The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is the world's largest regional security organization with 57 participating State Parties drawn from North America, Europe, and Asia. The organization provides a forum that emphasizes political dialogue in achieving stability, peace, and democracy. Its scope encompasses the politico-military, economic, environmental, and human dimensions of security and emphasizes the importance of bridging differences and building trust between State Parties. The OSCE maintains institutions, experts, and a network of operations in the field that address hot button issues such as human rights, arms control, energy security, media freedom, and national minorities, to name a few. In furtherance of its work on human rights, the OSCE contracted with a team of disability rights experts including Janet E. Lord, Mirjahon Turdiev, William Pons, and Michael A. Schwartz to develop an electronic course on disability rights, including coverage of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The course helps to educate readers on equality, inclusion, and belonging for people with disabilities in these 57 State Parties and advocates ideas such as "Nothing About Us Without Us," "presumption of competence," and "effective communication access.