Mobility India

PLENARY SPEAKERS

Mr. Chapal Khasnabis,
Senior Advisor,
Assistive Technology,
Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Chapal Khasnabis, a Prosthetist and Orthotist is a global visionary leader with a lifelong commitment to the fields of prosthetics, orthotics, and assistive technology and rehabilitation. He has served within the Public Health and Innovation (PHI) team under the Department of Essential Medicines & Health Products (EMP) at the World Health Organization (WHO) Geneva. He has led and facilitated groundbreaking global initiatives including guidelines and training packages for wheelchairs, CBR guidelines, Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE), the formation of the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology: ATscale, the creation of the first WHO-UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology and standards for Prosthetics and Orthotics. These initiatives aim to enhance access to essential health technologies for people with disabilities, older individuals, and others in need. As a Social Innovator with 44 years of extensive expertise, Chapal currently serving as Senior Assistive Technology Advisor for the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Carmen DiGiovine, PhD ATP/SMS RET,
RET RESNA Fellow Professor-Clinical,
The Ohio State University RESNA President 2022-2024

Carmen DiGiovine, PhD ATP/SMS RET, is a Professor – Clinical in the Occupational Therapy Division at The Ohio State University. Dr. DiGiovine is the Director of the Assistive and Rehabilitative Technology Certificate Program. In addition, he is the Director of Rehabilitation Science and Technology for the Assistive Technology Center at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Dr. DiGiovine’s areas of interest, as a rehabilitation engineer, include assistive technology, complex rehabilitation technology, post-secondary education, evidence-based practice, and outcome measures. He has over 25 years of experience in the fields of assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering and is an active member of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), of which he’s the past president. He has presented at national and international conferences for the past 25 years and regularly teaches both in-person and online courses at The Ohio State University.

Theresa Berner, MOT, OTR/L,
ATP Rehabilitation Clinic Manager,
Assistive Technology Center
The Ohio State University

Theresa Berner, MOT, OTR/L, ATP is an occupational therapist and Rehabilitation Clinical Manager at The Ohio State University Medical Center. She has over 28 years’ experience in Seating and Positioning and Adult Neuro Rehabilitation. Theresa has been certified by RESNA as an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP). She is responsible for Assistive Technology center and the Adaptive Sports Institute. She is also a clinical instructor at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at OSU. Theresa is a member of the Clinician Task Force and is appointed to the United Spinal Board of Directors. Theresa has participated in presentations across the country at many national and international conferences. Theresa received the 2016 Academy of Spinal Cord Injury TLC Distinguished Clinical Award and the 2017 OSU Medical Center Values in Action Award.

Mr. Jayachandran Jaganthan, MSC PT,
PG Dip Rehab, B Special Ed, MHCPC,
Clinical Lead, North Wales Posture,
and Mobility Wheelchair Services,
Wrexham, UK.

Jayachandran J is a physiotherapist and Clinical Lead at North Wales Posture and Mobility Wheelchair Service. There he leads both the paediatric and adult team, facilitates aspects of performance management, professional and clinical effectiveness, audit and governance. He has over 25 years of clinical experience as Paediatric Physiotherapist working with children and their families managing long-term complex conditions. Jay has extensive experience in the field of 24-hour postural programme and has special interest with seating, Wheelchairs and complex rehabilitation technology.