Nekram Upadhyay
Head, Department of Assistive Technology
Indian Spinal Injuries Centre
India
Indian Spinal Injuries Centre
India
THE SUCCESS STORY OF WDRC 2019
The 4th World Disability and Rehabilitation Conference (WDRC 2019), was held on 07th – 08th November in Bangkok, Thailand under the theme “Building Bridges towards a Common Goal: Advancing and Promoting Equity and Accessibility amongst People with Disabilities Worldwide”. The conference was organized by The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM), Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Brandman University, USA as the hosting partner while University of Lodz, Poland Mejiro University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Study, Japan and St. John’s Medical College, India were the academic partners. The Physio Life Care, Sri Lanka as the Strategic Partner for this year’s conference.
WDRC 2019 covered a range of disciplinary areas such as policy and law, health services, technology, career and employment opportunities, mental health and challenges, to name a few along with the speeches from renowned speakers, best presentations, roundtable discussions, and networking opportunities. Moreover, the conference welcomed 60+ participants from 20 countries around the world.
INAUGURATION CEREMONY
The opening remarks of WDRC 2019 were made by the Conference Chair Professor Loren O’ Connor (Assistant Vice Chancellor of the Office of Accessible Education and Counseling Services, Brandman University, USA) together with Mr. Isanka P. Gamage (Conference Convener/Managing Director, The International Institute of Knowledge Management).
CONFERENCE HOSTING AND ACADEMIC PARTNERS APPRECIATION
In valuing the significant contribution to the WDRC 2019 conference hosting partner and academic partner Universities were recognized during the conference. The appreciation awards were presented to the following Institutions accordingly:
- Brandman University, USA
- University of Lodz, Poland
- Mejiro University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Study, Japan
- St. John’s Medical College, India
KEYNOTE FORUM
The Keynote forum was one of the significant sessions of the Conference and it was enlightened by the speech of Dr. Thierry Kolpin, Brandman University, USA under the theme “Using Communication Technology to Build Bridges and Advance Equity and Accessibility”.
Plenary Speeches were delivered by,
- Justyn Howard, Director, Student Conduct & Compliance, Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor of Enrollment and Student Affairs, Brandman University, USA
- Nekram Upadhyay, Head, Department of Assistive Technology, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, India and Dr. Henry Metcalf Accessible Education Specialist, Office of Accessible Education and Counseling Services, Brandman University, USA.
Dr. Justyn Howard
Director, Student Conduct & Compliance
Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor
of Enrollment and Student Affairs
Brandman University
USA
SPECIAL FEATURES OF WDRC ‘19
Round Table Discussions
Round Table Discussion on “Disability Activism: Ways of Theorizing and doing” was moderated by Dr. Loren O’Connor (Assistant Vice Chancellor of the Office of Accessible Education and Counseling Services, Brandman University, USA. Participants discussed the challenges of society’s perception towards individuals with disabilities while bridging divisions between disability activists. The discussion was focused on identifying legislation and policies that are designed to promote the human rights, inclusion, equal life chances and citizenship of individuals with disabilities
Round Table Discussion on “Economic empowerment for persons with Disabilities” was moderated by Nekram Upadhyay (Head, Department of Assistive Technology, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, India) In this roundtable, mainly discussed what needs to be understood, recognized, respected and followed by mainstream society, the disability communities and close allies, in order to empower economic growth and freedom for those with disabilities and unique challenges
ROUND TABLE 01
Moderator
Dr. Loren O’Connor
Brandman University
USA
ROUND TABLE 02
Moderator
Nekram Upadhyay
Head, Department of Assistive Technology
Indian Spinal Injuries Centre
India
WORKSHOP: HELPING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BY TAKING A HOLISTIC VIEW OF TRAUMA
The workshop was conducted by Dr. Loren O’Connor Assistant Vice Chancellor of the Office of Accessible Education and Counseling Services, Brandman University, USA Dr. Henry Metcalf, Accessible Education Specialist, Office of Accessible Education and Counseling Services, Brandman University, USA and Dr. Thierry Kolpin, Brandman University, USA. This workshop explored how we can help others, who have felt physical and psychological trauma in their lives by: Recognizing and acknowledging our past, embracing a strengths-based approach, searching for and Maximizing available resources.
Dr. Loren O’Connor
Brandman University
USA
Dr. Henry Santos Metcalf
Brandman University,
USA
Prof. Thierry Kolpin
Brandman University,
USA
PARTICIPANTS FROM MORE THAN 20 COUNTRIES
WDRC 2019 consisted of over 60 participants from 20 countries around the world, including Australia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, China, France, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Poland, Sri Lanka, UAE, United Kingdom, United States. WDRC 2019 created a platform for academicians, researchers, students, industry experts, policymakers, professionals and enthusiastic attendees to share their diverse experiences, discuss, argue and ultimately to find solutions to the issues related to the relevant subject.
TECHNICAL SESSIONS
WDRC 2019 comprised of Nine (08) technical sessions. The technical sessions were under the below themes.
- Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities I
- Disability Rights, Facilitating Career and Employment Opportunities I
- Growing Old and Disability Management
- Advocacy Initiatives for Individuals with Disabilities
- Access to Health Services for People with Disabilities
- Equalization of Opportunities and Independent Living for Individuals with Disabilities
PUBLICATION
BOOK OF ABSTRACTS 2019
Read and download the digital copy of the book of Abstracts of the 4th World Disability and Rehabilitation
Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings
Online ISSN 1573-3572
Editor in Chief Ronald T. Brown
Publisher Springer
More Details >>
Professional Psychology: Research and Practice
Online ISSN 1939-1323
Editor in Chief Kathi A. Borden
Publisher American Psychological Association
More Details >>
Journal of Disability Studies
Online ISSN 2454-6623
Editor in Chief Kamlesh Kumar Sahu
Publisher Integrated Science Publications
More Details >>
Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health
Online ISSN 2198-963X
Editor in Chief S.K. Chaturvedi
Publisher Springer
More Details >>
Session Chairs and Evaluation Panel members of WDRC 2019
SESSION CHAIRS
EVALUATION PANEL MEMBERS
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE MEMBERS
SESSION CHAIRS
- Dr. Niraj Poudyal (Kathmandu University, Nepal)
- Dr. Deepthi N. Shanbhag (St. John’s Medical College, India)
- Dr. Lynn Rose (American University of Iraq Sulaimani, Iraq)
- Dr. Wesam B Darawsheh (University of Jordan, Jordan)
- Dr. Dorothy Kobus-Ostrowska (University of Lodz, Poland)
- Dr. Abigail O. Akande (The Pennsylvania State University, Abington College, USA)
EVALUATION PANEL MEMBERS
- Dr. Loren O’Connor, Brandman University, USA
- Dr. Thierry Kolpin, Brandman University, USA
- Nekram Upadhyay, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, India
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE MEMBERS
- Dr. Loren O’Connor, Brandman University, USA
- Dr. Dorota Kobus-Ostrowska, University of Lodz, Poland
- Prof. Takeshi Arai, Mejiro University, Japan
- Prof. Thierry Kolpin, Brandman University, USA
- Prof. dr hab. Edyta Dworak, University of Lodz, Poland
- Dr. Deepthi Shanbhag, St. John’s Medical College, India
- Prof. Kenichi Hanafusa, Mejiro University, Japan
- Dr. Justyn Howard, Brandman University, USA
- Sanjeewa Thunpaththu, The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Sri Lanka
- Dr. Tomasz Grabia, University of Lodz, Poland
- Dr. Ramesh, St. John’s Medical College, India
- Dr. Mariusz Nyk , University of Lodz, Poland
- Dr. Iwona Świeczewska, University of Lodz, Poland
- Dr. Henry Metcalf, Brandman University, USA
- Dr. Koji Kobayashi, Mejiro University, Japan
- Dr. Sandhya Limaye, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India
- Dr. Dorota Kałuża-Kopias, University of Lodz, Poland
- Dr. Hemlata, Indira Gandhi National Open University, India
- Prof. dr hab. Maria Grzelak, University of Lodz, Poland
- Dr. Bogusława Dobrowolska, University of Lodz, Poland
- Dr Chi-Wen Chien, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
- Prof. Liljana Igrić, York University, Canada
- Dr. Sujeewa Weerasinghe, PhysioLife Care (Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Research), Sri Lanka
Organizers & Partners
Hosting Partner
Brandman University, USA
Academic Partner
University of Lodz, Poland
Academic Partner
Mejiro University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Study,
Japan
Academic Partner
St.John’s Medical College, India
Strategic Partner
Physio Life Care,
Sri Lanka Academic Partner
University of Lodz, Poland 
Don’t forget:
August
28 -29, 2025
BANGKOK, THAILAND
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