Little research to help autistics like me
UNCRPD
UNCRPD.
As an undergrad I had the opportunity to work on 42 case studies of the implementation of the UNCRPD by signatory countries. I learned so much about disability challenges, especially in under-resourced nations. Thank you Professor Pineda for that internship opportunity.
Disability Rights and both human rights and civil rights. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) represents a monumental step towards ensuring equal rights and inclusion for people with disabilities worldwide.
What is the UNCRPD… Read on
The Birth of UNCRPD
UNCRPD’s journey began in the early 2000s, rooted in a growing recognition that existing international human rights instruments were insufficient in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities (PWD). The Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 13, 2006, and it opened for signature on March 30, 2007 where it received an overwhelming response; with 82 countries signing the Convention on opening day, making it the highest number of signatories in history to a UN Convention on its opening day. As of today, there are 182 parties to the Convention, including the European Union, which signed as a regional integration organization.
The drafting process of the UNCRPD was marked by unprecedented collaboration between governments and civil society, particularly organizations of PWDs. The "Nothing about us without us" motto became a central theme, ensuring that the voices of PWDs were at the forefront of the discussions.
The first Conference of States Parties (COSP) to the UNCRPD was held in 2008 at the UN Headquarters in New York. This conference is an annual event where signatories gather to discuss progress, challenges, and strategies related to the implementation of the Convention. The COSP plays a crucial role in maintaining momentum and ensuring accountability among the States Parties.
Since its adoption, the UNCRPD has led to significant changes in legislation and policy around the world. Countries that have ratified the Convention are obligated to align their national laws and policies with its principles. This has resulted in greater awareness, increased accessibility, and more inclusive education and employment opportunities for PWDs. The Convention continues to inspire movements and advocacy efforts globally, reinforcing the idea that disability rights are human rights and that every person deserves to live with dignity, autonomy, and equality.
The UNCRPD is more than just a legal document; it is a powerful tool for change, reflecting a global commitment to ensuring that PWDs enjoy the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Its history, structure, and impact demonstrate the ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive world where diversity is celebrated, and everyone is empowered to participate fully in society. The contributions of dedicated disability rights activists were instrumental in its creation and continue to drive its implementation, ensuring that the principles of the Convention are realized in the lives of persons with disabilities worldwide.
The U.S. and the CRPD
The United States signed the UNCRPD on July 30, 2009, indicating its support for the treaty's principles and its intent to promote and protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. However, despite signing the UNCRPD, the United States Senate has not ratified the treaty. This means that, although the U.S. has expressed its endorsement of the CRPD by signing it, the treaty has not been approved by the U.S. Senate and thus is not legally binding in the United States. The U.S. continues to adhere to its own disability rights legislation, such as the ADA, which served as an inspiration for the UNCRPD.
Main Sections of the UNCRPD
The UNCRPD is a comprehensive document that outlines the rights of disabled persons and the obligations of States Parties to promote, protect, and ensure these rights. It is divided into several key sections:
Preamble: This sets the context and outlines the underlying principles of the Convention.
General Principles (Article 3): Includes principles such as respect for inherent dignity, non-discrimination, full and effective participation and inclusion in society, respect for difference, and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity.
General Obligations (Article 4): States Parties commit to ensuring and promoting the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities without discrimination.
Specific Rights:
Equality and Non-Discrimination (Article 5)
Accessibility (Article 9)
Right to Life (Article 10)
Equal Recognition Before the Law (Article 12)
Access to Justice (Article 13)
Liberty and Security of Person (Article 14)
Freedom from Torture (Article 15)
Freedom from Exploitation, Violence and Abuse (Article 16)
Living Independently and Being Included in the Community (Article 19)
Education (Article 24)
Health (Article 25)
Work and Employment (Article 27)
Participation in Political and Public Life (Article 29)
Implementation and Monitoring (Articles 33-40): These articles describe the measures for implementation and monitoring, including the establishment of a Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to oversee the Convention's implementation.
Disability and Multilingualism
Caught Between Tears and Stoicism
The Uncomfortable Truth Behind a Comforting Word
The Comforting Illusion of Sacrifice
The word "Sacrifice" is imbued with noble connotations. It suggests an offering, a giving up of something valuable for a greater good. In religious and historical contexts, sacrifices are seen as acts of devotion, acts that are often rewarded with blessings or benefits. In the laboratory, however, the use of "sacrifice" to describe the euthanization of lab rats serves a different purpose—it sanitizes the act, masking the uncomfortable truth of what is actually happening.The Reality Behind the Term
In research settings, rats are often subjected to a variety of procedures. These can include surgeries, injections, and exposure to drugs or other substances, all in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. After these procedures, the animals are typically euthanized. The term "sacrifice" is used to describe this final act. But let's be clear: the rats are not voluntarily giving up their lives for the greater good. They are being killed because their continued existence is no longer deemed necessary or beneficial for the study.Making Everyone Feel Better
Using the word "sacrifice" helps researchers, lab technicians, and the public feel better about the process. It creates a psychological buffer, a way to cope with the ethical dilemmas inherent in animal research. By framing the killing as a sacrifice, it suggests that the act is justified, that it is part of a noble quest for knowledge and human advancement. This linguistic choice helps to ease the guilt and moral discomfort that might otherwise accompany the act of ending an animal's life.The Irony and Ethical Implications
The irony is palpable. While the term "sacrifice" suggests a willing, even heroic act, the reality is one of imposed death following a period of often stressful and painful experimentation. This discrepancy raises important ethical questions. Are we too quick to accept this euphemism without questioning the underlying practices? Does the term "sacrifice" allow us to avoid confronting the moral complexities of animal research?
Perhaps it is time to reconsider our language and the comfort it provides. Transparency in research practices, including the language we use, is crucial. Instead of relying on euphemisms, we should strive for honesty about what happens to animals in research settings. This might involve using more straightforward terms like "euthanize" or "kill" to describe the end of an animal's life in the lab.
My Ted X talk titled "Pebbles in the Pond of Change
Hari Srinivasan, shares a powerful message about the power of small actions in creating ever-widening ripples in the pond of change. Drawing from personal experiences and the legacy of disability rights leaders, he redefines progress as a journey that starts with simple, accessible steps. His inspiring message encourages everyone to identify and act on their own "small pebbles" to drive societal transformation.
Relationship as a building block
My other list of Publications: https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/p/published-work.html
Over Focus on Productivity
Read full article at https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/flexible-work-critics-using-same-arguments-were-used-oppose-disabled-ramps-closed-captioning-equity-access-never-optional-remote-work-careers-hari-srinivasan/
It is not the same being given enough time to finish an exam, in a setting that is conducive to focusing on answering the exam
Article Link: https://www.psychologytoday.
In education and in the workplace, appropriate accommodations are crucial for people to learn and to perform at their best. This article tackles the "reasonable" piece of the ADA rule. Who decides what "reasonable" is?
Even when accommodations are nominally given, the quality of the accommodation can vary immensely. It is not the same being given enough time to finish an exam, in a setting that is conducive to focusing on answering the exam, than having "1.5x" the time in a room with noisy people, in the middle of a lab, or in the professor's office, under the professor's gaze.
The article was written by Hari Srinivasan, who is a fellow member of the College Autism Network