Conference Committee

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE OF THE World Disability and Rehabilitation Conference CONFERENCE 2026

The Conference Committee of the 11th World Disability and Rehabilitation Conference (WDRC 2026) comprises distinguished scholars, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and global leaders with extensive expertise across disability studies, rehabilitation sciences, inclusive education, assistive technology, mental health, and disability policy.

The committee plays a pivotal role in guiding the academic integrity, strategic direction, and overall success of WDRC 2026, ensuring that all sessions, workshops, and presentations uphold the highest standards of scholarly and professional excellence.

Committee members actively contribute their expertise and leadership to foster inclusive dialogue, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative thinking, shaping a conference program that reflects both global perspectives and local realities. From reviewing research submissions and advising on program development to supporting keynote sessions and special features, the Conference Committee ensures that WDRC 2026 serves as a premier global platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and practical impact.

Dr. Loren O’Connor

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

Conference Chair

Dr Loren O’Connor has degrees from the University of Southern California and Loyola Marymount University in the area of psychology. Dr O’Connor is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, credentialed school counselor, administer, and school psychologist. He also holds teaching credentials at elementary, secondary and community college levels.

Dr O’Connor is a sought after international speaker and consultant. He frequently speaks at conferences in the US and abroad in the areas of disability rights, advocacy, assistive technology, crisis response, and establishing Offices of Accessible Education in developing countries. Dr. O’Connor has consulted, presented and provided professional trainings in South Korea, Saudi Arabia, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE, Oman, Singapore and other countries.

Early in his career, Dr O’Connor taught at an international school in the Netherlands which ignited his passion for travel and engaging with people and students from a very diverse global background. He went on to become a Fulbright Scholar and participated in educational research in India. He has traveled to over 130 countries, and he has a vast and comprehensive understanding of cultures throughout the world.

He has served as a school counselor, school psychologist and therapist in private practice. Dr O’Connor was an Associate Professor, teaching in the field of counseling, both on-ground and online. One of his many accomplishments was serving as a university Assistant Vice Chancellor where he developed an Office of Accessible Education that served over 25 university campuses in California and Washington. The Office provided support and services for students with disabilities.

Dr O’Connor was a member of Behavioral Intervention Teams and was responsible for crisis counseling, on-going support for students at all levels of education, and staff/faculty trainings. He has a strong background in working with individuals and veterans in need of accessible education. Dr O’Connor has provided services for individuals who have autism, psychological disorders, learning disabilities, PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or other related issues.

Presently, Dr O’Connor is serving as President of the World Disability & Rehabilitation Professional Association. In addition, he is consulting on worldwide basis for K-12 international schools, universities, agencies, professional organizations, and participates in University accreditation reviews.

Mr. Isanka P. Gamage

Co-Founder and Managing Director

The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM), Sri Lanka
Hotline: +94 715 589 870 / +94 777 379 779
TP: +94117992022
Email: isanka.gamage@tiikmedu.com

Conference CONVERNER

Isanka P.Gamage is the Co-founder and Managing Director of The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM) Based in Sri Lanka. He is the founding manager of three international journals and has served as the Conference Convener for over 350 international Conferences organized in 8 Countries namely Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and virtually. He has initiated and engaged with many different online and offline knowledge-sharing platforms to make a sustainable future. In his journey thus far, he has had the privilege to closely work with many world-renowned personalities as the Nobel Laureates, Subject Gurus, and also with over 450 International universities and has been in the lights of more than 2000 leading Professors across the globe on several fields of study. He has also had the honor of working with the Ministries, Diplomats, industry professionals, and international organizations in different countries.

As a founding member and CEO of a few consortiums and associations in Education, Public Health, Environment, Women and Gender, Social Sciences, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Disability and Rehabilitation, he is serving to Asian and African regions to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals by connecting his network in Western countries and trying to implement the concept of knowledge diplomacy.

He is a life coach and mentoring practitioner with Neuro-Linguistics Programming (NLP). And also, he is conducting mindfulness training programs locally and internationally.

He is reading for Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka. He has completed the Commonwealth Executive Master of Business Administration (CEMBA) and BSc Marketing. He also has a Bachelor of Therapeutic Counseling from The Open International University for Complementary Medicines.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ipgamage

STEERING COMMITTEE Members of Disability Conference 2026

Dr. Gerry Duwin A. Dela Zerna

President and CEO Guided and Unified Interaction for the Development of Children, Inc. Philippines

Dr. Gerry Duwin A. Dela Zerna is a distinguished Filipino educator, mental health advocate, and specialist in special needs education and rehabilitation. He is the President and CEO of Guided and Unified Interaction for the Development of Children, Inc. (GUIDE), an organization dedicated to empowering children with special needs and supporting their families through inclusive and development-focused programs in the Philippines.

With extensive experience in academia, Dr. Dela Zerna has served as Chairman for Senior High Education at Global City Innovative College and previously held the position of Assistant Vice Chancellor. His leadership reflects a strong commitment to educational innovation and inclusive learning environments.

A passionate public speaker, he regularly conducts seminars on the Safe Spaces Act (R.A. 11313) and mental health awareness, particularly for parents and educators. A recipient of the Bayaning Pilipino Award, his work champions inclusive education, strengths-based community approaches, and the development of pre-employment skills for adult learners with spectrum disorders.

Dr. Thierry Kolpin

Vice President of WDRPA Kolpin & O’Connor Global Consultants, LLC.) USA

Dr. Thierry Kolpin, PhD, is a seasoned educator, clinical psychologist, and scholar whose work bridges counseling psychology, educational leadership, and professional development. He serves as Professor of Education at the University of Massachusetts Global, where his teaching and scholarship focus on school counseling, counseling effectiveness, mindfulness practices, and the development of school–university partnerships.

Dr. Kolpin earned his doctorate in School and Community-Based Counseling Psychology from Stanford University’s School of Education. He holds a Master’s degree in Counseling (MFCC and PPS School Counseling Credential) from California State University, Long Beach and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in counseling from San Jose State University.

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Kolpin has taught at numerous universities, including Santa Clara University, California State University, Long Beach, and the University of La Verne, developing and delivering courses in counseling, psychology, education, law, and ethics. His research has been presented and published nationally, addressing topics such as school counseling perceptions, professional development school readiness, and mindfulness in counseling contexts.

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Kolpin practices part-time as a clinical psychologist, working with diverse populations to support mental health and well-being. He has also been involved in international consulting and professional associations, including serving as Vice President and a founding member of the World Disability and Rehabilitation Professional Association (WDRPA), where he contributes to advocacy for individuals with disabilities.

Ms. Zahra Hosaneea

Co-founder of the YWDEP
Mauritius

A Barrister-at-Law in Mauritius exercising in private practice and a recognised advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities, with expertise at the intersection of law, policy, and disability inclusion.

Co-Founder and President of the Youth with Disabilities Empowerment Platform Mauritius (YWDEP), a non-profit organisation driving tangible change through rights-based empowerment, vocational training, and sustainable livelihood programmes aimed at fostering independence and economic inclusion of youths with disabilities.

Zahra plays an active role in national and international disability discourse, with a strong focus on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Optional Protocol, legislative accountability, and the effective implementation of rights-based approaches within Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) and Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID). Zahra has contributed to multiple international platforms, including the World Disability and Rehabilitation Conference, as a presenter and panelist.

Through legal practice and advocacy, Zahra works to challenge systemic barriers, bridge the gap between law and lived realities, and advance enforceable, outcome-driven inclusion of persons with disabilities, particularly within the African and the broader Global South context.

Mr. Nekram Upadhyay

Managing Director, Medyvok Healthcare Chairman, i-CReAT Foundation – International Centre for Research on Assistive Technology and Accessibility New Delhi, India

Mr. Nekram Upadhyay is a distinguished Indian expert in Assistive Technology (AT) and Accessibility, currently serving as the Managing Director of Medyvok AssisTech India and the Founding President of the i-CReAT Foundation (International Centre for Research on Assistive Technology and Accessibility). He is widely recognized for his contributions to rehabilitation engineering and inclusive innovation.

With over 17 years of experience at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (2006–2024), he led the Department of Assistive Technology, specializing in solutions for individuals with spinal cord injuries. He also represents India on global platforms as a member of the ICMR Executive Committee on Accessibility and the World Disability & Rehabilitation Professionals Association.

Mr. Upadhyay is the innovator behind the award-winning May Ability Kit (MAK), a low-cost wearable assistive device for persons with quadriplegia. A recipient of the NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Award (2013, 2019), he is a Ford Foundation International Fellow and a PhD scholar in Universal Design at Delhi Technological University.