Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Persons with Disabilities

January 23, 2008

The Advisory Committee on Persons with Disabilities of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development will conduct its fifth public meeting on Monday, February 4, 2008 from 9 am - 3 pm in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004.

The meeting agenda includes the following speakers and presentations:

1. Eric Rosenthal, Mental Disability Rights International: Presentation of his reports on the situation of persons with mental disabilities in Serbia and in Argentina.

2. Mary Keogh, International Disability Rights Monitor, of the Center for International Rehabilitation: Presentation of her report on the human rights situation of persons with disabilities in Europe.

3. Ann Cody, B&D Consulting: Discussion of sports as a mechanism for promoting democracy, peace, human rights and leadership development for persons with disabilities.

4. Veda Engel, U.S. Department of State: Presentation of Department efforts to increase the recruitment of persons with disabilities.

5. Stephanie Ortoleva, Esq., U.S. Department of State: Presentation of recent assessment trip to Morocco and of other Department activities with respect to the human rights of persons with disabilities.

6. Robert Horvath, U.S. Agency for International Development: Presentation of funding programs and accomplishments in integrating disability within field programs.

7. Discussion of the plans of the Advisory Committee for the forthcoming year.

The Advisory Committee is made up of the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development and an Executive Director (all ex-officio members); and eight members from outside the United States Government: Senda Benaissa, Joni Eareckson Tada, Vail Horton, John Kemp, Albert H. Linden, Jr., Kathleen Martinez, John Register and James E. Vermillion.

Established on June 23, 2004, the Advisory Committee serves the Secretary and the Administrator in an advisory capacity with respect to the consideration of the interests of persons with disabilities informulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy and foreign
assistance.

Individuals wishing to attend must have valid, government-issued photo-identification, such as a Driver's License or passport, in order to enter the building. Sign language interpreters and CART reporting will be provided. For more information, contact Stephanie Ortoleva, State Department Disability Coordinator at 202.647.9551.