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RESNA: BIG PLANS FOR 2021 Written by: ANDREA VAN HOOK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RESNA
Like everyone else, all of us at RESNA are delighted to turn the page on 2020 and move on to 2021. While the pandemic rages on, the vaccines give us hope there is now a light at the end of the tunnel. So what does that mean for the RESNA Annual Conference, scheduled for July 7 – 10 in Washington, D.C.? Well, unfortunately, July may be just a bit too early to gather in person this year. In addition, with the economy struggling and the continuing social disruption of the pandemic, it is understandable most would prefer to focus on their jobs and their families. As a result, RESNA’s board of directors has decided to hold a virtual conference during the same dates. By the time this magazine is published, we will have announced the program and registration will be open, or opening soon. While it is sad not to be in person, we feel positive about this decision. RESNA’s 2020 Virtual Conference last September was a huge success. We heard from many people who loved the affordable registration price and enjoyed not paying additional dollars for travel
WITH THE THEME RESNA 2021: WELCOME HOME, WE ARE GOING TO BUILD (NO PUN INTENDED) ON WHAT WE LEARNED LAST YEAR AND PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT CONFERENCE EXPERIENCE FOR THE ENTIRE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROFESSION. GET READY FOR EVEN MORE CE OPPORTUNITIES, NETWORKING EVENTS, INSPIRATIONAL KEYNOTES, INTERNATIONAL SESSIONS AND THE LATEST IN ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH!
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and hotel. The program content was excellent, and conference attendees are still enjoying accessing the virtual platform, watching the videos of those sessions they were not able to attend live, and earning the continuing education (CEU). In addition, many attendees expressed surprise and delight that they still were able to network and meet new colleagues through the virtual coffee chats and other events, despite the virtual environment. With the theme RESNA 2021: Welcome Home, we are going to build (no pun intended) on what we learned last year and provide an excellent conference experience for the entire assistive technology profession. Get ready for even more CEU opportunities, networking events, inspirational keynotes, international sessions and the latest in assistive technology research! Please join us for RESNA 2021 from the comfort of your own home! Visit the website at www.resna.org for more information.
ANNOUNCING NEW POSITION PAPER ON DYNAMIC SEATING A new RESNA position paper is now available for free downloading on the RESNA website, under the “Resources” section. The “RESNA Position on the Application of Dynamic Seating” discusses typical clinical applications as well as the evidence supporting the application of dynamic seating. “Dynamic seating” is defined as movement that occurs within the seating system and/or wheelchair frame in response to intentional or unintentional force generated by the client. Dynamic components absorb force. When client force ceases, the stored energy is returned through the dynamic component, which in turn assists the client back to a starting position.
