United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is an international human rights treaty that “promotes the full and equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for people with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.” It’s based on the “social model” of disability, to counteract barriers that people with disabilities face in society. CRPD applies to those with learning disabilities, sensory impairments, physical impairments, mental health conditions, autism, epilepsy, and HIV. It was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 2006. The U.S. signed it in 2009 but has yet to ratify. In 2012, the Senate (under Mitch McConnell) fell five votes short of 2/3 majority required.