RESNA

END OF YEAR NEWS:

CERTIFICATION REMINDER AND PREVIEW OF REHABWEEK 2025

Written by: ANDREA VAN HOOK, RESNA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

WRAPPING UP 2024

Well, 2024 is almost in the books! It’s hard to believe. The year has just flown by. At the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, we’re now working on finishing up those December Assistive Technology Professional renewals and starting on the January and February renewals.

First, please note that the RESNA office will close for the holidays starting Tuesday, December 24, 2024. We reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Next, as I’m sure you can imagine, there’s quite a bit of housekeeping that goes into supporting over 4,500 ATPs. Here are a few ways you can help us (and you) out:

• Check your public ATP record on the RESNA website. Search for yourself using the “Find a Certified Professional” tool on the homepage. Is your record up to date?

• While reviewing your profile, check the expiration date of your certification and make a note. Even though we send out reminders at six months, 90 days, 60 days and 30 days before your expiration date, it is up to you to renew in a timely manner.

• If you need to update your contact information, you can do that (including updating your employer) by logging in to the RESNA website. Your login username is your email.

• If you don’t remember your password, just click on “Reset Password” and you will be sent an email with a link. Check your spam folder if you don’t see the email – it can end up there sometimes!

• If you have changed your email, then the “Reset Password” won’t work. You will need to email info@resna.org and ask for your email to be updated. Please give us two to three business days for that update.

It’s good practice to check that RESNA website profile once a year. You can do it as part of the New Year, on your birthday or on any other special day. We’re all human, and we all know technology can be tricky. As staff, we always appreciate our ATPs who let us know when there seems to be something wrong with the website search tool. Don’t hesitate to contact us at info@resna.org. It may take us a few days to get back to you, but we will.

RESNA 2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

RESNA is proud to be a part of RehabWeek 2025 Chicago, May 12 – 16, 2025. Eight rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology societies are co-locating for the largest assistive technology conference in North America. We are expecting over 2,000 attendees from around the world with expertise in assistive technologies, robotics, exoskeletons, research and more.

Besides joint keynotes, panel sessions and an exhibit hall, RESNA will offer three days of our own conference sessions, covering a wide array of rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology. All RESNA conference sessions will offer IACET CEUs!

We will have our usual conference favorites –Developer’s Showcase, Student Design Challenge, Scientific Paper Platforms and the Student Scientific Paper Competition. Check the RESNA website for updated information and submission deadlines.

We hope you join us in Chicago next May!

LAST LIVE WEBINAR OF 2024

• December 18, 2024, at 12 p.m. ET: Maintaining Independence Throughout the Lifespan with the use of Assistive Technology for Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; earn 0.1 IACET CEU once all elements are completed for this webinar.

Need more CEUs? RESNA offers a full library of on-demand webinars and Assistive Technology Journal articles and quizzes that are available for purchase. RESNA members enjoy free webinars and discounts on the AT Journal quizzes. Some recent additions include:

• Wheelchair Skills Assessment and Training: An Evidence-Based Approach; on-demand webinar, 0.1 IACET CEUs available.

• Unusual Barriers to Effective PressureRelief for Clients with NeuroProgressive Disorders; on-demand webinar, 0.1 IACET CEUs available.

• AT Journal Quiz 35.6: Functional mobility, employment and safety benefits of seat elevating devices Assistive technology journal quizzes are a great way to stay current on the latest research and earn CEUs. 0.2 IACET CEUs available.

And don’t forget to check out the on-demand webinars from iNRRTS!

Wishing all of you a healthy and happy holiday season, and all the best for 2025.

CONTACT THE AUTHOR

Andrea may be reached at EXECOFFICE@RESNA.ORG

Andrea Van Hook is executive director of Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America.. She has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit association management. She lives and works in the Washington, D.C., area.