Calling all bloggers and other writers!
Do you regularly blog about disability?
Do you care about the international disability rights treaty (called the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, CRPD)?
If so, please participate in the RatifyNow CRPD Blog Swarm 2008, scheduled for March 30, 2008!
What’s a blog swarm?
A blog swarm is when many bloggers agree to write blog posts on the same theme at the same time to increase public awareness of an issue and stimulate media interest in the topic.
Why Does the CRPD Matter?
If you have a disability or know people who do, then you know that the human rights of people with disabilities are violated every day. In many countries, disabled children receive no education. People with disabilities encounter doctors who assume they’d rather be dead than disabled—and make medical choices accordingly.
What Has Been Done About It?
The international disability community has been working with the human rights community and the United Nations for more than 30 years to change this situation. Together, they have created the first comprehensive, international treaty to protect a broad range of human rights of people with disabilities: the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD).
Celebrate the CRPD Anniversary With a Blog Swarm!
The CRPD was first opened for countries to sign on March 30, 2007, last year. So far, 17 countries have ratified it. After the 20th country ratifies the CRPD, it will enter full legal force. Odds are good this will happen March 30, 2008—the first anniversary of the CRPD. In honor of that anniversary, RatifyNow.org will be hosting a blog swarm on March 30, 2008, called the “RatifyNow CRPD Blog Swarm 2008″.
How Can I Show Support?
Have a blog? Any time between now and March 27, 2008, write a short blog post to share your thoughts about the CRPD and its first anniversary. Post it. Then send the link (with your screen name and the name of your blog) to RatifyNow@gmail.com.
Email us and let us know you’ll be participating. Then send your submissions by March 27, 2008 to RatifyNow@gmail.com. Please include the phrase BLOG SWARM at the start of your subject line.
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Kristen McCosh, Ms. Wheelchair America
Kristen McCosh became Ms. Wheelchair America 2008 (MWA) on December 1, 2007. This blog contains information on Kristen’s appearances, activities, and advocacy work during 2008.
This is an archived blog that is no longer updated on a regular basis.
Kristen McCosh, Ms. Wheelchair America
Index
- Access (1)
- ADA (1)
- Advocacy Update (10)
- Breaking News (1)
- Charity Work (4)
- Disability Organizations (4)
- Donations (1)
- Employment (4)
- Events Attended (7)
- Films (3)
- Fundraiser (3)
- FYI (6)
- In The News (3)
- Inclusion (5)
- Inspirational Thoughts (11)
- Interview (2)
- Legislative Update (4)
- Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts (1)
- MWA (23)
- MWA 2008 (6)
- Official Appearances (29)
- On The Road (15)
- Peer Mentoring (1)
- Photos (4)
- Physical Fitness (17)
- Press (19)
- Profiles (5)
- Rehabilitation (1)
- Research (4)
- SCI (2)
- Solutions eMagazine (7)
- Sponsors (6)
- Sports (1)
- Upcoming Appearance (19)
- Upcoming Event (11)
- Veterans (2)
- Video (2)
- Women of Strength (11)
- Writing (4)
- Youth with Disabilities (3)
- YouTube (1)
Official Bio for Press Releases
- A Consulting Company Specializing in Access and Inclusion of People with Disabilities
- Boston, MA, United States
- Step Zero Solutions is run by Kristen and John McCosh. Kristen McCosh is the Disability Commissioner for the City of Boston, appointed by Mayor Thomas M. Menino in 2010. She served as Wheelchair America 2008 and Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2007. Kristen graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in English and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Boston, and is currently pursuing an MA in Disability Studies at the City University of New York. She has been a disability advocate for over 25 years. John McCosh holds a BA, MBA, and MFA, and has traveled around the world as a Project Manager in Global Finance. He has almost 20 years' experience in disability issues.
Official Quote for Press Releases
"We are the first generation of Americans with disabilities to be recognized as having equal civil rights under the law, and because of this we bear a responsibility; that is, not only to break down barriers for others, but also to lead by example."
Official Contact Information
Kristen is available for speaking engagements. Her contact Email Address is: mswheelchairamerica08@yahoo.com. Her Mailing Address is: Kristen McCosh, PO Box E28, South Boston, MA 02127. Her Website is: http://www.mswheelchairamerica.org/. Her blog site for previous advocacy work as Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts 2007 is: http://www.mswheelchairmass07.blogspot.com/.
Kristen's Platforms as MWA 2008
- Advocacy for Independent Community-based Living
- The Importance of Peer Mentoring
- Physical Fitness for People with Disabilities
- Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities
The Ms. Wheelchair America Organization (MWA)
The mission of Ms. Wheelchair America is to provide an opportunity for women of achievement who use wheelchairs to educate and advocate for the more than 52 million Americans living with disabilities. Unlike the traditional beauty pageants, Ms. Wheelchair America is not a contest to select the most attractive individual. It is instead a competition based on advocacy, achievement, communication and presentation to select the most accomplished and articulate spokesperson for individuals with disabilities. The selected representative must be able to communicate both the needs and the accomplishments of her constituency from across the nation to the general public, the business community and the legislature.
Sponsorships & Donations
American Airlines
New England Medical Equipment Dealers
Coolhubcaps.com
Anonymous Friend
David and Lynn Cianciulli
Kris and Bee Bareng
New England Medical Equipment Dealers
Coolhubcaps.com
Anonymous Friend
David and Lynn Cianciulli
Kris and Bee Bareng
Become A Contestant In The Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant
This year, MWA welcomed contestants from 27 U.S. states. Next year, our goal is to have a representative from each state compete! If you are interested in learning more about how you or your state can get involved in the program, please email me at: mswheelchairamerica08@yahoo.com.