Paper: “Building Inclusive Knowledge Societies : Access to Knowledge by
Persons with Disabilities”.
Paper: “Internet Access for Individuals Using Graphic Communication Systems: The Current and Future Research Agenda”.
B.Sc. in Electronics Telecommunications Engineering in 1982.
M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, 1993), and a PhD in Applied Computing in 2001).
Has begun a vocational training course for disabled adults leading to IT based employment in mainstream commerce and industry.
Has conducted research in Belgium on the usage and usability of broadband telecommunications system by disabled people.
Has conducted in Dundee the facilitation of technology mediated dialogue.
Master of Science in Human Communication, London University in 1973.
Diploma of the College of Speech and Language Therapists (Distinction) in 1968, School for the Study of Disorders of Human Communication, London.
Director and Trustee of Charitable Trust (both Voluntary positions) The Makaton Vocabulary Development Project (MVDP) from 1978 to date.
Senior Lecturer and Chief Research Speech and Language Therapist, Dept. of Psychiatry of Disability, St. George’s Hospital Medical School, London University from1980 to 1999.
Developing services for people with communication and learning disabilities and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorders in Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece Hong Kong, India, Japan, Kuwait, and New Zealand.
Has won many awards in the field of Speech and Language Therapy, and Makaton Programme.
Paper: “Comfort of Life”.
Bachelor of Relaxation Therapy in 2005.
Master of Multimedia Design and Programming in June 2002.
Master of Projects Management in 2001.
Master of Business Administration in June 2000.
Worked for Smorum Paper Company in Denmark as a Data Technician, from June 1993 to July 1997.
Worked for Brain Service Provider (BSP) Intracom in Denmark as a Multimedia Programmer, from July 1997 to January 2001.
Worked for his own firm “Scandio A/S in Denmark in developing systems for people with special needs, from March 2001 to June2005.
Worked for the community in Denmark as a Relaxation Therapist, from January 2005 to June 2005.
“Comfort of Life” Project in June 2005.
Paper: “The Use of ICT in Daily Life and Education for Persons with Functional Limitations in Movement and Speech”.
An Associate Professor at the University of Oslo, Norway.
Has headed the secretariat for the EFA Flagship “The Right to Education for Persons with Disabilities: Towards Inclusion”, in cooperation with the UNESCO headquarters in Paris since its start until January 2006.
Has an experience for teaching for children with physical disabilities and severe speech problems.
A pioneer in introducing computer technology in education for persons with disabilities in Norway. Has initiated and contributed to the design of a switch operated program for symbol communication (Bliss Symbols).
Has published a book about computer technology for persons with movement and speech problems.
Experience in computer-assisted learning, and special education in Egypt and Palestine.
Has presented papers at numerous international conferences.
Clinton E. Rapley
Paper: “Achieving the Value Proposition of Accessibility on the Internet; Issues of
Policy, Structures and Technologies”.
PRIVATE
Master of Regional Planning, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA).
AB (Economics) at the University of California at Berkeley (USA).
Advisor (Social Development Policy) to the Government of Timor-Leste: advise and assist State Secretariat for Labor and Solidarity formulate national policy on disability and development.
Consultant to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) on disability and development from 2003 to 2005.
Consultant to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia on Internet accessibility and development in 2004.
Masun Nabhan Homsi
Paper: “The Foreign Language Teaching Experience for Arab Deaf and Mute Students”
A PhD. student in Computer Science-Artificial Intelligence, University of Aleppo, Syria, from 2005 to date.
MSc. in Computer Science-Artificial Intelligence with honors, University of Aleppo, Syria in 2002. Thesis’s title “The Study, design and implementation of Artificial Intelligence to Facilitate the Communication between Deaf-Mute People with Normal People”.
Diploma in Computer Science, University of Aleppo, Syria.
B.Sc. in Computer Science with Honors from IUTIRLA (Pto-Ordaz, Venezuela)
Analyst and Programmer: PIVENSA (Productos Industriales Venezolanos, SA) Company (1993-1995), Pto. Ordaz – Venezuela.
Head of the Internet Department: Syrian Computer Society, Aleppo-Syria (1998-2000).
Lecturer at the Syrian Computer Society, from 1998 to date.
Head of the Internet Workshop Group: Syrian Computer Society, from 2000 to date.
Spanish Professor, Institute of Languages, University of Aleppo, from 2002 to date.
Published numerous papers in Computer Science.
Lyndsay Williams
Paper: “Empowering Disable Community to Realize their Potential in the Knowledge Society”.
Graduated in Biomedical Electronics, from the University of Salford, UK in 1980.
Main area of interest “embedded hardware and software design”.
Has been responsible for some of the earliest digital audio soundcard designs for PCs in the 1980’s.
Has worked at Microsoft Researcher, Cambridge, as a Researcher since 1998, where her focus has been on wearable computers for healthcare.
Responsible for the invention of SenseCam, a wearable camera with passive image capture to aid in memory recall.
Has worked as a computer specialist since 1974, with special
emphasis on user support and ease of use of computer
systems.
Has authored and/or co-authored books on several topics such as programming, UNIX, data security, web design, Unicode.
Has participated in national (Finnish) and European standardization processes related to internationalization and digital accessibility.
Paper: “How Can Children with Severe Communication Impairments be Supported? Setting up a Communication Aids Project in England”
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, Scope CAP Team (The Communication Aid Project), UK.
Dr. Robert H. Nagel
Paper: “The Critical Role of Governments and the Private Sector in Designing and Implementing Standards which Lower
the Bar for People with Disabilities to Enjoy Equal Access to the Information Society”.
Chairman of Blind Visions Technology that brings new visions to the blind through the innovative use of technology.
Ongoing participation in the drafting of the Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on “the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities”.
Participation at the “Expert Meeting on Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the Service of Persons with Disabilities” held by UNESCO in Paris, France, in May 2003.
Member of the Disability Advisory Board of the Township of East Hampton, New York, USA.
Has won the Seybold Award for Excellence as the “Most Innovative Product of the Year.”
Pioneer and innovator in the development of large-scale, mission-critical, computer-based information systems.
Inventor of 14 patents in the field of disabilities.
One of a few computer scientists with an advanced degree in neurophysiology.
Paper: “The Experience of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Integrating the Deaf in Higher Education”.
PhD in Special Education Philosophy from the Pacific University, California, USA in 1990.
Fellowship in the education of the deaf and means of communication with them, from London University, UK in 1979.
Fellowship in integrating the deaf and those with hearing problems in ordinary schools, from London University, UK in 1976.
Member at the Work Team of the National System for the Disabled.
Member in more than 30 societies and institutions that are interested in the field of the disabled in various Arab countries, Britain, and the USA.
Author of numerous books on people with special needs.
Participated in numerous Arab and international symposia, conferences, and meetings.
Paper: “The Role of the Blind in Building the Information Society in the Arab World”
· Has been blind since childhood.
· PhD in translation and the English Language from Sorbonne University in Paris, France.
· Chairman of the African Union of the Blind, from 1993 to 2000.
· Secretary of the Arab Organization of Disabled People, since 1998.
· Member at the Executive Bureau of the Francophone Union of the Blind since 2001.
· Chairman of the National Union of the Blind of Tunisia since 1991.
· Participated in many activities related to the blind and the disabled in general.
Hani Darwish Ali Qasem
Paper: “The Role of Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research in Supporting People with Special Needs”
· B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington DC, USA, in May 1980.
· M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (Communications), George Washington University, Washington DC, USA, in June 1984.
· Manager of the Department of Advanced Systems at Kuwait Institute For Scientific Research (KISR), from 1994 to date.
·
· Participated in the accomplishment of numerous projects for people with special needs, such as.
- “Computer Assisted Communications for Physically Handicapped People - Phase II” (2003-2004).
- “Metal Sheet Based Braille Printing Facilities” (2003 – 2004).
- “Unified Sign Language Dictionary for Deaf People in Kuwait and the Arab Countries” (2002 – 2003).
- “Braille Computer System for the Blind Students at Kuwait University”.
- “Computer Based Educational Applications for Makaton Program” (2001-2002)”.
Dr. Samira Abdul-Latif Al-Saad
Paper: “How can Technological Application Contribute to the Understanding Autism?”
· Has been blind since childhood.
· PhD in translation and the English Language from Sorbonne University in Paris, France.
· Chairman of the African Union of the Blind, from 1993 to 2000.
· Secretary of the Arab Organization of Disabled People, since 1998.
· Member at the Executive Bureau of the Francophone Union of the Blind since 2001.
· Chairman of the National Union of the Blind of Tunisia since 1991.
· Participated in many activities related to the blind and the disabled in general.
Dr. Mousa Sharaf El-Deen
· General Medicine Diploma from the University of People’s Friendship, Moscow, the Soviet Union, in 1973.
· MSc. in Education (Communication).
· Member at the Medical Committee at the National Authority of the Disabled in Lebanon.
· Has organized training courses in the field of special education.
· Has written numerous books and conducted studies in the field of disability, such as “Mental Disability and its Institutions in Lebanon”, “Families of the Mentally Disabled”, “Disability Legislations at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”, “Tests Prepared by the World Health Organizations to Trace Mental Disability”.
· Participated in numerous conferences in the Arab countries, Europe, India, and the Far East.
· Has won numerous awards for his efforts in the field of disability.
· Has a degree in Social Sciences.
· Founder and Chairperson of the Lebanese Society of People with Disabilities in 1983.
· Member of the National Authority of the Rights of People with Disabilities since 1992.
· Founder and Chairperson of the Lebanese Union of People with Disabilities in 1998.
· Contributed to the establishment of Nabeeh Barry’s Complex for the Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities in Lebanon.
· Interested in accomplishing charitable, cultural, and educational projects at various levels.
Paper: “The Use of Computers with Abnormal Individuals”.
· B.Sc. in Accounting from the Islamic University of Imam Mohammed Bin Saud, at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
· Diploma in computers from the Islamic University of Imam Mohammed Bin Saud, at KSA.
· Diploma in Special Education (The Blind).
· Worked as an “Educational Supervisor” at the Vision Disability of the General Secretariat of Special Education, Ministry of Education, KSA.
· Member of the Consultative Group of the Vision Disability.
· Manager of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Printing Presses for printing the Holy Quran using the Braille method.
· Participated in numerous conferences in the field of disabilities, such as.
- The workshop entitled “Modern Techniques in the Field of Visual Disabilities” that was held in Damascus, Syria in 1999.
- The International Conference of Assisting People with Special Needs, which was held in Austria in 2002.
- The Gulf Forum for Visual Disabilities – Reality and Aspirations, that was held in KSA in 2004.
Paper: “The Role of Governments, Private Sector, and the Civil Society’s Institutions in Enhancing the Capabilities of People with Special Needs”
· B.SC. in Business Administration.
· Member of the Coordination Services Authority for People with Disabilities in Lebanon.
· Member of the Congregation of Private Volunteering Institution in Lebanon.
· Chairman of the National Development and Rehabilitation Center.
· Secretary of the National Union of the Families and Institutions of the Mentally People with Disabilities in Lebanon.
· Deputy Chairman of the of the International Rehabilitation Organization in the Arab Region.
· Organized numerous conferences, seminars, and workshops in various fields, especially in the fields of disability, rehabilitation, and volunteering activities .
· Participated in the organization of a number of UN preparatory meetings, at the Social Development Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, and at the Habitat II in Istanbul, Turkey.
Paper: “Communication Services and Information Technology: Do Arab People with Disabilities Benefit from them?”
· B.Sc. in Computer Science from King Saud University, KSA.
· M.Sc. in Computer Science from Georgia University, USA.
· PhD in Computer Science from Oklahoma State, USA.
· Chairman of the Scientific Research Team of the project entitled “The Implementation and Designing of Interactive Computer Environment in the Service of Visually Disabled Persons”, at KSA.
· Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the First National Information Technology Conference.
· Member of the Research Team for translating the Arabic text into the sign language at King Saud University, KSA.
· Chairman of the Research Team of Visual Identification of Arabic Braille Method and transferring it to a text, at King Abdul-Aziz Science and Technology City, KSA.
· Participated in numerous specialized conferences and symposia, such as.
- Second International Conference of Disability and Rehabilitation, that was held in Riyadh, KSA in October 2000.
- The conference entitled “Computers for the Assistance of People with Special Needs”, that was held in Austria in July 2002.
- First National Symposium of Information Technology, which was held at King Saud in Riyadh, KSA.
Ismail Al-Zain
Paper: “The Experience of Imam Al-Hadi Institution”.
· Diploma in Islamic Studies.
· Director of Al-Hadi Institution for Audio, Visual, and Language and Communication Disorders.
· Member of the National Authority for the Affairs of People with Disabilities in Lebanon since 2003.
· Chairman of the Education Committee of the National Conference for People with Special Needs from 1999 to 2001.
· Submitted a study for establishing the bases for the sign dictionary in Egypt in 1999.
· Participated in the organization of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for People with Disabilities, with the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in 2004.
· Obtained a three-month training course in Britain on the education of people with special needs.
Anwar H. J. Al-Nassar
Paper: “The Effect of Teaching Visually Disabled People the School Curricula of Public Education”.
· B.Sc. in History from King Saud University, KSA in 1984.
· M.Sc. in Special Education from Oregon State University in 1987.
· Diploma in Public Education from King Saud University, KSA in 1994.
· Director of Visual Disability Department of the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Education at KSA.
· Deputy Chairman of the Consultative Authority for Visual Disability Department of the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Education at KSA.
· Lecturer at the Special Education of King Saud University since 1999 to date.
· Organized annual courses for teachers of “Al-Nour Institute” about the school curriculum, and means of education of visually disabled people.
· Participated in numerous conferences, such as.
- Gulf Workshop for Scout Teams Supervisors in the field of Integrating People with Special Needs in Scout Teams, which was held in Jedda, KSA in 2004.
- Gulf Forum entitled “Visual Disability – Reality and Aspirations, which was held at the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2004.
- The conference on the Development and Unification of Arabic Braille Method, which was held at KSA in 2002.
Sabeeka S. Al-Jasser
Paper: “The Role of Private Sector in Assistance of People with Special Needs”
· B.A. in History and Education from Kuwait University.
· Diploma in Special Education from Kuwait University.
· Member of the Board of Directors of the Kuwaiti Society for the Disabled from 1984 to date.
· Member of the Board of Directors of the Fund of People with Special Needs from 1996 to 2004.
· Member of the Consultative Committee of Kuwait Autism Center since its foundation in 1995 to date.
· Director of Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf Makaton Center since its foundation in 1984 to date.
· Founder and Director of Al-Khorafi Center for the Activities of People with Disabilities in 2005.
Oudah Hazeem
Paper: Alternative Techniques and the International Computer Driving License (ICDL).
· B.Sc. in Computer Science from Tennessee University, USA, in 1982.
· M.Sc. in Administrative Sciences from Colorado University, USA in 1995.
· Founder of a company involved in developing modern techniques that enable Arab people with visual challenges to use computers.
· Participated in developing the Arabic “Hall” Program that helps people with visual challenges to use computers.
· Founder and Executive Director of one of the companies specialized in providing means that help people with visual challenges to use computers.
Michael Fox
Paper: “Access to Information, Rights and Inclusion”
· President of RI (a global network implementing the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities).
· An experienced architect, planner, and access consultant with involvement in access and equity since 1972.
· Member of the Corporate Board, Sydney, Australia National Member Organization.
· Member of the Standard Australia Access and Mobility Committees since 1975.
· University Lecturer in Access, Equity, and Design.
· Chairman of the Northern Region Access Forum (NRAF) from 1992 to 2001.