The International Congress Committee

Zhang Haidi

President of Rehabilitation International (RI)

Zhang Haidi is the chairperson of the China Disabled Persons Federation and the President of Rehabilitation International. Born in Jinan, Shandong Province, Zhang became a paraplegic at age five due to complications from polio. Unable to attend school, she educated herself to university level, learning several foreign languages including English, Japanese, German and Esperanto. Zhang started writing and translating in the 1980s, authoring her life story Beautiful English in both Chinese and English as well as the novel, A Dream in Wheelchair. Zhang holds a Master’s in Philosophy from Jilin University.

Teuta Rexhepi

Secretary General of Rehabilitation International

Teuta Rexhepi is the Secretary General of Rehabilitation International. Having worked in the nonprofit sector since 1999 at national and international level, Teuta specializes in nonprofit management and capacity building, development of membership programs, nonprofit marketing and public relations initiatives and advising on communications strategy and advocacy on rights and inclusions of people with disabilities. Teuta holds master’s degree in Global Affairs from the New York University, specialized in International Development and Humanitarian Assistance.

François Perl

Vice-President of RI Europe

François Perl is Director General of the disability benefits scheme for employees and self-employed in Belgium since 2009.