments on disability in regional and national policies and frameworks on development. (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?navid=48&pid=38)

High-level Meeting on Disability and Development (23 September 2013)

The High-level meeting of the General Assembly on disability and development (HLMDD) is expected to take place at the level of the Heads of States on 23 September, this year. Prior to the meeting, a draft text of the outcome document will be produced by the President of the General Assembly in consultation with Member States, along with input from organizations of persons with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders, through online discussions and informal consultations. The outcome document will be presented to the HLMDD for adoption. (www.un.org/hlmdd2013)

OHCHR โ€“ General Discussion on women and girls with disabilities

The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will hold a half Day of General Discussion on Women and Girls with Disabilities on Wednesday, 17 April 2013, given the multiple forms of discrimination experienced by women and girls with disabilities, which hinder their meaningful participation on an equal basis with other individuals in all spheres of life. The Committee invites all persons with disabilities and their representative organizations to submit their inputs to the Committee no later than 17 February, 2013. (http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/CRPDIndex.aspx)

OHCHR โ€“ Thematic study on the work and employment of persons with disabilities

The study prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) focuses on the work and employment of persons with disabilities and analyzes relevant provisions of the CRPD. In its resolution 19/11, the Human Rights Council had requested OHCHR to prepare the study in consultation with States and other relevant stakeholders, including organisations of persons with disabilities, and national human rights institutions. The study highlights good practices in promoting employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, and identifies the main challenges that States parties encounter in ensuring that persons with disabilities enjoy access to, retention of and advancement in employment on an equal basis with others. (A/HRC/22/25, http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Disability/Pages/StudyonWorkandEmploymentofPersonswithDisabilities.aspx).

UNAIDS โ€“ HIV, health and the Post-2015 development agenda eDiscussion

UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, will host an open-to-all, moderated e-consultation to inform the discussion of HIV and health in the post-2015 agenda. The consultation will be held from Monday, 21 January to 3 February, and provide a space for a broad range of stakeholders to engage in debate on how to position HIV in the health and broader development agenda. The eDiscussion will be held under the following three thematic questions: 1) The unfinished HIV agenda: How is the HIV epidemic, and responses to it, relevant to the new Post-2015 health agenda in your community, nation, region or sector? 2) AIDS, health and development: What are the key factors that account for the significant progress seen in the AIDS response and how can these factors be applied to doing health and development differently? 3) Decision-making and accountability: What changes to systems of decision-making, monitoring, evaluation and accountability are needed to guide efforts towards the end of the HIV epidemic in the Post-2015 development agenda? (http://www.worldwewant2015.org/health)

ILO โ€“ A cooperative future for people with disabilities

An issue brief produced by the International Labour Organization (ILO) during the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2012 highlights how and why the cooperative form of enterprise can cater to the economic and social needs of persons with disabilities. In recent decades, cooperatives have improved the lives of many women and men with disabilities. This issue brief produced during the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2012 highlights how and why the cooperative form of enterprise can cater to the economic and social needs of persons with disabilities. Cooperatives enable persons with disabilities to participate more actively in society, increase their independence and make decisions about their lives and futures by providing employment opportunities and access to essential services. (http://www.ilo.org/skills/pubs/WCMS_194822/lang--en/index.htm)

ILO โ€“ Regional meeting on business and disability held in Singapore

The ILO Global Business and Disability Network's Southeast Asia subregional meeting was held in Singapore on 11 January 2013. The meeting was hosted by the Enabling Employers Network and included representatives of multinational enterprises, employers' organizations and business networks and disabled persons' organizations for a full day, to share experiences, best practices and knowledge around employing men and women with disabilities, as well as the challenges they face as employers in creating a more inclusive workplace and society. The event also provided an opportunity to discuss how the Network can support employer efforts toward disability inclusion. (businessanddisability@ilo.org,, http://www.businessanddisability.org)

WHO โ€“ Global expert consultation on disability statistics

On 5-6 December, in Geneva, Switzerland, an expert consultation was held on the Model Disability Survey questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank. The meeting brought together 35 experts, including representatives of: national statistical offices (producers of data); Government ministries and other agencies (users of data); organizations of persons with disabilities (subjects of data collection and beneficiaries or not of decisions taken on the basis of data); the Washington Group on Disability Statistics; disability and development organizations; academic and research organizations; and donors for whom disability data is perceived as a priority. A rigorous process is being undertaken to revise the questionnaire, based on the expert feedback. (http://who.int/disabilities/media/news/2012/06_12/en/index.html)

WHO โ€“ Executive Board draft resolution calls for better health care for people with disabilities

At its 132nd session, WHO's Executive Board adopted a draft resolution on disability that will be debated at the World Health Assembly in May this year. The resolution endorses the recommendations of the World report on disability and calls for WHO and Member States to ensure equal access to health services for persons with disabilities. The draft resolution urges States Parties to implement the CRPD, develop plans of action, and ensure that mainstream health services address the needs of people with disabilities. The resolution also requests further action on improving disability data, strengthening health systems for the provision of rehabilitation and assistive technologies, and enhancing community-based rehabilitation. The resolution constitutes an important step in preparations for the HLMDD. (http://tinyurl.com/a3wwljm)

MY World

Vote for the changes that would make the most difference to your world!

The United Nations and partners want to hear from YOU! MY World is a global survey asking you to choose your priorities for a better world. Results will be shared with world leaders in setting the next global development agenda. Tell us about the world you want, because your voice matters. Vote at: http://www.myworld2015.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

(Send us information on major international disability events for possible inclusion in the list below)

6 to 15 February: Commission for Social Development, 51st session

(See CSOCD, above)

12 February: Panel Discussion on post-2015 development framework

(See Panel Discussion, above)

11 February - 1 March: Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, 54th session

The Plenary Session of CEDAW 54 will take place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. A half-day general discussion on the theme of access to justice will take place on Monday, 18 February 2013 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Palais des Nations in Conference Room XVI. (http://csonet.org/index.php?page=view&nr=140&type=13&menu=14)

4 to 15 March: Commission on the Status of Women, 55th session

The fifty-seventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place at UN Headquarters under the priority theme: "Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls." The review theme chosen is "the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS (agreed conclusions from the fifty-third session). (http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/57sess.htm)

21 March: World Down Syndrome Day

On 21 March 2012, for the first time, World Down Syndrome Day was commemorated at the United Nations and around the world. In 2011, the General Assembly declared 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day (A/RES/66/149). This year at the United Nations the World Down Syndrome Conference 2013 will be organized on 21 March under the theme "The Right to Work". This year's Conference will focus on the rights of persons with Down syndrome to work in open, inclusive and accessible environments. It will help raise awareness on the importance of promoting early development and education, proper medical care, and providing for independent living in communities. (http://www.un.org/en/events/downsyndromeday; http://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org.)

2 April: World Autism Awareness Day

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day (A/RES/62/139) to highlight the need to help improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from the disorder so they can lead full and meaningful lives. (http://www.un.org/en/events/autismday/)

17 April: General Discussion on women and girls with disabilities

The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will hold a half Day of General Discussion on Women and Girls with Disabilities. (see OHCHR above)

29 to 30 April: 29th Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity

The theme for the 29th Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity: โ€œBeing in Communityโ€, embraces the ideals of all people living together harmoniously and happily in a barrier-free world without fear of exclusion from social, economic or political life. (http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu)

6-7 June: M-Enabling Summit 2013

The second M-Enabling Summit 2013: Global Summit on Accessible Mobile Technology for Senior Citizens and Users of All Abilities is organized by the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs (G3ict) and E.J. Krause and Associates (EJK) in cooperation with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), ensuring substantial participation for leading international mobile service providers, policy makers, apps developers and manufacturers. (http://www.m-enabling.com)

27 to 28 June: Symposium on Disability, Technology and Rehabilitation in Low and Middle Income Countries

The Symposium to be held at the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, will focus on improving and increasing access to technology and rehabilitation products and services with the goal of ensuring full inclusion and participation for persons with disabilities in low-resourced communities in low and middle income countries. The keynote speaker will be Chapal Khasnabis, Disability and Rehabilitation Team, World Health Organization. (http://idtr.uwctds.washington.edu/workshops/2013)

2 to 3 July: Include 2013: Global Challenges and Local Solutions in Inclusive Design

The event will be organised by the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Hong Kong Design Centre and the School of Design at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. www.hhc.rca.ac.uk/4989/all/1/include-2013.aspx

2-13 September: 10th session of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

(Details forthcoming)

9 to 11 September: 6th International Urban Design Conference

The Conference will be held at the Novotel Sydney Olympic Park. The conference "UrbanAgiNation" urbanisation | agitation | imagination will examine the future Density and Infrastructure requirements in cities. The call for abstracts is now open. (http://urbandesignaustralia.com.au)

23 September: High-level meeting on disability and development

(See item above).

16 to 18 October: 2nd International Conference of the WFD

The 2nd Conference of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) will be held in Sydney, Australia under the theme: โ€œEquality for Deaf Peopleโ€. www.wfdsydney2013.com

OTHER NEWS

(DISCLAIMER: The information below is provided by civil society organizations and others for informational purposes only. This does not constitute endorsement of, or an approval by, the United Nations of any of the products, services, or opinions of the organization or individual. The United Nations bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of their statements and opinions.)

African Psychosocial Disability Watch

In December 2012, the Pan African Network of People with Psychosocial Disabilities (PANUSP) launched the first edition of a newsletter entitled the African Psychosocial Disability Watch. The newsletter aims to promote information sharing at a regional and international level so as to strengthen solidarity and raise awareness of the issues, challenges and progress of people with psychosocial disabilities in Africa. (http://www.panusp.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/African-Psychosocial-Disability-Watch-2012.pdf)

Promoting inclusive post-MDG agenda consultations

The IAA Department of CBM works to include persons with disabilities in the post-2015 MDG process. CBMโ€™s also provides information on how to participate in this process. (http://www.cbm.org/Preparing-for-post-2015-MDG-consultations-in-Vietnam-372855.php)

Zero Project Report 2013

The Report, with its special focus on employment, was launched at the Vienna International Film Festival for Human Rights. The Project contains a survey of 23 social Indicators on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 55 countries; a survey of 10 social indicators focusing on the employment of persons with disabilities in 82 countries; 40 Innovative Practices that promote the employment of persons with disabilities, and 11 Innovative Policies that promote the employment of persons with disabilities. (http://www.zeroproject.org/about/publications)

International Board of Experts on Autism

On 19 December 2012, the Russian RIA-Novosti News Agency announced the establishment of an International Board of Experts on Autism. The Board will work within the framework of the Agencyโ€™s social project and will focus awareness-raising and advocacy to provide authoritative and reliable information on autism among Russian-speaking audiences, as well as provide information on treatment centers, funds and programmes for persons with autism. (Submitted by UNIC Moscow; http://pressria.ru/media/20121221/601221004.html)

New guide to help include persons with disabilities in development projects

Persons with disabilities are among the poorest in the developing world and are often left out of development projects. This often happens because development organizations simply do not know how to include them. โ€œCount me in. Include people with disabilities in development projectsโ€ is a practical guide that offers suggestions and useful tips on how to launch inclusive programmes and projects, how to prepare staff working with persons with disabilities and how to adapt your organizational processes and systems. (http://www.dcdd.nl/todo/make-your-programs-inclusive/)

Youth and disabilities โ€“ EU and CoE policy framework

European Commission โ€“ Council of Europe Partnership in the Field of Youth policy framework text. (http://youth-partnership-eu.coe.int/youth-partnership/ekcyp/BGKNGE/Youth_and_disabilities.html)

Say Yes to inclusion!

In preparation for the HLMDD on 23 September 2013, Light for the World-led project End Exclusionโ€™s, โ€œSay Yesโ€ campaign hopes to generate worldwide support for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in development initiatives. (j.blijkers@light-for-the-world.org,, www.endexclusion.eu

International Network for Disabled Youth

INDY is internet-based global network for young disabled people aged 16-30 to network, skill and knowledge share, created through an Oxfam International Youth Programme (OIYP) project. (http://www.indyspace.org/)

The Accessible Icon Project

The project aims to transform the current International Symbol of Access into an active, engaged image. The designers of the Project believe that as persons with disabilitiesโ€”not just wheelchair usersโ€”realize greater rights and opportunities for social, political, and cultural participation, the images of accessibility should evolve, as well. The US city of Malden, MA, has endorsed the icon and plans to repaint all of the city's accessible parking spots with the accessible icon. (http://www.accessibleicon.org)

Additional Information

Country: Africa
Website: N/A
Email: N/A
Phone: N/A
Contact Person: N/A
Source: Enable Newsletter
When: 27/1/2013

Last modified: Friday, 07 February 2014 15:02:57 Valid XHTML 1.1