URGENT Action Alert:

We, the Deaf People of the United States of America, strongly support the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities because it will give us the rights as human and language. With these continued access to our rights, we as Americans can enjoy better quality of life without being denied and as well as being respected for our Identity, American Sign Language, and our Deaf Culture.

"The ADA and other disability laws do not have deaf-specific language; the CRPD recognizes sign language and deaf culture as human rights, and includes language such as "deaf culture", "linguistic identity", and "deaf community."

The United States is currently excluded from the International Committee formed to enforce the requirements of the CRPD throughtout the world. If the CRPD is ratified in the U.S., the U.S. will be able to join the global community in efforts to promote, protect, and ensure full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity."

**From National Association of the Deaf (NAD)**