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Dear colleagues:<br>
<br>
(Before you get upset about the use of the word "disabled" on this
email list, please read on!)<br>
<br>
I have just become aware that the UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs (UNDESA) and UNICEF are beginning preparations for a
high-level meeting on disability and development this September.
They have organized an online forum for preliminary discussion of
the matter. So far, the special perspective of deaf people and sign
language linguists has not been represented. As a result, there is
a distinct possibility that approaches and strategies proposed for
persons with disabilities generally may be misapplied to deaf
people, ignoring the crucial role that sign language plays in the
lives of deaf people and deaf communities. <br>
<br>
I believe that people on this forum may want to express their views
in the online consultation that is currently taking place. See the
email quoted below for details on how to participate.<br>
<br>
Please note that discussion closes in just a couple days, so if you
want to say something, act now.<br>
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<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Albert Bickford
SIL International
Linguistic Services Coordinator, Global Sign Languages Team
Director, SIL-UND
Please use different email addresses for different topics:
sign languages: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:linguistic_services_gslt@sil.org">linguistic_services_gslt@sil.org</a>
SIL-UND: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:director_silund@sil.org">director_silund@sil.org</a>
other: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:albert_bickford@sil.org">albert_bickford@sil.org</a>
late May through early August:
2901 University Ave Stop 8217, Grand Forks ND 58202; 701-777-0575
mid-August through mid-May:
16131 N. Vernon Dr., Tucson AZ 85739; 520-825-1229
-------
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Dear members of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://worldwewant2015.org/"><span style="color:purple">WorldWeWant2015.org</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>website,</span><o:p></o:p></pre>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">In many countries, the
realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has
not been achieved for persons with disabilities. This
clearly highlights the importance of ensuring that
development processes are inclusive of persons with
disabilities and their perspectives for the still ongoing
efforts to accelerate and expand progress on the MDGs and
in the definition of the new development framework that
will succeed the MDGs, after 2015. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">On 23 September 2013, the
UN General Assembly will hold a High-level Meeting on
disability and development, with the overarching theme<span
class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span
style="font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">“The way forward: a
disability-inclusive development agenda towards 2015
and beyond”</span></em>, at UN Headquarters in New
York. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">To ensure that the
post-2015 agenda is inclusive of disability, the UN
Department of Economic and Social Affairs in collaboration
with UNICEF is holding an online moderated consultation to
gather views from a broad range of stakeholders on how to
include disability in the post-2015 development framework,
in order to contribute to the ongoing work for the
High-level Meeting.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">Building on the earlier
online discussion on “Addressing Inequalities and Persons
with Disabilities in the Post-2015 development agenda”,
held on this site in November (read the<span
class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a
href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=64945919&msgid=483543&act=M3EP&c=1000518&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldwewant2015.org%2Fnode%2F304822%3Futm_source%3DiContact%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DInequalities%3A%20WorldWeWant2015%26utm_content%3D"><span
style="color:purple">summary report here</span></a>:<a
href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=64945919&msgid=483543&act=M3EP&c=1000518&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldwewant2015.org%2Fnode%2F304822%3Futm_source%3DiContact%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DInequalities%3A%20WorldWeWant2015%26utm_content%3D"><span
style="color:purple">http://www.worldwewant2015.org/node/304822</span></a>)
this consultation aims to take a closer look at the
particular challenges faced by per! sons with disabilities
in different regions, and identify the specific measures
and actions to be taken by different stakeholders to
promote a disability-inclusive society and development.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">In this context, we would
like to invite you take part in this online consultation,
starting on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong><span
style="font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">8 March</span></strong><span
class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span>and running
for three weeks until<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong><span
style="font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">28 March</span></strong>.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">To participate, please
visit the site</span></strong><span
class="apple-converted-space"><b><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span></b></span><strong><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""><a
href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=64945919&msgid=483543&act=M3EP&c=1000518&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldwewant2015.org%2Fenable%3Futm_source%3DiContact%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DInequalities%3A%20WorldWeWant2015%26utm_content%3D"><span
style="color:purple">www.worldwewant2015.org/enable</span></a></span></strong><span
class="apple-converted-space"><b><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span></b></span><strong><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">and log-in or register <a
href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=64945919&msgid=483543&act=M3EP&c=1000518&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldwewant2015.org%2Fregister%3Futm_source%3DiContact%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DInequalities%3A%20WorldWeWant2015%26utm_content%3D"><span
style="color:purple">here</span></a></span></strong><span
class="apple-converted-space"><b><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span></b></span><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">(<a
href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=64945919&msgid=483543&act=M3EP&c=1000518&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldwewant2015.org%2Fregister%3Futm_source%3DiContact%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DInequalities%3A%20W%21%20orldWeWant2015%26utm_content%3D"><span
style="color:purple">http://www.worldwewant2015.org/register</span></a>).
Simultaneous consultations will take place in English,
Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
The site is compatible with screen readers, however, if
you are unable to access the site, please email your
response to:<a
href="mailto:enable@worldwewant2015.org?subject=RE%3A%20INVITATION%3A%20Online%20consultation%20for%20a%20disability%20inclusive%20development%20agenda%20towards%202015%20%26%20beyond"><span
style="color:purple">enable@worldwewant2015.org</span></a>.
Please note that the forum is moderated, therefore your
post will not appear immediately but will be posted within
twenty-four hours.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">The recommendations
emerging from your contributions will be incorporated into
a report on the consultations to inform the preparation of
the outcome document for the UN High-level Meeting on 23
September 2013.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">The consultation aims to
be as broad and open as possible, in order to enable a
multitude of voices to be heard from Governments, UN
system organizations, academia, media, private sector and
civil society organizations, including persons with
disabilities and their organizations (DPOs).</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">Please invite your
colleagues, partners and networks to participate!</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">Warm regards,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and
UNICEF in collaboration with the United Nations
Promoting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
(UNPRPD)</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
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style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">Contact: <a
href="mailto:enable@worldwewant2015.org?subject=INVITATION%3A%20Online%20consultations%20for%20a%20disability%20inclusive%20development%20agenda%20towards%202015%20and%20beyond%20"><span
style="color:purple">enable@worldwewant2015.org</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">Discussion web site:<span
class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a
href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=64945919&msgid=483543&act=M3EP&c=1000518&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldwewant2015.org%2Fenable%3Futm_source%3DiContact%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DInequalities%3A%20WorldWeWant2015%26utm_content%3D"><span
style="color:purple">http://www.worldwewant2015.org/enable</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
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