National Council on Disability
International Watch Federal Advisory Committee
Conference Call Meeting
Minutes
July 6, 2006
12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

Roll Call
Welcome
Present

Judy Brewer
Mark Engman
Rebecca Russo
Cappie Morgan
Susan Sygall
Katherine Guernsey
Kathleen Martinez
Joan Durocher
Jeff Rosen
Sheldon Gilbert
Robyn Powell
Jerry Mindes
Tina Singleton
Judy Chamberlain
Michelle Magar
John German

Roll Call and Welcome:  Kathleen Martinez

I.  Ad Hoc Committee and NCD Side Event

Treaty Negotiations (Joan Durocher) – NCD’s August 22 event will be titled “Practical Discussions On Implementation in the U.S. And Other Countries” and will include panelists with a variety of perspectives, e.g. developing world, nondiscrimination, human rights institutions, and possibly monitoring issues. (Kathy Martinez) Responding to Michelle Magar – the purpose of the event is to get participants thinking post-convention, practical ramifications.

a. Side Event Report (Kathy Martinez)  – NCD will capture the comments and suggestions from the meeting to share as a report. That report could include: templates, illustrations from developing countries with limited resources, any available cost/benefit information, contact information for participants and presenters.

b. Other Materials from NCD/Roles for NCD (Jeff Rosen) – NCD will also redistribute its series of papers on the human rights of people with disabilities (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2005/alltheseries.htm); as for current data that NCD can distribute on the cost-benefit of disability infrastructure and programs, nothing reliable currently exists. This is a key discussion area in NCD’s ongoing Financial Incentives Study. As Judy Chamberlain noted, cost-benefit analyses must also include human costs, which is included in NCD’s research. As for Michelle’s suggestion that NCD offer itself as a “technical assistance center” for foreign countries, NCD has always offered itself as a resource for inquiries, but cannot assume the roles and responsibilities of other U.S. entities such as the State Department or Department of Justice. (Kathy Martinez) We hope NCD can share the burden as a knowledge “clearinghouse” with other federal entities.

c. “Peer Support Groups” for Countries (John German) – Proposed the creation of support groups composed of countries with substantially similar situations to trade implementation ideas. (Jerry Mindes) Many countries are resource-deficient rather than knowledge-deficient, so peer groups may be a good way to help develop cost effective implementation of disability policies and programs. May not be a need for NCD as a “knowledge center.”

II.  Monitoring

A. IDC (International Disability Caucus) Support (Michelle Magar) – There is a chance that IDC will turn against treaty if there are no enforcement/monitoring provisions.

B. Passage of Monitoring Provision (Janet Lord) – Costa Rica is working on the monitoring component, and per a conversation with Steve Hill (US State Department), the US is becoming more flexible on its position on monitoring.

C. Utility of Monitoring Provision (Jeff Rosen) – If the language is weak, e.g. words like “promote” or “encourage” instead of “must” or “shall,” then it may be irrelevant whether there is a strong monitoring provision, because there will be nothing enforceable to monitor.

III. Media Coverage

A. Documentary (Michelle Magar) – Michelle is producing a radio and television documentary about the convention, with the last 90 seconds left blank for countries to insert their own specific information, e.g. contact information. Documentary will be subtitled and offered to countries for nominal costs. John Hockenberry will narrate.

B. Blog coverage (John German) – John is working on a blogging strategy.

 IV. Foreign Assistance Legislation (Joan Durocher)

The FY 2005 Omnibus Appropriations bill, (originally under Section 579 of the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which was folded into the Omnibus bill) contained several significant pieces of legislation.  These included:

1. The creation of a fund in the amount of $2.5 million that will be made available for programs and activities that address the needs, and protect the rights of people with disabilities in developing countries (these funds can also be made available for an international conference on the needs of people with disabilities, including disability rights, advocacy and access);
2. a requirement that the Secretary of State and USAID each designate a disability advisor in their respective agencies;
3. the requirement that the Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, and the USAID Administrator shall seek to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are met where appropriate in democracy, human rights, rule of law, programs and activities supported by the Department of State, Department of Treasury and USAID;
4. the requirement that the USAID Administrator shall fully comply with its September 12 policy paper on disability which requires that USAID implement procedures to require prospective grantees seeking funding from USAID to specify, where relevant, how the proposed program will include protecting the rights and addressing the needs of people with disabilities.

As a result of this legislation:

1. An Advisory Committee on Persons with Disabilities was established under the general authority of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the USAID Administrator.  The Committee advises USAID and the US Department of State on the interests of people with disabilities as those interests pertain to the formulation and implementation of US foreign policy and foreign assistance programs.  The first meeting was held on August 15, 2005. 
2. USAID’s Human Resources Department has developed an e-learning course that will target all USAID employees, especially managers, supervisors, and program team leaders.  Course topics include inclusive development practices; creation of a mission disability plan; and barriers to inclusion.
3. The Administrator of USAID located the point of contact for disability-related activities within the Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance Bureaus.
4. Guidance has been developed on accessibility standards in USAID-financed construction.  The guidance pertains to any new construction or renovation project fully or partially funded by USAID.  An implementation directive has also been issued.
5. A directive has also been issued which requires a provision supporting USAID’s disability policy in all solicitations and in the resulting awards for contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements.

NCD wants to hear from the International Watch membership on outcomes flowing from this legislation.  

State Department/USAID Disability Advisory Committee

A. Status (Kathy Martinez) – Charter is scheduled to terminate on June 23; unknown if there is a recommendation by State or USAID whether the charter should continue.

B. 2005 and 2006 Overseas Funds – Approximately $4 million have not yet been disbursed, and the end of the fiscal year is in September.

VI. World Bank Disability Advisor Update

1. Kathy Guernsey – The current disability advisor extended her contract short term but is doing different work. The disability advisor position is being reworked. It is unclear what level the advisor position will be.
2. Joan Durocher – NCD has contacted the World Bank regarding the Bank’s commitment to continuing its disability work, and asked for a meeting with the President of the Bank.  NCD has been told that they are still reviewing meeting requests.
3. Jeff Rosen – USICD (United States International Council on Disability) has also been following this issue closely.