SLIDE 1: 2024 Annual Conference on Independent Living BACK TO THE FUTURE Presented by the National Council on Independent Living Alt text: Conference Logo: Black sans serif text says, “BACK TO THE FUTURE”. To the right, digital font in bright, bold orange says, “2024”. Underneath, [NCIL Logo: National Council on Independent Living] Annual Conference on Independent Living. SLIDE 2: A General Overview of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) 25 July 2024 Isabel Hodge LeAnn Naillon Alt text: USICD (United States International Council on Disability) logo and "we support CRPD" logo. SLIDE 3: Objectives History of the UN CRPD State Parties’ Obligations Implementation and Monitoring of the CRPD Role of People with disabilities and their organizations Update on ratification by the United States Senate NCIL International Subcommittee SLIDE 4: Purpose of the Convention To promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity. SLIDE 5: History Drafting began in 2001. Other human rights instruments addressed disability. Convention was necessary to address more comprehensively the challenges facing persons with disabilities and to protect and promote their rights through a legally binding instrument. OHCHR commissioned a study SLIDE 6: History - NGO Activities & Strategies Form NGO Caucus; issue position papers; prepare joint strategy – “total consensus position” Lobby govts; place NGO reps on govt delegations Draft text for govts to introduce; perform legal analysis of existing text. Issue advocacy newsletters naming and shaming govts/complimenting govts Brief UN Missions prior to meetings Engage with decision-makers back home in capitals SLIDE 7: A Paradigm Shift – From Welfare to Rights Persons with disabilities are no longer considered as “objects” of charity, medical treatment and social protection; but rather as “subjects” with rights, capable of claiming those rights and making decisions based on their free and informed consent. Persons with disabilities are active and equal members of society. SLIDE 8: Overall Structure Preamble Introductory articles (Articles 1 & 2) Articles of general application (Articles 3-9) Specific articles (Articles 10-30) Implementation and monitoring measures (Articles 31-40) Final articles (Articles 41-50) SLIDE 9: General Principle: Non-discrimination Includes direct and indirect discrimination Reasonable accommodation must be made for persons with disabilities Reasonable accommodation: “necessary and appropriate modification and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms” SLIDE 10: Rights in the Convention Alt text: Globe with three people inside. SLIDE 11: Monitoring States must establish monitoring at the national level to implement and monitor the rights of women, men, and children with disabilities. (Art. 33) Specific national monitoring requirements SLIDE 12: Convention Bodies Conference of States Parties (COSP) Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities SLIDE 13: CRPD Committee Examines reports submitted by states; Develops a list of questions in response to State report; Engages in dialogue with State; Issues concluding observations and recommendations to reporting State; Drafts general comments interpreting the treaty; Consideration of individual communications and undertaking of inquiries (as provided under the Optional Protocol) SLIDE 14: Special Rapporteur on Disability Role of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Alt text: a woman in a black suit looking at the camera. SLIDE 15: Current Status CRPD Ratifications/Accessions: 191 Optional Protocol Ratification/Accessions: 100 SLIDE 16: United States – Current Status July 2009: U.S. signed the CRPD May 2012: Transmitted to the U.S. Senate July 2012: Hearings in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee December 2012: Vote on the floor with the full Senate (100 Senators – 2/3 vote needed) July 2014: Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 12-6 to send the Disabilities Treaty to the full Senate. SLIDE 17: U.S. Community Support Over 800+ disability organizations 26 faith organizations 20 veterans service organizations Chamber of Commerce, USBLN, ITIC, ISPO and over 50 businesses SLIDE 18: Opposition – Some Myths Ratification will: Infringe on U.S. sovereignty Make it binding on domestic law and will create opportunities for new lawsuits. Will put a UN Committee of experts in charge of U.S. law Will harm parental rights of parents of children with disabilities & impair their right to homeschool. Aim to endorse abortion rights & funding around the world. SLIDE 19: NCIL International Subcommittee Facilitate global collaboration and dialogue for CILs and IL Advocates Encourage international contributions to sub committee’s work and goals Represent NCIL to World Independent Living Network (WIN) Promote internation visits for exchange of information and collaboration Learn More: www.NCIL.org SLIDE 20: World Independent Living Network (WIN) WIN is a network of Independent Living Centers all over the world. IL activists gathered and held "Global Independent Living (IL) Summit" in Washington DC In 2017 and made the agreement to establish global network of Independent Living Centers.   WIN promote establishment of new IL Centers worldwide, especially in developing countries.  SLIDE 21: Questions? SLIDE 22: Contact Isabel Hodge Executive Director United States International Council on Disabilities Email: ihodge@usicd.org