RCWDA Health Summit 2026
Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy
2026 Health Summit
Full Program
June 26 – 27, 2026 • Virtual Summit • 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM EDT each day
Free to attend • Two full days • Live accessibility-focused programming
The Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy provides this summit as a platform for learning, dialogue, and the exchange of diverse perspectives. The views, comments, and opinions expressed by speakers, panelists, or participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or endorsements of Rotary International, the Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy, or its leadership. Rotary assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or implications of any statements made during the event.
Day One
Friday, June 26, 2026
08:00 AM – 1:40 PM EDT • Opening, keynote, panels, speaker sessions, and closing remarks
Opening Ceremonies
Kick off the summit with a powerful welcome and a compelling introduction to the mission behind this global event. This opening moment sets the tone for two days focused on dignity, access, innovation, and better health outcomes for people with disabilities worldwide.
Welcome: Dr. Martha Castilleja, Co-President-Elect and Chair of the Disability Health Summit, USA
Video: Take A Tour of the Health Summit
Advocating Globally for Patient- Centered Care for People With Disabilities
Moderator: Saum Siraj, Kenya
Keynote Speaker
Sir Thomas William Shakespeare, UK
English Sociologist & Bioethicist
He is a British sociologist with achondroplasia whose work centers on disability rights. Educated at Radley College and Cambridge, he earned an MPhil and PhD before beginning an academic career in sociology and bioethics. He has written key texts such as Disability Rights and Wrongs, contributed to the WHO’s 2011 World Report on Disability, and is a prominent public advocate through research, speaking, and broadcasting. He was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2018 and appointed CBE in 2021.
Healthcare Accessibility From Policy To Practice
Strong accessibility policies matter, but real change happens when they show up in everyday care. This panel looks at how healthcare leaders and disability advocates are turning policy into practical action across hospitals, clinics, and health systems.
Moderator: Simran Main, Kenya
Panelist:
Tony Benbow OAM JP, Australia, Third International Vice President Lions Clubs International
Patricia Mills, Australia, Manager MedFusion Vic/Tas/SA/NT, Health Advocate
Mumbi Mbocha, Italy Head of Global Inclusion Wellness and Culture DivisionUnited Nations World Food Program
Dr. Majid Twahir, Kenya Associate Dean, Research and Innovation, and a senior lecturer at Strathmore University Business School
Video: The Little Ladybug
A short spotlight on upcoming health webinars and the wider summit journey still to come.
Introductio:n Rotarian Suam Siraj
Redesigning Health Care: Centering Neurodiverse Voices in Every Decision
Healthcare works better when neurodiverse voices are part of the design, not an afterthought. This session highlights why listening to lived experience leads to more inclusive services, stronger trust, and better outcomes for everyone.
Moderator: Caudence Ayoti, Tanzania
Panelists
Amy Bodkin, USA EdS Autistic Consultant
Wycklife Ooko Owino, Kenya, Executive Director of NeuroBloom Kenya, Clinical Officer
The Rise of Alternative Medicine: Transforming Pain Management Through True Patient-Centered Care
For many people living with disability, pain management is deeply personal and too often limited by conventional pathways alone. This discussion explores how integrative and alternative approaches are opening new possibilities for more individualized, dignified care.
Moderator: Sonia Kaur Rajbans, Kenya
Panelists:
Neal Dodhia , Kenya Multidimensional Healer and Sound Healer
Dr. Glenn J Mendoza, MD, MPH, USA Master Pranic Healer and Neonatologist
Dr. Melanie Joy, USA, Holistic Health Consultant
Dr Dinish Varsani, Kenya, Ayurvedic Ved and Quantum Healer
Technology Expanding Access, Independence, and Choice in Disability Care
Technology is changing how people access care, make decisions, and live independently. This session explores how practical, human-centred solutions are improving everyday experiences for people with disabilities — from access and mobility to communication and autonomy.
Moderator: Daniel Roeder, USA
Panelists
David Cohen, USA, Priest, Psychologist, Professional Clown
Christy Cohen, USA Teaching Assistant and Self-Advocate
Alpita Shah, India, Startup Mento , Mental Health, Counselor; Expert in Health-Tech, Partnerships & Market Expansion
Tay Zonday, USA People's Choice Award-nominated, , Webby-Award-Winning, Singer, Voice Actor, Disability Advocate
Closing Remarks
Closing remarks to conclude the day.
Dr Martha Castilleja. Co-President Elect RCWDA, USA
Ken Masson, Co-President RCWDA, USA
Day Two
Saturday, June 27, 2026
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM EDT • Welcome, speaker sessions, panel discussion, promo video and closing remarks
Welcome
Day two opens by reconnecting attendees with the summit’s global purpose and the momentum already building across the disability health space. It is a chance to refocus on the innovation, collaboration, and advocacy driving more inclusive healthcare forward.
Opening Remarks: John McFarlane, Co-President Elect RCWDA, Ireland
Aging-Related Disabilities
Aging and disability often overlap, but not in a simple cause‑and‑effect way. Some people develop disabilities later in life, while others age with long‑term disabilities and face different challenges. Natural changes, chronic conditions, and long‑term strain all play a role. Mobility loss, health complications, and social isolation can increase with age, but with strong support and inclusive environments, people can still age with dignity, autonomy, and purpose.
Moderator: Dr Martha Castilleja. USA
Speaker: Carles Fontcuberta, MD, Spain
Rotarian District 2202
The Next Line of Healing: Physical & Occupational Therapy at the Heart of Patient-Centered Care for People with Disabilities
Rehabilitation is not a side conversation — it is central to independence, confidence, and quality of life. This session explores how physical and occupational therapy are helping redefine patient-centered care for people with disabilities.
Moderator: Mona Arsenault, Chair,Polio Quebec, Canada
Panelists
Tatiana Mesquita, Physical Therapist (PT/PHD), Proprietor of Clinica RNA, Brazil
Dr Maria de Mello, Chief Scientific Officer, Anglis, Brazil
Championing Patient-Centered Care: The Transformative Power of Caregivers and Health Advocates
Behind every care journey are the people who help patients navigate systems, choices, and daily realities. This panel highlights the vital role of caregivers, advocates, and families in shaping better experiences and stronger health outcomes.
Moderator: Nisha Jose, India
Dr. Angela Aracena, USA Former Vice President of Adult Day Services, Easterseals, and Primary Caregiver
Rajani Francis, India Primary Caregiver & Disability Advocate
Charlotte Jerram. UK Deputy Claims and Inquest Manager
Lekshmy Ravikumar, India Banker & Primary Caregiver
Video: International Polio Day
A short interlude highlighting International Polio Day and the global momentum behind disability and health advocacy.
Introduction Dr Martha Castilleja, Summit Chair, USA
Health as a Key Enabler of Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities and Lifelong Health Conditions
Health is key to both preventing some congenital conditions and enabling inclusion for people with disabilities. Strong, lifelong health system, from maternal care to rehabilitation, reduce risks and support participation, alongside measures like folic acid, good nutrition, and avoiding harmful exposures in pregnancy.
Conditions such as Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus highlight the need for both prevention and long-term support, ensuring dignity, inclusion, and participation systems across the life course.
Moderator: PDG Joyce Graff, USA
Speaker: Dr Sylvia Roozen, Brussels
President 2026-2027
Rotary Club Elsloo-Maaskant (District 1550)
Secretary General,
International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Lymphatic Filariasis: At the Brink of Elimination, Yet Still A Challenge
This session goes beyond disease control to examine what lifelong dignity really means for people already affected by elephantiasis. It brings a global lens to prevention, care, and the long-term human impact of disability-inclusive health systems.
Moderator: Ken Masson, Co-President RCWDA, Colombia
Speaker: Dr John P. Ehrenberg, MD, Mexico
Closing Remarks
Closing remarks to conclude the day.
Ken Masson. Co-President RCWDA
Free & Open to Everyone
This is a fully virtual, globally accessible event. Registration is free. We are committed to providing live captioning and accessible programming throughout.
Questions? Contact us at RotaryWDA@gmail.com