Rehabilitation International (RI) is a global network of experts, professionals and advocates working together to empower persons with disabilities and provide sustainable solutions for a more inclusive and accessible society.Founded in 1922,RI has been a key player in the disability field and developed the International Symbol of Access-which has now become the most widely recognized symbol for disability worldwide.
US President Barack Obama, at a historic event to mark the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act at the White House on 24 July, reiterated his government's commitment to supporting the rights of persons with disabilities by authorizing the signature of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The ceremony was attended by a select group of government representatives, disability NGOs and DPOs. RI was represented by Venus Ilagan, Marca Bristo and Ambassador Luis Gallegos.
NEW RI Member News:
The 2009 Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities was held on May 4 & 5, 2009 at the Hawaii Convention Center. For more information, including conference papers and presentations, click here.
Pictured here: Group photo of participants at the Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities 2009.
RI Asia-Pacific Region Monthly Newsletter for May is now available online
NEW CRPD RATIFICATION UPDATE:
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ratified the CRPD and Optional Protocol on 8 June
- Italy ratified the CRPD and Optional Protocol on 15 May
- Mongolia ratified the CRPD and Optional Protocol on 13 May
- Cook Islands ratified the CRPD and Optional Protocol on 8 May
- To date, there are:
- 58 ratifications of the Convention
- 37 ratifications of the Optional Protocol
- 139 signatories to the Convention
- 82 signatories to the Optional Protocol
For more information and country lists, visit UN Enable.
NEW Conference of States Parties - 2 to 4 September
The Second Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will take place in New York from 2 to 4 September 2009.
Bureau: President-Mexico; Vice-Presidents: Hungary, Jordan, New Zealand and South Africa.
For information, visit UN-DESA.
Latest News
August 24, 2009: RI announces the launch of Phase II of its Global Advocacy Campaign Press release.
July 30, 2009: United States signs UN Disability Rights Conventio. Press release.
Theme for International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December 2009) Announced: 'Realizing the MDGs for All: Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and their Communities around the World"
Registration for Conference of States Parties (2-4 September 2009) is NOW open until 15 July 2009. Agenda and supporting documents posted here.
RI Arab Regional Conference website (10-12 November 2009, Dubai, UAE)
RI Foundation hosts benefit on children and youth with disabilities, top UN officials and other leaders attend Click Here for details. Press Release
RI Member Organization: Amar Jyoti School's children have been selected for semi- finals on the "India has got Talent" programme to be telecast on "Colours " channel on August 1, 2009.
UNICEF has published, It’s About Ability Learning Guide a publication based on the UNCRP. It’s a participatory learning guide for youth with and without disabilities to learn about human rights and the Convention, promote awareness, and self-advocacy.
NEW The 2009 Pacific Rim Disabilities Conference was held on May 4-5 and papers and presentation can be found here.
NEW President's Message from Anne Hawker
March 20, 2009: The RI-Finnish Committee (RI-FI) and RI Policy and Services Commission organized a workshop on "Employment Challenges and Vocational Rehabilitation" at the 37th National Rehabilitation Conference in Helsinki, Finland. Ms. Eija Sorvari of RI-FI and Mr. Veijo Notkola, Chair RI Policy and Services Commission served as Chairs of the session. For more information, click here.
March 5, 2009: RI Norway organized the first RI-Nordic Seminar on the theme of "Rehabilitation Services in the Nordic Countries" in Oslo. RI Norway President and VP for Europe Region Jan Monsbakken opened the ceremony and Pekka Tuominen, RI Foundation Board Member, presented.
Upcoming RI Events
September 8, 2009: Riga, Latvia
RI-Europe Regional Meeting
November 10-12, 2009: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
RI Regional Conference: "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities--Ratification and Strategies for Implementation"
September-October 2012 (tentative): Seoul, Korea
RI 22nd World Congress, RI Assembly, and RI Executive Committee Meeting, in collaboration with the Korean Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (KSRPD)
Other Events
June 2010: Hong Kong, China
12th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED 2010)
June 2011: Seoul, Korea
8th International Abilympics
