Media Contact: Andrea Van Hook, (703) 524-6686 x306

 

Taking a cue from the conference theme “New Frontiers in Assistive Technology,” presentations and workshops on new technologies such as 3-D printing, microcontrollers, and wearables will be a main feature of RESNA 2015, June 10-14 in Denver, CO. Other workshop sessions, over 40 in all, will cover almost every aspect of assistive technology (AT), including seating and mobility, universal design, AT in K-12 school settings, home modifications, job accommodations, communication technologies, computer access, cognitive technologies, and more. 

 

“The RESNA conference is such a rich environment, with instructional courses, hands-on workshops, scientific papers, design contests, a developer’s forum, multiple networking opportunities, and the best exhibitors of our industry,” said John Anshutz, ATP, RET, 2015 Conference Chair and Manager of Assistive Technology at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. “Conference attendees will take away new insights, inspiration and relationships to fuel and accelerate the important work that we do.”

 

The first announced plenary session keynote will focus on the exciting potential of the Maker Movement for assistive technology product development. In keeping with the multidisciplinary aspect of RESNA, the speaker is Pete Stephens, a mechanical engineer and project manager with the innovative car technology company, Local Motors. Local Motors combines a crowd-sourcing platform for idea generation and development with micro-manufacturing tools to bring new products from concept to real world in record time, with everything produced in the United States. The company made headlines recently for producing the world’s first operational 3D-printed car. The implications for assistive technology product development and production, which has trouble attracting investment due to small niche markets and the need to have products that are highly customizable, are profound. 

 

Other features of this year’s conference are:

• Seven instructional courses that offer a variety of hands-on opportunities as well as real world case studies: “Creating Assistive Technology: A Make and Take Workshop,” “Challenges and Opportunities of Early Pediatric Mobility,” “Improving Outcomes with Custom Contoured Seating,” “Intro to 3D Printing,” “Switch Assessment,” “Get Hands-On with Microcontrollers,” and “Intro to NaturallySpeaking Voice Automation.” 

• Fundamentals in Assistive Technology, RESNA’s popular two-day introductory course for new professionals or AT practitioners who wish to expand their knowledge base.  

• Nine workshop sessions addressing seating and mobility topics and issues; seating and mobility is the most popular track at RESNA. 

• Workshops in Service Delivery and Outcomes, Computer Applications and Communications, Cognitive Technologies, Internationally Appropriate Technologies, Public Policy, and more. 

 

Sponsors of this year’s conference are Ride Designs, Quantum Rehab, Innovations Health, and Invacare (as of March 9, 2015).  The annual Student Design Competition and the Student Scientific Paper Competition are sponsored by TREAT, the Center for the Translation of Rehabilitation Engineering Advances and Technology, and Paralyzed Veterans of America, respectively. Assistive Technology Partners of the University of Colorado, Denver, is the local host organization. Sponsorship and exhibitor packages are still available – please see the website for more information or contact the RESNA office at conference@resna.org.  

 

The annual RESNA conference is a unique multi-disciplinary gathering of assistive technology professionals from all over the world. No other assistive technology conference connects professionals from across so many different assistive technology and professional specialties. In addition to news and information on the latest in cutting-edge technologies, RESNA’s annual confab also offers instructional courses and workshops geared to the working professional’s ongoing continuing education needs. Free CEUs are included with registration. On-line registration is now open, with early-bird rates ending on April 29, 2015. For more information, visit www.resna.org.