The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was signed in 2009 but is only now headed into Senate mark-up.

CRPD is an international treaty that outlines the obligations of ratifying countries to promote, protect, fulfill, and ensure the rights of persons with disabilities. It meets the ideals that are set out in the ADA, promoting the empowerment, independence, and the contributions of people with disabilities. By ratifying this treaty, we are showing the world our nation's dedication to the rights and well being of people with disabilities every where.

The markup is being held by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Senator John Kerry (D-MA), this Thursday, July 26th, at 9:30 am.

We need you to let the committee know that the rights of people with disabilities around the world are important! Call your Senator on the committee and let them know we want their support!

If you are not sure what to say, feel free to base your comments on our sample:

"Hello, my name is _____, and I'm one of your constituents. I support CRPD, and I am looking to your support this Thursday when it goes into markup. Please vote to send CRPD in for ratification. By ratifying it we would be honoring the ideals outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act, supporting our interests as a nation, and protecting both citizens and veterans abroad. Thank you for your support."

The contact information for the Senators on the committee is:

Chairman: Senator John Kerry (D-MA)
(202) 224-4651

Chief counsel: Andrew Keller   andrew_keller@foreign.senate.gov OR  http://www.kerry.senate.gov/contact/


Ranking Member: Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN)
(202) 224-6797

Chief counsel: Michael Mattler  michael_mattler@foreign.senate.gov OR  http://www.lugar.senate.gov/contact/

Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) Co-Sponsor of CRPD
(202) 224-6441
Foreign Relations Legislative Aide: Amber Bland (  amber_bland@barrasso.senate.gov) OR  http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/in...ontactForm

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
(202) 224-3553
Foreign Relations Legislative Aide: Ann Norris (  ann_norris@boxer.senate.gov) OR
http://www.boxer.senate.gov/en/contact/

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD)
(202) 224-4524
Foreign Relations Legislative Aide: Katharine Beamer (  katharine_beamer@cardin.senate.gov) OR  http://www.cardin.senate.gov/contact/

Senator Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA)
( 202) 224-6324
Foreign LA: Damian Murphy (  damian_murphy@casey.senate.gov) OR  http://www.casey.senate.gov/contact/

Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) Co-Sponsor of CRPD
(202) 224-5042
Foreign LA: Halie Soifer (  halie_soifer@coons.senate.gov) OR  http://www.coons.senate.gov/contact/

Senator Bob Corker (R-TN)
(202) 224-3344
Foreign LA: Stacie Oliver (  stacie_oliver@corker.senate.gov) OR  http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/inde...=ContactMe

Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC)
(202) 224-6121
Foreign LA: Lydia Morgan (  lydia_morgan@demint.senate.gov) OR  http://www.demint.senate.gov/public/inde...nformation

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) Co-Sponsor of CRPD
(202) 224-2152
Foreign LA: Chris Homan (  chris_homan@durbin.senate.gov) OR  http://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK)
(202) 224-4721
Foreign LA: Joel Starr (  joel_starr@inhofe.senate.gov) OR  http://www.inhofe.senate.gov/public/inde...ontactForm

Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
(202) 224-3643
Foreign LA: Chris Sullivan (  chris_sullivan@isakson.senate.gov) OR  http://www.isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)
(202) 224-5444
Foreign LA: Miriam Harmer (  miriam_harmer@lee.senate.gov) OR  http://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
(202) 224-4744
Foreign LA: Jodi Herman (  jodi_herman@menendez.senate.gov) OR  menendez.senate.gov/contact/

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
(202) 224-3041
Foreign LA: Victor Cervino (  victor_cervino@rubio.senate.gov) OR  http://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

Senator Jim Risch (R-ID)
(202) 224-2752
Foreign LA: Chris Socha (  chris_socha@risch.senate.gov) OR  http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email

Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
(202) 224-2841
Foreign LA: Chad Kreikmeier (  chad_kreikemeier@shaheen.senate.gov) OR  http://www.shaheen.senate.gov/contact/

Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) Co-Sponsor of CRPD
(202) 224-6621

Foreign LA: Matt Padilla (  matthew_padilla@tomudall.senate.gov) OR  http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=contact

Senator Jim Webb (D-VA)
(202) 224-4024

Foreign LA: Marta Ross (  marta_mclellanross@webb.senate.gov) OR  http://www.webb.senate.gov/contact.cfm



Thank you for supporting the rights of people with disabilities around the world!

Nothing About Us, Without Us!

Sincerely,
- The Autistic Self Advocacy Network