RESNA Member News - March issue

March

2016

ISSUE
No. 1

RESNA MEMBER NEWS

Website Upcoming Courses Annual Conference

Remembering Joey Wallace

RESNA and the entire assistive technology field suffered a great loss last week. Joey Wallace, Project Director of the RESNA Catalyst Project, died unexpectedly on February 24th. Joey was loved and respected by many people, and was the wise sage of the RESNA office. To honor Joey, we are in the process of setting up a memorial scholarship fund in his name. Details will be available soon.

Read the moving tribute written by RESNA member Tony Gentry

Call for Board Nominations

The Governance

The word vote with a checkmark used for the V

Committee has issued the call for board nominations. Nominations are due March 15, 2016. RESNA is seeking nominations for the following positions:

President-Elect
Secretary
3 positions on the Board of Directors

RESNA members are encouraged to nominate themselves or other members who they believe will serve the organization well. Previous board experience is required for the President-Elect and Secretary; for the board of directors, members must be in good standing and a member for a minimum of 3 years.

For more information and to download the nomination form, visit the Board Nominations webpage.

Certification News

Volunteer subject matter experts at November's exam item writing workshop at The Ohio State University

ATP Exam Fee Discounted for Limited Time

RESNA to introduce new, updated ATP exam in July 2016

Candidates who take the new, updated ATP exam between July 1, 2016 - October 31, 2016 will receive $100 off the regular $500 fee. The exam has been updated to reflect current assistive technology practice.

During the past two years, volunteer subject matter experts representing a variety of AT specialty areas, practice settings and different professional backgrounds have contributed their time and expertise as part of the rigorous process to update the exam. The new exam was last updated in 2009. More information

ATP Certification Program Receives Accreditation from National Agency

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) has re-accredited the RESNA ATP Certification Program for a five-year period, expiring in 2020. NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). The ATP Certification Program was first accredited in 2010.

"The renewal of this important accreditation means that RESNA's ATP certification delivers value to both practitioners and consumers," said Daniel Cochrane, MA, MS, ATP and chair of RESNA's Professional Standards Board. "From the rigorous process we use to develop the exam, to the procedures we use to ensure compliance with our ethical standards, ATP certification meets NCCA's quality standards. RESNA is proud to provide the only accredited professional certification in the interdisciplinary field of assistive technology." Read more

Government Relations Update

Mixed news in President's 2017 Budget Request

President Obama unveiled his 2017 budget request to Congress on February 9, 2016, and it was a mixed bag for the assistive technology field.

Funding for the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) remains level, but there is a proposed $2 million cut for State Assistive Technology Programs. Modest increases are proposed for Aging and Disability Resource Centers. Link to the Government Relations update

RESNA has also signed on to several comment and support letters, and hosted a webinar presented by Don Clayback of NCART on the status of the CRT legislation. RESNA's Government Affairs Committee is chaired by Nathan Moon . See the Government Relations webpage for more information.

Student Design Competition will offer cash prizes thanks to sponsor

Colorful writing aids in the shape of a ladybug_ holding a pencil or pen

The Doodlebug,
a recent SDC competition winner

Thanks to ARM University Worldwide Education Program, a new sponsor, this year's Student Design Competition will offer cash prizes for first, second and third place designs. First prize is $1,000. The deadline for submission is April 11, 2016.

The RESNA Student Design Competition (SDC) is an annual showcase of creative and innovative assistive technology designs by undergraduate and graduate students. Up to six semi-finalist teams win a trip for two team members to the annual conference, where they have the opportunity to present their designs to an international audience of assistive technology professionals.

ARM University Worldwide Education Program is an initiative of ARM, Inc, the world's leading semiconductor IP company. In addition to cash prizes, ARM is also providing free technology kits and information to student designers.

The National Science Foundation and the Center for Translation of Rehabilitation Engineering Advances and Technology (TREAT) are returning sponsors. TREAT is continuing to sponsor the TREAT prize for the design considered "Most Likely to Become Commercially Available." For more information, visit the competition webpage.

Find out about RESNA AT Standards Committees

Members of the RESNA Standards Committe on Emergency Stair Travel Devices discuss test station requirements

RESNA leads in the development of voluntary consensus standards for the design and performance of assistive technology in the United States, and represents the needs and views of U.S. stakeholders in international standardization forums.

RESNA is a Standards Developing Organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which enables RESNA standards to eventually be recognized as ANSI standards, and enables work on ISO standards to take place where appropriate.

With several RESNA Standards Committees working on initial standards or important revisions to existing standards, it is an exciting time to be involved in RESNA's work. Find out how to join a RESNA Standards Committee and what the benefits are! More information

Mark Your Calendar

Get ready for a very busy spring!

Week of March 7: Conference registration opens
March 15: RESNA Board nominations due
April 11: Student Design Competition deadline
April 14 & 15: Fundamentals in Assistive Technology, Orlando, FL

Membership Questions: membership@resna.org

RESNA
703-524-6686
Suite 1540, 1700 N. Moore Street

Arlington, VA 22209-1903
http://www.resna.org

RESNA, the Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America, is the premier professional organization dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of people with disabilities through increasing access to technology solutions.