On Tuesday, April 23, USICD Executive Director David Morrissey presented public comment at a hearing for the National Council on Disability (NCD) about how they should engage with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  NCD is an independent federal agency charged with advising the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities.  Morrissey requested that NCD help to combat the campaign of misinformation about the treaty and provide education on why the treaty is important to the American disability community.  He also shared quotes from disability leaders abroad who emphasized the need for U.S. ratification:

By ratifying the CRPD, the United States can share the American experience of protecting and promoting disability rights with the world.  Our influence is sorely needed.  The world’s people with disabilities look to the United States on this issue.  Hear these voices calling for U.S. ratification:

From Mongolia: “Many countries see US action in human rights as an example. We, persons with disabilities, always take examples from the United States.  If the US ratifies the CRPD that will have a huge impact in other countries and will facilitate our advocacy.”  Ya.Avirmed, Aivuun NGO for Persons with Disabilities, Ulaanbaatar city, Mongolia

From Trinidad:  “US disability rights laws are the standard bearer and the fact that the United States Senate is taking steps to ratify the CRPD is further evidence of the importance of this treaty.”  Debbie McKell, Trinidad and Tobago Paralympic Committee

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The United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD) deeply mourns the loss of film critic and Chicago Icon Roger Ebert, who passed away on April 4, 2013. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his beloved wife Chaz.

Over the past few years, many people have praised Ebert for continuing to pursue his passion of writing and film criticism after acquiring cancer and dealing with the side effects of cancer. Praise also came from within the disability community. By continuing the work he loved after acquiring a disability, Ebert sent a message to the world that disability is a natural part of life that will impact everyone in some way at some point in his or her life. Just as important, Ebert sent the message that disability doesn’t change who we are and doesn’t stop us from pursuing what we love.

Marca Bristo, president of the USICD board, said, "Roger was a dear friend and I will miss him greatly. He always said that I taught him everything he knew about the disability rights movement. The truth is he taught millions of people what it's like to live with disability with grace, humor, and a love of life!" 

When it comes to empathy and disability, Ebert alone changed the minds of many people.

A long time friend and supporter of many in the disability community, Ebert will sadly be missed and will always be remembered.

The year ahead promises to be an important time in international disability rights. There are 128 ratifications of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilites and the USICD community is committed to seeing the U.S. become the 129th!

USICD has entered 2013 with a vision for serving our community and the global disability rights movement.  We have a renewed vigor to continue our ratification effort and are introducing a new initiative to get youth involved in international disability rights.  We look forward to a big year, and hope that you will be a part of it!

Visit our membership page to read more about membership in USICD and to download a member information form.   If you or your organization are already a member, now is the time to renew.  If you've never been a member before, now is the time to join!

With the vital support of the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF), USICD is launching its first internship program focusing on youth with disabilities who are interested in international development and foreign affairs careers. The project follows from a vision, core to USICD's mission, to increase disability inclusion in U.S. foreign affairs by supporting future generations of Americans to invest their skills and talents in this field.

The Youth in Development Program (YiD) will bring a handful of talented college students, graduate students, and recent graduates with disabilities to Washington, DC this summer for nine weeks to expose them to the international affairs and development arena. Interns will receive a stipend, travel expenses, and fully-accessible housing.

To learn more about YiD and how to apply, please visit USICD's Youth in Development Initiative page.

Application Deadline: February 18, 2013

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on Thursday, July 12, at 9:00 a.m. in Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room G-50.  USICD was thrilled to see a strong turnout by the disability community!

Read the full testimonies of CRPD hearing witnesses at: 

http://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/hearing_convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-treaty-doc-112-7

When it was:
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
3:30PM-5:30PM

Where it was:
United States Access Board
1331 F Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20004-1111

Thank you to everyone who came to USICD's 2012 Annual Meeting!  We were thrilled to see such a great turnout out of members, community members and even some international visitors joining us on Tuesday, June 12 at the U.S. Access Board's conference center.

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July 24, 2009, President Barack Obama signs the order for the United States to become a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in the East Room of the White House.  Read USICD's media release about this event here.  Photo Courtesy Rehabilitation International.