UN CRPD

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability

Fall 2021 

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted on Dec. 13, 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The CRPD is the only international treaty addressing human rights for persons with disabilities.

This year the ABILITY Event will celebrate the 15-year anniversary of the CRPD by hosting a series of international speakers discussing the impact of the CRPD locally, nationally and globally. This seven-series event will be offered both virtually and in-person with the last session culminating in a symposium broadcast from Dubai at the World Expo on Dec. 3.

This is a student-led event that the St. Cloud State University Rehabilitation Studies Program hosts every year in partnership with Hamline University, Metropolitan State, Normandale Community College and Global Minnesota.


New this year, earn a Micro-badge


Importance of the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

  1. This is the only fully comprehensive international convention that countries can use to ensure people with disabilities have the same human rights as everyone else.
  2. In a time where diversity, equity and inclusion are at the forefront of multiple conversations and actions, we must include: ACCESSIBILITY. Too often disability and accessibility are not discussed in the larger concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The CRPD helps to shed light on the importance of accessibility for all regardless of where you live in the world.
  3. People with disabilities are the most marginalized population in the world. It is estimated that 20% of the population has a disability, intersecting every racial, ethnic, and economic group.
  4. The CRPD opens doors for education, employment, political participation, and accessibility. This framework empowers everyone, individuals with and without disabilities, to learn more about justice for people with disabilities.
  5. Anyone who works with individuals with a disability or has a disability should take this opportunity to learn more about the CRPD and its promotion of human rights for individuals with disabilities.

The in-person event will be at St. Cloud State in Atwood in Voyageurs. The on-campus event is inclusive of lunch at 11:30 a.m. prior to the ABILITY Event speaker. Each lunch will be inclusive of mini-presentations by St. Cloud State faculty and visiting scholars from China from 11:45 a.m.-12 p.m.


American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and captioning provided for in person and via zoom.


Calendar and Schedule

Jose Viera and Vladimir Cuk Bios

Andrés J. Gallegos Bio

Isabel Hodge Bio

Gerard Quinn Bio

Patricia Morrissey Bio

CRCC CEU's

Broadcasts from the Dubai World Expo

Partners