On Thursday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is considering ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), an international treaty that affirms the equality of all people, without exceptions, due to their abilities, and seeks to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities. The CRPD was adopted in 2006 and has been ratified by 137 countries. The U.S. has not yet taken that step toward ratification.
Microsoft is proud to support the ratification of the CRPD, and we are pleased to be a signatory on the U.S. Business Leadership Network’s (USBLN) letter encouraging ratification of the treaty. USBLN has a long-standing relationship with Microsoft, and is a strong advocate through its work promoting inclusion in the workplace, supply chain and marketplace.
As a global employer and a leader in the business community, we strongly believe ratification will take an important step towards ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to services, employment and technological advances around the world. At Microsoft, Diversity and Inclusion is a vital corporate priority. Our collaborative energy is fueled by diverse talent working together in an inclusive way. We foster a culture where leaders use the diverse perspectives and backgrounds of our employees to pioneer inventions, products and services for our customers, while enriching our communities where we live and work, and the lives of our employees. We are hopeful the U.S. Senate will support these values by taking action on this important treaty.
You can find more information on the CRPD at the United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD) action center at www.disabilitytreaty.org and Microsoft Global Diversity & Inclusion at www.microsoft.com/diversity.