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Empower U: Learn to Access Your Disability Rights Training on Canadian Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Optional Protocol (OP) training aims to increase awareness of how to address discrimination using more familiar Canadian human rights laws such as Human Rights Codes and the newer international Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This is training for persons with disabilities by persons with disabilities. The training is part of a project funded by Employment and Social Development Canada and implemented by the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) in collaboration with Canadian Multicultural Disability Centre Inc. (CMDCI), Citizens With Disabilities – Ontario (CWDO), Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities (MLPD) and National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS). Read more.
International
CCD's approach to international cooperation is based upon human rights and our disability rights principles of equality, consumer-control, self-representation, citizenship, and empowerment. Canadians with disabilities focus on the need to remove barriers to participation that individuals with disabilities face within their communities. CCD's International Development Committee provides leadership on international issues.
Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon, far left, observes as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, second from left, meets members of the Canadian delegation, including CCD's Steve Estey. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Recent Work
December 3, 2023
Opinion: It's time we made room for people with disabilities
The world pays attention on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. But what about the rest of the year? Read more.
December 3, 2023
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2023
We join with everyone around the globe in recognizing International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2023. Read more.
June 6, 2023
UN Conference of State Parties: Connecting Disability Organizations
The 16th session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD (COSP16) will take place at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York, from 13 to 15 June 2023. Read more.
More on International
June 13, 2022
Canadian Civil Society Supports Dr. Laverne Jacobs for the UN Committee on the Rights of People with Disabilities
June 22, 2021
CCD Applauds Dr. Laverne Jacobs' Candidacy for UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
December 16, 2020
Disability Rights Online
November 6, 2020
Human Rights Training for People with Disabilities by People with Disabilities: Nothing about us without us!
December 21, 2018
Open Letter: Recognizing Two Important Human Rights Milestones of 2018
May 23, 2017
Review of Canada's Accession to the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Canada signs the Declaration on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations. Members of the Canadian Delegation Steve Estey, Chair of CCD’s International Committee, and Dulcie McCallum observe Canada’s ambassador make this historic commitment.
HRSDC Minister Diane Finley, Defense Minister Peter MacKay, NDP Disability Critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis, Liberal MP Mike Savage, Liberal MP the Hon. Carolyn Bennett and Bloc MP Yves Lessard joined leaders from the disability community at a CCD celebration of Canada's ratification of the CRPD.
May 12, 2008
Canadians with Disabilities Celebrate the Coming into Force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
As twenty countries have ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), it now has the force of international law. Steve Estey, the Chairperson of CCD's International Development Committee joined other colleagues from the global disability rights movement at a UN ceremony to promote greater societal awareness of the CRPD, which provides guidance to countries on how to ensure people with disabilities experience full enjoyment of their human rights. Read more.