Langevin joins push for adopting UN treaty on disabilities

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. James Langevin is backing a push for the adoption of a new international treaty that he says will make it easier for people with disabilities to move about around the world.

Langevin told a news conference here that he is troubled by "specious" arguments put forth by treaty opponents of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities who say that it that it might encourage abortion or curtail the ability of disabled children to homeschool their children.

He told a news conference that the treaty would not change anything here, but would encourage other countries to follow the U.S. example to make their societies more accessible.