Preface

Welcome to the RESNA 29th 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 Clinical Practicum on Spinal Cord Injury.

The Proceedings of the RESNA Conference attempt 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 eight topic areas:

• Computer Applications & Communication
• Job & Environmental Accommodations
• Outcome and Quantitative Measurement
• Public Policy
• Technology for Cognitive & Sensory Impairments
• Wheelchair Seating Technologies and Interventions
• Wheeled Mobility Technologies and Interventions
• Other, including: Technology transfer, Rural rehab, robotics, telerehab and more!

In addition, the winning papers for the 2006 Student Scientific Paper Competition and 2005 Student Design Competition finalists are also included.

RESNA 2006 resulted from the efforts of many people. Barb Crane, in particular, has led the conference planning and organizing at both the local and national levels. Many thanks go to Co-Chairs Ray Grott and Glen Ashlock of the Practice Track and Jamie Prioli, Chair of the Policy Track. Thanks, as well, to the topic coordinators for the review process of the scientific papers: Mike Babinec, Cathy Bodine, Mary Ellen Buning, Carrie Bruce, Gary Downey, Tony Gentry, Rob Groenendaal,  Nancy Meidenbauer and Allen Seikman. Thank you to the numerous reviewers of the individual scientific papers for their efforts in determining the final program. A special thanks to Jay Martin and Mark Novak for leading the Student Design Competition and  Lisa Simone for leading the Student Scientific Paper Competition. Thanks, as well, to Susan Johnson Taylor for her leadership in the Instructional Courses. The efforts of Tom Gorski, Marybeth Leongini and  Rosina Romano and the rest of the RESNA staff are greatly appreciated. Finally, we thank Larry Pencak for all his work at RESNA and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

I hope you enjoy the Conference!

Shirley G. Fitzgerald, PhD
Chair, Research Track