By Guest Blogger, Judith Heumann, Special Advisor for International Disability Rights, Department of State
On the eve of December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, it is worth noting that 2011 also marks the 30th anniversary of the International Year of Persons with Disabilities. Much has happened to advance the rights, equality and inclusion of persons with disabilities since the International Year was adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 1981. International Decades of Disabled Persons have been adopted by the UN, the Asia Pacific region, the Americas and the African region, advancing activities to combat discrimination on the basis of disability.
In 1990, with its adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the United States became the first country in the world to adopt national civil rights legislation unequivocally banning discrimination against persons with disabilities. A global pioneer, the ADA has inspired adoption of disability rights legislation around the world, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The CRPD is the first international treaty to comprehensively address the rights of persons with disabilities, and has unified the global community with a common language of disability rights.
In celebrating this year’s International Day, and in a spirit of reflection, the State Department is hosting a screening of the Independent Lens film, “Lives Worth Living.” This documentary charts the history and rise of the disability rights movement in the United States. It shows how far we have come in striving for a society where persons with disabilities can live their lives on their own terms, through access to education, employment, transportation, political participation and other fundamental spheres of life. It also demonstrates the power of unity, and how historically marginalized members of civil society can claim their place as agents of change in championing rights and freedoms, not only for themselves but for all people.
Such themes have been repeated over the past year, as we have witnessed civil society standing up for freedom and democracy in the Middle East and elsewhere. Secretary Clinton has referred to civil society as one of the “essential elements of a free nation,” and noted that “societies move forward when the citizens that make up these groups are empowered to transform common interests into common actions that serve the common good.”
As we contemplate the next 30 years, it is worth considering how we in the U.S. disability community can continue to unite our common interests into common actions to serve the common good of persons with disabilities, both here and abroad. We still have progress to make at home, but for many persons with disabilities abroad the barriers they face have much in common with the barriers faced by persons with disabilities in the United States 30 or more years ago. We have much to share with and learn from our colleagues around the world, as we work together to make the rights articulated in the CRPD a reality in the daily lives of children, youth and adults with disabilities. It is work that we at the State Department are dedicated to, and on this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we hope that you will commit to joining us in this endeavor.
Judith Heumann serves as the Special Advisor for International Disability Rights, the first such advisorto be appointed at the Department of State. The position of Special Advisor was created following U.S. signature of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and resides in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). As the senior-level disability human rights position at the State Department, the Special Advisor leads on disability human rights issues across the Department. The Special Advisor also coordinates the interagency process for the ratification of the CRPD ; ensures that foreign assistance incorporates persons with disabilities; leads on disability human rights issues; ensures that the needs of persons with disabilities are addressed in international emergency situations; and conducts public diplomacy, including with civil society, on disability issues. Please visit http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/144458.htm and http://www.facebook.com/SAHeumann for more information.
“WE” are being denied our Disability Benefits by the Dept. of Vet. Affairs for “Wounds” received while serving as a Combat Korean War U.S.Navy, ’51-’59, HONORABLE DISCHARGE!! The “SHARKS” are sucking “THE AMERICAN PEOPLE” DRY, eg. blood in the water. When “THEY” get all the money? They redistribute it to the “LITTLE FISH”, what is left? So “THEY” can play with “US” some more, TINKER, TINKER?? There is a “WAVE OF SOCIAL CRIMES” being committed. Taking our BENEFITS AWAY that have been earned. “WE” are three years in now on our “CASE”. Bobby Gean R.
As a wheelchair user in Fort Lauderdale, I can effectively summarize, “What Civil Rights”. Most wheelchair users are clueless of their accessibility rights. They get their wheelchair and with it should come an easy to understand pamphlet of such.
It’s equivalent to the slavery has ended, but I still control you.
Called the Justice Department and ask for something directed towards the wheelchair users. No can do. The only publication is directed at business owners. Good luck calling any of the Disability Orgs. and trying to get a list of attorneys that will represent us in court to enforce our rights.
It’s a joke what’s really going on. From Social Insecurity with their, “Here’s your $723 @ month to live on. Have a great life.” Too bad if you became disabled in a high cost part of the country. It’s ok…you just need to leave your family and friends and move to where rent is cheaper. We are condemned to a life of poverty and we’re just supposed to be quiet.
No minority truly gets their rights until they rise up and start organizing for a revolution. I’m going to do everything I can to start it.
To Whom it may concern:
Presently I am too poor to pay attention let alone worry about who not to vote for. It seems to be perfectly legal for my local government (Village) to force me to have to take them to court just to fix the flooding they caused 6 years ago when they abandon a old sewer line because it was collecting “SO MUCH GROUND WATER” it was over flooding our sewer treatment plant into the east branch of the Ausable river. Now all that extra ground water is bubbling up from under my foundation. The best part is that our legal system allows my tax dollar funded Village Insurance Co. to “LITIGATE” me into a deeper poorer house. They do this because I have over 9 hrs of video showing “Who, What, When, Where, and How.” So even as I type this e-reply, I get to watch my home of 37 years sink and fall down around my ears. Thanks for worrying about us disabled people. How about helping those on fixed income to keep our homes.
Donald E. B.
Lake Placid, NY
What a great blog.
It was great to watch the film, Judith. Now, as Carol said, let’s get the Senate to ratify the Convention!
Good day! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
I celebrate and honor the individuals who stood firm in their beliefs that all people are equal and “took to the streets” to spark this civil rights movement that facilitated so many changes for people with disabilities. I am one of those who has benefited.
Residing in Collin County, Texas, I have found no problem at all with the cooperation in the Texas Unemployment Agency either here or in Dallas County. A person who works in each of these counties has gone out of their way to make me feel welcome, to invite me to come back again and to help in my search for a part-time job. I am very pleased with almost every person I have come in contact with. Suzieq
Has anyone on here really ever received any help? From our Government agencies? I am disabled, worked all my life without letting my employer know it. Now I am in really bad shape and trying to keep from becoming homeless, and have some special orthopedic shoes made so I can walk. I have written and called the White House. I was told I qualify for a program President Obama passed in 2010, but when I call HUD about this they just laugh at me. I don’t want to do this but several news shows want to do a story on me, but this would really hurt President Obama’s campaign which I really don’t want to do. Does anyone have any ideas?
Trying to hang in here,
Bill S.
I hate to hear the story about the VR office and lack of cooperation with the Ticket to Work Program in Florida. Since programs like VR and Medicaid are run through state governments, I know there can be a lot of variation. There should be some kind of resolution hotline to address these grievances.
Timothy – Have you contacted Disability Rights of Florida (http://www.disabilityrightsflorida.org/), the Protection & Advocacy agency (P&A) for the state, about this matter? Contact info. is as follows: (800) 342-0823.
Ahmed – Unfortunately, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the federal agency that administers the SSI program: “To get SSI, a person must live in the U.S. or the Northern Mariana Islands (except for children of military personnel and students temporarily abroad).” You may wish to check into if there is a similar program in the country where you are now living.
I truly wish that the disabled of Florida had a program that was on the up and up. I have been lied to, and had all kinds of illegalities pulled on me for my crime of being disabled and still wanting to work. Vocational Rehabilitation has made my life a living hell for the last 11 years. I called the Ticket to Work agency and was literally told that VR doesn’t cooperate with them, either, as they should by law. They told me with no hesitation that they believe this is a scam agency and wished me good luck in trying to get anywhere with it. This was the TICKET TO WORK’S opinion. I have put an ad out for a lawyer and a lot of other victims have called me through that. One with even a worse case than mine. Florida VR is horrendously illegal and they routinely break every law known to both God and man with seeming impunity. I have tried writing Congress, the Senate, and the President as well as all of the places possible here in Florida. What more can I do to stop them from making more and more victims of the very people they’re supposed to be helping? Please, please have mercy on us here in Florida!
Let’s get the CRPD ratified!
I have been disabled and receiving SSI for many years when i was living in America – my disability benefits stopped when I left the U.S.A. and now I am living a very grim life without my SSI benefits. With fibromyalgia, I stay in bed almost all day. How can I win back my SSI benefits outside America? Thank you. Best regards.