BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 12, 2012) - Dr. Gary Birch, Officer of the Order of Canada, and a recognized global expert on the impact of assistive technology for people with disabilities, has been invited by the federal Office for Disability Issues to represent the Neil Squire Society at the fifth session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, September 12-14, 2012 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

The continuing evolution of technology is creating challenges for able bodied persons, as well as those with disabilities, to fully participate in Canadian society. The Neil Squire Society is the only national organization that focuses on removing these barriers through the development of computer-based assistive technologies as well as actively facilitating accessibility of new emerging technologies. The federal Office of Disability Issues recognizes the unique expertise of the Neil Squire Society and is investing in the organization to be present at the conference.

While in New York, Dr. Birch, a quadriplegic, will be attending the Roundtable on Accessibility and Technology and participating at the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs event organized by 3Gict. This event will feature representatives from IBM, Microsoft, Adobe, AT&T and other corporations. "I hope to exchange knowledge both on the successes, and remaining challenges around access to technologies for people with disabilities," says Dr. Gary Birch. Dr. Birch will be highlighting the important role of accessible technologies in enabling the social and economic inclusion for people with disabilities to the different technology corporations as well as representatives from various international Governments.

Follow Dr. Birch during the conference as he supports the changes in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities through technology:

twitter.com/NeilSquireSoc or facebook.com/neilsquiresoc

About Neil Squire Society

Neil Squire Society is the only not-for-profit organization in Canada that for the past 27 years has used technology, knowledge and passion to empower Canadians with physical disabilities. The Society has developed innovative programs and services and some of the world's leading edge assistive technology for people with physical disabilities. More than 25,000 people with disabilities in Canada have benefited from the work of the Society. With about fifty staff, Neil Squire Society has offices and provides services to Canadian in Vancouver, Regina, Ottawa, Fredericton, and Moncton, as well as to many small communities across Canada via distance education.

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