Obama Signs UN Rights Treaty
[SARN Memo for July 29, 2009]
Last Friday, the president had a party to celebrate the ADA. He had good news. He said that he would soon sign the UN treaty on disability rights. He said these rights are not merely “civil rights to be enforced here at home. They’re universal rights to be recognized and promoted around the world.”
Let’s build on this spirit of equal rights—both at home and around the world.
Respond to this memo!1. Report from SABE
SABE president Chester Finn was invited to the White House for the ADA celebration last week. He praised President Obama for signing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He also cautioned that we all need to stay active locally: “…without us making it work in the community, speaking out, then signing the treaty won’t mean anything.”
Read more thoughts and see photos from Chester Finn.
2. Group Work
After President Obama signs the UN treaty, the next step will be for the US Congress to ratify it. We can help by calling our representatives.
Next time your group meets, do a role-play of calling your representative. Get two cell phones. Have one person be the “congressperson”; have them go into another room. Then let group members take turns calling the “congresspersons”.
Use this four-step roadmap for your call:
- Introduce yourself. “This is so-and-so. I live in Arizona. I’m a part of the self-advocacy group….”
- Make chit chat. “How are you?”
- Raise the issue. “Did you know that President Obama just signed the UN Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities?”
- Ask for help. Urge the Congress member to help quickly ratify the UN treaty.
As people finish their calls, you can support each other by exchanging ideas on how to do it better. Then, the next time you meet, take turns calling your representatives for real.
3. Resource
We Have Human Rights
Here’s a handbook for people with developmental disabilities. Your group can learn about the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities—and practice telling others about these rights.
Today’s Trivia Question:
How many countries signed the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities before the US?
- 140
- 54
- 23
- 7
(The answer will be published in the next Memo.)
Answer to July 22nd Trivia Question: d. all of the above
Question was: If a teacher has high expectations of a student, it will improve the student’s:
- self esteem
- success
- critical thinking ability
- all of the above
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Reader Responses
I do not believe Obama’s policies are GOOD FOR FREEDOM LOVING MEN & WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD. Please remove my name from your mailing list.
I will continue to advocate for rights for those I believe in. However, I find what President Obama supports is NOT GOOD FOR AMERICAN CONSTITUTION.
By the way, what constitution is he governing by?
Thank you.