Web_RI2008

INVITED SPEAKERS

	GERARD QUINN Abstract title: Will come Gerard Quinn is a member of the Human Rights Commission of Ireland and a professor of law at the National University of Ireland (Galway). Acting on behalf of the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions he is the current 'Focal Point' on disability and human rights.

He specialises in international and comparative disability law. His joint research (with Prof Theresia Degener) - ‘Study on the Current Use and Future Potential of UN Human Rights Instruments in the Field of Disability’ - was published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2002.

He served on the delegation of Rehabilitation International to the UN Working Group which drafted the initial text of the recently agreed UN Treaty on the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities. And he attended most sessions of the Ad Hoc Committee that finalised the convention.

He is a former First Vice President of the European Committee of Social Rights (Council of Europe). He is a former official at the European Commission and a former Director of Research of the Irish Government’s Law Reform Commission.

His current research focuses on the UN disability treaty (book project) and on internet accessibility (eAccessibility) for persons with disabilities. He works extensively with the European Commission on various aspects of its disability policy.

He is a barrister-at law (King’s Inns) and graduate of Harvard Law School. He leads a Centre on Disability Law & Policy at his university. His first child has a disability.