Preface

Welcome to the RESNA 27th International Conference! This year's conference includes over 200 presentations on all facets of assistive technology through workshop sessions, scientific platform sessions, interactive poster presentations, integrated demonstrations, and a Symposium on Assistive Technology Outcomes.

This Proceedings of the RESNA Conference attempts to capture some of the information that will be exchanged during the activities and events of the Conference. The program has three conference tracks: Research, Practice and Policy. Each track has three full days of programming encompassing 7 topic areas:

Computer Access and Communications
Job & Environmental Accommodations, including Ergonomics
Outcomes and Quantitative Measurement
Seating and Wheeled Mobility
Technology for Cognitive and Sensory Impairments
Public Policy
Other, including: Technology transfer, Rural rehab, robotics, telerehab and more!

In addition, the winning papers for the Student Scientific Paper and Student Design competitions are also included.

RESNA 2004 resulted from the efforts of many people. Jean Minkel, in particular, has led the conference planning and organizing at both the local and national levels. Many thanks go to Ray Grott , Practice Chair Track, and co-chairs, Nell Bailey and Jamie Prioli for the Policy Track. Thanks, as well, to the topic coordinators for the review process of the scientific papers: Ron Kocsis , Heidi Koester, Ronny Gaal , Laura Cohen, Ed LoPresti, Alex Midhailidis, Nell Bailey , Jane Huggins and Margo Holm. Thank you to the numerous reviewers of the individual scientific papers for their efforts in determining the final program. A special thanks to Glenn Hedman for leading the Student Design Competition and Jane Huggins for leading the Student Paper Competition. Thanks, as well, to Susan Johnson Taylor for her leadership in the Instructional Courses. Finally, the efforts of Sarah Bourke , Tonya Vaughn , Larry Pencak and the rest of the RESNA staff are greatly appreciated.

I hope you enjoy the Conference!

Shirley G. Fitzgerald, PhD

Chair, Research Track