U.S. Senate Rejects Treaty on Rights of the Disabled

Groups advocating for rights of persons with disabilities are still stunned after the U.S. Senate "rejected ratification of a treaty intended to grant equal access for the disabled to employment, health care, education, physical accommodations and legal protection under international law (Businessweek)." The United States, a pioneer in disability rights, turned away a measure that would help pave the way to equality internationally. The agreement, U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, was modeled partly on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

For the full agreement and its contexts, please visit:

http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml

For the full articles, please visit:
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-12-04/u-dot-s-dot-senate-rejects-treaty-on-the-rights-of-the-disabled

http://news.yahoo.com/u-senate-rejects-treaty-protecting-persons-disabilities-233047742.html

Advocacy for People with Disabilities: A Worldwide Issue

When discussing disability rights, we tend to group ourselves into a bubble based on location. We say things like "if only we had these rights here, things would be different." The problem with this is that the issue of giving rights to people with disabilities is a worldwide topic. It is refreshing to hear about people around the world advocating for disability rights.

I recently came upon an article in which young disabled people in Britain campaigned for their rights. The main issues they addressed pertained to recommendations to improve traveling and employment, two large issues that people with disabilities in the United States face. At EmpowerTech, we strive to help improve problems people with disabilities face by giving them the upperhand when it comes to being independent in the workplace and in everyday life through the use of technology.

For the full article, please visit:http://www.channel4.com/news/young-disabled-people-campaigning-to-life-live-to-the-full

For information about EmpowerTech, please visit:http://empowertech.org/