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\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f1\fs28 Media Release\tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab }{\b\f1\fs24 For immediate release
\par 
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s1\qc \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {International disability rights move to the forefront
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\par After five years of development and negotiation, history was made in New York last Friday when the text of a new international convention on the rights and dignity of peoples with disability was agreed by the UN Ad Hoc Committee.
\par 
\par If adopted by the UN General Assembly next year, this convention will be the first new human rights instrument for the 21}{\f1\fs24\super st}{\f1\fs24  century, and a major step forward for the world\rquote s peoples w
ith disability. Content of the text was negotiated in New York by UN member states and more than eight hundred representatives of international civil society.
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\par \lquote This is a landmark achievement for people with disability internationally,\rquote  said President of People with Disability Australia (PWD), Heidi Forrest, who participated in the New York negotiations. \lquote 
The process has been enriched by the strong involvement of people with disability and their organisations; our voices were heard loud and clear. It has echoed the catchcry of the disability movement: \'93Nothing about us without us\'94.\rquote 
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f1\fs24 
\par \lquote When adopted by the General Assembly, the convention will be a powerful tool for addressing local and national, as well as international, issues for people with disability,\rquote  Ms Forrest said.
\par 
\par PWD has been involved with the development of the convention since 2002, working with the Australian Government, and consulting widely with Australians with disability and their organisations. PWD has also consulted with other governments a
nd non-government organisations around the world.
\par 
\par \lquote PWD calls upon the Australian Government to support adoption of the convention at the General Assembly next year,\rquote  said Chief Executive Officer, Alastair McEwin. \lquote This support will be firm evidence of the government\rquote s genuine 

\par commitment to delivering equality for all Australians with disability.\rquote 
\par 
\par For more information, contact Alastair McEwin, Chief Executive Officer, on (02) 9370 3100.
\par 
\par 30 August 2006
\par 
\par Ends
\par }}