United States Mission to the United Nations
Office of Press and Public Diplomacy
For Immediate Release
December 3, 2021
Statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on the International Day for Peoples with Disabilities
On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the United States celebrates the progress made to facilitate inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities. Much progress remains to be made, both at home and abroad, and we are committed to redoubling our efforts so that persons with disabilities can participate in all aspects of everyday life.
In the United States, we applaud the continued upholding and extension of protections outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), including through President Biden’s Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce signed on June 25. This Executive Order cultivates a workforce that reflects American diversity by removing barriers to federal jobs. At the United Nations, we strongly support strengthening protections for persons with disabilities, especially those in armed conflicts. This is a priority we established in U.S.-led, Security Council Resolution 2475 – the first-ever Security Council resolution advocating for the human rights of persons with disabilities. We are also redoubling our commitment to this issue by co-chairing the UN Accessibility Steering Committee together with Antigua and Barbuda for the 76th session of the General Assembly. As a member of this Committee, we facilitated several positive changes, such as ensuring access to seating in UN meetings for all people, including persons with disabilities. We have several goals and ongoing projects during our chairmanship that will improve access for all persons, including those with disabilities, to the United Nations.
All people should be able to access facilities, programs, and events any and every day – this belief will continue to guide our work to address and promote equality, inclusion, and access, and to ensure the advancement of human rights for all persons with disabilities in all their diversity.
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