Member News

February 2014

In This Issue

Upcoming Webinars

Advanced Seating & Mobility Course

RESNA 2014

Certification Corner

RESNA Awards Deadline

New RESNA Position Papers

Fundamentals Course

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Now's your chance! RESNA is seeking nominations for the Board of Directors. The following positions are open:

President-Elect
Secretary
Director (3 positions)

RESNA's Board provides guidance and oversight of all of the organization's activities. This is an excellent opportunity to give back to the organization, and make an impact on the field. Please consider nominating members who you feel would serve the organization well. You can even nominate yourself!

There's information about the terms, the process, and what's involved on the website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jerry Weisman, chair of the Nominating Committee, or Michael Brogioli, RESNA's Executive Director. The deadline is April 18, 2014.

Once the slate is finalized, we will schedule Board elections for late April. In the meantime, check out the latest conference information - we're heading to Indianapolis in June - and the full slate of webinars and courses scheduled for the spring.

Best Regards,

Alex Mihailidis

RESNA President

Upcoming RESNA Webinars

March 4 - Special Education Webinar: More AT Apps for Students with Disabilities

March 10 -Seating and Mobility Webinar: Switch Mounting

March 20 - AAC Webinar: iPods and iPads for Communication

April 10 - Special Education Webinar: Google Chrome, AT and the Classroom

April 14 - Seating and Mobility Webinar: Mounting AT to Wheelchairs

April 24 - AAC Webinar: AAC Mounting and Mouse Emulation through the Power Wheelchair

May 12 - Seating & Mobility Webinar: Power Seating Functions

May 13 - Special Education Webinar: Free AT Resources for Students with Disabilities

May 22 - AAC Webinar: Managing the AAC Needs of Adults with Acquired Communication Disabilities

June 3 - Computer Technologies Webinar: iPad, Android, Surface, Chromebook - How to Decide

June 16 - Seating & Mobility Webinar: Positioning for Access

June 19 - AAC Webinar: Selecting and Implementing Lite Tech AAC Options

Advanced Seating & Mobility Workshop is April 7th & 8th in Orlando

Two-day course will cover common positioning challenges

This advanced workshop, taught by course instructor Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS, will systematically address common positioning challenges and advanced applications of power wheelchairs.

Positioning strategies, including primary seating surfaces and secondary supports, will be presented in a functional context. Alternative access methods to the standard joystick will be presented, with clinical indicators for each. Case studies will demonstrate main concepts, and classroom participation is encouraged.

RESNA is authorized by IACET to offer 1.2 CEUs for the course. The course will be held at the Hilton Garden Sea World Resort in Orlando, FL. Registration fees are $345 for RESNA members, $460 for non-members. More

RESNA 2014 - Racing Towards Excellence in AT

JW Marriott, Indianapolis, IN, June 11-15

RESNA races to Indy for 2014!

Planning for RESNA's annual conference is now in high gear, and the final program will be announced within the next few weeks. Join the RESNA community in Indianapolis for three days of compelling workshops, exciting plenary speakers, cutting-edge research platforms and poster sessions, a large exhibit hall, and unparalleled networking that will ignite your AT passion and put your career on the fast track. More

Conference News

Certification Corner

Application deadline for spring testing window is February 28 - ATP and SMS candidates have until February 28th to submit their applications for the spring testing window, which is April 1 - June 30th. Late applications will be accepted until March 15th with a $25 late fee. More

Going to ISS Vancouver? Find out about ATP and SMS certification

RESNA is hosting a reception at the International Seating Symposium in Vancouver on March 6th, from 5 to 6:30pm. Join Professional Standards Board members in the Marine Room of the Westin Bayshore Hotel for light appetizers, drinks, and conversation.

Last Call - RESNA Awards Nominations Due February 21

Kay Koch and Anita Perr at last year's Awards Lunch

Do you know a deserving colleague that has gone above and beyond in promoting the health and well-being of people with disabilities through increasing access to technology solutions? Or an organization that should be recognized for leadership in the field?

The RESNA Board of Directors is seeking nominations for the annual RESNA Awards. These awards honor members of our large and diverse community of dedicated peers and professionals. Don't miss this opportunity to give someone a well-deserved pat on the back! Click here for more information.

New RESNA Position Papers

RESNA released two new position papers this month, both developed by the Wheeled Mobility & Seating Special Interest Group (SIG).

"The Application of Wheelchairs, Seating Systems and Secondary Supports for Positioning vs. Restraint" gives equipment providers and practitioners information, guidance and recommendations regarding the appropriate use of postural supports in settings where physical restraint policies are in effect.

"The Application of Wheelchair Standing Devices: 2013 Current State of the Literature" is an update to RESNA's previously published position paper. RESNA updates its position papers every five years to keep pace with current clinical practice and research.

Position papers are not intended to replace clinical judgment related to specific client needs, and are developed through a rigorous internal process which includes extensive review and comment periods, and approval by RESNA's Board of Directors. RESNA regularly publishes position papers on a variety of assistive technology topics, and all are available for free on the RESNA website.

Fundamentals in Assistive Technology - Upcoming Dates

RESNA's Fundamentals Course in Assistive Technology is a two-day, in-person introductory course that provides an overview of numerous areas of assistive technology. The course uses multiple case studies to illustrate applications of principles and theories in assistive technology provision. RESNA offers this course several times during the year at different locations. The 2014 schedule is:

May 2, 3 - New Jersey Convention Center, Edison, NJ (in association with Abilities Expo)
June 9, 10 - JW Marriott, Indianapolis (in association with the RESNA Annual Conference)
June 27, 28 - Renaissance Schaumberg Convention Center, Schaumberg, IL (Chicago area; in association with Abilities Expo)
September 5, 6 -Boston Convention Center and Exhibition Hall, Boston, MA (in association with Abilities Expo)

For more information, please see the website.

RESNA, the Rehabilitation Engineering and 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. Find out more at www.resna.org.