Center for International Disability Advocacy and Diplomacy

Welcome

Mississippi river is flowing on the right side next to St. Cloud State University campus. There is a lot of green forest on all sides.
 CIDAD logo

The Center for International Disability Advocacy and Diplomacy (CIDAD) at St. Cloud State University is a hub for interdisciplinary research and advocacy to promote the rights of people with disabilities locally and globally.

The Center seeks to partner with governments, universities, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and the business industry locally and globally to advance the rights of individuals with disabilities. These rights include the right to education, employment, fall in love and raise a family, gender equality, decision-making, political participation, independent living, healthcare, accessible communities, and equity and access to communication. The rights are embedded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Directed and produced by Xiaorong Zhou, this video features Deaf performers from 18 countries signing the Zero Project Anthem in their native sign language. The compilation of multiple country sign languages for this project was created by the Center for International Disability Advocacy and Diplomacy at St. Cloud State University. This video was launched at Dubai Expo on the UN International Day for Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3, 2021 in the USA Pavilion. It was then shown in the United Nations in Vienna at the Zero Project 2022.

Chinese Visiting Scholar and Interns on a northern Minnesota lake, jumping cheerfully in the air during the sunset.

“Nothing About Us Without Us” - Mantra for a Movement

CIDAD Projects

Events & News

A white background with black fonts saying, "For a world with zero barriers" and a green font saying "#zerocon23 February 22-24, 2023" and black font saying "Independent living & political participation & ICT. On the right side is a green logo looking like growing leaves inside a circle. The Zero Project Conference 2023
Alternating different blue for background, left side has 7 yellow lines neatly lining up next to each other horizontally. Message says, "U.S. - China Symposium at Drake University". At the bottom of the image is a yellow box with same blue background showing "November 17, 2022".  Drake China Symposium 2022
The ABILITY Event Conference The ABILITY Event Conference