The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 13 December 2006, and opened for signature on 30 March 2007. For Ukraine the conventions will take effect on March 6, 2010. A total of 76 states have ratified the Convention, which aims to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy human rights on an equal basis with others. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol in December 2009. President Viktor Yushchenko signed the document on September 24, 2008 at the UN Headquarters in New York. Under the Convention, State Parties are obliged to guarantee and promote the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all disabled persons without any discrimination based on disability. There are currently 2.64 million of persons with disabilities in Ukraine (5.5% of total population).