RESNA UPDATE

Written by: ANDREA VAN HOOK, RESNA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Check out the new on-demand webinars in RESNA Learn! All webinars offer the opportunity to earn 0.1 IACET CEUs and are free for members. The non-member registration fee per webinar is $45.

To purchase webinars, login to the RESNA website (https://www.resna.org/). Click on the “Shop” icon in the upper left hand corner and search “On-Demand Webinars.” A list of new webinars is also available on the RESNA homepage in the main slider under “What’s New.”

• Unusual Barriers to Effective Pressure Relief for Clients with NeuroProgressive Disorders; presenter Amber L. Ward, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, ATP/SMS, FAOTA; 0.1 IACET CEU.

• Current Trends and Innovations in Adaptive Video Gaming; presenter Drew Redepenning, MD, BBME, ATP; 0.1 IACET CEU.

Also available are two “Tech Tuesdays” on-demand video product demos, for one contact hour each:

• The Future of Cooking in AT: Brava’s Smart Oven Technology

• Enhancing Accessibility: Innovations in Assistive Technology by Clevy and Alt (accessible computer keyboards and mouse)

Our next live webinar is September 18 at 12 p.m. ET. The topic is “Wheelchair Skills Assessment and Training: An Evidence-Based Approach,” and the presenter is R. Lee Kirby, MD, FRCPC. Dr. Kirby will be discussing the Wheelchair Skills Program, a set of free online low-tech, high-impact, evidence-based resources for the assessment and training of the wheelchair skills of users (with or without the assistance of caregivers) of manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and motorized mobility scooters.

RESNA 2025 CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT

We are pleased to announce that the RESNA conference will join RehabWeek Chicago on May 12-16 in 2025. RehabWeek is a week-long event that brings together different conferences in the field of rehabilitation technology at the same time and place to foster cross-disciplinary communication and the development of relationships between different players.

RehabWeek includes common keynote lectures and other mutually organized sessions, such as panel discussions and poster sessions. In addition, each conference also organizes its own conference specific sessions. Attendees can freely choose which conference to attend at any given time. The RESNA conference will be May 13, 14 and 15, and will feature educational breakout sessions, the Developers’ Showcase, the Student Design Challenge and Student Scientific Paper Competition, the Awards Ceremony and the Annual Membership Meeting.

The call for submissions opens in early August. Please check the RESNA website for more details.

CALL FOR MENTORS: ATP GUIDANCE PROGRAM

In conjunction with AMRG and U.S. Rehab, RESNA is launching a new program to help prepare rehab repair technicians to become certified Assistive Technology Professionals.

This one-year program combines assistive technology training and education with a guided mentor program. We are currently seeking volunteers to serve as mentors. ATPs in good standing who work for a supplier or manufacturer are eligible. ATPs must have a minimum of two years of experience. Mentors will receive training and resources and be required to meet with program participants one hour a month following a calendar of topics. Those selected will receive an honorarium for their time and commitment and will also be able to submit three contact hours per year for their recertification renewal. This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your resume and give back to the industry. Please see the RESNA website for details or email me directly at execoffice@resna.org

ANNOUNCING NEW BOARD MEMBERS

RESNA members recently voted in the annual board elections for officers and board members. Starting their terms on August 1, 2024, are:

President (2-year term): James A. Lenker, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, RESNA Fellow

President-Elect (2- year term): Rita J. Stanley, RESNA Fellow

Secretary (2-year term): Alisa Brownlee, ATP, CAPS, CLIPP, WSP

Board Member (3-year term): Krista Best, PhD

Board Member (3-year term): Julie Faieta, PhD

Board Member (3-year term): Marta Figueiredo, OTR/L

RESNA thanks Edward Giesbrecht, Daniel Cochrane, Heidi Koester, Maureen Linden, Tara Chay, and Gabrielle Kowalski for their board service.

CONTACT THE AUTHOR

Andrea may be reached at EXECOFFICE@RESNA.ORG

Andrea Van Hook is executive director of RESNA. She has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit association management. She lives and works in the Washington, D.C., area.