From 9-12 June 2025 the Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP) led a delegation to participate in the 18 United Nations Conference of States Parties (COSP) for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). IDPP participation was multifaceted, beginning with a side-event on Monday, 9 June Entitled: “Enhancing Community Engagement in Monitoring CRPD Implementation Through AI Text Mining, Economic Data, and Accessibility Mapping”, the side event was hosted by the Federative Republic of Brazil, specifically the National Secretariat of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In addition to the leadership of IDPP, the side-event was co-sponsored by a variety of organizations at American University, including the UNESCO Associate Chair in Transnational Challenges and Governance, the Inclusive Technology and Policy Strategic Research Initiative, and the Internet Governance Lab, the Kogod School of Business and the School of International Service. At McGill University, the Canada Research Chair in Childhood Disability served as co-sponsor. The Disability Data Initiative, at Fordham University also served as co-sponsor, along with the Rehabilitation Sciences & Industrial Engineering, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. AXS Lab, Inc. The side event focused on enhancing community engagement and monitoring the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) through various technological and analytical approaches, including AI and data analysis. Several presentations highlighted the importance of accessible data, quality inclusion policies, and the role of technology in improving accessibility, with specific examples from countries like Brazil, Canada, and South Africa. The discussions covered various monitoring methods, digital fabrication for assistive technology, and the need for community-focused approaches to better serve people with disabilities, particularly in underserved areas.
IDPP was also invited to the side-event organized by by the World Bank and Microsoft on the Disability Data Hub. This event was held at the Microsoft offices in Manhattan. Following this event was the side-event organized by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), and their electoral technology database.
A few photos from the IDPP side-event and other photos of the delegation are below:
