In recognition of the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Special Advisor for International Disability Rights Judith Heumann will be hosting events on December 3 at the Department of State, addressing the critical issues of HIV/AIDS and disability, violence against women and girls with disabilities, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The day’s events are in collaboration with USAID, the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Civil Rights, Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, Office of Global Women’s Issues, National Council on Disability, the United States International Council on Disabilities, Human Rights Watch, InterAction, the U.S. Department of State’s Executive Women at State, Asian American Foreign Affairs Association, and Disability Action Group.

Panel discussions and presentations will include external and State Department experts on these issue areas, including State Department Legal Adviser Harold Hongju Koh and Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy Kareem Dale.

The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 was established by the International Year for Disabled Persons (1981). The Day aims to promote a better understanding of disability issues with a focus on the rights of persons with disabilities and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities.

The day’s events are open to press from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Loy Henderson Auditorium at the Department of State. To attend please RSVP to Katherine Guernsey, 202-647-1677 (GuernseyKN@state.gov). Press should arrive at the C St. Entrance of the Department of State to be escorted in to the events.

For further information about the events, please contact: Katherine Guernsey, 202-647-1677 (GuernseyKN@state.gov).