Thank you for your interest in AT/RE program accreditation.  At this time, we have received approval from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education (CAAHEP) to begin the accreditation committee application process, and we are requesting applications for participation in the accreditation committee via a 5 minute form:  https://pitt.wufoo.com/forms/resna-accreditation-committee-interest-form/ due Wednesday 11/26.

 

We have included FAQs about participating in the accreditation committee below.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with additional questions, or pass this message along to other interested parties.

 

Best regards,

 

Mary R. Goldberg, PhD

Assistant Professor

Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology & Human Engineering Research Laboratories

University of Pittsburgh

6425 Penn Avenue, Suite 400

Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Phone: (412) 822-3693  

 

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Q:  Why is my expertise needed?

A:  AT is an interdisciplinary field.  For a student to be trained in AT, it requires uniform background knowledge in a variety of disciplines. As a trained AT professional (audiologist, behavioral specialist (social worker, counselor, psychologist), educator, engineer /technologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, physician, prosthetist and orthotist, speech-language pathologist, supplier/manufacturer, and/or vocational rehabilitation counselor), you bring unique knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors to the field, and we want to make sure this committee and its collective knowledge base is representative of all relevant disciplines.  

 

Q:  What will be the time commitment?

A:  There will be bi-weekly update meetings online that will last 1 hour (we will switch to monthly meeting after all materials are created). Each member will also be in a sub-group that will design a particular accreditation material (e.g. policies and procedures, rubric, self-study guide) that will require a contribution of ~2 hours/month. We may have 1-2 “Google hangout” half or full day meetings prior to June (the 2015 RESNA conference), depending on whether any of the materials are contested or issues arise that require a larger group live discussion. In-person meetings will be held at the annual RESNA conference. 

 

Q:  How will the committee be selected?

A:  Initial ad-hoc committee members will be grandfathered in to the committee should they remain interested in participating. Additional prospective members will submit a 5-minute form by 11/26 on who you are, professional expertise & training, and why you wish to participate. https://pitt.wufoo.com/forms/resna-accreditation-committee-interest-form/  Committee members will be notified by 12/15.

 

Q:  How long will my assistance be required? How long can I serve?

A:  The first term will end 12/15/17. The committee shall appoint new members by a majority vote of all voting members of the accreditation committee. Members are appointed for a three-year term, and members may be reappointed for one additional three-year term. A partial term to which a member may be appointed to fill a vacancy shall not count toward the otherwise total allowable six-year term for any given member. Accreditation members may not be removed except upon majority vote of all voting members of the accreditation committee.

 

Q:  How many people will be on the committee?

A:  The accreditation committee shall be comprised of twelve to twenty members. At least three members should be a program director or faculty, ideally one from each of the following fields: rehabilitation engineering, health/medical AT, and special education. At least one member shall be a registered member of the National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS). Efforts shall be made to assure the major subspecialty areas within assistive technology are represented. Two members shall be appointed to represent consumers, and such consumer members shall be neither trained in assistive technology service provision nor employed by assistive technology service providers. One member shall be a member of the RESNA Board of Directors; this member must be a member of the Board of Directors at the time of appointment to and throughout his/her appointment term on the accreditation committee. One member shall also be a member of the RESNA PSB.