2025 Stanford Conference on Disability in Healthcare and Medicine | MSDCI and SMADIE
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Stanford Medicine ADIE
This presentation highlights the critical need for accessibility in healthcare systems and the importance of incorporating accessibility training into the education of future healthcare leaders. It features the journey of a nursing researcher committed to healthcare inclusivity, beginning with an ethnographic account of her experiences as a family caregiver for her blind spouse. This personal context emphasizes the broader implications of accessibility. The session will address the visible and invisible barriers that blind individuals face in healthcare, including ethical concerns related to patient autonomy and access to medical information. Drawing from her extensive research experience with blind participants in mobile health technology and physical activity education, the presenter will share practical insights for overcoming accessibility barriers in health research. The presentation will conclude with an introduction to the “Teach Access” project, which seeks to integrate accessibility training into medical and nursing curricula. Strategies will be discussed for structuring these curricula to foster empathy and a deeper understanding of disability among future healthcare leaders. Ultimately, this session aims to stimulate crucial dialogue about overcoming accessibility challenges in healthcare, enhancing care quality for patients with disabilities and their families.
Physician-Scientist
Department of Rehabilitation Science
NYU School of Medicine
Mahya Beheshti, MD is a physician-scientist at Rusk Rehabilitation, specializing in neurorehabilitation, human-machine interfaces, and wearable technologies. With a strong foundation in both medicine and engineering, her research focuses on EEG-based pattern recognition and the development of advanced rehabilitation and assistive technologies.
She has conducted research at the Visuomotor Integration Laboratory (VMIL) and the Rehabilitation Engineering Alliance and Center Transforming Low Vision (REACTIV) laboratory, contributing to multiple NIH- and NSF-funded projects. Her work has garnered significant academic recognition, with over 8,500 citations.
Driven by intellectual curiosity and a passion for innovation, Dr. Beheshti pursued a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) while continuing her research at Rusk. Her unique interdisciplinary expertise allows her to bridge the gap between medicine and engineering, advancing solutions that enhance the lives of individuals with complex disabilities
Assistant Professor, Department of Health and Kinesiology
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Soyoung Choi directs the Accessible Healthcare Lab at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she pioneers mobile health technologies and health information systems for people with visual impairments. As an internationally certified accessibility expert (CPACC) and registered nurse, she brings clinical expertise to her research on disability-inclusive healthcare. Within the Health Technology Education Program, she trains graduate students in accessibility principles and ability-based design. Her teaching focuses on patient-centered communication, adapted health education, and multimodal accommodation strategies for diverse learner needs. Through this integration of clinical practice, research, and education, she advances healthcare accessibility for people with disabilities.
