RESOLUTION No. 36543

Declare City support for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Resolution)

WHEREAS, historically, persons with disabilities have been marginalized and deprived of opportunities and freedoms afforded to individuals without disabilities; and

WHEREAS, on December 13, 2006, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a landmark treaty, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to promote and protect the rights of the world's 650 million individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the Convention is the first worldwide human rights treaty of the 21st century; and

WHEREAS, the Convention recognizes that attitudes need to change if individuals with disabilities are to achieve equality; and

WHEREAS, the Convention will require ratifying nations "to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity and promote awareness of the capabilities of those who are disabled; and

WHEREAS, the Convention also requires governments to fight stereotypes about people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the Convention also recognizes that perspectives need to change if individuals with disabilities are to achieve equality; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portland complies with the regulations for governments under Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; and

WHEREAS, in the 2000 Census, 68,757 City residents, between the ages of 5 and 64, reported a disability; 13 percent of the city’s total population.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Portland Oregon that it supports this Convention, endorses equality of opportunity, and will continue to be responsive to and inclusive of people with disabilities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council will communicate the City's support of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and the Acting U.S. Representative to the United Nations, Alejandro D. Wolff and urge ratification of the Convention by the United States.

Adopted by the Council: October 24, 2007 Mayor Tom Potter Prepared by: Jeremy Van Keuren 10/12/07

GARY BLACKMER Auditor of the City of Portland By /S/ Susan Parsons Deputy

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION
AGENDA NO. 1259-2007
ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 36543

COMMISSIONERS VOTED AS FOLLOWS:
	YEAS	NAYS
ADAMS	X
LEONARD	X
SALTZMAN	X
STEN	-----	-----
POTTER	X