Source: https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/conference-of-states-parties-to-the-convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-2.html

The afternoon session of the “Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” was a continuation of the debate commenced in the morning, convened in order to hear comments from member states, as well as relevant NGOs, and IGOs. Nations such as India, Japan, and Jordan expressed their support through a multitude of ways; many countries have established disability acts which provide the disabled with accommodations in the work place or in school. Specifically, initiatives have been undertaken to educate these individuals on how to reach their full potential despite their disability, and funding has been provided for tools to help them (i.e cochlear implants, books in braille). Despite the progress underscored by the participants, many also sought to emphasize the necessity of future progress, including the enactment of more comprehensive policies regarding persons with disabilities.  The great potential to be unlocked by expanded employment of PWDs as well as technologies to facilitate communal, rather than institutional care, were discussed by the Representatives of the United Kingdom and Hungary, respectively. These disability acts also push for the inclusion of disabled people in the workplace and in schools instead of isolating them from society. It was emphasized how deaf children in several countries  often don’t have the opportunity to learn their region’s sign language until five years of age or older, thus putting them behind their fellow peers. It is essential that this circumstance be put to an end, and it should be encouraged to provide help for those who need help, no matter what condition they’re in, or what disability they have.

Meeting: General Debate of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Date/Location: Tuesday, June 10, 2019; 15:00-18:00; Conference Room 4, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY
Speakers:

• H.E. Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr, Permanent Representative of Liberia and Vice President of the Conference;
• Representative of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Albania;
• H.E. Ms.Cynthia Morrison, Minister of Gender Children and Social Protection of Ghana;
• Distinguished Representative of the World Federation of the Deaf;
  His Royal Highness, Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein, President of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Chair of Delegation of Jordan;
• Representative of the Government Minister Department for Work and Pensions of the United Kingdom;
  First Deputy Minister of Ukraine;
• Mr. Richard Dimech, Chief of Staff of the Ministry for the Family, Children’s Rights, and Social Solidarity of Malta;
• H.E. Mr. Riyad Mansour Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the United Nations;
• Mrs. Racardia Dennis, Executive Director of the National Commission on Disabilities of the Republic of Liberia;
• H.E. Ms. Katalin Annamaria Bogyay, Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations;
• Distinguished Representative of the Christian Blind Mission;
• Mr. Avremi Torem, Commissioner of the Commission for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Chair of the Delegation of Israel;
• Coordinator for Social Affairs Ministry of Social Affairs, Justice, and Interior of the Principality of Andorra;
• H.E. Mr.Finian McGrath, Minister of State for Disability Issues for Ireland;
• H.E. Mr. Yasuhisa Kawamura, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations;
• President of China Disabled Persons’ Federation;
• Director of the National Service of People with Disabilities of Chile;
• Director of the National Program of Disability and Chair of the Delegation of Uruguay;
• Director of the Social Affairs and Inclusion Department of the European Commission, Chair of Delegation of the European Union;
• Distinguished Representative of Disabled Peoples International;
• Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau for the Equality of People with Disabilities, Switzerland;
• Minister at the Permanent Mission of Nigeria;
• Representative of India

Written by:WIT Interns Izabela Zawartka, Ikonii Chiabi, and Jenifer Miller