Forthcoming UN disability-related events:

15 March: Public Forum: Taking action toward a disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction framework and its implementation: (Sendai, Japan), organized by the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of DSPD/DESA, in collaboration with DESA’s global partners, will discuss and document concrete recommendations toward disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DiDRR) as a contribution to the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, its outcome and future implementation of the Hyogo Framework of Action II (HFA2) as an integral part of the post-2015 development agenda. (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1628)

Disability issues at the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction: (14-18 March, Sendai, Japan), hosted by the Government of Japan and organized by the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), the World Conference is expected to attract around 8,000 participants with several thousand more participating in public-related events. Participants are expected to agree on a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction (DRR). (http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1619)

20 March: World Down Syndrome Day 2015 Conference: “My Opportunities, My Choices” – Enjoying Full and Equal Rights and the Role of Families, (Conference Room 2, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., UN Headquarters, New York) organized by Down Syndrome International in cooperation with the Permanent Missions of the Australia, Brazil, Iran, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Poland and Singapore to the United Nations, UNICEF, UNDESA, International Disability Alliance, and Inclusion International. Commemorating, the 10th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day and the ‘21’st anniversary year of the ‘International Year of the Family’, the Conference will focus on the role of families and the positive contribution that they can make towards the enjoyment of full and equal rights for people with Down syndrome. (https://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/wdsd-conference; to register: http://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/world-down-syndrome-day-conference-2015-my-opportunities-my-choices)

2 April: World Autism Awareness Day 2015: Panel Discussion - “Employment: The Autism Advantage” (Conference Room 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., UN Headquarters, New York) organized by the United Nations Department of Public Information and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in cooperation with The Specialist People Foundation, with the support of the United Nations Global Compact. The panel discussion will focus on measures required to support growth in employment opportunities for people on the autism spectrum. The intention will be to demonstrate that people with autism can be valued employees for employers who understand their unique and often exceptional skills, as well as what it takes to create work zones where people with autism can excel. A call to action will be launched at the United Nations on 2 April, World Autism Awareness Day, inviting businesses to make concrete pledges and commitments to employ persons with autism. Businesses will be encouraged to use the platform established by the United Nations Global Compact at business.un.org to submit voluntary commitments to deliver concrete results in support of the principles contained in Article 27 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). (http://www.un.org/en/events/autismday/2015/events.shtml; to register to attend: http://bit.ly/1CVUFPM)

9 - 11 June: 8th Conference of States Parties to the CRPD (Conference Room 4, UN Headquarters, New York), participate in one of the world's largest international disability events at UN Headquarters in New York. NGO and NHRI registration, applications for NGO accreditation and for conducting side-events opens on 27 March 2015. Check out equipment and services available through the UNHQ's Accessibility Centre.(http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?navid=15&pid=1625)

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