ACRM Annual Conference in Chicago

In October Dr Debbie Snell attended the American Congress in Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) annual conference in Chicago (www.acrm.org). This is the world’s largest annual rehabilitation conference with over 1000 delegates. Debbie presented twice at the conference. First was a poster evaluating the psychometrics of a short form of the WHOQOL-Bref in patients following joint replacement, which won best poster award in the ‘Measurement in Action’ category. Debbie also presented a paper on the topic of using mixed methods to explore unique and overlapping phenomenology, in this case mild traumatic brain injury and chronic pain.

She also met with Professor Gerben DeJong, BAIL’s international advisor. As well as updating Gerben on BAIL’s activities, Gerben accompanied Debbie on a visit to an Independent Living Centre in Chicago (Access Living: https://www.accessliving.org) and met the inspirational Marca Bristo, the president and CEO.

Access Living was established in 1980 and aims to create an inclusive society that enables Chicagoans with disabilities to live fully–engaged and self–directed lives. Their staff and volunteers combine knowledge and personal experience to deliver programs and services that equip people with disabilities to advocate for themselves. The universally designed headquarters in downtown Chicago is an outstanding example of what can be achieved when buildings and spaces are designed to reflect the diversity within our communities.