Professional Development - Continuing Education

Introduction

Continuing Education is seen as a commitment to advancing knowledge and skills for excellence in performance.Evidence of participation in continuing education is required by certain state regulations and professional license boards, and to maintain the RESNA Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certification. Continuing Education Unit (CEU) bearing workshops and instructional courses on AT are available through RESNA as an authorized IACET CEU provider. Additional learning opportunities are listed on the resources education page.

Professional Development continuing education topics for assistive technology (AT) devices and services consist of information management and organizational performance.

 Information Management

Continuing education to obtain knowledge, training to develop skills, and facilitated learning opportunities such as hands on case study workshops. AT continuing education includes information on:

• Health state AT used to replace body functions and structures with medical outcomes (e. g. cochlear implants)
• Health-related state AT to optimize the capacity and performance of individuals with disabilities (IWD) for Learning,Communication, Mobility, and Daily Living outcomes (e. g. AAC devices, wheelchairs, and technologies for access and integration in education and employment settings)
• Environmental Factors that influence AT use (e. g. products and technology, support and relationships, services, systems and policies)

 Organizational Performance

Organizational performance comprises assessment of how well an organization functions with strategies for effective management and performance improvement. Strategies for excellence in organizational performance relevant to AT can be found at:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Advancing Excellence in Health Care

Baldrige National Quality Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Education and Health Care Criteria for Performance Excellence to enhance the competitiveness, quality, and productivity of U.S. organizations for the benefit of all residents.

Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) has defined accreditation as "a qualified endorsement that an organization provides services according to internationally recognized standards and demonstrates a commitment to continuous quality improvement with its focus on consumer satisfaction..." CARF is one of multiple accreditation agencies. Fields that involve accreditation include healthcare and education.