Date: Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Category: Member News

Dear RESNA Members,

Spring has sprung, and with it RESNA is gearing up for our summer conference. We are excited to share what we have in store for our second virtual conference. This year’s theme is “Welcome Home”, and I am happy to shine a light on the theme’s many meanings.

On one level, the theme refers to the  many emerging technologies that are improving accessibility in various aspects of home life – a need that the pandemic and quarantine has made all too clear. The RESNA Virtual Conference is dedicating a track of sessions to smart-home-technologies. This track will feature sessions focused on extended reality, tools for inpatient rehabilitation, and home automation.

On another level, this year’s theme reflects RESNA’s evolving purpose and place in the assistive technology community. For 40 years, RESNA has been a place where AT professionals can meet, discuss their work, share their experiences, and learn about new developments in the field. In many ways, RESNA strives to be a home for all involved in assistive technology, and we are always looking to improve in that role.

We see "welcome home" as a reflection of how RESNA is listening and responding  to our members’ needs. Our top strategic plan goals are to advance the professional and educational development of members and increase RESNA’s value to members.  We are working to add new and exciting benefits to support our members and the AT community. Just a few recent examples are:

• The new AT Journal Study Club aims to help AT professionals of all backgrounds and specialties connect around the latest research and published in RESNA’s scientific journal, Assistive Technology. Free to RESNA members, participants can earn one contact hour towards ATP renewal and receive a certificate of attendance.
• At RESNA Virtual Conference, we are launching “Master Classes,” 90-minute sessions for advanced practitioners. These sessions will take deeper dives into topics of interest for experienced AT professionals.
• RESNA now offers a new retired membership category, acknowledging the needs and contributions of our retired members, and the knowledge, experience, and value that they bring to the organization.

At RESNA, the Board and volunteer leadership believe that a professional home for everyone in AT means being a good partner.  We are actively seeking partnership with our peer organizations. This year’s conference includes sessions from GAATO, the Clinicians’ Task Force, the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology, and AgrAbility.  In addition, we are grateful for the support of our year-round partners, NMEDA, US Rehab, CSUN, and Makers Making Change.

Thank you for making RESNA your professional home. As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Maureen Linden