World Down Syndrome Day, 21 March 2019
Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics or health. Adequate access to health care, to early intervention programmes and to inclusive education, as well as appropriate […]
12th session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD, 11-13 June 2019
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted by the General Assembly by its resolution 61/106 of 13 December 2006. It came into force on 3 May 2008 upon the 20th ratification. Article 40 of the Convention stipulates that “The States Parties shall meet regularly in a Conference of States Parties in […]
First-ever World Braille Day fosters more accessible and disability-inclusive societies
To raise awareness of the importance of Braille for approximately 1.3 billion people living with some form of distance or near vision impairment, on Friday the United Nations is observing the first official World Braille Day. Recognized henceforth each 4 January, the Day was proclaimed by the General Assembly last November, as a means of realizing […]
New UN Report on Disability and Sustainable Development Goals
“The UN Flagship Report on Disability and Development 2018 – Realizing the SDGs by, for and with persons with disabilities shows that people with disabilities are at a disadvantage regarding most Sustainable Development Goals, but also highlights the growing number of good practices that can create a more inclusive society in which they can live independently.” UN […]
Calendar of Major Events 2019
Please send information on major international disability events, for possible inclusion in the list to enable@un.org 11-21 February 2019 57th Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD57) on “Addressing inequalities and challenges to social inclusion through fiscal, wage and social protection policies” 11-22 March: Sixty-third session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63) 21 […]
2018 International Day of Persons with Disabilities – IDPD
Since 1992, the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) has been annually observed on 3 December around the world. The theme for this year’s IDPD is “Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”. This theme focuses on the empowering persons with disabilities for the inclusive, equitable and sustainable development envisaged […]
UN marks its first International Day of Sign Languages
According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are approximately 72 million deaf people worldwide. More than 80% of them live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages. Sign languages are fully fledged natural languages, structurally distinct from the spoken languages. There is also an international sign language, which […]
New President of General Assembly cited disability as one of the 7 top priorities of her presidency
Her Excellency Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, the new President of the General Assembly at the first meeting commencing the 73rd session of the General Assembly on 18 September, committed herself and her good office to “making the United Nations relevant to all people”, and in this regard, she outlined 7 priority issues to address […]
UN Enable Newsletter
Resources
Reports, resolutions and other documents related to the UN intergovernmental process from the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Commission for Social Development, the Human Rights Council, and the Inter-Agency Support Group (IASG) for the CRPD.
