Two thirds of you are looking forward to the August break and relaxing some. One-third of you can't wait to get back home to campaign full time. A few of you are retiring. You are not viewing the next two weeks of July as a time to do anything monumental or legacy-building. Well, there is one thing -- the pending ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
People from around the world read this blog. Lately, lots from China, Ukraine, France, Germany, and Russia. I am approaching 12,000 hits. The question on everyone's mind, here and abroad, is when will the Senate ratify the CRPD? Not "if" but "when".
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate you have a unique, special opportunity to make history and reaffirm unanimously the U.S. commitment to disability rights. If you support the treaty, reach out to a colleague who has had not taken a position yet and talk to him or her about the international equivalent to the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you have not taken a position yet, read some of my earlier posts on sovereignty, Bond vs. the United States, access to health care, and on homeschooling. Better yet, buy my book -- http://t.co/Vigyant7aM.
The word on the street is that Senators Ayotte and Kirk have been investing a ton of time listening to and talking with colleagues who have concerns about the CRPD. I hope these conversations are leading to consensus. Another word on the street is that the CRPD will be discussed in the Republican caucus tomorrow.
Some things transcend politics. Disability rights is one of them. Ratification of the CRPD will allow us to stand with 147 countries and spread disability rights with experience, credibility, and clout. Ratification of the CRPD will allow us to stand up for one billion people with disabilities so they may have a very bright future of opportunities and fully participation in their communities. Ratification of the CRPD will make things easier for people with disabilities from the U.S. when they travel overseas. Ratification of the CRPD will allow us to stand by U.S. companies that manufacture assistive technology so they can spread accessibility around the globe. Ratification of the CRPD will not require changes in federal law or state law. Ratification of the CRPD will give us a seat at the table when international standards concerning technology and other issues are being developed. Ratification of the CRPD will not require spending money.
I urge you to consider and share these points. I urge you to put one more item in your legacy column this month. You won't regret it. The call to do the right thing does not always come so clearly or urgently. But this is one of those times. Tell Majority Leader Reid to put the resolution on the CRPD on the Senate calendar in July. When the resolution on the CRPD comes up for a vote, proudly vote yes and change the world for the better.
Thank you.
Patricia Morrissey
New Kindle book -- A Moral Imperative: U.S. Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Book link: http://t.co/Vigyant7aM
If you are interested in supporting the ratification of the disability rights treaty, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, also check out:
www.disabilitytreaty.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RatifyCRPD
Blog: www.wecandothisifwetry.blogspot.com
Twitter: @AuntPip
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