Speakers
Stephen Mark Shore, PhD., has Autism and is Assistant Professor of Special Education at Adelphi University, USA. In his autobiographical journey Life on and slightly to the right of the Autism Spectrum; he relates his life from the nonverbal days to the many challenges facing people on the autism spectrum; which include classroom accommodation, teaching of musical instruments, as well as issues faced by adults such as relationships, self-advocacy, higher education, and employment. The focus of Dr. Shore’s dissertation towards doctorate was the true comparison between educational, behavior and developmental approaches for working with children on the autism spectrum. Qualitative research was initiated to investigate Applied Behavioral Analysis, TEACCH, Daily Life Therapy, Miller Method, and DIR.
Karen Gaffney who has Down syndrome, is President of the Karen Gaffney Foundation, USA, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to championing the journey to full inclusion for people with Down syndrome and other disabilities. She earned a regular high school diploma having satisfied more than Oregon state requirements for graduation and graduated from Portland Community College with an Associate of Science degree and a Teacher’s Aide certificate. Karen is also a member of the Advisory Board for Exceptional Parent Magazine. She is the first person with Down syndrome to complete a relay swim across the English Channel and in 2001 was a recipient of the Providence Health System Regional Spirit of Women Award and the Joe Loprinzi Inspirational Award. In the same year, she was also a nominee for the Bill Hayward Amateur Female Athlete of the Year Award and was an Official Olympic Torch Relay Torchbearer. She has also done a video on promoting Early Intervention for children born with Down syndrome. She is a frequent speaker in and outside of the USA either as keynote presenter or in a workshop forum; her major focus being advocating for inclusion of people with disabilities in the home, schools, workplace and the community.
Sue Rickell, has Cerebral Palsy and is the Director of Allies in Change Disability Equality Consultancy, United Kingdom, (Professional Training and Coaching industry) from 1990 to the present. She trains and provides consultations to promote and develop Disability Equality Inclusion and Person Centred Services through support, training and information for staff and service-users in the statutory and third sector.
Aiko Akiyama, representative of United Nations ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission For Asia and the Pacific) to impart on the situation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on a global level with reference to the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and the Biwako Millenium Framework; on achievements and current issues and future plans.
Kenji Kuno, PhD., is a Senior Advisor at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). From 1993 to 1997, he worked as a JICA physiotherapist volunteer in the Malaysian Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak, and Solo, Indonesia, focusing on developing Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) services in rural areas. He is passionate in advocating for disability equality, independent living, self advocacy and employment of persons with disabilities, from the grass root level to the higher echelons of government. Dr Kuno will touch on issues of employment for people with intellectual disabilities in Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Johari Jamali, President of United Voice, the first registered society in Malaysia that is led by people with learning disabilities; will be sharing with us his personal journey & challenges with having a Specific Learning Difficulty.
Mayumi Narazaki is a self advocate who has provided training as an expert with Intellectual Disability to fellow self advocates in Thailand and Malaysia. She began her self advocacy work whilst serving as a member of Inclusion Japan, and developing projects such as New System Explanation Pamphlet, Buddy System Construction and Individual Program Plan Formulation. She has been a guide helper, a lecturer for Home Helper courses and directing two self advocacy clubs “Sunflower” and “Happy”.
