HPOD has worked to advance the understanding of disability law, policy, and education around the world since 2004. Last year, HPOD continued to build on its nearly two decades of research, advocacy, capacity-building, and awareness-raising activities by undertaking research at the intersection of climate justice and disability, launching a program for self-advocates to engage in research, and much more!
Over the past year, HPOD continued its ongoing research and writing activities to produce salient information for policymakers and civil society stakeholders to address key disability rights issues on international humanitarian law, climate change, special education, COVID-19, and beyond.
In addition to HPOD’s annual fall open house, throughout the year HPOD organized a series of academic and educational events addressing important issues at the intersection of mental health and legal capacity, the rights of deaf persons, disability cause lawyering, climate change, political participation, and social isolation. Catch up on any events you may have missed below!
HPOD also supported advocacy efforts to promote initiatives advancing disability rights, particularly in the areas of disability rights history, climate change, special education, and protections against ill-treatment.
One of HPOD’s core remits is to strengthen the self-advocacy movement by building the capacity of self-advocacy organizations through trainings and technical support. Notably, last year, through a generous gift from the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness, and in partnership with Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong, HPOD launched its “self-advocates in research” program to empower self-advocates to strengthen their advocacy through research.
By partnering with HPOD, you help amplify the voices of persons with disabilities worldwide. Your support helps provide legal innovation, global advocacy, and access to essential human rights research.
HPOD organized a series of timely events on emerging issues, including litigation strategies for advancing disability climate justice, ongoing efforts to end the mass incarceration of persons of color with disabilities, and promoting awareness of the CRPD in the context of climate risks and emergencies. HPOD also assessed the implications of the passing of Sir Robert Martin, the only person with intellectual disability ever named to a UN treaty body, for self-advocates’ future involvement in the CRPD Committee’s periodic monitoring process. Last, in May 2024, HPOD’s China Program Director, Dr. Fengming Cui, was awarded the Maria McTernan Leadership Award by the Charles River Center in recognition of her demonstrated outstanding leadership in supporting the disability community.