Date: Thursday, August 19, 2021
Category: Member News

Dear RESNA Members,

Thank you to all of our members who attended the RESNA Virtual Conference. Once again, our volunteers created interesting continuing education that was new, exciting, and energizing. It is because of the support of our members that RESNA is able to provide valuable insights into developing technology and plan events that are relevant to a wide range of AT professionals.

The conference may be over, but our reliance on the input and expertise of our members is not. In the next couple of months, we need you to participate in two critical surveys; one that will help us update the certification exam, and one that will define the continuing education activities we need to develop.

The Job Task Analysis (JTA) Taskforce is currently working to verify and update the content in the ATP certification examination blueprint, the pre-requisites to sit for the exam, and the continuing education requirements to maintain ATP certification. The Professional Standards Board (PSB) of RESNA conducts a regular job task analysis every five years to identify the core competencies of assistive technology professionals and assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform those tasks. RESNA’s job task analysis is the largest research project worldwide related to the body of knowledge for assistive technology.

This fall, the JTA Taskforce will need your input. RESNA will be issuing a survey component of the JTA to review the work of the JTA Taskforce, identify tasks and knowledge that accurately reflect the role of AT professionals, and develop the specifications of the ATP certification program.  Your contributions keep us informed of roles in AT and how these roles evolve over time.  Keep your eye out this September for this survey.

In addition, the Education Committee is developing a needs assessment survey to identify the education resources and programs you need to be successful. This needs assessment survey, conducted every three years, is required for RESNA to maintain its status as a recognized provider for the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). IACET is the leading accreditor of professional continuing education and training programs, with high quality standards that providers must meet. RESNA is proud to be an accredited IACET provider and offer quality education to our members and certificants. Your input will help shape our education agenda for the next three years, including the education offered at our RESNA 2022 conference.

There are other ways you can contribute to RESNA. This fall, the Marketing, Membership and Communications Committee will be conducting informal membership focus groups to better understand the needs of our members, and develop new membership benefits. If you are interested, please keep an eye out for the call for volunteers. You can also participate in the 2022 budget process! Every year, RESNA members have the opportunity to submit a project idea in August. Please submit your ideas for projects you want RESNA to consider for 2022.

You, as a RESNA member, are vital to moving our profession forward.  Please participate in as many of these opportunities as you can, and reflect on what you want to see from RESNA in the future.

Best,

Maureen Linden