BALTIMORE, Nov. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Federation of the Blind, the nation's oldest and largest organization of blind people, today urged the United States Senate to ratify the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Senate voted today to consider ratification of the treaty, which was signed by President Barack Obama in 2009.

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Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "We commend the United States Senate for voting to consider this critically important treaty, which will protect the rights of people with disabilities throughout the world and American citizens traveling abroad.  All people with disabilities, in every country, deserve equal rights and an equal opportunity to contribute to society.  We join our brothers and sisters in the disability rights movement in urging the U.S. Senate to ratify this convention immediately so that the dignity and rights of all disabled people are recognized and protected."

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is supported by twenty-one veterans organizations, the United States Chamber of Commerce, and over one hundred disability organizations.

The National Federation of the Blind needs your support to ensure that blind children get an equal education, to connect blind veterans with the training and services they need, and to help seniors who are losing vision continue to live independent and fulfilling lives. To make a donation, please go to www.nfb.org.

About the National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest, largest, and most influential nationwide membership organization of blind people in the United States.  Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for the civil rights and equality of blind Americans, and develops innovative education, technology, and training programs to provide the blind and those who are losing vision with the tools they need to become independent and successful.  We need your support.  To make a donation, please go to www.nfb.org.

SOURCE National Federation of the Blind