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 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
- Highlights from the UN system
- Upcoming calendar of events
- Other news
STATUS OF THE CRPD
130ratifications and 155 signatories to the CRPD
76ratifications and 91 signatories to its Optional Protocol (OP)
6th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD
The 6th session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP6) will be held from 17to19 July 2013. The theme for this session is: “Ensuring adequate standard of living: empowerment and participation of persons with disabilities within the framework of the CRPD”. The sub-themes are: 1. Economic empowerment through inclusive social protection and poverty reduction strategies; 2. Disability-inclusive development in national, regional and international processes; and 3. Community-based rehabilitation and habilitation for inclusive society. Application forms for NGO accreditation and for side-events have been posted on the Enable website. The programme, background papers and documents, as well as information related to civil society and NHRI participation are forthcoming. Prior to the Conference, a multi-stakeholder Civil Society Forum (CSF) will be organized by the International Disability Alliance (IDA), Disable Peoples’ Intenational (DPI), Rehabilitation International (RI) and the Global Partnership for Disability and Development (GPDD), with the usual support of DESA and sponsored by States Parties. (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1606)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE UN SYSTEM
Update on the High-level Meeting on Disability and Development
The High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on Disability and Development (HLMDD, http://www.un.org/hlmdd2013) will take place on 23 September, this year. Prior to the meeting, a negotiated outcome document will be prepared by Member States, informed by input from organizations of persons with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders. The preparatory process of the HLMDD is described on the Enable website and includes a range of consultations. Most recently, DESA, in partnership with UNICEF, conducted online global consultations from 8 March to 5 April 2013 in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Final summaries of the discussions are now available online. (http://www.worldwewant2015.org/enable). Furthermore, regional consultations have taken place in Brussels (25 April) and will take place in Bahia, Brazil (17 to 18 May) and Bangkok (15 to 16 May). (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1590)
EGM on a disability inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond
DESA, in close collaboration with the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) will organize an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) entitled: "A disability-inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 2 to 4 May 2013. The EGM will provide a forum for independent experts in areas such as: disability, development policy and programmes, and disability data and statistics, to assess the major obstacles encountered in the implementation of internationally agreed development goals, such as the MDGs for persons with disabilities. Against the backdrop on the work underway to shape a global development agenda for 2015 and beyond, the EGM will also develop strategic options and recommendations to reinforce the disability perspective in the post-2015 development agenda. The experts will also recommend specific actions that can be taken by, Governments, the UN system, civil society and other stakeholders, towards this objective. (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1608)
DESA - Call for submissions to the UN Database of Experts on Disability
DESA is currently expanding its database of experts with knowledge and experience on disability-inclusive development. The list will be used as a reference tool to help identify participants who may contribute to on-going efforts to mainstream disability in the development agenda, toward 2015 and beyond, including upcoming experts meetings, regional conferences and other events on this issue. The Secretariat is currently accepting submissions until 15 May 2013 via an online survey. Further information will be requested after a primary review of all applications received. (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/enable_experts_database)
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2013
The theme of this year's International Day of Persons with Disabilities is: “Break barriers, open doors: for an inclusive society for all”. A major focus of the Day is practical and concrete action to include disability in all aspects of development, as well as to further the participation of persons with disabilities in social life and development on the basis of equality. To make the most of the Day, activities may highlight progress and obstacles in implementing disability-sensitive policies, as well as promote public awareness to break barriers and open doors to realize an inclusive society for all. By 3 December 2013, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the outcome document of the HLMDD will be available and may be used to provide a blueprint for action to help realize the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in society and shape the future of development for all! (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1607)
World Autism Awareness Day commemorated on 2 April
World Autism Awareness Day was commemorated around the world on 2 April. At UN Headquarters, the Day's events included panel discussions to celebrate the abilities of people with autism. The first panel featured Neal Katz, a teenager with autism featured in the film “Autism The Musical”, Fazli Azeem, a Fulbright Scholar from Pakistan who is on the autism spectrum, and Idil Azeem from Somalia, who has a child with autism. The second panel discussion entitled "Addressing the socioeconomic needs of individuals, families, and societies affected by autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disorders” was co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Bangladesh, Bahrain, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United States, in collaboration with DESA. The Day’s events at UN Headquarters also included a musical performance by Talina and “The Miracle Project” that includes performers with autism, as well as a film screening. (http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/obv1207.doc.htm; http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44536&Cr=autism&Cr1
Webcast: http://tinyurl.com/bmjtyja)
Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - 9th session
The 9th session of the Committee was convened in Geneva from 15-19 April 2013. During the session, the Committee adopted concluding observations of Paraguay and adopted lists of issues on States parties’ reports, as well as considered complaints submitted under the Optional Protocol to the CRPD. The Committee also discussed how to strengthen cooperation with United Nations bodies, specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations, including organizations of disabled persons and other competent bodies, to enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. The session also included a half-day of general discussion on women and girls with disabilities (see below). (http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/CRPDIndex.aspx)
OHCHR - General Discussion on women and girls with disabilities
The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities held a Half Day of General Discussion on Women and Girls with Disabilities on Wednesday, 17 April 2013. The discussion focused on the intersectionality between gender and disability, violence against women and girls with disabilities, and the sexual and reproductive rights of women with disabilities. The Day allowed the Committee to engage on gender and disability issues with a variety of stakeholders, such as representatives of States parties to the CRPD, UN agencies, organizations of persons with disabilities and civil society organizations. Speakers in the discussion included, among others, representatives from UN Women, UNICEF, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), WHO, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, and the Special Representative on the follow up to the study of the Secretary-General on violence against children and the Government of Mexico. On the last day of the 9th session, the Committee adopted a statement in which it reiterated its concern about the violence and abuses against women and girls with disabilities, the restrictions to their sexual, reproductive and maternity rights, as well as the failure to include gender as a cross-cutting issue in public policies on disability and disability as a cross-cutting issue in public policies addressing women in general. (http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/CRPDIndex.aspx)
UNESCO – Report shows how using ICTs to empower persons with disabilities
UNESCO’s Global Report on “Opening New Avenues for Empowerment: ICTs to Access Information and Knowledge for Persons with Disabilities”. The new UNESCO Global Report highlights 18 recommendations to all stakeholders – from decision-makers to educators, civil society and industry – on how concretely to advance the rights of people with disabilities to access information and knowledge using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Assistive Technologies (ATs). The Global Report calls Governments to adopt a holistic approach - the use of ICTs should not be seen as an end goal by itself, but rather as an important means of empowerment of persons with disabilities, and a way to achieve international goals and commitments. (http://tinyurl.com/d74r2dd; http://tinyurl.com/cf6a8az)
UNESCO/UNICEF – Online discussion on inclusive education
UNESCO and UNICEF join forces to advance the right to education for persons with disabilities on behalf of the Education Taskforce of the Global Partnership on Children with Disabilities. The discussion will take place from 22 April to 12 May and will address the following question: “What do we understand by the concept of inclusive education and what are the key recommendations for an effective implementation of Article 24 of the CRPD?” Join the Knowledge Community on Inclusive Education! (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/resources/online-materials/single-view/news/inclusive_education_sign_up_now_for_online_discussion/)
UNICEF – 2nd Global Partnership on Children with Disabilities (GPcwd) Forum
Plans are underway for the second meeting of the GPcwd to take place on 24 September immediately following the High-Level Meeting on Disability and Development. This year’s event will be one full day at UNICEF House, followed by a reception. The event will cover the work of the Partnership’s four task forces related to education, nutrition, humanitarian action, and assistive technology. (http://www.unicef.org/disabilities/index_65319.html)
UNICEF – State of the World’s Children report 2013: Children with Disabilities
On 30 May, UNICEF will launch the 2103 edition of its flagship publication, State of the World’s Children that will focus on children with disabilities. The report covers children with disabilities in a varying worldwide landscape: how do they fare at home, in school, or at health care centres? What happens to children with disabilities in emergencies or conflict? How do these situations fluctuate around the world? The Report argues for inclusive and equitable approaches in such areas as early childhood development, education, health, nutrition, humanitarian response and protection. Based on documented experience and examples, the report will recommend ways in which Governments, the private sector, international donors and agencies, and other stakeholders can help advance this agenda. The report also gives a voice to children to encourage their position as architects and agents of change in their towns, villages and cities, regardless of ability. To this end, in addition to the main narrative and expert technical panels, the report features perspectives, or personal essays, by policymakers, parents, care providers, celebrities and role models with disabilities and, most significantly, young people with disabilities that have accomplished personal or professional goals or are striving to do so. The hope is that report will foster greater attention on these children’s global needs and remarkable potential. (http://www.unicef.org/sowc/)
WHO: Call for new assistive device solutions
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a call for innovative health technologies with a specific focus on assistive technologies. Assistive devices allow people with loss of function, to enhance their abilities, live independently and participate more fully in their societies. All are invited to submit assistive device or other innovative health technology solution that could contribute to improving health outcomes and quality of life. Successful submissions will be included in a compendium of technologies suitable for use in low-resource settings. The closing date is 30 April 2013. For further details about the call and compendium of innovative health technologies, visit: www.who.int/medical_devices/compendium_2013/en/index.html.
UNAOC – Do one thing to support cultural diversity and inclusion
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in partnership with UNESCO, and various other partners from corporations to civil society, is launching the world campaign “Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion”, aimed at engaging people around the world to do one thing to support cultural diversity and inclusion. Following the adoption in 2001 of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, the UN General Assembly declared 21 May as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. This Day raises awareness on the richness of world cultures and the opportunities that cultural diversity can bring to societies.
(http://www.unaoc.org/do-one-thing-for-diversity-and-inclusion/)
World Bank - Interactive inclusive development database
This new database created by the World Bank and Leonard Cheshire Disability with funding provided by the Government of Japan through the World Bank, provides information on Government projects that aim to include people with disabilities in mainstream education, health and rehabilitation, and livelihoods programmes. This innovative database is the first of its kind and contains information that has been compiled from projects in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. In addition to project details, it also provides information on the legal environment and policy framework for persons with disabilities, as well as contact details of Government officials in-charge of these projects. The database aims to promote communication and collaboration throughout the international disability community and among Governments to help develop effectiveness and mutual accountability in implementing the CRPD. Users can browse project information by thematic area or country, as well as register a new project on the database. (http://www.disabilitydatabase.org/)
Questions answered about the UN’s Post-2015 Development Agenda
What is the “post-2015 development agenda”? What will become of the MDGs? What is the link to “SDGs” (Sustainable Development Goals) and to the follow-up to the Rio+20 Conference? Who is involved in the consultations on the post-2015 development agenda? What is the High-level Panel? How will the voices of the poorest and most vulnerable people be included? What happens next? DESA has prepared a FAQ sheet that includes details and links to related websites. (http://csonet.org/index.php?page=view&nr=160&type=230&menu=14)
UPCOMING EVENTS
(Send us information on major international disability events for possible inclusion in the list below)
29 to 30 April: 29th Pacific Rim Int’l Conference on Disability and Diversity
The theme for the 29th Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity: “Being in Community”, 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)
20 to 31 May: 12th session, Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
The session will be held at UN Headquarters, New York and include a review year of the Forum. (http://social.un.org/index/IndigenousPeoples/UNPFIISessions/Twelfth.aspx). On 22 May, DRF and IDA in partnership with other stakeholders will conduct a side-event to the session, to present the main findings and recommendations from the report on indigenous persons with disabilities. (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1605)
6 to 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. (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)
4-5 September: SEDUCE - Space-x-Exchange Forum
The Forum to be held in Vienna, Austria, is entitled “How Design Morphs Visual Impairment". It will investigate how smart design solutions can persuade rather than lecture and lead to an intuitive understanding, acceptance of and support for visual impairment. Not only through legal regulations, but by appealing design solutions for the general public shall make visual impaired people´s environment easier to experience and enjoy. (http://www.space-x-vie.net/?pg=3)
2 to 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 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 (HLMDD)
(See item above).
13 October: International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2013
This year's commemoration will focus on disability. The theme of the Day is: "A Not So Obvious Conversation - Disability and Disasters”. (http://www.un.org/en/events/disasterreductionday; http://www.preventionweb.net/globalplatform/2013/)
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: “Equality for Deaf People”. (www.wfdsydney2013.com)
3 December: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
(See item above)
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.)
DRF report expands the definition of human rights
The Disability Rights Fund (DRF) released its “One in Seven” that charts the progress of Disabled Persons’ Organizations (DPOs) around the world, in making their voices heard. The report shows that increasingly, persons with disabilities reject being treated as objects of charity and are asserting their rights to be heard. This report illustrates the growth the disability rights movement around the world since 2008, when the CRPD entered into force. “One in Seven” takes its name from the World Health Organization/World Bank statistic that more than a billion people in the world today have disabilities. This report profiles disability rights activists who are overcoming attitudinal, environmental, institutional and political barriers to participate fully in society. They represent organizations in countries such as Bangladesh, Fiji, Indonesia, Uganda, and Peru. (http://www.disabilityrightsfund.org/oneinseven)
IDB awards for disability-inclusive social innovation projects
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) recently announced the winners of three competitions organized by its Innovation Lab (I-LAB) for social innovation projects designed to promote the economic inclusion of persons with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean. The selected projects’ sponsors took part in a competition open to public and private organizations and individuals from the IDB’s borrowing member countries. After a round of public online voting, the most popular proposals of the 160 submitted were evaluated by a panel of experts. Centro INGENIA-T of Chile won the competition for business inclusion projects with a proposal to develop a fair trade e-commerce platform to market artisanal products made by indigenous women with disabilities in northern Chile and La Paz, Bolivia. The competition for inclusive finance projects was won by an Ecuadorian microfinance institution, Banco D-Miro, with a proposal to develop microcredit and microsavings products tailored to the needs of people with disabilities. The competition for disruptive ideas, which sought foster debate on how to overcome barriers to the inclusion of people with disabilities, was won by Jorge Enrique Leal Rodriguez, a Colombian systems engineer who created an online program to translate Spanish into Colombian sign language. (http://tinyurl.com/byvecll)
Zero Project Conference in 2014 to focus on CRPD Article 9 – Accessibility
The Zero Project initiated by the Essl Foundation and organized in partnership with the World Future Council, advocates the rights of persons with disabilities internationally. The third Zero Project Conference in 2014 will focus on UN CRPD Article 9 - Accessibility. Organizers of the project will reach out to civil society and disabled peoples’ organizations (DPOs), CRPD Committee members, academics and policy-makers around the world for nominating innovative practices and policies, and/or for contributing to the global survey on accessibility. (office@zeroproject.org; www.zeroproject.org)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD)
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)
S-2906, United Nations, New York, NY 10017, USA.
Website: www.un.org/disabilities
Email: enable@un.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/United-Nations-Enable/196545623691523
Twitter: http://twitter.com/UN_Enable
In this issue:
- Status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
- Highlights from the UN system
- Upcoming calendar of events
- Other news
STATUS OF THE CRPD
130ratifications and 155 signatories to the CRPD
76ratifications and 91 signatories to its Optional Protocol (OP)
6th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD
The 6th session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP6) will be held from 17to19 July 2013. The theme for this session is: “Ensuring adequate standard of living: empowerment and participation of persons with disabilities within the framework of the CRPD”. The sub-themes are: 1. Economic empowerment through inclusive social protection and poverty reduction strategies; 2. Disability-inclusive development in national, regional and international processes; and 3. Community-based rehabilitation and habilitation for inclusive society. Application forms for NGO accreditation and for side-events have been posted on the Enable website. The programme, background papers and documents, as well as information related to civil society and NHRI participation are forthcoming. Prior to the Conference, a multi-stakeholder Civil Society Forum (CSF) will be organized by the International Disability Alliance (IDA), Disable Peoples’ Intenational (DPI), Rehabilitation International (RI) and the Global Partnership for Disability and Development (GPDD), with the usual support of DESA and sponsored by States Parties. (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1606)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE UN SYSTEM
Update on the High-level Meeting on Disability and Development
The High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on Disability and Development (HLMDD, http://www.un.org/hlmdd2013) will take place on 23 September, this year. Prior to the meeting, a negotiated outcome document will be prepared by Member States, informed by input from organizations of persons with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders. The preparatory process of the HLMDD is described on the Enable website and includes a range of consultations. Most recently, DESA, in partnership with UNICEF, conducted online global consultations from 8 March to 5 April 2013 in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Final summaries of the discussions are now available online. (http://www.worldwewant2015.org/enable). Furthermore, regional consultations have taken place in Brussels (25 April) and will take place in Bahia, Brazil (17 to 18 May) and Bangkok (15 to 16 May). (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1590)
EGM on a disability inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond
DESA, in close collaboration with the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) will organize an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) entitled: "A disability-inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 2 to 4 May 2013. The EGM will provide a forum for independent experts in areas such as: disability, development policy and programmes, and disability data and statistics, to assess the major obstacles encountered in the implementation of internationally agreed development goals, such as the MDGs for persons with disabilities. Against the backdrop on the work underway to shape a global development agenda for 2015 and beyond, the EGM will also develop strategic options and recommendations to reinforce the disability perspective in the post-2015 development agenda. The experts will also recommend specific actions that can be taken by, Governments, the UN system, civil society and other stakeholders, towards this objective. (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1608)
DESA - Call for submissions to the UN Database of Experts on Disability
DESA is currently expanding its database of experts with knowledge and experience on disability-inclusive development. The list will be used as a reference tool to help identify participants who may contribute to on-going efforts to mainstream disability in the development agenda, toward 2015 and beyond, including upcoming experts meetings, regional conferences and other events on this issue. The Secretariat is currently accepting submissions until 15 May 2013 via an online survey. Further information will be requested after a primary review of all applications received. (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/enable_experts_database)
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2013
The theme of this year's International Day of Persons with Disabilities is: “Break barriers, open doors: for an inclusive society for all”. A major focus of the Day is practical and concrete action to include disability in all aspects of development, as well as to further the participation of persons with disabilities in social life and development on the basis of equality. To make the most of the Day, activities may highlight progress and obstacles in implementing disability-sensitive policies, as well as promote public awareness to break barriers and open doors to realize an inclusive society for all. By 3 December 2013, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the outcome document of the HLMDD will be available and may be used to provide a blueprint for action to help realize the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in society and shape the future of development for all! (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1607)
World Autism Awareness Day commemorated on 2 April
World Autism Awareness Day was commemorated around the world on 2 April. At UN Headquarters, the Day's events included panel discussions to celebrate the abilities of people with autism. The first panel featured Neal Katz, a teenager with autism featured in the film “Autism The Musical”, Fazli Azeem, a Fulbright Scholar from Pakistan who is on the autism spectrum, and Idil Azeem from Somalia, who has a child with autism. The second panel discussion entitled "Addressing the socioeconomic needs of individuals, families, and societies affected by autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disorders” was co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Bangladesh, Bahrain, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United States, in collaboration with DESA. The Day’s events at UN Headquarters also included a musical performance by Talina and “The Miracle Project” that includes performers with autism, as well as a film screening. (http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/obv1207.doc.htm; http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44536&Cr=autism&Cr1
Webcast: http://tinyurl.com/bmjtyja)
Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - 9th session
The 9th session of the Committee was convened in Geneva from 15-19 April 2013. During the session, the Committee adopted concluding observations of Paraguay and adopted lists of issues on States parties’ reports, as well as considered complaints submitted under the Optional Protocol to the CRPD. The Committee also discussed how to strengthen cooperation with United Nations bodies, specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations, including organizations of disabled persons and other competent bodies, to enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. The session also included a half-day of general discussion on women and girls with disabilities (see below). (http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/CRPDIndex.aspx)
OHCHR - General Discussion on women and girls with disabilities
The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities held a Half Day of General Discussion on Women and Girls with Disabilities on Wednesday, 17 April 2013. The discussion focused on the intersectionality between gender and disability, violence against women and girls with disabilities, and the sexual and reproductive rights of women with disabilities. The Day allowed the Committee to engage on gender and disability issues with a variety of stakeholders, such as representatives of States parties to the CRPD, UN agencies, organizations of persons with disabilities and civil society organizations. Speakers in the discussion included, among others, representatives from UN Women, UNICEF, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), WHO, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, and the Special Representative on the follow up to the study of the Secretary-General on violence against children and the Government of Mexico. On the last day of the 9th session, the Committee adopted a statement in which it reiterated its concern about the violence and abuses against women and girls with disabilities, the restrictions to their sexual, reproductive and maternity rights, as well as the failure to include gender as a cross-cutting issue in public policies on disability and disability as a cross-cutting issue in public policies addressing women in general. (http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/CRPDIndex.aspx)
UNESCO – Report shows how using ICTs to empower persons with disabilities
UNESCO’s Global Report on “Opening New Avenues for Empowerment: ICTs to Access Information and Knowledge for Persons with Disabilities”. The new UNESCO Global Report highlights 18 recommendations to all stakeholders – from decision-makers to educators, civil society and industry – on how concretely to advance the rights of people with disabilities to access information and knowledge using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Assistive Technologies (ATs). The Global Report calls Governments to adopt a holistic approach - the use of ICTs should not be seen as an end goal by itself, but rather as an important means of empowerment of persons with disabilities, and a way to achieve international goals and commitments. (http://tinyurl.com/d74r2dd; http://tinyurl.com/cf6a8az)
UNESCO/UNICEF – Online discussion on inclusive education
UNESCO and UNICEF join forces to advance the right to education for persons with disabilities on behalf of the Education Taskforce of the Global Partnership on Children with Disabilities. The discussion will take place from 22 April to 12 May and will address the following question: “What do we understand by the concept of inclusive education and what are the key recommendations for an effective implementation of Article 24 of the CRPD?” Join the Knowledge Community on Inclusive Education! (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/resources/online-materials/single-view/news/inclusive_education_sign_up_now_for_online_discussion/)
UNICEF – 2nd Global Partnership on Children with Disabilities (GPcwd) Forum
Plans are underway for the second meeting of the GPcwd to take place on 24 September immediately following the High-Level Meeting on Disability and Development. This year’s event will be one full day at UNICEF House, followed by a reception. The event will cover the work of the Partnership’s four task forces related to education, nutrition, humanitarian action, and assistive technology. (http://www.unicef.org/disabilities/index_65319.html)
UNICEF – State of the World’s Children report 2013: Children with Disabilities
On 30 May, UNICEF will launch the 2103 edition of its flagship publication, State of the World’s Children that will focus on children with disabilities. The report covers children with disabilities in a varying worldwide landscape: how do they fare at home, in school, or at health care centres? What happens to children with disabilities in emergencies or conflict? How do these situations fluctuate around the world? The Report argues for inclusive and equitable approaches in such areas as early childhood development, education, health, nutrition, humanitarian response and protection. Based on documented experience and examples, the report will recommend ways in which Governments, the private sector, international donors and agencies, and other stakeholders can help advance this agenda. The report also gives a voice to children to encourage their position as architects and agents of change in their towns, villages and cities, regardless of ability. To this end, in addition to the main narrative and expert technical panels, the report features perspectives, or personal essays, by policymakers, parents, care providers, celebrities and role models with disabilities and, most significantly, young people with disabilities that have accomplished personal or professional goals or are striving to do so. The hope is that report will foster greater attention on these children’s global needs and remarkable potential. (http://www.unicef.org/sowc/)
WHO: Call for new assistive device solutions
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a call for innovative health technologies with a specific focus on assistive technologies. Assistive devices allow people with loss of function, to enhance their abilities, live independently and participate more fully in their societies. All are invited to submit assistive device or other innovative health technology solution that could contribute to improving health outcomes and quality of life. Successful submissions will be included in a compendium of technologies suitable for use in low-resource settings. The closing date is 30 April 2013. For further details about the call and compendium of innovative health technologies, visit: www.who.int/medical_devices/compendium_2013/en/index.html.
UNAOC – Do one thing to support cultural diversity and inclusion
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in partnership with UNESCO, and various other partners from corporations to civil society, is launching the world campaign “Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion”, aimed at engaging people around the world to do one thing to support cultural diversity and inclusion. Following the adoption in 2001 of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, the UN General Assembly declared 21 May as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. This Day raises awareness on the richness of world cultures and the opportunities that cultural diversity can bring to societies.
(http://www.unaoc.org/do-one-thing-for-diversity-and-inclusion/)
World Bank - Interactive inclusive development database
This new database created by the World Bank and Leonard Cheshire Disability with funding provided by the Government of Japan through the World Bank, provides information on Government projects that aim to include people with disabilities in mainstream education, health and rehabilitation, and livelihoods programmes. This innovative database is the first of its kind and contains information that has been compiled from projects in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. In addition to project details, it also provides information on the legal environment and policy framework for persons with disabilities, as well as contact details of Government officials in-charge of these projects. The database aims to promote communication and collaboration throughout the international disability community and among Governments to help develop effectiveness and mutual accountability in implementing the CRPD. Users can browse project information by thematic area or country, as well as register a new project on the database. (http://www.disabilitydatabase.org/)
Questions answered about the UN’s Post-2015 Development Agenda
What is the “post-2015 development agenda”? What will become of the MDGs? What is the link to “SDGs” (Sustainable Development Goals) and to the follow-up to the Rio+20 Conference? Who is involved in the consultations on the post-2015 development agenda? What is the High-level Panel? How will the voices of the poorest and most vulnerable people be included? What happens next? DESA has prepared a FAQ sheet that includes details and links to related websites. (http://csonet.org/index.php?page=view&nr=160&type=230&menu=14)
UPCOMING EVENTS
(Send us information on major international disability events for possible inclusion in the list below)
29 to 30 April: 29th Pacific Rim Int’l Conference on Disability and Diversity
The theme for the 29th Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity: “Being in Community”, 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)
20 to 31 May: 12th session, Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
The session will be held at UN Headquarters, New York and include a review year of the Forum. (http://social.un.org/index/IndigenousPeoples/UNPFIISessions/Twelfth.aspx). On 22 May, DRF and IDA in partnership with other stakeholders will conduct a side-event to the session, to present the main findings and recommendations from the report on indigenous persons with disabilities. (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1605)
6 to 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. (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)
4-5 September: SEDUCE - Space-x-Exchange Forum
The Forum to be held in Vienna, Austria, is entitled “How Design Morphs Visual Impairment". It will investigate how smart design solutions can persuade rather than lecture and lead to an intuitive understanding, acceptance of and support for visual impairment. Not only through legal regulations, but by appealing design solutions for the general public shall make visual impaired people´s environment easier to experience and enjoy. (http://www.space-x-vie.net/?pg=3)
2 to 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 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 (HLMDD)
(See item above).
13 October: International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2013
This year's commemoration will focus on disability. The theme of the Day is: "A Not So Obvious Conversation - Disability and Disasters”. (http://www.un.org/en/events/disasterreductionday; http://www.preventionweb.net/globalplatform/2013/)
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: “Equality for Deaf People”. (www.wfdsydney2013.com)
3 December: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
(See item above)
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.)
DRF report expands the definition of human rights
The Disability Rights Fund (DRF) released its “One in Seven” that charts the progress of Disabled Persons’ Organizations (DPOs) around the world, in making their voices heard. The report shows that increasingly, persons with disabilities reject being treated as objects of charity and are asserting their rights to be heard. This report illustrates the growth the disability rights movement around the world since 2008, when the CRPD entered into force. “One in Seven” takes its name from the World Health Organization/World Bank statistic that more than a billion people in the world today have disabilities. This report profiles disability rights activists who are overcoming attitudinal, environmental, institutional and political barriers to participate fully in society. They represent organizations in countries such as Bangladesh, Fiji, Indonesia, Uganda, and Peru. (http://www.disabilityrightsfund.org/oneinseven)
IDB awards for disability-inclusive social innovation projects
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) recently announced the winners of three competitions organized by its Innovation Lab (I-LAB) for social innovation projects designed to promote the economic inclusion of persons with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean. The selected projects’ sponsors took part in a competition open to public and private organizations and individuals from the IDB’s borrowing member countries. After a round of public online voting, the most popular proposals of the 160 submitted were evaluated by a panel of experts. Centro INGENIA-T of Chile won the competition for business inclusion projects with a proposal to develop a fair trade e-commerce platform to market artisanal products made by indigenous women with disabilities in northern Chile and La Paz, Bolivia. The competition for inclusive finance projects was won by an Ecuadorian microfinance institution, Banco D-Miro, with a proposal to develop microcredit and microsavings products tailored to the needs of people with disabilities. The competition for disruptive ideas, which sought foster debate on how to overcome barriers to the inclusion of people with disabilities, was won by Jorge Enrique Leal Rodriguez, a Colombian systems engineer who created an online program to translate Spanish into Colombian sign language. (http://tinyurl.com/byvecll)
Zero Project Conference in 2014 to focus on CRPD Article 9 – Accessibility
The Zero Project initiated by the Essl Foundation and organized in partnership with the World Future Council, advocates the rights of persons with disabilities internationally. The third Zero Project Conference in 2014 will focus on UN CRPD Article 9 - Accessibility. Organizers of the project will reach out to civil society and disabled peoples’ organizations (DPOs), CRPD Committee members, academics and policy-makers around the world for nominating innovative practices and policies, and/or for contributing to the global survey on accessibility. (office@zeroproject.org; www.zeroproject.org)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD)
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)
S-2906, United Nations, New York, NY 10017, USA.
Website: www.un.org/disabilities
Email: enable@un.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/United-Nations-Enable/196545623691523
Twitter: http://twitter.com/UN_Enable
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