The United Nations predicts that nearly 650 million people live with disabilities worldwide.  Presently, countries representing 87% of the world's population have signed the Convention.  On July 31st, the US became the 142nd nation to sign the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  

This signing represents the first step in moving towards a united global understanding of the rights of all individuals with disabilities. 

The United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD) answers a few frequently asked questions about the Convention.

What is the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) about?

The CRPD is a human rights convention intended to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities. It addresses a number of key areas such as accessibility, personal mobility, health, education, employment, habilitation and rehabilitation, participation in political life, and equality and non-discrimination. The CRPD embodies a change in approach to disability, from thinking of it as a social welfare issue to being a human rights issue.  Specifically, the CRPD uses a human rights approach to show how societies can remove the societal barriers and prejudices that lead to the exclusion and marginalization of persons with disabilities.

Is "signing" a convention the same thing as "ratifying" it?

No.  When a country signs it becomes a "signatory."  Being a signatory means that the country agrees with the main idea of the convention, that it agrees it will not take any action to violate the main idea of the convention, and that it is interested in fully joining the convention in the future.  When a country ratifies it becomes a "States Party."  Being a States Party means that a country is legally bound to comply with its obligations under the convention. Under the U.S. Constitution the President has the authority to ratify conventions with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the Senate.

Will the CRPD create obligations on countries?

Yes.  The CRPD requires States Parties to ensure the enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.  For some countries this will require the introduction of non-discrimination legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Additional measures might include eliminating laws and practices that discriminate against persons with disabilities, and considering persons with disabilities when adopting new policies and programs. Other measures could include making services, goods, and facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.

Further information is available at the USICD website at < www.usicd.org >.