OPT Visionary - Fall 2016

COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY • 43 In June, I had the privilege of par- ticipating in, and speaking at, the United Nations (UN) Ninth Session of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at its headquarters in New York. The UN Division for Social Policy and Development started the CRPD in 2006 to promote, protect, and ensure full and equal human rights for people with disabilities. Because people with disabilities make up 10 percent of the world’s popula- tion, the CRPD also recognized that a change was needed on how the world viewed people with disabili- ties. Rather than having the view of sympathy, the CRPD promotes empowerment and respect. It also addresses, oversees, and helps implement plans on such issues as accessibility, personal mobility, health, education, employment, habilitation or rehabilitation, partici- pation in political life, equality, and nondiscrimination. Currently, 166 CRPD party members have commit- ted to the organization’s goals of creating a more inclusive environ- ment for all people with disabilities. Last year, during the UN’s 70th anniversary, the General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 goals, such as ending poverty, ensuring access to clean water, achieving gender equality, and providing quality education for all. The theme for this year’s CRPD was Implementing the 2030 Develop- ment Agenda for All Persons with Disabilities: Leaving No One Behind. Subthemes included n eliminating poverty and inequal- ity for all people with disabilities n promoting the rights of people with mental and intellectual disabilities n enhancing accessibility to informa- tion and technology and inclusive development n celebrating the 10th anniversary of the CRPD’s adoption There were many events and panel discussions on disabilities, inclusiv- ity, and human rights, such as n “Access to Assistive Technology for Inclusive Development,” which was organized by the International Disability Alliance n “Leaving No One Behind: Including People with Episodic Disabilities in the 2030 Sustain- able Development Agenda,” which was organized by the Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation n “One Decade of the UN CRPD and Women and Girls with Disabilities,” which was organ- ized by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations I was invited to participate in a panel discussion called “Tec Talk: Brilliant New Designs in Assistive Technology, Ease of Use, and Multimedia” that was organized by ABILITY magazine, which has a consultant status with the UN. The panel’s purpose was to discuss increasing inclusivity in the community and work environments, and to present current and future products and ideas that contribute to leaving no one behind. I represented OrCam and introduced the company’s new wearable assistive technology device for people who are blind or visually impaired. In my talk, I educated the audience on the importance of assistive technology and inclusivity for people who are blind or visually impaired. I also discussed what an optometrist does in assessing patients for low vision aids, as well as the challenges and considerations related to companies creating assistive technology, and the eye care professionals who recom- mend it. The talk was well received and attended by people throughout the world, including representatives from the World Health Organiza- tion. Additionally, I had the chance to speak with people from various countries who are working toward the mutual goals of inclusive design; the need, support, and advancement of assistive technology; and access to information for all with disabilities. The CRPD conference was a memo- rable event and a great learning experience. It was also an honor to speak at the United Nations, not just for myself, but also as an optometrist who was representing and educating others on what we do every day. u To learn more about the CRPD, please visit un.org/development/desa/disabilities/ .