Obama Signs the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Last Friday, the President lived up to one part of his campaign when he signed a human rights treaty that addresses persons with disabilities. “’This treaty is good for America, good for people with disabilities, and good for the world," says Marca Bristo, President of United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD). "By signing this treaty the US is reaffirming its commitment to basic human rights of all people with disabilities and positioning us to better contribute our expertise on the global level.’"

He picked a significant time to sign it too, as it was the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. When reflecting on the effects of the ADA and of hardships experienced by those living with disabilities, Obama thought of his father-in-law, a man who lived with multiple sclerosis. Frasier Robinson strove to work past this debilitating disease and “just wanted to be given the opportunity to do right by his family,” Obama said.

Obama’s commitment to sign this treaty serves as a good sign for future progress in the disability community. To read more about the UN convention, click here.