We thank #SpecialAdvisorDisability Minkara for her work raising disability in 50+ countries and w/our multilateral partners. Her warmth and dedication was pivotal to advancing disability inclusion in areas of trade, climate, crisis, and more. The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. stands behind her as she continues to #DisruptTheNarrative until every aspect of society celebrates the value, contributions, and leadership of persons with disabilities. #NothingWithoutUs
As we work to harness the many opportunities of AI, it's critical we prevent its worst risks from falling on members of marginalized populations. Hear more:
Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Sara Minkara shares a message for this International Day of Persons with Disabilities and how we can elevate the leadership of persons with disabilities.
We must eliminate barriers for those who have the experience and expertise to lead us in navigating global challenges. #SpecialAdvisorDisability #IDPD2024 #NothingWithoutUs
Happy Pride! 🏳️🌈 As we celebrate the resilience of LGBTQI+ persons around the world, let’s remember that the fight for equality and acceptance continues. Upholding the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons create a more inclusive and accepting world for everyone, regardless of who they are or whom they love. This year, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons everywhere and will continue to push for progress and to stand up against discrimination and injustice.
Excluding persons with disabilities from the economy hurts our bottom line: in some economies, exclusion of persons with disabilities amounts to an annual loss of 7% of Gross Domestic Product. So what does economic inclusion look like for persons with disabilities? #SpecialAdvisorDisability Minkara outlines a vision for inclusive employment in her video message for the APEC Human Resources Development Working Group. Sustainable economic growth is not possible unless we elevate the ideas, voices, and value of persons with disabilities. #NothingWithoutUs
May 16th marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day, which highlights the continued effort to remove barriers to accessibility. When we think about accessibility, often physical accessibility comes to mind. However, the scope of accessibility goes beyond the physical dimension: it is developing websites that are easier to read and navigate. It is providing assistive technology so all employees can succeed in the workplace. It is creating crisis communications that are accessible for a wide range of disabilities, so individuals and their families can reach safety. Accessibility is the pathway to full and effective participation for persons with disabilities across society.
In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, #SpecialAdvisorDisability, Sara Minkara, is pleased to share her remarks on accessibility from the Microsoft Ability Summit this past March. Together with our international partners, the United States is committed to creating accessible spaces so persons with disabilities can demonstrate their value. Let’s create an accessible future for all. #DisruptTheNarrative
Communities are the drivers of meaningful, transformative change. #SpecialAdvisorDisability Minkara invokes the strength of community action in her opening remarks for the premiere of the documentary Mark—A Call to Action, which centers around the disability rights advocate Dr. Mark Bookman, who unfortunately passed away last year. The premiere was hosted by the U.S. Embassy Tokyo in conjunction with the Glide Fund and Deloitte.
Dr. Bookman elevated the voices of the disability community, from advocating for accessible transportation to investing in study abroad opportunities for persons with disabilities. His work resonated across Japan and beyond, demonstrating how communities become stronger and more engaged when everyone is included.
Let us continue Dr. Bookman’s legacy and create communities that support the value of persons with disabilities. #NothingWithoutUs
Sara Minkara on International Day of Persons with Disabilities
On December 3rd, we celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), honoring the stories of persons with disabilities. Too often, these stories are ignored due to the stigma surrounding disabilities. If we are going to shape a secure, more inclusive future, we need to #DisruptTheNarrative and bring these stories to light.
In her video celebrating #IDPD, Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Sara Minkara outlines her priorities toward advancing disability inclusion worldwide. The journey toward full and effective participation requires more than one day.
Strong democracies are LGBTQI+-inclusive democracies. When we stand up for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of LGBTQI+ persons, we strengthen the rights and freedoms of all. Happy Pride from Acting Assistant Secretary Barclay!
2022 Global Human Rights Defender Awards
2022 Global Human Rights Defender Awards
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor was created to help advance individual liberty and the fundamental freedoms set forth in the founding documents of the United States, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other global and regional commitments. The U.S. works daily with other governments, civil society organizations, engaged citizens, and others to support the aspirations of all who long to live in freedom.
Since its adoption on December 10, 1948, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) has served as the foundational text enshrining the human rights and fundamental freedoms inherent to all individuals, inspiring the adoption of more than 70 human rights treaties. Today, on #HumanRightsDay, we celebrate the legacy of the UDHR and recommit to building a world where the human rights of all are respected everywhere.
Over the next year, we will honor the 75th anniversary of the UDHR—celebrating its promise of dignity, freedom, and justice for all—and continue to work towards a world where the rights recognized in the UDHR are fully realized for all people: https://www.ohchr.org/en/get-involved/campaign/human-rights-day/udhr-75
Welcome to our page! Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Statedrl The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) at the U.S.
