Englishman Dr Tom Shakespeare lives in Geneva, where he edited the recently published World Report on Disability, which was a first for the World Health Organisation.
Organisers hope the inaugural Every Body In conference at the University of Otago is a first step to establishing an academic centre for disability studies at the university.
Dr Shakespeare, a social scientist and bioethicist, urged his audience not to make the same mistakes as researchers in the northern hemisphere, such as an almost exclusive focus on their own countries.
It was important to recognise conditions were far harder for disabled people in poorer countries, with life spans often dramatically shorter.
Pacific nations were a logical focus for New Zealand disability researchers, as well as local subjects.
The World Report on Disability had revealed "major gaps" in research in poorer countries.
Dr Shakespeare said disability research centres should ensure they employed disabled academics.
He did not share the view disability research should only be carried out by those with a disability.
Asked by an audience member about a lack of sign language on news channels to interpret the election, Dr Shakespeare said New Zealand was letting down its disabled community. It was a basic human right to have a daily information programme conveyed in sign language.
"Access to information is as important as access to buildings."
Dr Shakespeare will deliver a public lecture at the university's St David lecture theatre complex tomorrow at 1pm.
The conference also ends tomorrow.
