The Success Story of the 7th World Disability and Rehabilitation Conference 2022 (WDRC 2022)

The 7th World Disability and Rehabilitation Conference 2022 (WDRC 2022) was held from 10th – 11th November 2022 in virtual platform. WDRC 2022 was organized under the theme “Activism through Education-Education through Activism”. The conference was organized by The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM), Sri Lanka.

The conference united diverse researches and case studies from all over the world, in parallel sessions while offering many networking and publishing opportunities. Moreover, the conference welcomed 80+ Academics, Researchers, Scholars, Activists Industry Leaders and Professionals from 20+ 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 across the globe.

Inauguration Ceremony and Keynote Speech

The opening remarks of WDRC 2022 were made by Mr. Isanka P. Gamage (Co-Founder & Managing Director – The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM), Sri Lanka) and the Conference Chair Dr. Loren O’Connor (President of WDRPA, Former University Assistant Vice Chancellor, Office of Accessible Education, Kolpin & O’Connor Global Consultants, United States. Along with the Conference Academic Partner Dr. Dorota Kobus – Ostrowska (Lecturer, Institute of Economy, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, Poland) addressed the gathering.

The speakers were Dr. Manique Gunaratne (Manager Specialised Training and Disability Resource Centre The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon Sri Lanka), Mr. Nekram Upadhyay (Research Scholar, Department of Design Delhi Technological University (DTU), India), Jennie Williams (CEO, Enhance the UK, United Kingdom), Dr. Axel Kaehne (Reader Health Services Research Medical School, Edge Hill University, England), Dr. Dorota Kobus – Ostrowska (Lecturer, Institute of Economy, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, Poland), Prof. Dr. Hakan SARI (Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey), Assoc. Prof. Naoki Suzuki Ph.D (Associate Professor Tokyo Gakugei University, Japan), Ismail Ahmed Ali (Manager, Al-basiir School for the Blind, Mogadishu, Somalia) and Prof. Marcia J. Scherer (University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York, United States).

Resource Persons

Conference Chair

Dr. Loren O’Connor

President of WDRPA, Former University Assistant Vice
Chancellor, Office of Accessible Education. and/or Kolpin &
O’Connor Global Consultants, LLC.)

Keynote Speaker

Ismail Ahmed Ali

Manager, Al-basiir school for the blind, Mogadishu Somalia

Keynote Speaker

Prof. Marcia J. Scherer

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
New York

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Axel Kaehne
Reader Health Services Research
Medical School
Edge Hill University
England

Plenary Speaker

Ms. Manique Gunaratne
Manager

Specialised Training and Disability Resource Centre
The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon
Sri Lanka

Assoc. Prof. Naoki Suzuki, Ph.D.

Plenary Speaker

Assoc. Prof. Naoki Suzuki, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Tokyo Gakugei University
Japan

Prof. Dorota Kobus - Ostrowska,

Plenary Speaker

Dr. Dorota Kobus - Ostrowska

Institute of Economy
Faculty of Economics and Sociology
University of Lodz
Poland

Mr Nekram Upadhyay

Plenary Speaker

Mr. Nekram Upadhyay
Research Scholar, Department of Design
Delhi Technological University (DTU)
India

Participants from over 20 Countries

WDRC 2022 brought together over 80 participants from more than 20 countries around the world, including from: Sri Lanka, United States, Poland, Iraq, Kenya, India, Australia, Jordan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Denmark, South Africa, Malaysia, Croatia, Germany, United Kingdom, Turkey, UAE, Japan, Somaliya, Mauritius and Cambodia among the many nations represented. The Conference provided an opportunity for participants to share their valuable knowledge from various perspectives. This conference had the representation of almost every continent and region from across the world and provided a global platform to share views and ideas in the field of disability and rehabilitation, as well as to network with international colleagues.

Technical Sessions

 WDRC 2022 comprised of seven (07) Technical Sessions and one Poster Session. The Technical Sessions were under the below themes:

  • DISABILITY CULTURE AND MULTI-DISCIPLINE REHABILITATION EDUCATION APPROACHES
  • DISABILITY FRAMEWORKS FOR POLICY ACTIVISM IN EDUCATION, EQUITY AND INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
  • ATHLETICS AND RECREATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
  • FACILITATING CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
  • MULTI-DISCIPLINE REHABILITATION EDUCATION APPROACHES
  • POLICIES AND LAWS PROMOTING THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES I
  • POLICIES AND LAWS PROMOTING THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES II
  • Territorial Embeddedness of the Disabled People within Dhaka City

Overall Best Presenters of WDRC 2022

WORKSHOPS of WDRC 2022

WORKSHOPS - 01

Speaker: Dr. Dorota Kobus-Ostrowska

Title: “Assisted living in Poland - an example of deinstitutionalization”
Workshop on “Assisted living in Poland – an example of deinstitutionalization” was moderated by Dr. Dorota Kobus-Ostrowska, Institute of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz in Poland. This workshop explored the challenges related to the provision of assisted living services in poland Conclusions and recommendations. Practical examples of assisted living in Poland.

WORKSHOPS - 02

Speaker: Prof. Marcia J. Scherer

Title: “A Process for Making Sure Assistive Technology is the Solution and Not a Problem”
The workshop on “A Process for Making Sure Assistive Technology is the Solution and Not a Problem” was moderated by Prof. Marcia J. Scherer, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York.

WORKSHOPS - 03

Speaker: Ms. Manique Gunaratne

Title: “Facilitating Career and Employment Opportunities”
The workshop on “Facilitating Career and Employment Opportunities” was moderated by Ms. Manique Gunaratne, Manager, Specialised Training and Disability Resource Centre, The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Sri Lanka.

WORKSHOPS - 04

Title: Sexuality, Sexual Expression and Relationships”

Speaker: Jennie Williams
 Time Duration: 45 Minutes

WORKSHOPS - 05

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Hakan SARI

Title: “New Trends in Special Education Research and Publishing”
The workshop on “New Trends in Special Education Research and Publishing” was moderated by Prof. Dr. Hakan SARI, Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey with the aim of providing support to research students and researchers in getting their papers published in Scopus indexed journals in addition to the Conference Proceedings and KnowEX reputed journals. This workshop discussed the issues related to research and publication and especially about research and publication on special education, new trends in research and publications, importance and challenges of publishing research with regards to special education, the scholarly writing style and related tactics and appropriate data interpretation techniques in the discipline.

PANEL DISCUSSION on : " Understanding and Advocating for University Students with Disabilities.”

The Panel Discussion on “Understanding and Advocating for University Students with Disabilities” was done by Dr. Loren O’Connor (President of WDRPA, Former University Assistant Vice Chancellor, Office of Accessible Education, Kolpin & O’Connor Global Consultants, United States) and Dr. Thierry Kolpin (United States), Christina Cassady (Denmark), Dr. Deepthi N. Shanbhag (India), Dr. Lynn Rose (Iraq), Dr. Bunsung Heng (Cambodia), Dr. June Njama (Kenya), Dr. Mungai (Kenya) and Dr. Abigail O. Akande (United States) were the panelists of the Panel Discussion.

Christina Cassady
Dr. Bunsung Heng
Dr. June Njama
Deepthi N. Shanbhag
Dr. Loren O’ Connor
Dr. Lynn Rose
Dr. Mungai
Dr.Thierry-Kolpin

Session Chairs of
WDRC 2022

  • Dr Divya Rose Peter (Quest International University, Malaysia)
  • Dr Makhaya Malema (University of the Western Cape, South Africa)
  • Kokila Abeykoon (University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka)
  • Surendra Wani (MGM Institute of Physiotherapy, India)
  • Muna AlHammadi (Zayed University, UAE)
  • MD Zulfikar Ali (Shailkupa Government College, Bangladesh)
  • Yuleinys A Castillo (California State University, United States)

Evaluation Panel Members of WDRC 2022

  • Shahanaz Parvin (North South University, Bangladesh)
  • Deepthi Shanbhag (St.John’s Medical College, India)
  • Dr Hemlata (Indira Gandhi National Open University, India)
  • Sujeewa Weerasinghe (PhysioLife Care, Sri Lanka)
  • Nombeko Mshunqane (Durban University of Technology, South Africa)
  • Fairus Fariza Zainudin (Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris Perak, Malaysia)

Dr. Dorota Kobus-Ostrowska (University of Lodz, Poland)

Reviewing Committee of WDRC 2022

  • Professor Edyta Dworak
  • Sujeewa Weerasinghe
  • Abigail Akande
  • Dorotha Kobus Ostrowska
  • Deepthi N. Shanbhag
  • Wesam Darawsheh
  • Maria Agnieszka Paszkowicz
  • Shahanaz Parveen
  • Melok Roro Kinanthi
  • Nombeko Mshunqane
  • Muna Alhammadi
  • Yuleinys Castillo
  • MD Zulfikar Ali
  • Fairus Fariza ZAINUDIN
  • Kokila Abeykoon
  • Hemlata
  • Sanjeewa Thunpaththu
  • P.T BABURAJ
  • Surendra Wani

Official Partners

Hosting Partner

World Disability and Rehabilitation Professionals Association (WDRPA)

Academic Partner

The University of Lodz

The University of Lodz

Academic Partner

MGM Institute of Physiotherapy

MGM Institute of Physiotherapy

Academic Partner

Amritha Vishwa Vidyapeetham, India 

Amritha Vishwa Vidyapeetham, India 

Academic Partner

University of the Western Cape, South Africa

University of the Western Cape,
South Africa

Strategic Partner

The Youth with Disabilities Empowerment Platform
The Youth with Disabilities Empowerment Platform – Mauritius

Media Partner

Disabilities – an open access journal by MDPI

Organized By

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The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM)

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Organized By

TIIKM
  • The International Institute of Knowledge Management
  • #531/18, Kotte road, Pitakotte.
  • +94 11 799 2022 / +94 76 573 3737
  • isanka.gamage@tiikmedu.com
  • www.tiikm.com

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