CCD Applauds Dr. Laverne Jacobs' Candidacy for UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

June 22, 2021 | For Immediate Release

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), a national human rights organization of people with disabilities working for an accessible and inclusive Canada, applauds the Government of Canada’s naming Dr. Laverne Jacobs as a candidate for the 2022 election of members for the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This Committee plays a key role in strengthening the global community’s understanding of human rights in the context of disability.  It does this by interpreting the provisions of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and by providing oversight of the implementation of this treaty among countries bound by it.  The CRPD challenges nations to move away from viewing disability as a medical problem and instead to view it as a human rights issue.

“Dr. Jacobs is a legal scholar, educator and adjudicator, who is also informed by her own, lived experience as a Black disabled woman.  Her work demonstrates her commitment to challenging ableism and racism and her deep understanding of the principles of equality and inclusion that are at the core of the CRPD.  Her approach to correcting discriminatory structures and practice demonstrates an understanding of intersectionality and its central place in human rights law,” states Roxana Jahani Aval, CCD Chairperson.  “Dr. Jacobs is a distinguished and well-respected member of Canada’s disability rights community.”

The Annotated Accessible Canada Act (ACA), (Jacobs, Anderson, Rohr & Perry) which was just released this month, is a shining example of how Dr. Jacobs has been contributing to the advancement of disability rights in Canada and the empowerment of people with disabilities.  The Annotated ACA is a profoundly important new resource that explains the implications of the Accessible Canada Act and suggests litigation strategies to advance a barrier-free Canada. “This resource will help people with disabilities in Canada know their rights within the ACA,” states Heather Walkus, CCD 1st Vice Chair.

Dr. Jacobs founded and directs The Law, Disability and Social Change Project, a research and public advocacy initiative housed at Windsor Law that advances inclusive communities.

“CCD congratulates Dr. Jacobs on being selected as Canada’s candidate for election to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and we look forward to working collaboratively with her in support of the implementation of the CRPD both in Canada and globally,” states Roxana Jahani Aval, CCD Chairperson.

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For More Information Contact:

Jewelles Smith, Communications and Government Relations Coordinator
jewelles@ccdonline.ca
Heather Walkus, 1st Vice Chair, heather@ccdonline.ca

About CCD:

CCD is a national human rights organization of people with disabilities working for an inclusive and accessible Canada.

Mission
The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) is a social justice organization of people with all disabilities that champions the voices of people with disabilities, advocating an inclusive and accessible Canada, where people with disabilities have full realization of their human rights, as described in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Mandate
The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) unites advocacy organizations of people with disabilities to defend and extend human rights for persons with disabilities through public education, advocacy, intervention in litigation, research, consultation and partnerships.  CCD amplifies the expertise of our partners by acting as a convening body and consensus builder.