-----Original Message----- From: Dspd Enable [mailto:ena...@un.org] Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 3:30 AM To: enab...@un.org Subject: United Nations Enable Newsletter, July-September 2010
ENABLE NEWSLETTER July-September 2010 The Enable Newsletter is prepared by the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SCRPD) at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Input has been received from UN offices, agencies, funds and programmes, as well as from civil society. It is also available on-line at: http://www.un.org/disabilities. In this issue: § Status of the Convention § Highlights § Upcoming events § Other news STATUS OF THE CONVENTION (CRPD) 94 ratifications of the Convention 147 signatories to the Convention Optional Protocol to the Convention 58 ratifications of the Optional Protocol 90 signatories to the Optional Protocol Recent signatures and ratifications: Ethiopia ratified the Convention on 7 July 2010 Grenada signed the Convention on 12 July 2010 Malaysia ratified the Convention on 19 July 2010 Honduras ratified the Optional Protocol on 16 August 2010 Lithuania ratified the Convention on 18 August 2010 Lithuania ratified the Optional Protocol on 18 August 2010 Latvia ratified the Optional Protocol on 31 August 2010 Senegal ratified the Convention on 7 September 2010 Bhutan signed the Convention on 21 September 2010 Moldova ratified the Convention on 21 September 2010 Nigeria ratified the Convention on 24 September 2010 Nigeria ratified the Optional Protocol on 24 September 2010 Armenia ratified the Convention on 22 September 2010 Greece signed the Optional Protocol on 27 September 2010 Third Conference of States Parties, 1-3 September 2010 The third Conference of States Parties to the Convention was held from 1- 3 September 2010 at UN Headquarters in New York, under the theme: “Implementing the Convention through Advancing Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities”. The session began with elections for members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in accordance with article 34 of the Convention. As the total number of ratifications had passed 80, the membership of the Committee was increased by six to a total of 18 members. Additional elections were held for the six members of the Committee whose term expires in 2010. Substantive roundtable discussions and an interactive informal session with civil society discussed the implementation of Articles 11, 19 and 24 of the Convention. An update was also provided on implementation of the Convention within the UN System. For the first time, a Civil Society Forum was held on the day prior to the opening of the Convention. The next Conference will be held on 7-9 September 2011. More information: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1532. HIGHLIGHTS Report of the Secretary-General to the 65th Session of the General Assembly The report titled “Keeping the Promise: realizing the Millennium Development Goals for persons with disabilities towards 2015 and beyond” will be before the 65th Session of the General Assembly. It reviews the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, as well as progress and challenges concerning the advancement of persons with disabilities in the context of the MDGs with a focus on the status of disability data and statistics. More information: http://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/gadocs/a_65_173.doc. Disability included in Outcome Document of the 2010 MDG Summit Following on a proposal by the UN Secretary-General, the General Assembly convened a High-level Plenary Meeting on 20-22 September, with the primary objective to accelerate progress towards all the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. At the 2010 MDG Summit, Governments conducted a comprehensive review of successes, best practices and lessons learned, obstacles and gaps, challenges and opportunities in achieving the MDGs and adopted an outcome document, a resolution (A/65/1) which also includes references to persons with disabilities. More information: http://www.un.org/en/mdg/summit2010. Prior to the summit, the 2010 MDGs Global Report was released and includes several references to disability and persons with disabilities. See the full report at: http://www.un.org/en/mdg/summit2010/pdf/MDG%20Report%202010%20En%20r15%20-low%20res%2020100615%20-.pdf . DESA/World Bank - UN Expert Group Meeting on accessibility On 28-30 June 2010, the “Expert Group Meeting on Accessibility: innovative and cost-effective approaches for inclusive and accessible development” was organized in collaboration with the World Bank and held at their Headquarters in Washington DC. The experts reviewed current standards and practices on accessibility and work to develop practical guidelines for disability-inclusive policy frameworks to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities, with reasonable adaptation, in both the physical environment and in the fields of information and communication technologies. More information: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1516. WHO/DESA - Panel Discussion on Mental Health On 16 September 2010, in the lead up to the Millennium Development Goals review summit, WHO and UN DESA organized a panel discussion on Mental Health and Development bringing together high level speakers from the UN, government, the scientific community, civil society and other development actors. Speakers on the panel discussed efforts needed for a greater integration of mental health into the development agenda and highlighted the different roles of diverse stakeholders. Following the Panel, WHO launched its new Report on Mental Health and Development: Targeting People with Mental Health Conditions as a Vulnerable Group. The launch included a presentation and discussion on specific actions that can be taken by governments and other development actors to ensure mental health is integrated into development plans and programmes. To download the WHO report, please visit http://www.who.int/mental_health/policy/mhtargeting/en/. More information: Michelle Funk (fu...@who.int) or visit http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1545. GPDD Working Group on the reconstruction of Haiti During the major reconstruction that follows most natural disasters, planners often miss opportunities to avoid recreating the exclusion of persons with disabilities by adapting the design of the built environment. It is far more cost-effective to modify the plans for a new building at the outset than to adapt an existing building to make it accessible. The Global Partnership for Disability and Development (GPDD) has initiated a Working Group on Haiti Reconstruction to ensure that reconstruction efforts after the Haiti earthquake involve persons with disabilities at all stages, and that all rebuilt and newly built infrastructure is fully accessible and usable by people with disabilities. To participate in this group, please contact Maria Veronica Reina at mvre...@law.syr.edu. More information: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1533. Toolkit for Long Term Recovery "Haiti: Reconstruction for All" The toolkit, "Haiti: Reconstruction for All" developed by the GPDD Working Group on Haiti Reconstruction helps to structure a more comprehensive approach to disaster management to ensure long term recovery is inclusive of persons with disabilities. More information: http://gpdd-online.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=111:toolkit-for-long-term-recovery-haiti-reconstruction-for-all-&catid=1 . GAID/G3ict – Roundtable on women with disabilities and ICT On 1 July 2010, a Roundtable meeting was organized by G3ict and GAID on “The role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Empowering Women with Disabilities” at UN Headquarters. Experts in ICT applications for persons with disabilities illustrated the role of ICT in empowering women with disabilities, and discussed issues such as the role of accessible internet resources for work, health, education and social networking, how accessible mobile phones can change the lives of women with disabilities, breaking the isolation of women with disabilities with ICTs, accessible workplaces and accessible financial services, and success stories, pending issues, and new solutions offered by industry and service providers. More information: http://www.g3ict.org. Panel discussion on women with disabilities at ECOSOC On 1 July 2010, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs co-organized a lunch-time panel discussion on women with disabilities along with Governments and other stakeholders, during the High-Level Segment of the Annual Ministerial Review meeting of the Economic and Social Council at UN Headquarters. More information: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?navid=13&pid=1514. International partnership forum for on disability and development The International Forum for Development Partners on Disability and Development was organized by the Global Partnership for Disability and Development (GPDD) and the World Bank took place on 15-16 September in Brussels, Belgium. The event brought together development partners, including representatives and disability focal points from Government donor agencies, United Nations agencies, multilateral organizations, and private foundations who are interested and/or currently working on disability issues and inclusive development to share experiences and to help increase donor coordination and collaboration. More information: ahay...@worldbank.org. Stevie Wonder Calls for International Action for to Enhance Accessibility for Visually Impaired Persons US singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder has called on the international community to take action to enhance accessibility for all those with physical disabilities. Speaking at the opening of the annual meetings of the World Intellectual Property Organization Assemblies in Geneva on 20 September, he called upon delegates to conclude an agreement on improved accessibility to copyright protected works by visually impaired persons within a year. More information: http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2010/article_0035.html. Label us Able: Respect diversity and free the potential of all A panel discussion was organized by the Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations as a side event to the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly, the MDG Summit on 22 Sep 2010. The seminar focused on the rights of persons with disabilities and aimed to promote tolerance and respect for equality and difference. Panelists included Alexander Stubb, Foreign Minister of Finland and hip-hop artist Signmark, Marko Vuoriheimo, Ms. Rachael Mayanja, Assistant Secretary-General of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and Mr. Shuaib Chalklen, Special Rapporteur on Disability. More information: http://formin.finland.fi/Public/default.aspx?contentid=200943&nodeid=15145&contentlan=2&culture=en-US . UPCOMING EVENTS 4 – 8 October: 4th Session of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities The Committee will meet in Geneva for their 4th session from 4-8 October (http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/Session4.aspx). On 7 October, the Committee will hold a Day of General Discussion on “The Right to Accessibility”. The purpose of the Day is to foster a deeper understanding of the contents and implications of the Convention as they relate to specific issues or articles of the Convention. Representatives of Governments, United Nations human rights mechanisms, United Nations bodies and specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions as well as individual experts and children are welcome to take part. More information: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/DGD7102010.aspx. 3 - 14 October: Commonwealth Games – Para Sports The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has officially released the Para-Sports Medal Events Programme for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi, India, following consultation with the International Paralympic Committee. The Games will take place in New Delhi, India, and will showcase world-class sporting opportunities for elite athletes with disabilities. More information: http://www.paralympic.org/Media_Centre/News/General_News/2008_11_26_a.html. 22 - 24 October: First European Congress on Visual Impairment The first European Congress on Visual Impairment will be held in Valladolid, Spain and will cover the prevention of visual impairments and rehabilitation. More information: http://www.eventoplenos.com/eurovision_eng/. 26 - 29 October: 4th Community-based Rehabilitation Conference in Africa The Conference will be, held under the theme “Linking CBR with Disability and Rehabilitation” in Abuja, Nigeria. It aims to promote better CBR practices in Africa and provides an opportunity for people to share information, knowledge, and experience on how disability concepts and CBR programmes can link together to help improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities and their families. More information: Joan Okune (j...@afri-can.org) or Sally Hartley (sa...@afri-can.org). 28 - 30 October: 4th National Spinal Cord Injury Conference The Conference is organized by the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and will take place in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada and showcase new research, clinical breakthroughs, innovative approaches and methodologies to address spinal cord injuries. More information: http://www.sciconference.ca. 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 “For the People and the Earth of Tomorrow - Towards a Sustainable Co-existence”. The conference organizers invites educators, product planning and developers, administrators, consultants, civic activists and students to submit research papers, as well as reports and editorial articles. More information: http://www.ud2010.net/index.en.html. 17-19 November: 6th World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and Prevention of Mental and Behavioral Disorders The Conference will be held in Washington, DC and address the issues young people with mental health conditions face in justice systems. Around the world, many young people in the juvenile justice system suffer from mental health disorders and often do not receive the services and support they need. Youth in poor and disadvantaged communities are especially vulnerable to being improperly incarcerated due to a lack of mental health services available to them. More information: http://wmhconf2010.hhd.org. 3 December: International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The theme of the 2010 commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is "Keeping the promise: Mainstreaming disability in the Millennium Development Goals towards 2015 and beyond". The day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every aspect of life. More information: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1540. July 3 - 8, 2011: Access Africa – 5th IDP Africa Forum The IDP-Institutional Development Forum will focus on how the power of technology can advance equality and rights of persons who are blind and partially sighted. Participants will include parents, persons who are blind and partially sighted, representatives from organizations of and for the blind, universities and Government ministries, international organizations, vendors, and sponsors of assistive technology. More information: http://www.perkins.org/international-programs/localexpertise/idp.html#Access_Africa_The_5th_IDP_Africa_Forum . 18-24 July 2011 XVI World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf This first ever WFD Congress in Africa will held in Durban, South Africa. The Congress will bring together activists, professionals, interest groups to share their experiences, knowledge and expertise to be used for welfare and improving human rights of Deaf people in Africa and around the world. It will also be a time to review achievements through the implementation of the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. More information: http://www.wfd2011.com/information/letter.html. OTHER NEWS (The information below is provided by the non-governmental disability community 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 organization or individual. The United Nations bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of their statements and opinions.) A guide to the UN Disability Convention The Equality and Human Rights Commission in the UK has developed a simple easy to understand Guide to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Guide provides an introduction to the Convention, information on understanding disability rights and a video of the guide in British Sign Language and with subtitles, as well as an Easy Read version of the guide. More information: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/human-rights/a-guide-to-the-un-disability-convention/ . Implementing disability-inclusive development in the Asia and the Pacific On 15-17 September 2010, an international conference and action planning roundtable was held in Darwin, Australia, by the Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC). The conference discussed and reviewed practical actions being taken in the Pacific and Asia to ensure that local, national and international development includes people with disabilities. More information: http://www.addc.org.au/2010/02/addc-conference-first-notice/. Newsletter of Women with Disabilities Australia-Issue 2, 2010 Find out more about WWDA, an organization for women with all types of disabilities in Australia, providing a voice for the needs and rights of women with disabilities and to improve their lives and life chances. More information: http://www.wwda.org.au/bulletin.htm. Disability Rights South Asia website The Disability Rights South Asia website from the Lawers Collective Women’s Right Initiative is now available. This web portal is part of a project on disability rights, undertaken by the LCWRI with active support from the Wellesley Centers for Women, Wellesley College, Massachusetts and the Ford Foundation, China. The project intends to integrate the discourse on disability rights with international human rights, women’s rights and activist litigation practices. More information: http://www.disabilityrights-southasia.org. DRPI fact sheet on social participation The Disability Rights Promotion International Canada (DRPI-Canada) has produced a fact sheet “Monitoring the Human Rights of People with Disabilities in Canada: Toronto Monitoring Site Fact Sheet on Social Participation” which summarizes the key findings of disability rights monitoring. The fact sheet shows that social participation is the top priority for persons with disabilities interviewed in Toronto. Persons with disabilities participated fully in all aspects of the project as coordinators and monitors. Accessible versions of the findings are available on the DRPI-Canada website: English version at http://www.yorku.ca/drpi/CanadaFactTor0710En.html French version at http://www.yorku.ca/drpi/CanadaFactTor0710Fr.html Survey on persons with disabilities to be conducted in India The State Government of Rajasthan, India, will conduct a survey to find out the number of persons with disabilities in the State. It will also provide unique identification numbers and certificates so that persons with disabilities can access their related benefits. The announcement was made at a state-level conference on Mainstreaming Disability in Development organised by CUTS International in partnership with Sightsavers on 2 September. The programme was attended by representatives from civil society organizations, educational institutes and media. More information: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Survey-on-disabled-soon/articleshow/6482254.cms#ixzz0zcEZsYNl . Conference addresses challenges of the Deaf in Zambia A Zambian organization, Kitwe Deaf Youth and Women (KDYW) held a provincial conference on the Convention. The conference was attended by over 30 deaf youth representatives who dialogued to develop guidelines for advocacy using the Convention as a working document. More information: http://www.opportunityzambia.org/?p=64. 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. Mailing address: UN Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2 UN Plaza, DC2-1306, New York, NY 10017, USA. Website: http://www.un.org/disabilities Email: ena...@un.org If you do not wish to receive the United Nations Enable Newsletter, please reply with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. Notice: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, use, review, distribution, printing or copying of the information contained in this e-mail message and/or attachments to it are strictly prohibited. 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