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Summer
2017

ISSUE
No. 2

RESNA MEMBER NEWS
RESNA 2017 Highlights
With over 400 attendees, RESNA 2017 was a well-received and well-attended event. Here are some highlights


RESNA is working on accessible and detailed proceedings from RESNA 2017. Once complete, they will be available on the RESNA website. 

Thank you for attending the conference in New Orleans. Attendees were provided CEU-tracking handouts for the workshops, ICs, and other events at RESNA 2017. Please submit your CEU codes earned at the conference. For more information, contact  conference@resna.org

RESNA would like to thank...
Supporting Sponsors:

Organization News
Kate Brundage joined the staff team at RESNA as Manager of Certification and Education Programs.  Kate most recently served as Certification Program Manager for the  National Board of Public Health Examiners. Prior to that, she was  Certification Program Manager for the Construction Management  Association of America. She holds a BA from George Mason University. You can reach her at   kbrundage@resna.org. Welcome Kate to the RESNA team!

August 17, 2 pm EDT
EvoXLabs founder Ather Sharif will discuss his experiences in making tech-focused workplaces more inclusive, from building technology solutions to how and why EvoXLabs developed a partnership with Access Computing at UW that connects students with disabilities with mentors and internships in tech.

RESNA & the ADA Network Webinar-Challenging Work and Home Accommodations  
August 23, 3 pm EDT
This webinar will combine aspects of the ADA as it relates to accommodations and its interface with Assistive Technologies that benefit people with disabilities in home and work environments.  Presenters include: 
  • Linda Vogelman, Assistant Director of Independent Living Services at Society's Assets, Linda is an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) through RESNA. 
  • Cindi Pichler is the Senior Assistive Technology Specialist at Independence First.
  • Andrew Winnegar consultats for the Southwest ADA Center on employment, independent living, rehabilitation research, assistive technology, and vocational rehabilitation.
September 21, 2 pm EDT
Accessibility experts Ted Gies and Jay Nemchik will discuss the business significance of  VPATs, and their best practices for handling requests.

The new law, which bypasses the FDA waiting period requirement for new devices to be approved as part of Louisiana's existing "Right to Try Act," was signed into law by Governor Bel Edwards. Steve Gleason, a RESNA Honorary Fellow, founded Team Gleason. The foundation's mission is to raise awareness of muscular diseases, fund research for cures, and support assistive technology like that used for his eye-powered wheelchair.

is in the process of recruiting additional members.  It is important to the work of the committee that we have participating members from various aspects of expertise, including Building Owners and Managers, Insurance, Consumers, Researchers, Code Developers/Code Enforcement, Manufacturers and Suppliers, and Testing Organizations and Facilities. Meetings are open to anyone, but voting on documents requires membership.  If you would like more information about the Standards Committee on Emergency Stair Travel Devices used by Individuals with Disabilities, please contact the Chair, Glenn Hedman, at  ghedman@uic.edu

Call to Action: The Need for Fitness for People of All Abilities
People of all abilities should have the opportunity to exercise effectively and to participate in fitness activities. RESNA would like to spread the word about the Inclusive Fitness (IF) committee! It's currently comprised of users, fitness facility staff/trainers, manufacturers, clinicians, experts, product testers, and individuals in research and development. If you would like more information on how you can participate on the committee or information on any of the above activities or resources, please contact the RESNA IF Chair, Seanna Kringen, at seanna@beneficialdesigns.com

In early 2017, RESNA's Professional Standards Board (PSB) completed its update of the Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certification examination. RESNA's PSB enlisted the assistance of 53 subject matter experts. In each step of the development process, a diverse group of subject matter experts (SMEs) was carefully selected to represent the wide range of specialty areas, practice settings, and academic backgrounds of assistive technology service providers. 
RESNA Announces New Members of the Board
New board members' terms began August 1, 2017
Two newly elected  and one returning board member:
The membership also approved the following  Bylaws Revisions
RESNA would also like to thank the following for their service on the board:
  • Barbara Crane, PhD, PT, ATP/SMS
  • Anne Cronin, PhD, OTR/L
  • Julie Piriano, PT, ATP/SMS
  • Matthew Press, OT, ATP
Member News
We've produced materials to help you promote your membership to consumers, colleagues, and referral sources through press release tips, PowerPoints, and brochures. 

RESNA President  Roger O. Smith, PhD, OT, FAOTA, RESNA Fellow, Executive Director Michael Brogioli, Alex Mihailidis, PhD, PEng, and Emma Smith, MScOT, ATP/SMS, attended  t he Global Research, Innovation, and Education in Assistive Technology (GREAT) Summit, sponsored by the GATE initiative. The took place August 3-4, 2017 at WHO headquarters in Geneva. The Summit brought together 200+ top global researchers, innovators, educators, and advocates who are carrying out research or offering training programs related to assistive technology policy, products, personnel, provision and use.

Have RESNA member news to share? Send items to membership@resna.org for the next issue. 
A Message from the RESNA President Elect
Did you know that RESNA's President-Elect serves in this role for two years prior to taking on the responsibility of President? 
 
One key responsibility is to provide leadership for the Membership, M arketing and C ommunication C ommittee, which provides oversight of the RESNA website, member benefits, a range of communication tools including social media and this newsletter, and helps to generate the buzz that stimulates more assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering professionals to become RESNA members. RESNA membership helps to support the staff and volunteers to provide members services and all of the work that RESNA does including on credentialing, standards, educational offerings and the an nual conference.
 
If participating and growing the capacity of this vital committee sparks your interest, you can contact Julien Williams, Manager of Membership, Marketing, and Communications . You can also  contact me at ME_Buning@mac.com . I'd love to  connect with you .
 
Thank you for contributing to the vitality of RESNA !




RESNA Members, Be Aware!
Recently, RESNA was notified that a scammer sent phishing text messages while claiming to be RESNA leadership. These include requests for money for 
  1. ATP recertification fees
  2. Membership fees
  3. Outstanding conference fees
  4. The subject of an ethical complaint. 
RESNA does NOT use text messaging to inform anyone of outstanding fees or complaint investigations. If you receive a text message soliciting money on behalf of RESNA, please do not click on any links within the message, do not submit any payment, and do not reveal any personal information about yourself. 

The following websites provide information about how to avoid and report phishing scams in the United States and Canada respectively:
If you receive any communication from RESNA that you find suspicious, please contact RESNA by phone at 703-524-6686 ext. 306 or email info@resna.org to verify the message.
Member Benefits Spotlight
AT Journal Logo
AT Journal Spring Issue & Member Access
The AT journal will add an issue to its publication schedule.

The spring issue of Assistive Technology Journal is now available. Members have free, unlimited, on-line access to the Journal as a member benefit. 

Articles are posted to the Taylor & Francis website as soon as they are approved, which can be several months before they appear in the Journal. In addition, members have free access to the archives. 

Member Logo

Remember to show your pride with the RESNA member logo
RESNA has a logo just for member use. Visit http://tiny.cc/RESNAMember or contact membership@resna.org to access the member logo. 

To avoid using the member logo in a misleading or incorrect way, please review the RESNA Logo Guidelines.  


2018 Call for Proposals
RESNA's Annual Conference is July 11-15 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA. The conference will include workshops, Developer's Showcase, poster sessions, an exhibit hall, networking opportunities, and more

Call for proposals will open late August, including:
  • Workshop and instructional course 
  • Scientific and student scientific papers
  • Student Design Competition
  • Developers Showcase
Please keep your eyes on www.resna.org and your email inbox.

Mark Your Calendar
Call for Proposals
Late August, 2017
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.