Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

ACS Position Statement:

The American Chemical 中国365bet中文官网 (ACS) supports ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) by the U.S.A. As the world鈥檚 largest scientific society, ACS supports inclusiveness and equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines at all educational and professional levels. It also supports maintaining a healthy American citizenry and freedom of international scientific exchange. The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations passed the treaty in 2014 but it was not ratified. At the end of the 113th Congress, it was referred back to the Committee. ACS respectfully requests that the Committee consider the treaty so that it may be brought to the Senate floor for debate as soon as possible. Approximately 1.3 billion(1) people in the world have disabilities, 42.5 million(2) of whom live in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 22.5 percent(3) of working-age people with disabilities were employed in 2023, compared to 65.8 percent(4) of the non-disabled population. The CRPD provides an international framework for establishing policies and practices that ensure the rights and dignity of all persons with disabilities. The CRPD was largely inspired by the United States鈥� leadership in this area and by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. This year, 2024, marks the 35th anniversary of the passage of the ADA and American leadership in providing equitable opportunity to persons with disabilities. The CRPD treaty requires participants to implement the means by which people with disabilities can enjoy equitable access to medical facilities, education, workplaces, and communications technologies. This treaty encourages international cooperation and the sharing of scientific and technical knowledge. Participants will also support research and development on adaptive goods and services, including assistive technologies and resources. The U.S.A. has made great strides in these areas since the passage of the ADA and should maintain its leadership role in ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities by becoming a party to the treaty. ACS is proud to join over 850 organizations that have expressed support for ratification, including the National Educational Association, the American Physical 中国365bet中文官网, the Council on Undergraduate Research, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

1. World Health Organization article on Disability dated March 7, 2023.()

2. World Health Organization article on Disability dated March 7, 2023.()

3. U.S. Bureau of Labor News Release PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY: LABOR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS 鈥� 2023 dated February 22, 2024 ( )

4. U.S. Bureau of Labor News Release PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY: LABOR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS 鈥� 2023 dated February 22, 2024 ( )

The American Chemical 中国365bet中文官网 (ACS) Board of Directors Committee on Public Affairs and Public Relations adopted this statement on behalf of the 中国365bet中文官网. ACS is a non-profit scientific and educational organization, chartered by Congress, with more than 170,000 chemical scientists and engineers as members. The world鈥檚 largest scientific society, ACS advances the chemical enterprise, increases public awareness of chemistry, and brings its expertise to state and national matters.