Legislative

December 4, 2012— The Senate vote of 61-38 on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was five votes short of the required two-thirds majority.  Senators that oppose the treaty, such as Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), argue that it could “infringe on U.S. sovereignty” and inhibit parents from homeschooling their children with disabilities. Supporters of the treaty, including Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kansas), argue that ratification of the treaty would not change U.S.

December 3, 2012 — In a Presidential Proclamation, President Barack Obama announced December 3, 2012 as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. President Obama discussed the continuing efforts to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to education, medical care, and finding work within the United States by upholding the basic promises outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. It was recognized that the rights of individuals with disabilities must also be ensured outside the U.S. borders and be recognized worldwide.

December 3, 2012 — Representative Michael Honda (D-CA) introduced the Health Care Innovation and Marketplace Technologies Act of 2012 (H.R. 6626). The bill focuses on promoting the adoption of mobile health (mHealth) technologies. Representative Honda notes that there is a “lack of an established marketplace for new technologies and a lack of trained workers to handle the implementation and use of these technologies.” To support further development of such technologies, the bill requires the U.S.

October 2012—Senator Kirsten Gillibrand [D-NY] introduced The Voter Empowerment Act of 2012 [S.3608] to the U.S. Senate in September.

October 15, 2012—In a Presidential Proclamation, President Barack Obama announced October 15, 2012 as Blind Americans Equality Day. President Obama discussed the continuing efforts to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to education, information, and job training.