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.

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.