Miscellaneous

United Nations Enable Newsletter, February 2010

The Enable Newsletter is prepared by the United Nations Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SCRPD) hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Input has been received from by UN offices, agencies, funds and programmes, as well as from civil society. It can also be read on-line at: http://www.un.org/disabilities

In this issue:

UPDATE ON THE CONVENTION (CRPD)

144 signatories to the Convention

88 signatories to the Optional Protocol

80 ratifications of the Convention

51 ratifications of the Optional Protocol

NB: The CRPD now has 80 ratifications and therefore, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will increase its membership from 12 to 18 in 2011 (CRPD Article 34). At this year's Conference of States Parties to the Convention to be held from 1-3 September, elections for 6 members of the Committee will take place, alongside with elections for the expanded Committee of 18 members. In total, 12 new members will be elected to the Committee. See also Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, below.

Recent news:

France ratified the Convention and the Optional Protocol on 18 February Ukraine ratified the Convention and the Optional Protocol on 4 February Nicaragua ratified the Optional Protocol on 2 February 2010 Zambia ratified the Convention on 1 February 2010 Mauritius ratified the Convention on 8 January 2010 Latvia signed the Optional Protocol on 22 January 2010.

HIGHLIGHTS

SCRPD/DESA โ€“ 48th session of the Commission for Social Development concludes

The Commission met at UNHQ in New York from 3-12 February to discuss issues under the priority theme "Social Integration". During the session, Governments negotiated a resolution on disability.

Resolution on disability: Delegations held the final informal consultation and adopted the draft resolution (E/CN5/2010/L.3/Rev1) on โ€œMainstreaming disability in the development agendaโ€. The process included a series of debates on the issue with a focus on how disability should be an integral part of development cooperation, including South-South cooperation. The resolution is the first of its kind in addressing inclusion of disability in new mechanisms, such as the Annual Ministerial Review of ECOSOC and the urgent need for practical action to promote disability-inclusive development.

Disability-related side-events: During the session, DESA organized a side-event entitled โ€œInteractive Dialogue on Mainstreaming Disability in the Development Agenda: Disability-Inclusive Development Cooperationโ€ sponsored by GPDD-the Global Partnership for Disability and Development and others. Panelists representing major international development agencies discussed the priorities of their respective agencies and recent developments in international development cooperation. The discussion provided the basis for an in-depth discussion in the form of a second side-event organized by the Government of Finland, GPDD, World Bank, DESA and other stakeholders. More information: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?navid=43&pid=38

Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 3rd Session

The third session of the Committee was held from 22-26 February. Ron McCallum (Australia), the incoming chair of the Committee presided over the session. The Committee discussed it rules of procedure and working methods. More information: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/CRPDIndex.aspx Also, the International Disability Alliance has posted information regarding the elections of the Committee on their website at: http://www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org/advocacy-work/conference-of-state-parties/third-conferences-of-states-parties-september-2010/

OHCHR โ€“ HRC to hold an interactive dialogue on disability rights

The Human Rights Council (HRC) will hold an interactive dialogue on the rights of persons with disabilities in the course of its 13th session. The event will take place in Geneva on Friday, 5 March from 3 to 5 p.m. on the topic of national implementation and monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Non-governmental organizations in Consultative Status with ECOSOC and national institutions accredited by the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights are encouraged to attend the event. More information: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/disability/hrc_disability.htm

The event will be webcast at http://www.un.org/webcast/unhrc/. To support the debate, the Office of the High Commissioner has produced a thematic study on the structure and role of national mechanisms for the implementation and monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The OHCHR study on national implementation and monitoring mechanisms are available at: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/13session/

HRC discusses situation in Haiti and includes persons with disabilities

The Human Rights Council (HRC) expressed concern regarding the situation of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities during its special session on Haiti. The High Commissioner for Human Rights and several other speakers also included the situation of persons with disabilities in their statements. The ensuing resolution by the Council included a reference to persons with disabilities. For more information and to read a copy of the resolution, please visit: http://www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org

UNDP strengthens its HR commitment to persons with disabilities

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Furthermore, individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply for jobs at UNDP where all applications are treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP internal and external vacancy announcements now include the following paragraph: UNDP actively supports the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. To learn more, please visit http://www.un.org/disabilities. http://jobs.undp.org./-

UNESCO hosts meeting on ICT for persons with disabilities

UNESCO, in cooperation with the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict) hosted a consultative meeting on 22-23 February at its Headquarters in Paris. Representatives from the disability community, information technology industry, international and national research, educational institutions, UN and non-governmental organizations met to discuss ways to facilitate the social inclusion of persons with disabilities through the use of ICT and to assist its Member States to meet their commitments. Together with its partners, UNESCO aims to identify policies and programmes required by the Convention and to determine how to best engage the Member States in the implementation of those policies in order to promote greater access to information and knowledge for persons with disabilities. More information: http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=29540&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

UNHABITAT Disability event at the fifth World Urban Forum

A networking event entitled โ€œThe Convention of the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities and the Right to the Cityโ€ (Networking Event 40400) will be held at the fifth World Urban Forum in Rio de Janeiro. The event aims to be a forum for sharing experiences on how the rights of persons with disabilities in the cities is translate into the fulfillment of their rights to the city. It will also be an opportunity to reflect on two conflicting models of inclusive urbanization: one of a universal design at a grassroots level which prioritizes the uplifting of human capabilities through a sustainable model and the other one that focuses on the application of international standards for physical intervention. This networking event hopes to answer questions related to the realization of the rights to the city for persons with disabilities in all inclusive urbanization. More information: http://www.unhabitat.org/categories.asp?catid=584

WHO โ€“ Information sheet on disaster, rehabilitation and disability

The Haitian Prime Minister declared on 3 February that some 300,000 people had been injured by the earthquake. Access to appropriate trauma care, rehabilitation and psychosocial support is a priority for these individuals. The Regional Advisor for Disability from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has carried out an initial assessment. A coordinator for WHO's work on rehabilitation has been appointed to work together with the Government of Haiti to ensure access to appropriate health and rehabilitation services for people experiencing disability. An integrated approach of community-based rehabilitation supported by specialized services is proposed in accordance with the WHO information sheet on "Disaster, rehabilitation and disability" accessible at http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/other_injury/disaster_disability2.pdf

WIPO/ITU work to promote web accessibility within the UN system

A workshop hosted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) from 2-5 February, brought together over 180 persons from some 32 organizations to promote awareness about accessibility for people with disabilities and to encourage webmasters within the United Nations system and other organizations to implement principles of accessibility in their daily work. The workshop, co-organized with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), was opened by WIPO Director General Francis Gurry, who underlined the importance of accessibility in general and reaffirmed WIPOโ€™s commitment to establishing an accessible web environment that promotes easy access to intellectual property information. More information: http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2010/article_0001.html and http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/2010/wipo_itu_wai/

UPCOMING EVENTS

1 - 26 March: 13th session of the Human Rights Council

This session will review issues related to promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development, the UPR, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance. During the session the Special Rapporteur on Disability of the Commission for Social Development will participate in an interactive dialogue on the rights of persons with disabilities. More information: See OHCHR above and http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/13session/agenda.htm

3 - 5 March: Second Continental Congress on CBR

The Pan-American Health Organization and the World Health Organization in coordination with the CBR (community-based rehabilitation) Network of the Americas and the Caribbean will organize this event on CBR in Oaxaca, Mexico. The Congress will be sponsored by the Government of Mexico. More information: http://www.riadis.net/a-world-for-all/

15 - 17 March: Dubai International Rehabilitation Forum

Rehab Dubai 2010, โ€œBeyond Inclusion and Partnershipโ€ will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center. The event will explore existing knowledge and experience of disability both within the Arab Region and globally, as well as examine future directions. More information: http://www.rehab.ae

28 - 30 March: Fifth South Asian CBR Network Conference

The South Asian CBR Network will organize its fifth conference from 28-30 March in Kabul, Afghanistan. The conference provides an active forum to discuss global trends and local applications of policies, legislation, programmes and technology, as well as focus on grassroots-level issues. More information: http://www.cbrnetwork.af or contact: secretariat@cbrnetwork.af or n.coordinator@cbrnetwork.af

12 - 13 April: 26th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference

The Conference will explore new directions through scholarship, best practice, and international networking, as well as include an International Forum on the Rights of People with Disabilities, an international film festival and more. More information: http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu

23-27 May: 17th ESPRM Congress

Entitled, โ€œEuropean Rehabilitation: Quality, Evidence, Efficacy and Effectivenessโ€, the 17th, European Society of Physical and Rehabilitation and Medicine (ESPRM) will be held in Venice, Italy. The programme will cover functioning biology (basic sciences), functioning technology (rehabilitation technology), clinical sciences (PRM in special health conditions), human functioning sciences (including epidemiology, social functioning and related topics), evidence-based rehabilitation and management. More information: http://www.cesprm2010.eu/index.html

18 - 23 July: XVIII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010)

AIDS 2010 will be held in Vienna, Austria and will mark an important milestone: the deadline by which world leaders have committed to ensuring universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. The conference will be an opportunity to evaluate progress to date and to identify what must be done, both individually and collectively, to achieve this critical goal. More information: http://www.aids2010.org

1 - 3 September: 3rd session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD

During this yearโ€™s Conference of States Parties to the Convention, elections for 6 members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will take place, alongside with elections for the expanded Committee of 18 members. In total, 12 new members will be elected to the Committee. Further details are forthcoming

20 - 22 September: Millennium Development Goals Summit

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on world leaders to attend a summit next September to boost efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). More information: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/Website%20story%20on%20Summit.pdf

3 - 14 October: Commonwealth Games โ€“ Para Sports

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has officially released the Para-Sports Medal Events Programme for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games following consultation with the International Paralympic Committee. The Games will take place from 3-14 October 2010 in Delhi, India, and will showcase world-class sporting opportunities for elite athletes with a disability. More information: http://www.paralympic.org/Media_Centre/News/General_News/2008_11_26_a.html

26 - 29 October: 4th CBR Africa Conference

The Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) Conference will be held in Abuja, Nigeria. The theme of the conference is โ€˜Linking CBR with Disability and Rehabilitationโ€™. The conference aims to promote better CBR practices in Africa and to provide the opportunity for people to share information, knowledge and experience about how disability concepts, CBR and rehabilitation programmes can link together to help improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families. More information: Joan Okune (joan@afri-can.org) or Sally Hartley (sally@afri-can.org).

30 October - 3 November: International Conference for Universal Design

The International Association for Universal Design will organize the conference in Hamamatsu City, Japan. The theme of the third conference will be โ€œFor the People and the Earth of Tomorrow - Towards a Sustainable Co-existenceโ€. The conference organizers are inviting educators, product planning and developers, administrators, consultants and civic activists and students to submit research papers, as well as reports and editorial articles. More information: http://www.ud2010.net/index.en.html

OTHER NEWS

(The information below from the non-governmental disability community is provided for informational purposes only; they do not constitute endorsement of or an approval by the United Nations of any of the products, services, or opinions of the corporation, organization, or individual. The United Nations bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of their statements and opinions.)

Raising awareness of the lives of persons with Down syndrome Mr. Blue Sky is a film with a powerful message of hope that calls for change and acceptance for those living with Down syndrome and other physical and developmental disabilities. The movie is an instrument of peace that seeks to raise awareness and inclusion, educate, and create opportunities for those individuals born with Down syndrome. More information: http://www.mrblueskymovie.com

Zimbabwe facilitates voting for blind voters The visually impaired have lauded the Supreme Court for invalidating a section of the Electoral Act allowing presiding officers at polling stations to assist them to vote in the presence of police officers and employees from the electoral commission. More information: http://www.zimtelegraph.com/?p=5754

Summer School on Disability and Development in Jakarta, Indonesia The Athena Institute, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University (Amsterdam), Enablement (Alphen aan den Rijn) and the Disability Studies Centre, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Indonesia, are pleased to announce the introduction of the second module in the Disability & Development programme, which will be offered in the form of a Summer School at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta. Held from 12 July to 6 August 2010, the School covers project planning and management, monitoring and evaluation of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programmes, management information systems, CBR as a preferred strategy for rehabilitation, organizational and institutional development, Disabled Peopleโ€™s Organizations, educational and economic empowerment of disabled people, the role of specific rehabilitation services, and sports and disability. More information: h.cornielje@enablement.nl

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Enable Newsletter is prepared by the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Division for Social Policy and Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) at the United Nations Secretariat in New York

Email from: enable@un.org

By: United Nations Enable
When: 7/2/2014

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