CRPD Ratification: Why the U.S. Has Not Signed On

Author: Thomas C. Weiss
Published: 23 Nov 2013 - Updated: 11 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Opinion Piece, Editorial

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This report examines the United States' failure to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), an international treaty modeled on the Americans with Disabilities Act that the country signed in 2009 but fell five votes short of ratifying in the Senate on December 4, 2012. It matters because ratification would affect an estimated 57.8 million Americans with disabilities, 5.5 million American veterans with disabilities, and roughly 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide, while imposing no new requirements on American law or budget. The piece explains that a broad, bipartisan coalition of disability organizations, faith groups, civil rights advocates, veterans groups, and major business bodies including the Chamber of Commerce supported passage, and it draws on statements from Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. International Council on Disabilities President Marca Bristo. Written by a researcher with graduate credentials and firsthand caregiving experience, the article is a useful resource for readers interested in international disability policy, accessibility standards such as curb cuts and accessible facilities, and the practical stakes for seniors, veterans, and disabled people seeking equal access when they travel or study abroad.*

At a Glance

• 1 - The treaty is widely called the Disabilities Treaty. It was inspired by the Americans with Disabilities Act signed under President George H.W. Bush.
• 2 - The CRPD would encourage other nations to adopt accessibility measures like curb cuts and accessible parking. Discrimination against people with disabilities would become illegal in signatory countries.
• 3 - Senate leaders remained committed to bringing the treaty back before the 113th Congress after the first defeat. Marca Bristo praised the strong, diverse turnout at the second hearing.
• 4 - The CRPD sets out protections covering employment, independent living, freedom from exploitation, and access to information. It also addresses an adequate standard of living, family life, and participation in cultural and recreational activities.

Topic Definition

CRPD (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international human rights treaty adopted by the United Nations that sets out the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of people with disabilities and obliges the nations that ratify it to protect and promote those rights. Often called the Disabilities Treaty, it was shaped in large part by the American model established under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and it covers areas such as employment, independent living, accessibility, education, and freedom from exploitation and abuse. Rather than creating new obligations for countries whose laws already meet its standards, the treaty encourages other governments to raise their own protections, promoting measures like curb cuts, accessible buildings, and reserved parking so that people with disabilities can participate fully in community life.

Overview

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is an International treaty inspired by U.S. leadership in recognizing the rights of people with disabilities. The United States of America signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in the year 2009. On December 4, 2012 the U.S. Senate considered ratification of the CRPD, yet fell 5 votes short of the super majority required to do so. The media coverage of the Senate's failure to ratify the CRPD has been overpowering and the CRPD's Senate leaders have remained committed to bringing the treaty up in the 113th Congress.

Ratification of the CRPD is supported by hundreds of disability organizations, faith organization, civil rights groups, veterans groups, and major business groups to include the Chamber of Commerce. The U.S. Senate needs to fight for the 57.8 million Americans who experience forms of disabilities, 5.5 million American veterans with disabilities, and the 1 billion people with disabilities around the world today by voting to ratify the CRPD. The treaty had strong bipartisan support; now the Senate is receiving an opportunity that does not come along very often in Washington, D.C. - a second chance to the what is right and ratify the CRPD.

The President of the U.S. International Council on Disabilities, Marca Bristo, found herself energized by the turnout at the second hearing. She was encouraged by the substantive discussion of the treaty. Ms. Bristo stated;

"I'm thrilled and gratified that we have had such a robust turnout for this hearing. Those present today represented the strength, diversity, and commitment of our community. Our coalition reflects America and the millions of Americans with disabilities, professionals, veterans, and religious and civil rights organizations who both need and want the Disability Treaty to be ratified. I would like to thank Secretary Kerry and Chairman Menendez for their continued leadership and support on this crucial treaty."

The U.S. Senate is considering ratifying a U.N. treaty that would require all signatories to provide the same opportunities to people with disabilities the United States already provides. The treaty imposes no new requirements on Americans, it does encourage other people in the world to follow America's lead. The CRPD offers people with disabilities things such as:

• Work and employment
• Respect for home and the family
• Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse
• Adequate standard of living and social protection
• Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport
• Living independently and being included in the community
• Freedom of expression and opinion and access to information

Disabilities Treaty

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), inspired by the Americans with Disabilities Act, is more commonly known as the, 'Disabilities Treaty.' The treaty is an easy one for the United States to ratify, but due to a mistaken view that it will somehow impose new requirements on America and current U.S. law the Senate failed to ratify it last December. The hope is that this time around leaders in the United States will do what is right and join other nations in the world who have ratified the treaty.

The CRPD is an incredibly important treaty to millions upon millions of people with disabilities around the world. It is important for the United States to show the rest of the world that it respects every person, to include people with disabilities, by ratifying the treaty. It is important for America to demonstrate that we respect every life of every American by providing them with tools to create their own success. Having access for people with disabilities is a huge move in the correct direction.

Even though America has demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities, a number of countries have not made doing so a priority. The disabilities treaty tracks the U.S. model and encourages accessibility for people with disabilities. Sidewalks will receive curb cuts for wheelchair users and others to cross the street. Bathrooms will become accessible and parking will be made available to people with disabilities. Discrimination will become illegal in countries that sign the CRPD.

The United States of America must ratify the CRPD in order to reaffirm our global leadership and set an example while promoting principles and rights for people everywhere in the world. If America desires to continue a presence as a world leader it must demonstrate continued leadership on a global level. True global leadership requires involvement in examples of such leadership; ratification of the CRPD provides an opportunity for America.

Secretary of State John Kerry stated;

"I still believe what I believed the first time - that ratification of the Disabilities Treaty will advance core American values, expand opportunities for our citizens and businesses, and strengthen American leadership. And I am still convinced that we give up nothing by joining but get everything in return. Our ratification doesn't require a single change to American law, and it won't add a penny to our budget. But it will provide the hook we need to push other countries to raise their laws and standards for the protection of people with disabilities to the standard we set at home under President George H.W. Bush and Republican Leader Dole when we passed the Americans with Disabilities Act."

For a great many people who experience forms of disabilities, not only in America but around the world, it is our great hope that the United States of America will finally ratify the CRPD. American veterans with disabilities, as well as many other people with disabilities in America, desire to find ourselves with the ability to travel and study elsewhere in the world knowing we will find ourselves with access to the same things others have access to. The 1 billion people who experience forms of disabilities around the world today are looking toward America for the leadership they expect from this nation's leadership through ratification of the CRPD and our joining of the world in acknowledgment of equal rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

What does CRPD stand for

CRPD stands for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, an international human rights treaty adopted by the United Nations to protect the rights of people with disabilities.

When did the United States sign the CRPD

The United States signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009, though the Senate has not completed ratification.

How many countries have ratified the CRPD

More than 170 countries have ratified the treaty, making it one of the most widely adopted human rights conventions, while the United States has signed but not ratified it.

Does ratifying the CRPD change United States law

No, officials stated that ratification would require no change to existing American law and would add nothing to the federal budget because U.S. standards already meet the treaty.

Why does the Senate need a supermajority to ratify a treaty

Under the United States Constitution, the Senate must approve treaties by a two thirds vote, which is why the CRPD needed a supermajority and fell short in 2012.

Who benefits from the CRPD

People with disabilities worldwide benefit, including workers, veterans, seniors, students, and travelers who gain stronger protections for accessibility, employment, and independent living.

What is the difference between the CRPD and the ADA

The ADA is a domestic United States law that protects Americans with disabilities, while the CRPD is an international treaty inspired by that law that encourages similar protections in other nations.

How does the CRPD affect travel for people with disabilities

By encouraging signatory nations to adopt accessibility standards, the treaty aims to help disabled travelers and students find familiar access to buildings, transport, and services when they go abroad.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The lasting frustration captured here is that ratification would cost the country nothing yet return a great deal, since Secretary Kerry stressed it requires no change to American law and adds nothing to the federal budget while giving the United States leverage to press other governments toward the standards it already meets at home. For veterans and civilians with disabilities, the stakes are practical rather than symbolic, as ratification would help ensure they encounter familiar access when they travel, work, or study in other nations. The editorial frames the second Senate opportunity as a rare political chance to correct the 2012 shortfall, and it argues that genuine global leadership on disability rights depends on the United States joining the many countries that have already committed to the treaty.*

Author Credentials: Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses earning a Masters, Bachelors and two Associate degrees, as well as pursing Disability Studies. As a CNA Thomas has providing care for people with all forms of disabilities. Explore Thomas' complete biography for comprehensive insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.