Obama assina Convenção e diz que toda criança com deficiência tem que estudar na escola perto de sua casa

VEJAM MAIS SOBRE Obama assina Convenção e diz que toda criança com deficiência tem que estudar na escola perto de sua casa EM: http://br.mc654.mail.yahoo.com/mc/showMessage?sMid=2&fid=Inbox&sort=date&order=down&startMid=0&filterBy=&.rand=1904096199&midIndex=2&mid=1_1366417_ABoJDUwAAVe4SmsgkwbsmS7SCW8&m=1_1369443_ABkJDUwAARn/SmtdSwCIyHPB5Ws,1_1368755_ABoJDUwAAA2rSmsn9Asn1lDC/cw,1_1366417_ABoJDUwAAVe4SmsgkwbsmS7SCW8,1_1367403_AB4JDUwAADeLSmsnlwv3y3SDzWw,1_1362823_ABUJDUwAANKbSmru2ADrElhI4%2BE,1_4528_ACAJDUwAAVGFSmkfWACCjSJX6os,1_5241_ACAJDUwAAQr%2BSmihtQVIlFnWEE8,1_5878_ABgJDUwAACseSmiYvAYs6FNN7m4

Na presença da Secretária de Estado Hillary Clinton, e de lideranças americanas com deficiência, o Presidente dos Estados Unidos, Barack Obama, anunciou ontem que o país vai assinar a Convenção sobre os Direitos das Pessoas com Deficiência.

Obama qualificou a Convenção, o primeiro tratado internacional do século XXI, de um documento “extraordinário”.

Em seu discurso, o Presidente norte-americano disse que está orgulhoso do progresso feito no país, mas não vai ficar satisfeito até que todo americano com deficiência esteja estudando na escola mais perto de sua casa da maneira que for melhor para ele.

O Presidente disse que se lembra das pessoas com deficiência todos os dias, ao passar pela rampa construída para a cadeira de rodas do Presidente Franklin Roosevelt. Naquela época, disse ele, medo e preconceito com relação às pessoas com deficiência era a norma, mas a maioria dos americanos nem sabiam que o Presidente Roosevelt tinha uma deficiência. Isso quer dizer, completou, que a maioria dos americanos também não sabiam que a deficiência de Roosevelt não prejudicou sua habilidade de recuperar o país. Roosevelt governou os EUA, enfrentando os efeitos da grande recessão e a Segunda Guerra Mundial durantte 4 mandatos. Faleceu no cargo no último deles.

Ele lembrou ainda de seu sogro, Fraser Robinson, já falecido, diagnosticado com esclerose múltipla na década de 1930. Segndo o Presidente, ele nunca reclamou, nunca buscou tratamento especial e nunca perdeu um dia de trabalho, embora precisasse usar duas bengalas para se locomover. Robinson, disse Obama, fez tudo isso e mais, antes da legislação americana, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) existir, um dos herós silenciosos que mostraam que pessoas com deficiência podem contribuir integralmente para sociedade, apesar da falta de reconhecimento dos outros.

O ato foi realizado no aniversário de 19 anos da ADA. O Presidente instruiu a Embaixadora dos EUA junto à ONU a assinar o documento. O tratado precisa ainda ser ratificado pelo Senado americano. 140 países já assinaram a Convenção. O Brasil está entre os 60 países que já ratificaram o documento. O tratado, que é válido no país desde agosto de 2008, foi o primeiro a ganhar status constitucional no país.

Íntegra do discurso do Presidente, em inglês:

Today we celebrate the 19th anniversary of the enactment of the historic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Signed into law on July 26, 1990, this landmark legislation established a clear mandate against discrimination on the basis of disability so that people with disabilities would have an equal opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

Our Nation is once again poised to make history for people with disabilities. I am proud to announce that the United States will sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in New York on December 13, 2006. The Convention is the first new human rights convention of the 21st century adopted by the United Nations, and it represents a paradigm shift in protecting the human rights of 650 million people with disabilities worldwide. We proudly join the international community in further advancing the rights of people with disabilities.

As we reflect upon the past and look toward a brighter future, we recognize that our country has made great progress. More than ever before, Americans with disabilities enjoy greater access to technology and economic self-sufficiency. More communities are accessible, more children with disabilities learn alongside their peers, and more employers recognize the capabilities of people with disabilities.

Despite these achievements, much work remains to be done. People with disabilities far too often lack the choice to live in communities of their choosing; their unemployment rate is much higher than those without disabilities; they are much likelier to live in poverty; health care is out of reach for too many; and too many children with disabilities are denied a world-class education.

My Administration has met these challenges head-on. We have launched the “Year of Community Living” to help people with disabilities live wherever they choose. We have nearly doubled the funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. I was proud to sign the groundbreaking Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act and the Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which provides health insurance to millions of additional children. I also lifted the ban on stem cell more research. These measures demonstrate our commitment to leveling the playing field for every person with a disability. My Administration will not rest on these accomplishments, and we will continue to focus on improving the lives of people with disabilities. I encourage States, localities, and communities across the country to cultivate an environment in which the 54 million Americans living with a disability are valued and respected.

Americans have repeatedly affirmed the importance of protecting the human rights and dignity of every member of this great country. Through the steps we have taken, we will continue to build on the ADA and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to promoting, protecting, and ensuring the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by people with disabilities.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 26, 2009, as the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I call on Americans across our country to celebrate the progress we have made in protecting the civil rights of people with disabilities and to recognize the step forward we make with the signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Inspired by the advances of the last 19 years, let us commit to greater achievements in the years ahead.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

Íntegra da notícia, em inglês e notícias relacionadas:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/07/obama-not-satisfied-with-progress-made-on-disabilities.html

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hB-hcgJ7mICED5LMhgq6qxrmXUEgD99L4G900

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/07/68495367/1