The Pacific Rim International Forum on the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2013

The theme for the 29th Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity—Being in Community—embraces the ideals of all people living together harmoniously and happily in a barrier-free world without fear of exclusion from social, economic or political life. ‘Being in community’ means living inter-dependently, ensuring that basic needs are met, that policies and laws are accessible and fair to all. It means ‘nothing about us, without us.’ Being in community requires awareness and a profound commitment to the work we have done and continue to do to make things right in the world. It means taking diversity to a new and more meaningful level where everyone is treated as a full human being without exception.

This conference, considered one of the most ‘diverse gatherings’ in the world, encourages and respects voices from “diverse” perspective across numerous areas, including: voices from persons representing all disability areas; experiences of family members and supporters across all disability and diversity areas areas; responsiveness to diverse cultural and language differences; evidence of researchers and academics studying diversity and disability; stories of persons providing powerful lessons; examples of program providers, and; action plans to meet human and social needs in a globalized world.