Update: The U.S. Senate rejected the treaty that was “intended to protect the rights of those with with disabilities.”
Today the United Nations will vote on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The treaty’s goal is to protect the rights of people with disabilities and ensure that they receive equal access to services and opportunities worldwide.
More than one billion people – about 15 percent of the world’s population – live with some form of disability. Many people – including caregivers – could be affected by the passing of this treaty.
But that doesn’t mean everyone’s on board with it. A vocal contingent has spoken out in opposition to the treaty, including Rick Santorum, Senator Mike Lee of Utah, and Michael Farris, who shares his views with The Takeaway. Farris is a constitutional lawyer and founder of the Home School Legal Defense Fund.
The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
When you make a gift of $10 or more a month, we’ll invite you to a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of our newsroom to thank you for being with The World.