A major United Nations meeting on the rights of persons with disabilities in Geneva may proceed without sign language interpretation due to funding issues. The UN's conference department has indicated that funding for sign language interpretation cannot be guaranteed unless the UN's financial situation improves, according to the UN's own disability rights committee. The meeting, scheduled to take place, will review reports from five countries on their work with disability rights.
The committee warns that without a solution, it could be hindered from performing its work, which would be a serious setback for inclusion in UN activities. Criticism has come from multiple organizations, including the UN's disability rights committee, Human Rights Watch, the International Disability Alliance, and the World Federation of the Deaf, with the latter expressing deep concern and stating that budget constraints cannot justify discrimination.