KU News Release

Sept. 27, 2006
Contact: Karen Salisbury Henry, Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, (785) 864-0756.

Series of public events helps KU’s Life Span Institute celebrate 50 years

LAWRENCE — The largest research institute at the University of Kansas will commemorate the 50th anniversary of its modern era Sept. 29 and 30.

The Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies will celebrate with a series of events including a tour of research, an address by Assistant U.S. Surgeon General José Cordero and a panel discussion with Cordero and other key figures in national disability policy. All the events are open to the public.

Registration for all events is available online.

Events listed below are free and don’t require registration.

Friday, Sept. 29

3-4:30 p.m.

Tour of Current Research. 1052 Dole Human Development Center.

Presentations on the tour include:

Michael Wehmeyer. “A Brief History of Intellectual Disabilities.” Historical artifacts and publications held in a private collection within the institute.

Steven Barlow. “Actifier and NTrainer: Applications for the Premature Infant in the NICU.” Demonstration of the Actifier and NTrainer

Stephen Fowler. “High-resolution Biobehavioral Measurement in Preclinical Psychopharmacology Research.” Demonstration of Force Plate Actometer and other instruments.

Susan Kemper. “Two Things at Once: Demonstration of How Aging Affects the Ability to Do Two Things at Once.” Individuals can test their own ability to dual-task.

Mabel Rice. “Long-term Kansas Study of a Common Language Impairment.” Tour research vans.

4:30-5:30 p.m.

The Future of Public Health and Disability. José F. Cordero, assistant Surgeon General of the United States. 2092 Dole Human Development Center

Saturday, Sept. 30

1-3:30 p.m.

Panel Discussion: The Future of Research on Human Development, Disability and Aging. Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union.

Panelists are Cordero; George Jesien, executive director of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities; Edward Kame’enui, commissioner for special education research, U.S. Department of Education; and Yvonne Maddox, deputy director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

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