U.S. Ratification of U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

This past December 3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities – the United States ambassador to the United Nations urged the U.S. Senate to ratify the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Last December, the Senate voted 61-38 in favour of the treaty, failing to meet the two-thirds majority needed for ratification.

Supporters have argued that ratification would press the rest of the world to get up to par with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which they call the world’s “gold standard.” Opponents have suggested the treaty would not have any measurable, positive effects on Americans travelling or serving abroad, and could impinge on U.S. sovereignty.

The treaty, which came into force in May of 2008, was ratified by Canada in 2010.