U.S. to Sign U.N. Disabilities Rights Pact

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

Treaty Would Call on Nations to Guarantee Rights Similar to Those Under American Disabilities Act

Marking the 19th anniversary of a landmark law barring discrimination against people with disabilities, President Barack Obama said Friday that the U.S. will sign a United Nations treaty urging countries around the world to do the same.

Mr. Obama said he had instructed U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice to sign the document next week, joining 140 other nations.

"It's the first new human rights convention of the 21st century," Obama said at the White House during an East Room celebration of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/24/politics/main5187796.shtml

[sakabatou]

1. As a disabled person

This is good news.

[Odin2005]

2. This disabled person says WOOT!!!

:woohoo:

[excess_3]

3. Senate ratification? .n/t

[Naturyl]

4. Good. Will SSI now be raised form $674/mo to at least the poverty line?

If not, what does all the flowery language really mean?

Millions of disabled Americans are living on $674 per month. Does that "reaffirm the inherent dignity and worth and independence of all persons with disabilities?"

[Iowa]

5. Good point. I agree.

[CountAllVotes]

6. probably a load of crap IMO

as is the American with Disabilities Act. Another pile of crap IMO. I've seen it not at work. :puke:

:kick:

[JonQ]

7. How are they going to enforce this?

I like the gesture, disabled individuals are often unfairly treated. But it seems like a meaningless gesture as the nations that care already have these laws on the books, and those that don't won't be swayed by it.

[KamaAina]

8. Note that Article 19 of the CRPD calls for people with disabilities to live in their own communities

not in institutions.

Why, then, the foot-dragging by the Administration over including the Community Choice Act (H.R. 1670) in the health care reform package? The CCA would eliminate the institutional bias in Medicaid that makes it much easier to pay for nursing home care than for home- and community-based supports -- which are MUCH cheaper in the long run!

The radical disability rights group ADAPT has held a series of actions in DC and 25 other cities around this issue.

http://www.adapt.org/twitter.php

edit: header

[LeftishBrit]

9. k&r

Our Disability Discrimination Act was passed in 1995

http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?activeTextDocId=3330327

I support such legislation worldwide - and people adhering to it!