U.S. State Department Forms Disability Advisory Committee

On August 15, the members of the U.S. State Department's Advisory Committee on Persons with Disabilities held their first meeting in Washington, DC. The Committee serves in an advisory capacity with respect to the consideration of the interests of people with disabilities in the formulation and implementation of foreign policy and assistance. Prior to the meeting Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addressed the eight Committee members. By the close of the meeting, members established a Committee agenda including the following priorities: review the State Department's 504 plan; provide technical assistance on the proposed United Nation's convention on the human rights of people with disabilities; and, include people with disabilities in all aspects of democracy-building, human rights and development programs.

Members of the Committee: Condoleezza Rice, Andrew Natsios, Christopher N. Camponovo, Vail Horton, John Kemp, Albert H. Linden, Jr., Kathy Martinez, John Register, Senda Benaissa, Joni Eareckson Tada, Walter Bollinger

Remarks by Secretary of State
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice welcomed the Advisory Committee members in her suite in the Treaty Room. Paula Dobriansky introduced the Secretary. Secretary Rice welcomed the Committee members and thanked them for their service. She stated that disability issues should be not only addressed seriously, but also passionately. Secretary Rice remarked that the Americans with Disabilities Act encouraged significant progress in the United States. Drawing on her personal experience as Provost at Stanford University, she commented on the progress made, sometimes with great struggle, but always important and valuable for the inclusion of people with disabilities. She pointed out that there are some seventy Foreign Service Officers with disabilities and six per cent of Civil Service employees with disabilities at the State Department, demonstrating diversification of the workforce.

She also noted that it is essential to advocate worldwide for the rights of people with disabilities, which helps other countries. This is more than an obligation in that it brings a benefit to the entire society. She recalled that her experience working in the old Soviet Union left an indelible mark in her memory because of the poor attitude toward people with disabilities. She contrasted that with the present day when President Putin invited people with disabilities to the Kremlin.

Finally, she stated that advocating for the rights of people with disabilities is an important component of our work advocating for democracy worldwide. She has a personal commitment to this issue and looks forward to working with the Advisory Committee in the future.

 printer-friendly format