In 1990, the U.S. set the example for protection of the rights
of people with disabilities in its Americans with Disabilities
Act. The ADA became the template for many nationsí laws on
disability rights and was recently the model used to design the
United Nationsí Treaty on Disabilities Rights. Knowing this, it
is difficult to understand why the U.S. Senate recently failed
to pass that very treaty. The U.N. Treaty on Disabilities, first
adopted in December 2006, sets a standard for all nations in
assuring full human rights for people with disabilities. The
Guiding Principles include such ideals as respect for inherent
dignity; individual autonomy; the independence of all people;
nondiscrimination; full and effective participation and
inclusion in society; equality of opportunity; accessibility;
and respect for difference and acceptance of people with
disabilities as part of human diversity. The U.N. treaty sets
forth a set of articles that specify for every nation the
benchmarks for protecting the human right