Recognised as the UK’s most influential disabled person and the BBC’s 100 Women Laureate of 2020, Dr Shani Dhanda sparks transformative change as a consultant, collaborating with businesses and brands to authentically embrace inclusion and accessibility. Her expertise in disability inclusion has had a profound global impact, collectively reaching over 1.5 million employees worldwide.

Klaus is a professor within the Department of Statistics and also at the Graduate Program in Education at São Paulo State University (Unesp). Klaus holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Campinas State University (Unicamp), with a postdoctoral degree from the Universitat de Barcelona. He coordinates the Professional Master’s Programme in Inclusive Education (PROFEI) across the continental country of Brazil in collaboration with 26 university providers. He is also the founder and coordinator of the Center for the Promotion of Digital, Educational, and Social Inclusion (CPIDES/UNESP). Klaus leads a number of high-impact transnational research projects in the fields of inclusion, universal design and technological accessibility with multiple research partners across the world.  

Professor Abigail Moriarty or ‘Abi’ was recently appointed as Pro Vice Chancellor (PVC) for Education and Students at the University of Lincoln. Previously, she held the role of PVC for Learning and Teaching at the University of Sunderland. From 2013 to 2019 she was the Associate Director of Teaching and Learning and then promoted to the Director of Teaching and Learning and Interim PVC (Academic) at De Montfort University (DMU), Leicester. 

From 2001 to 2013 she held various academic roles within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences DMU, including Teacher Fellow, Programme Leader, Head of Division and had a faculty lead role in developing the student experience. She is a qualified nurse and midwife. Much of her recent work has been on improving the understanding of how students succeed in Higher Education, and what barriers prevent them from reaching their full potential. Therefore, ultimately designing a universally inclusive curriculum, that is student-centric and inspiring. Abigail has given numerous invited keynote presentations on UDL, to local, national and international audiences.  

Richard Jackson is an associate professor of special education in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College and a consulting senior research scientist at the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST). He is a person with life-long disabilities whose lived experiences parallel the evolution of inclusive education and assistive technology. His journey through transformative times offers a message of inspiration and hope for continued progress in the global pursuit of quality education for all.  Jackson is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the nascent field of UDL, having brought the UDL framework to Boston College in 1999 through a partnership with CAST and the Harvard Children’s Initiative to form the National Center for Accessing the General Curriculum. This government funded Center was established to provide the US with guidance on how best to include students with disabilities in a standards-based, public education. Today the design principles derived from the UDL framework are required by law and embedded in teacher education programs throughout the US.   

Mangunsong, a lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology of the Universitas Indonesia, is widely recognized in her academic field for her unwavering commitment to the education of children with special needs. This commitment is substantiated through her role as a consultant in various educational programs and institutions. Furthermore, she actively engages in research, program development, and evaluation of inclusive education, women’s empowerment, and well-being. In addition to her academic pursuits, Mangunsong has played a significant role as part of the leadership team and as a trainer for the Crisis Center, accruing substantial experience in conflict areas such as Ambon and Lhokseumawe, among others. Her expertise ranges from conflict resolution to psychosocial training and classroom management for teachers in conflict and natural disaster areas. Moreover, she specializes in program development, guidance, and counselling for children with special needs and their families. She provides training for teachers & community to facilitate an inclusive education and a friendly environment for people with disability.