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2018 Conference

Inclusive Education, Sports & Social Media Speakers Line-up:

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Klaus Miesenberger (Austria),
Prof. Universal Design and e-Accessibility at Johannes Kepler University of Linz
President-elect of AAATE
Conference Chair ICCHP

Prof. Dr. Klaus Miesenberger is managing director and deputy head of “Inclusive Studying” at the Johannes Kepler University Linz. The department was established in October 1991 as a model project which tries to support blind and visually handicapped students in their studies. The main part of the support activities is the digital preparation of studying materials such as books, lecture notes, overhead sheets, exercises, contents of the blackboard and so forth for blind and visually handicapped students all over Austria.

 

THE ANALYSIS ON NATIONAL POLICIES OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN CHINA

Speaker: Dr. Xiao Fei (China),
Director of Institute of Special Education at Normal University Beijing
Vice Director of University Special Education Committee of National Basic Curriculum Experts Committee
Vice Director of Intellectual Disability Rehabilitation Professional Committee of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine

Since 1990, Prof. Xiao Fei wrote books and journal articles about special education and how that relates to the people in China. The National University Beijing awarded Prof. Xiao Fei with a few prizes for his achievements in Scientific Research. He has the intellectual experience for more than 25 years in the field of topic she is about to present.

 

GLOBAL IMPACT OF DISABILITY INCLUSION

Speaker: Debra Ruh (United States of America),
CEO and Founder TecAccess, CEO of Ruh Global
ICT Accessibility, Disability Inclusion Consultant
University of North Florida

Debra Ruh and her daughter, Sara Ruh, born with Down syndrome – work with Country Governments, Multi-National Brands, Educational Institutions and United Nations agencies to assure full access for Persons with Disabilities. When Debra was told that Sara Ruh born with Down syndrome and she would never walk or talk.  Debra decided they were wrong. So, she left the banking and financial industry after 25 years in the field and created TecAccess. TecAccess helped corporations comply with laws in the USA and other countries about the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. She merged TecAccess in 2011 with another firm. 

In 2013, Debra created Ruh Global Communications.  The goal was to help clients reduce their compliance and brand risks associated with inclusion and create programs that act as a positive differentiator.  We wanted to help our clients thrive in this space and empower them to be global problem solvers, champions of change, and transformational leaders of social change.  In this session, we will talk about the journey; explore Global Impact of Disability Inclusion and why digital inclusion is critical for the full inclusion of persons with disabilities.  We will also talk about ways digital inclusion can help persons with disabilities be fully included in societies all over the world.

Debra is a recognized global influencer on social media on platforms including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, G+, Tumblr, and Pinterest. My social media handle is @debraruh with over 300,000+ followers on all mediums.  Named as “Top 5% of Social Media Influencers” and “Top 0.1% of people talking about Disability Inclusion and Accessibility” by KLOUT. Plus she is an author of three books about disability inclusion including her newest book: Inclusion Branding published on March 29, 2018.

 

CAMPAIGNING IN SOCIAL MEDIA– EDUCATION AND DIGITAL MARKETING

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Mario Voigt (Germany),
MP at State Parliament of Thuringia
Professor at Quadriga University of Applied Sciences Berlin
Professor for Digital Transformation and Politics

Prof. Dr. Mario Voigt teaches and conducts research as a professor of digital transformation and politics at the Quadriga University of Applied Sciences Berlin. After studying political science, modern history and public law at the universities of Jena, Bonn and Charlottesville (USA) Voigt completed his PhD on American political campaigning at the University of Chemnitz after several months of campaign observation in the USA. As an associate professor, he lectured on communications, public affairs and campaigning at the University of Jena.

 

STAR AND RAIN'S EXPERIENCES ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND LEARNING NETWORK CONSTRUCTION 

Speaker: Zhongkai (Scott) Sun (China),
Executive Director of Beijing Stars and Rain Education Institute for Autism
Msc of Social Enterprise Management

Zhongkai (Scott) Sun is the Executive Director of Beijing Stars and Rain Education Institute for Autism in Beijing. Beijing Stars and Rain Education Institute for Autism (BSREIA) was established in 1993. This institure is the first private Non-Profit Organisation (NGO) in China to provide education services for autistic children and their families. Their version is to give people with autism the same equal opportunities for development and enjoy a normal life. Their mission is for BSREIA, together with professionals and technical support as the core, to help people with autism and intellectual disorders and their families to integrate into society and promote a healthy development of social services. In June 2012, the Star and Rain Special Fund was set up with the support of China Charity and Children's Charity Foundation (CCA). Since then, BSREIA began to have crowd-funding rights, all proceeds raised through various activities fo into CCA for families with children with autism. Teachers from BSREIA also receive pre-service training for senior citizens with autism.

 

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION NY EMPOWERING THE PARENTS ASSOCIATIONS IN CHINA

Speaker:Iris Li Hong(China),
Director of Beijing Rongai Rongle Family Support Center for Persons with Interllectual and Developmental Disabilities
Supervisory Trustee of the China Association of Parent Organisations for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Master of Social Enterprise Management

Chinese Government rectified the Convention of Rights for Person with Disabilities (C.R.P.D) in 2007, after that, many significant efforts were made by the state to improve the living situation of Persons with Disabilities. However, it faces many challenges yet to ensure the children with disabilities receive the inclusive and quality education as children without disabilities. The presentation from Iris Li Hong will share the learning lesson from Inclusion China about how they work on the advocacy campaign in China to promote inclusion education, including key working methodology, results and challenges.

 

PERCEPTION OF DISABILITIES

Speaker: Dr. Boon Hock Lim (Singapore),
Founding Chairman of Melacca Centre for Developmental Disabilities
Special Education Consultant
PhD Med (Deakin University, Australia)

Dr. Boon Hock Lim is the Founding Chairman of Wings, a center in Melacca that provides care and support to Special Needs Children. Their aim is to making a difference in the lives of people with special needs and their families by providing learning opportunities that will enable them to achieve their full potential. His professional work focuses on screening &
assessing young children for developmental disabilities. He provides consultancy for families with children showing developmental disabilities, learning difficulties, emotional and behavioral difficulties.

 

OPPURTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR NGOs

Speaker: Trish Grant (New Zealand),
Director of Advocacy at IHC
Senior Advocate - Office of the Children's Commissioner
IHC Wellington & Wairarapa (New Zealand)

Trish is currently the Director of Advocacy with IHC where her work is focused on increasing the recognition of and response to the rights of people with intellectual disability and their families through targeted political and systemic advocacy. Prior to this role Trish was Advocacy Manager at the office of the Children’s Commissioner, a secondary school teacher /counsellor and a social worker. Trish has a strong personal and professional commitment to social justice and human rights at the local and global level.
IHC is a founding member of Inclusion International a global network of people with intellectual disability and their families. Inclusion International has prioritised work on inclusive education, living independently in the community and supported decision making (Articles 12, 19 and 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities). In 2018 Inclusion International’s work will also focus on assisting our members to advocate for inclusive education and self-advocacy. Trish is the Asia Pacific regional representative for Inclusion International.

 

UNITED VOICE MALAYSIA - LIFE AS A PERSON WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Speaker: Felicia Fang Yann Yann (Malaysia),
President of United Voice, Malaysia

Felicia Fang Yann Yann, a person with intellectual disabilities, has joined the United Voice in 1995 and she is the President if United Voice since 2012. Felicia presents talks om self-advocacy at government meetings, universities, NGOs, companies and conferences. She also attends seminars to talk about the rights of people with learning disabilities in Malaysia. Under her guidance, the United Voice conduct self-advocacy workshops in Malaysia and helps the community based rehabilitation centers in Malaysia to set up self-advocacy groups. Currrently, there are about 80 self advocacy groups in Malaysia.

 

OPPURTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR NGOs

Speaker: Jeff Rotmeyer (Hong Kong),
Teacher and Author
Founder and Director of Love 21 Foundation
Founder of ImpactHK

Jeff Rotmeyer founded LOVE 21 Foundation because he saw a great need for higher expectations and emphasis put on health and nutrition for the Down syndrome and autistic community in Hong Kong. He is passionate about creating a community that is
focused on improving their health and fitness while having fun with friends. He also runs a variety of sport and exercise classes as part of the new health and nutrition programme. “We believe that so much can be achieved through a healthy diet and exercise and LOVE 21 Foundation is very excited about what’s to come.”

 

HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY SELF-ESTEEM?

Speaker: Dan Kruger (Canada),
Entrepreneur and Self-made Millionaire
Former Professional Motorcycle Rider
Regular Volunteer in Social Community Programs

Dan Kruger experienced all ups and downs human being can probably go through. “I’m ready to take everything I’ve learned and accomplished up until now and re-invest it in others. This latest goal is to make a difference in other people’s lives through sharing my story and what gives me strength and perseverance. The key to finding success for me is to understand that giving up is never an option and finding ways to overcome the many obstacles that are put in front of you along the way as you work towards your goals.” He recently went through a painful time, recovering from multiple life-threatening injuries and will share his experience and how to coming back even stronger.

 

TESTIMONY OF INCLUSIVENESS

Speaker: Talia Kornhauser (Israel),
Family Coordinator Special Olympics Israel
Vice Chair of Special Olympics Israel
BA in Physical Education (Zinmate College) and BA in Arts (Hebrew University)

Talia Kornhauser is a social entrepreneur who has dedicated her life campaigning and volunteering for the rights and inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
She also serves on a number of voluntary programs around the world in making showcasing the power of art as a communication tool for interaction, exchange and peace. Kornhauser’s affiliation with the Special Olympic movement is a world-class contribution toward teaching on how to engage with individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends ensuring a reach out to a more fulfilling and peaceful life.

 

APPS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Speaker: M.A. Mila Pham (Vietnam),
Master of Arts Design & Media Management
Bachelor of Arts Media & Communication Management
Regular Volunteer in Community Activities for People with ID

Mila Pham channels her professional work and expertise in Media & Communication into Social Media support for people with intellectual disabilities. “Smartphones and tablet PCs have revolutionised mobile technology and the way we communicate today. They have also transformed the Assistive Technology (AT) market for people with disabilities. These mainstream devices provide people with mini-computers they can use ‘on the go’
and they are much more affordable than many dedicated AT or AAC devices.”

 

SOCIAL WORK OR WORKING SOCIALLY?

Speaker: M.Sc. Tessa Rothe (Austria),
B.A. in International Business Science, University of Tasmania
B.A. in Sports Science, University of Paderborn
Shows & Events at KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH

Tessa Rothe gained tremendous experience working for various charitable associations worldwide. “From birth the society implements its attitudes and value to every individual. For a long time these are created amongst others through the exclusion of people with intellectual disability in parts of our everyday life. While these characteristics and habits are already implemented within the older generations, their active involvement is required to change them. This presentation will therefore describe example of how this change can be achieved.”

 

TESTIMONY OF INCLUSIVENESS

Speaker: M.BA Dennis Spiegel (Austria),
B.A. Management and Communication
Former professional Football Player
Personal Sports Fitness Consultant

Dennis Spiegel is a former professional athlete and works today as a professional fitness consultant and volunteers regularly in sports activities for people with ID. Therefore, his expertise lies in inclusive sports that makes everyone feel welcome, regardless of ability, background or personal attributes. Participation in sport and recreation activities not only enhances people’s health and wellbeing, but provides people with opportunities to interact with others, increasing social inclusion and a feeling of connectedness to their local community.

 

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION / ARTS & CRAFT WORKSHOP

Speaker: Kira Helmert (Germany),
Visual Artist
Tattoo and Body Artist
Regular Volunteer in Community Art Activities for People with ID

Art therapy may focus on the creative art-making process itself, as therapy, or on the analysis of expression gained through an exchange of patient and therapist interaction. The
psychoanalytic approach was one of the earliest forms of art psychotherapy. This approach employs the transference process between the therapist and the client who makes art. The therapist interprets the client's symbolic self-expression as communicated in the art and elicits interpretations from the client. The tenets of art therapy involve humanism, creativity,
reconciling emotional conflicts, fostering self-awareness, and personal growth.

 

 

PERFORMING ARTS - DANCE THERAPY

Speaker: Joelle Stevenson (Malaysia),
Bachelor of Arts Media & Communication Marketing
Professional Dance Performer and Instructor
Regular Volunteer in Community Activities for People with ID

Dance therapy is a great way to express emotions that are sometimes not easily expressed verbally. Even athletes with limited mobility are still able to express themselves through
their own energy levels and abilities. Dance is also emotionally therapeutic. It also focuses on developing gross motor skills. By focusing on strength and coordination as well as balance, gross motor skills development is encouraged. Dance also increases confidence, social and communication skills as well as improves self-esteem and over all attentiveness in individuals.

 

 

Click Here to see the Speakers Line-up of the Conference in 2017

Click Here to see the Speakers Line-up of the Conference in 2016