Human Rights and Disability Advocacy

Acknowledgments

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS When we concluded our initial conversation about co-editing a book on the Convention process, we had no idea what a thoroughly inspiring, fun and particularly rewarding journey we were about to embark upon. The (hi) story of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is unique in so many ways and trying to capture some of that magic in a book has been a real privilege. Getting to this point has meant support from a variety of institutions and persons. Whilst the list of people who assisted on the path to this book extends throughout the community involved with the process, and well beyond, we would like to specifically acknowledge a few individuals who helped pave the way for this publication. First of all the authors of this book: a heartfelt “thank you” to Anna MacQuarrie, Connie Laurin-Bowie, Tirza Leibowitz, Belinda Shaw, Tara J. Melish, Gerison Lansdown, Mi Yeon Kim, Huhana Hickey, Liisa Kauppinen, Markku Jokinen, Pamela Molina Toledo, Lex Grandia, Heidi Forrest, Phillip French, and Andrew Byrnes. Many had to squeeze the writing of their chapters into their weekends, vacation, or other well-deserved rest time, and for that we are deeply grateful. Knowing that personal assistants, family members and others were supportive in many ways, we wish to acknowledge them, too. We are particularly grateful to Ambassador Don MacKay of New Zealand, who so ably led the negotiations , for generously offering to write a foreword. With the Convention in force and its Committee established, we are grateful to its Chair, Professor Ron McCallum, for writing a preface. The process of bringing this book together was immensely supported by our immediate support group a.k.a. family and significant others: thanks for the sustenance, understanding, encouragement, and patience. We would not have been able to carry this to the finishing line without the editorial ability of Edith Friedlander who lent her formidable skills and boundless enthusiasm for all things language and human to this project. 304 Acknowledgments Additionally, a special thank you for the invaluable editorial assistance of Audra Wolfe. Kathrin Meyer came to our rescue in transcribing edits and putting it all into form with a good balance of patience and speed as well as an amazing attention to detail. Agnieszka Gasparska generously shared her design passion by capturing “Human Rights and Disability Advocacy” graphically. Finally, we want to express our deep gratitude to the staff at University of Pennsylvania Press—including Bert Lockwood (Series Editor), Peter Agree (Editor-in-Chief), and Rachel Taube (Acquisitions Assistant), the invaluable and constructive comments by the reviewer, and the formidable editors Alison A. Anderson (Managing Editor) and Jennifer Shenk—for believing in this project and supporting us so thoughtfully and professionally through the various stages of production. ...