North America

RI member USICD (U.S. International Council on Disability) applauds the recent appointment by U.S. President Joe Biden of Sara Minkara as U.S. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights at the Department of State.

USICD held a Power of International Development and Inclusion panel co-hosted with Trick Up and Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Chase on July 8.

USICD also co-hosted a two-day webinar on September 7 and 8 on A Call to Action to Protect the Right to Family: International Challenges and Solutions for Children in Orphanages and Residential Care Worldwide. USICD will mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities during its Annual Awards Gala on December 2 (virtual format) when it honors U.S. Senator Robert Menendez as well as H.E. Mrs. Catalina Devandes and Dr. Victor Pineda. USICD and other disability advocacy organizations in the United States continue to advocate for passage of President Biden’s “Build Back Better” legislative package that includes $250 billion in annual funding to support home and community-based services for people with disabilities.

Canada

Joint work with the Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC) body to implement new norms on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Canadian level for physiotherapy programs across Canada.

In-process: technical, staffing and content support for the Canadian shadow report the CRPD under the leadership of BCANDS http://www.bcands.bc.ca (submission: Jan 2022). Coverage including the article 11 on situations of risks and humanitarian emergencies, art. 32 on international cooperation. Ongoings research and advocacy work on disability-inclusive practices and inclusive climate-change adaptation and disaster risk management.

Leadership