First International Technology-based Learning with Disability Conference (LWD-07) Highlights

LWD-07 took place on July 19-20, 2007 at the Student Union of Wright State University located in Dayton, OH. 138 participants were registered and 33 refereeed papers were presented during six technical sessions.   Conference Proceedings

The conference began with opening remarks from the Conference Chairs (Dr. Forouzan Golshani and Dr. Michele Wheatly) and the President of the University (David Hopkins).   Dr. Marcia Scherer the director of the Institute for Matching Person & Technology gave the keynote presentation entitled:  Leaving the State of Stuck:  Technologies for Being Connected and Getting Around.

Click here for additional LwD-07 Conference information.

                                                                 Dr Wheatly and Dr. Golshani

                       Dr. Forouzan Golshani                                                               Dr. David Hopkins

            Dr. David Hopkins with Keynote Speaker                                                Dr. Michele Wheatly

                           Marcia Scherer

                                                                  Dr. Wheatly and Marcia Scherer

Several commercial enterprises with specific interests in advancements in assistive technology were represented at the conference.  Included among the exhibits were booths staffed by:

In keeping with the conference’s focus on innovative uses of technology, the Thursday evening banquet was held at the nearby National Museum of the United States Air Force. NMUSAF is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum.  Attendees were able to spend part of this private event browsing aircraft exhibits ranging from the Wright Brothers to ultra modern unmanned surveillance aircraft.

                                                                  Banquet Attendees

Entertainment at the banquet was supplied by Dancing Wheels, the first modern dance company to integrate professional stand-up and sit-down (wheelchair) dancers. Mary Verdi-Fletcher is President and Founding Artistic Director.

A special presentation was given by Michele Wheatly recognizing the seminal contributions of Dr. Forouzan Golshani, the Director of the LWD program.  Dr. Golshani will be leaving Wright State University the end of August to assume the position of Dean of Engineering at California State University Long Beach.

                                                                  Dr. Golshani and Dr. Wheatly

The second day began with an opening presentation “Advancing Research on STEM Learning with Disability”  by NSF Division of Research on Learning,  Program Director, Dr. Sharon Locke

                                                                            Dr. Sharon Locke

Office of Disability Services sponsored at lunch a  Panel Presentation:  "40 Years of Accessible Education,"  Bill Rickert, WSU Associate Provost was the Panel Chair.   The panel included Jeffrey Vernooy, Stephen Simon, and Pat Marx. 

                                         LWD-07 Panel                                                                          Pat Marx

                        Bill Rickert and Pat Marx                                             Stephen Simon and Jeff Vernooy

                                                 Conference Program Chair - Dr. Clark Shingledecker

                                             Dr. John Flach - LWD Program's New Principle Investigator

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Technical Sessions