6 June 2025
Since the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) came into force in 2008, there has been a yearly conference at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York for countries that ratified the convention to discuss how they are putting the CRPD into practice and other related matters.
PWDA is proud to be part of the Disabled Peoples’ Organisations Australia (DPOA) delegation to the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP18) to the CRPD taking place from Tuesday 10 – Thursday 12 June.
The annual convention offers the chance for signatories and state parties to improve how people with disability can engage on social and global matters.
PWDA’s representatives — Deputy CEO, Megan Spindler-Smith, PWDA Board Director, Steph Travers and Tahlia-Rose Vanissum (Woppaburra Woman and First Nations Disability and Gender Justice Advocate) — are in New York for the 2025 event.
This year’s overarching theme is “Enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities for social development leading up to the Second World Social Summit”.
The subthemes supporting the principal focus are:
Sub theme 1: Empowering persons with disabilities and enhancing social development policies through innovative financing.
Sub theme 2: Leaving no one behind: using AI as a tool for supporting inclusivity to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities.
Sub theme 3: Recognising and addressing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities and their role in advancing disability inclusion.
PWDA Side-Event
PWDA will be hosting a Side-Event at the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD on Monday 9 June.
The side-event Ending restrictive practices against First Nations people with disability: Finding a culturally sensitive way forward will be held on Monday 9 June at 1:15 PM – 2:30 PM (EDT) in New York Time.
At this event, we will hear from three First Nations people with disability about their experiences of restrictive practices and how to achieve societal change to eliminate their use. Megan Spindler-Smith (Deputy-CEO, PWDA) and Tahlia-Rose Vanissum (Woppaburra Woman and First Nations Disability and Gender Justice Advocate) will lead an interactive discussion with attendees reflecting on the speakers’ experiences and discussing possible ways forward.
This side event responds to:
- Sub-theme 3: Recognising and addressing the rights of Indigenous persons with disabilities and their role in advancing disability inclusion.
You can watch the event via Virtual Platform Link.
Local time zone conversions for Monday 9 June at 1:15 PM – 2:30 PM (EDT) are:
- Sydney – Tuesday 10 June 2025 at 3:15 AM (AEST)
- Adelaide – Tuesday 10 June at 2:45 AM (ACST)
- Perth – Tuesday 10 June at 1:15 AM (AWST)
- Brisbane – Tuesday 10 June at 3:15 AM (AEST)
You can view all COSP18 Side Events by visiting Side Events – UNDESA Division for Inclusive Social Development.
Ends | Contact Us