RI Regions
NA & Canada
RI member USICD (U.S. International Council on Disability) applauds the recent appointment by U.S. President Joe Biden of Sara Minkara as U.S. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights at the Department of State.
USICD held a Power of International Development and Inclusion panel co-hosted with Trick Up and Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Chase on July 8.
USICD also co-hosted a two-day webinar on September 7 and 8 on A Call to Action to Protect the Right to Family: International Challenges and Solutions for Children in Orphanages and Residential Care Worldwide. USICD will mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities during its Annual Awards Gala on December 2 (virtual format) when it honors U.S. Senator Robert Menendez as well as H.E. Mrs. Catalina Devandes and Dr. Victor Pineda. USICD and other disability advocacy organizations in the United States continue to advocate for passage of President Biden’s “Build Back Better” legislative package that includes $250 billion in annual funding to support home and community-based services for people with disabilities.
Canada
Joint work with the Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC) body to implement new norms on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Canadian level for physiotherapy programs across Canada.
In-process: technical, staffing and content support for the Canadian shadow report the CRPD under the leadership of BCANDS http://www.bcands.bc.ca (submission: Jan 2022). Coverage including the article 11 on situations of risks and humanitarian emergencies, art. 32 on international cooperation. Ongoings research and advocacy work on disability-inclusive practices and inclusive climate-change adaptation and disaster risk management.
Leadership
Michael Brogioli
Vice President, North America
Mathieu Simard
Deputy Vice-President, North America
Mathieu Simard has been working in the physical rehabilitation area for the past 19 years and has been involved in a large number of international health projects since 2000. This mixed background has led to a number of different positions to strengthen disability inclusion in high and low-income settings alike. These range from clinical service provision to providing teachings and trainings in various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and universities in Canada and abroad. In addition to serving as Deputy-Vice President North-America and Vice-Chair on the International Commission on Accessibility and Technology, Simard chairs RI Rehabilitation International’s Task Force on Disability, Armed Conflict, and Natural Disasters. He is currently pursuing a PhD candidate in Rehabilitation Sciences at McGill University.
News & Events
Rehabilitation International Education Commission Side Event
16th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD “Universal Design in Kindergarten and School, - guidelines and universal tools” Aiming to promote the cause of inclusive education and its pivotal role in promoting...
Xi sends congratulatory letter to Rehabilitation International Centennial Celebration
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the Rehabilitation International Centennial Celebration on Sunday. On China's 33rd national day of assisting persons with disabilities on Sunday, Xi extended his greetings to all individuals with...
UN Secretary-General António Guterres sends message on RI Centennial Celebration
By Wang Yanfang Intro: UN Secretary-General António Guterres sent a congratulatory message on Rehabilitation International’s Centennial Celebration as it officially got underway on May 21, 2023. The centennial of Rehabilitation International (RI) officially got...
‘We Sing for You’ performed for Rehabilitation International’s centennial
By Wang Yanfang Intro: “We Sing for You,” a song written by Zhang Haidi, president of Rehabilitation International (RI) and chairperson of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF), to honor RI’s 100th anniversary, was performed by singers with China Disabled...
RI’s illuminating torch handed to China
By Wang Yanfang Intro: The relay race to build a beautiful life for one billion people with disabilities in the world continues, and China is going to accompany Rehabilitation International moving forward. Zhang Haidi (third from left), president of Rehabilitation...
RI announces landmark declaration in Beijing
By Wang Yanfang Intro: Zhang Haidi, president of Rehabilitation International (RI) and chairperson of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF), together with four other RI executive committee members, issued the landmark Beijing Declaration at the opening...
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