Disability Rights Advocates Urge Ratification of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Press Release

Today at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," experts and interested parties from government and civil society expressed strong support for Senate ratification of the treaty. The Convention is an international agreement for the protection of the rights of individuals with disabilities, which sets broad goals of autonomy, equality, acceptance, and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

"Ratifying the Convention would strengthen our hand as we push for higher standards internationally--standards to which all of us should aspire," said Committee Chairman John Kerry. Senators Tom Harkin and John McCain joined Senator John Kerry in voicing support for the Convention, and Senator Robert Dole submitted a written statement in favor of ratification (read by Senator McCain).

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