The United States recently committed to addressing disability-inclusive democracy across the globe by collaborating with professionals and other governments worldwide, according to a press release from the White House.
Norway and the United Kingdom co-hosted ‘Disability-Inclusive Democracy in Action: Opportunities and Challenges,’ on Dec. 3, the newly-proclaimed ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities,’ the release said. It was a side event of the U.S. Summit for Democracy held Dec. 9-10.
“The discussion will include how to improve the accessibility of voting, increase support for disabled political leaders, and expand civic engagement,” the White House said in a fact sheet on disability inclusivity.
The Biden Administration has already implemented measures to establish a more disability-inclusive democracy, including appointing Sara Minkara as US Special Advisor on International Disability Rights to protect the rights of disabled people internationally and within the Department, the fact sheet said. Minkara was sworn in on Nov 8, 2021.
The administration also increased voting access for people with disabilities, according to the fact sheet. President Biden issued Executive Order 14019 in March which makes efforts to provide disabled Americans with necessary voting resources.
President Biden also signed Executive Order 14035, which promotes diversity, equality, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) across the federal government, the fact sheet said. It requires agencies to examine their DEIA status in order to minimize obstacles faced by workers.
“To uphold and advance the human rights of people with disabilities worldwide, I reestablished the role of Special Advisor on International Disability Rights at the Department of State,” Biden stated in the Proclamation on the International Day Of Persons With Disabilities. “My Administration will continue to take domestic and international actions to make democracy more accessible around the world.”
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was enacted more than thirty years ago, protects the civil rights of disabled Americans, the release said. Specifically, the ADA outlaws discrimination against individuals with disabilities in a wide variety of spheres of American society including public accommodations, employment, transportation and community living.
