Challenging the United States Position on a United Nations Convention on Disability

Abstract

In 2003, the United States announced that it had no intention of becoming a party to the forthcoming United Nations treaty on disability rights. This article explores the rationale behind the reasons proffered for the United States' decision: examining first the U.S. record and general stance on human rights treaties, then the contention that disability is a matter for domestic policy, and finally, the belief that U.S. disability policy is sufficiently comprehensive, precluding the need to adopt a convention. The article concludes that the reasons offered by the United States for not participating in a convention on disability rights do not seem to be the product of sincere investigation or reflection and encourages U.S. support for the convention.

Keywords: disability law, international law, human rights treaty

JEL Classification: K33, K19