IDRAC Speaker Spotlight: Dr. Margaret Nosek

The International Disability Rights Affirmation Conference will convene on Friday, December 1-2, 2017. Under the theme of "Who Is Responsible?" we will hear from speakers from various parts of the country and the world, sharing their observations and thoughts as we look at what the Disability Rights movement has accomplished along with identifying the work that remains to bring full equality to all people, including those with disabilities. This professional conference is free and open to the public to attend.

Today we spotlight Dr. Margaret Nosek, of the Baylor College of Medicine, who will share her insights twice on Friday, on two different topics. Be sure to mark your calendar for these two very worthwhile presentations.

Speaker Spotlight: Margaret A. Nosek, PhD

Margaret (Peg) Nosek, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine and Senior Scientist at TIRR Memorial Hermann (Houston, TX, US). She is the Executive Director of the Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD). She holds an additional position as Adjunct Professor in the College of Nursing at Texas Woman’s University, Houston. Her doctorate is in rehabilitation research from the University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Nosek’s main research interest is on improving the health of women with physical disabilities, especially developing interventions disparities in reproductive health and access to healthcare services. She has conducted many large funded studies, several of which have taken place in Second Life. She is the author of numerous publications and the recipient of several prestigious awards, from organizations such as the American College of Physical Medicine and the Rehabilitation Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Nosek lives with spinal muscular atrophy, a severe congenital physical disability, and is a disability rights activist. She has worked closely with Justin Dart and others in the independent living movement. She has been honored as a “Disability Patriot” by the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.

Presentation: Access to Health Care and the Liberation of People with Disabilities

Current debate in the US about health care reform has not covered issues related to the well-being of people with disabilities. This presentation compares healthcare financing under the current US system versus a single-payer national health program from the perspective of people with disabilities and factors affecting their life options.

Dr. Nosek will speak on this topic on Friday, December 1, 2017 at 9:30am US Pacific Standard Time, in Second Life®.

Presentation: Are We Empowered Yet? Definitions, Interventions, and Outcomes

The word "empowerment" is used very freely in advocacy, healthcare, and social services, but definitions and measures of it are rare. This interactive presentation invites audience members to name and prioritize elements and strategies that lead to the empowerment of people with disabilities.

Dr. Nosek will speak on this topic also on Friday, December 1, 2017 at 12:30pm US Pacific Standard Time, in Second Life®.

Editor's Note: Due to a change in the conference schedule, Mr. John McArdle of Black Triangle in Scotland, United Kingdom, will speak in the early morning US Pacific Time on Saturday, December 2nd. Upon receiving confirmation of the presentation time, we will publish an updated conference schedule.