Dr. Nagler presents on an individual or group basis depending on the interests and concerns of the specific group.  All are fully researched and customized.

A Sample of popular Presentation Abstracts:

"Doors are beginning to Open..".

At a recent conference of the CP Association of NY State, a leading American medical authority on CP complained that medical students are graduating today with only an hour's training in CP!

Physicians, paramedical personnel, educators, parents and other advocates including people with CP are beginning to penetrate the American psyche. We have come long way, but are just at the beginning of our trek. As a significant segment of the population becomes familiar with our situation and the strategies that can be used to overcome these barriers, most of us will significantly be able to penetrate society to become effective contributors to help enrich the environment in which we live.

During the past fifty odd years, in spite of not being able to walk until I was 5, and never being able to write, I have been able to earn a Ph.D, a full professorship at one of Canada's leading universities, and become an international expert who is credited with authoring the textbook in Disability Studies which was adopted by 169 universities around the world. In addition, I married the most wonderful woman and I have 2 fantastic sons, and I have become an advocate for disabilities and a recognized international motivational speaker.

In my presentation I will chart how difficult it was 50 years ago for a person with CP to attain these accomplishments and how many people with CP can now hurl through the barriers to become successful, self-supporting individuals in spite of the obstacles which they still encounter.

"For Educators and Educational Assistants"

Learn strategies that help special needs children in the classroom and at home to  become successful in their education.

Dr. Nagler understands that behavior of children is a huge issue in the classroom.  He understands that teachers are not always able to plan. He address stress issues: the intensity of support that is needed is increasing, as well as growing numbers of children. He provides tools/strategies to try out in the classroom immediately.

"Parenting a Child with Disabilities"

Dr. Nagler customizes each presentation, but common elements include:

• eliminating the barriers to your child's education and social fulfillment

• forming or joining support groups

• contacting the right people and organizations for help

• finding the appropriate health care professionals

• managing your finances and your child's long-term security

• arranging for respite care to prevent your own "burnout".

"Managing Stigma"

People living with disabilities, be it epilepsy, CP or even diabetes find themselves disadvantaged in many areas of society.

According to Goffman the leading authority on stigma, there are three identifiable types of stigma. First, is the abomination of the body – usually associated with various physical deformities and or disabilities. Second there are blemishes of the individual character i.e. people who are unemployed, suicidal or belong to radical political parties. Third is the tribal stigma of race, nation and religion – such as the Indian caste system. All three types of stigma can effect the lives of people with disabilities. Thus epileptics and others who encounter negative stereotypes, myths and misconceptions, need to be able to effectively manage stigma.

Stigma management is designed to overcome the negative implications which the public associates with various conditions. In most instances, the public is misinformed and very likely to accept incorrect, false and misleading information about people with disabilities. The goal of stigma management is to motivate people with disabilities to believe that "if you cannot accept me for who I am that is your problem, not mine." This strategy is often very difficult to invoke because those involved in stigma management must first convey the legitimate barriers associated with the condition and then work toward correcting the misconceptions that exist. In pursuing this strategy, people who are often falsely defined find that they must overcome prejudice and discrimination which is widespread in society.

There are various components of stigma management. These include the following:

1. Be optimistic.
2. Provide positive examples of individuals who have disabling conditions in order to illustrate that people with disabilities often make significant personal, social and economic accomplishments.
3. Communicate valid information in order to rid others of preconceived notions about persons with disabilities to counter the misinformation, prejudice, folklore and myths that often accompany the labeling process which perpetuate negative stereotypes of persons with disabilities.
4. Present legitimate strategies that can be utilized to overcome societal barriers and to become successful. Such as strategies for maximizing habilitative potential and quality of life.

Professor Nagler is an expert on stigma and stigma management. He has lived with Cerebral Palsy since birth and has never been able to write. In spite of this condition, he has earned a BA at UBC; a MA at the University of Chicago; and a PhD from Starling University in the UK. He is very knowledgeable on this topic as he has overcome many significant barriers and he has always learned that one must be prepared as barriers can often emerge unexpectedly in a variety of settings.

"Diversify and Prosper!  The benefits of employing people with disabilities"

The opportunity to work unleashes the creative genius of people with disabilities, and diverse work groups can create better solutions to business challenges. People with disabilities have equal or higher job performance ratings, higher retention rates and lower absenteeism. Employment of people with disabilities can decrease taxes on all levels.

When companies invite Dr. Nagler to speak, they are demonstrating an attitude of concern and compassion toward their organization. Meeting participants become more energetic, enthused, and attentive. In turn, balance can be achieved in the workplace; productivity and job satisfaction increase as well – to the benefit of all.

Features of a Disability Related Presentation

• Help disabled employees understand their problems in greater depth.
• Add additional insights into the challenges they face.
• Share relevant information regarding "best practices."
• Develop unique, innovative approaches to resolving their issues.
• Help them find ways around the obstacles they're encountering, and
• Propose new ways to do more with the same investment.  

"For Medical Professionals"

Someone who is permanently affected by 3^rd degree facial burns or who becomes blind or paraplegic, like many others, faces a vast unknown future involving limitation of identities, problematic acceptance as well as prejudice and discrimination, along with varying degrees of anxiety and depression.

Health professionals must address these dramatic events in a sensitive and honest way in order to create an environment in which the affected individual will not only engage in the medical regime organized to achieve “stability” but will also actively participate in activities to maximize rehabilitative and habilitative potential. 

Depending on the extent of the disability these inputs are crucial in helping the individual adjust and explore educational, economic, social and psychological realities associated with the new identity.

Treating People with Disabilities

Professor Nagler, a specialist in disability studies, examines in detail the role of doctors and other paramedical professionals in providing comprehensive health care and social and psychological support in order to achieve the goal of maximum rehabilitative potential for patients with special needs.

In his address, which is geared to physicians, social workers, psychologists, P.T.’s and O.T.’s and nurses amongst others, Nagler focuses on the minority group perspective which is often the viewpoint of people with disabilities who believe, in some instances legitimately, that their identities are often damaged, if not crushed by the new roles that some of them must adopt as a result of their disabling medical conditions.

Meeting Planners please click here for Dr. Nagler's specific room setup and A/V requirements or contact:

Copyright © 2007 Mark Nagler, Ph.D.
Last modified: 09/03/07