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International Watch Federal Advisory
Committee
Quarterly Report
November 29-30, 2004
Washington, DC
Facilitator: Kathleen Martinez
Designated Federal Official: Joan Durocher
Federal Advisory Committee meetings:
Since the last Board Meeting, two International
Watch Federal Advisory Committee conference calls were held on
September 2 and November 4, 2004. The September conference call
was a one hour discussion with the Vice President of the Millennium
Challenge Corporation (MCC), Clay Lowery, to discuss the challenges
MCC has had in implementing the disability aspects of the MCA
legislation. The November 4 th call included discussion of the
upcoming World Bank international disabilities conference; NCD’s Convention
thematic paper project; the United States International Council
on Disabilities (USICD) meeting with Minister Pater of Poland;
and NCD’s 2005 International Watch schedule.
Update on Foreign Assistance:
NCD continues to follow legislative developments
with the 2005 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. The bill
and report language currently contain a number of disability
provisions that resulted from the recommendations in NCD’s 2003 “Foreign Policy
and Disability” report. The developments include report language
that directs the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) to submit a report 90 days after the enactment of the bill
on specific recommendations for promoting disability rights and
disability access globally; $5,000,000 for the establishment of
a Fund for Inclusion, Leadership, and Human Rights of People with
Disabilities to be administered by the State Department in conjunction
with USAID, with some funds going to the establishment of a Disability
Rights Fellowship; and an international disability conference.
The language also includes creation of a Disability Advisor at
both the Department of State and USAID; and recommends the Millennium
Challenge Corporation (MCC) CEO utilize funding to address the
lack of critical data related to the eligibility criteria of ‘respect
for the human rights and civil rights of people with disabilities.’ The
bill language also includes a provision that USAID implement procedures
to require that “prospective grantees seeking funding from
USAID, specify, where relevant, how the proposed program, project,
or activity for which funding is being requested will protect the
rights and address the needs of persons with disabilities.”
USAID issued a General Notice in September
that incorporated a number of NCD’s recommendations as well. The Notice put forth
actions to implement USAID’s disability policy including
establishing a disability training module for USAID personnel;
the development of policy guidance on accessibility in USAID-financed
construction; and the formation of (along with the State Department)
a Federal Advisory Committee on Persons with Disabilities. The
Committee will serve in an advisory capacity and consider the interests
of persons with disabilities in the formulation and implementation
of US foreign policy and foreign assistance.
On October 1, NCD staff attended the United
States International Council on Disabilities (USICD) meeting
to welcome the Minister of Social Policy of Poland, Mr. Krzysztof
Pater, and to discuss
the planning for a summit in Warsaw in the spring of 2005 concerning
the construction and reconstruction efforts in Iraq. This
initiative is part of USICD's ongoing international efforts to
ensure that US foreign assistance is used to promote access and
inclusion for all people with disabilities. NCD staff also participated
in a follow-up meeting at USICD to learn more about the situation
in Iraq concerning delivery of health care services with particular
focus on the needs of people with disabilities. Commander
David Tarantino of the Office of Health Affairs in the Department
of Defense and Dina Dajani of the Office of Global Health
Affairs in the Department of Health and Human Services, provided
substantive information.
On October 5, NCD staff met with Representative
Tom Lantos’ staff
to discuss NCD’s foreign policy work.
NCD staff gave a presentation to InterAction,
the American Council for Voluntary International Action, on NCD’s
work with the MCC. In November, NCD staff met with Lloyd Feinberg
at USAID, newly appointed by Administrator Natsios to head up
disability coordination at USAID. NCD staff also met with Ken
Hackett, who is on the Board of Directors of the MCC, to follow
up on our discussion with CEO Applegarth on ways to incorporate
disability in their policy work.
Update on the International Convention:
NCD has contracted with two consultants to draft
three thematic papers on draft Articles in the proposed Convention
on the Rights of People with Disabilities. NCD interns, Emily Munson
and Galina Sergen have been assisting in the research for the papers.
Three outlines on 1) access to public transportation, 2) living independently
and in the community, and 3) political participation have been submitted
for review. On September 23, NCD staff met with Pat Morrissey, the
Commissioner on the Administration on Developmental Disabilities
to discuss the Convention. Commissioner Morrissey was on the US delegation
to the Convention at the last Ad hoc Committee meeting. Since the
last quarterly meeting, NCD staff has met with a delegation from
China and from Belarus to discuss NCD’s foreign policy work. |
