New RESNA Logo    
Member News
 
April, 2013- Vol 2, Issue 2
In This Issue
A Young Man on the Go
Introducing the new logo
Certification Corner
RESNA in Singapore
Government Affairs Update
Congrats & Kudos
Coming Soon
Don't Forget
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Curious about RESNA's board and committee structure? 
 
Greetings!
Alex Mihailidis 
It's countdown-to-conference time! Join us in Bellevue, WA this June for a little RESNA R&R with your AT colleagues. There's a great program planned, and plenty of opportunities to network, exchange ideas, and enjoy Seattle.  
  
Thank you to everyone who responded to the membership satisfaction survey. We received close to 300 responses, and many good ideas that the Board is now reviewing.
  
Why not run for the Board? It is an opportunity to get to know your organization on an intimate basis, and a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Board nominations are due April 15, and we have three slots open. Also, RESNA Awards nominations are due April 22 - nominate a deserving colleague or organization. We all need a pat on the back every once in awhile.
  
See you at conference,
  
Alex Mihailidis
RESNA President
Upcoming RESNA Continuing Education Events

 
A Young Man on the Go
Andy Wirick
Andy with his new wheels

And the comprehensive team that helped him get there

 

Andrew Wirick calls his power chair "my automobile." When it was time to trade it for a new model, RESNA members Ryan Martin and Carmen DiGiovine led the team that designed his new wheels.

 

 "When we showed Andy the seat elevator, that was the biggest grin I've ever seen in two years of working with him. He loves being on the same level as everyone else."

 

Read the article

 

 

Introducing the New RESNA Logo
New RESNA LogoNotice anything different? After 30 years, the old logo, fondly referred to as "red stripes," is now officially retired.

 

Thanks to board member Ed Steinfeld and designer Heamchand Suburyan of the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access at SUNY/Buffalo, the new logo is based on an ancient legend about creative problem-solving, and is designed with accessibility in mind. Read the article.
  
Certification Corner
ATP_SMS logo 
SMS Certification Discount ends April 15 - RESNA is offering $50 off the $250 fee on Seating & Mobility Specialist (SMS) certification applications received by April 15. More

 

Application window for summer testing period is now open - ATP and SMS candidates who submit their applications starting now until May 31 (or until June 15 with an additional $25 late fee) will be eligible for the summer testing period, which is July 1 - September 30. RESNA certification programs switched earlier this year to defined exam testing periods. More

 

RET Ad Hoc Committee formed

The RESNA board of directors has formed an ad hoc committee to examine re-vamping the RET (Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist) certification. The committee, chaired by Glenn Hedman, PE, CPE, ATP, RET, will report on progress at the RESNA conference this summer, with a final report due in December 2013. More

  
RESNA 2013 Conference Update
Dan Hubbell
Dan Hubbell, RESNA 2013 Plenary Speaker
Hyatt Regency Bellevue, Bellevue, WA, June 20-24 2013
  
Microsoft "Accessibility Guru" is plenary speaker
Microsoft's Daniel Hubbell will speak at the RESNA 2013 plenary session on Sunday, June 23. A senior marketing manager for Microsoft's Accessibility Group, his current role is focused on increasing awareness of accessibility with consumers and businesses, and he regularly speaks on accessible technology topics. More
  
Special discounts on Seattle sights & tours
Take advantage of these special discounts arranged exclusively for RESNA conference attendees, and make Seattle your summer vacation destination! More
  
Student Design Competition has more awards, cash prizes this year
RESNA's Student Design Competition will include two cash prize awards this year, one for "Technology Most Likely to Become Commercially Available" and one for "Technology Most Likely to Close the Gap in Developing Countries." The deadline for entry is April 19. More
  
Early bird registration ends May 17
Register on-line now to receive the early bird rate of $390, a savings of $60 off the regular rate. RESNA 2013 will overlap one day (Monday, June 24) with ICORR 2013, the International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics. If you would like to attend both conferences in full, RESNA members can save 30% on joint registration. More
  
Full program, including platform sessions, now posted on the website
New workshops this year include a presentation on wheelchair robotics, learning disabilities and assistive technologies, creating accessible environments, and more. See the full program
  
Know a student? Tell them about the student track
New to the conference this year is a dedicated student track for undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in assistive technology. Student conference attendees will also receive a free, one-year membership with RESNA along with their paid registration. More
  
RESNA visits the "City of Lions"
Singapore
View of Singapore

RESNA members Jerry Weisman and Jill Sparacio recently traveled to Singapore, the "City of Lions," to teach the "Fundamentals in Assistive Technology" course as part of a new partnership.

 

"One student told me that a simple walker, which costs $80 in the U.S., could go for as high as $1,000 in her country."

Government Affairs Update
Nathan Moon
Nathan Moon, GAC Chair


Social Security Administration (SSA) Rulemaking on Terminology

RESNA signed onto comments submitted in March by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) in response to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) by the Social Security Administration (SSA).  In its NPRM, the SSA proposed to replace the term "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability" wherever it appears in the medical listings and in SSA's other rules. More

 

Bill on CRT reintroduced in the House

Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) have reintroduced the "Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act of 2013" (H.R. 942). This proposed legislation would create a separate benefit category for complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) within the Medicare program. More

 

Improving accessibility of social media in government

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) recently launched its Federal Social Media Accessibility Working Group to evaluate the accessibility of social media platforms. More

  

RESNA's Government Affairs Committee

This all-volunteer committee develops and coordinates RESNA's positions on public policies and related activities. RESNA participates in public policy activities through memberships, affiliations and coalitions. Find out more. 

SIG News
Alan Cantor
Alan Cantor, SIG Chair
Greetings from the Special Interest Groups! We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the annual conference, and especially at the joint SIG/PSG Open House on Friday, June 21, which will be held in conjunction with the First Timers reception. 

On another note, I am stepping down as SIG Committee Chair after the conference due to personal and business reasons. Alex Mihailidis, RESNA President, has appointed Rajesh Pagadala as my replacement. Raj has been an active participant in the SIGs, and is the immediate past chair of the Accommodations SIG. My thanks to both Alex and Raj for helping me leave the SIGs in such good hands.

See you soon,

Alan Cantor
SIG Chair 

SIG Updates - Click on the group name
 
PSG News 
Mary Ellen Buning
Mary Ellen Buning,
PSG Chair
  
Did you know that as a RESNA member you can join as many SIG and PSG groups as you would like? It's really a great benefit. Stay in touch with others that have your professional background with the PSGs, and at the same time explore your professional interests with the SIGs. 
 
We're all looking forward to the conference, and will be co-hosting an "open house" on Friday night with our fellow SIG members. The PSGs will then meet as groups on Sunday, June 23. See you there!
 
Sincerely,
 
Mary Ellen Buning
PSG Chair
 

PSG Descriptions - Click on the group name 
Congrats and Kudos!
 
Mary Ellen Buning elected to foundation board   Mary Ellen Buning
Mary Ellen Buning, Chair of the RESNA Professional Specialty Groups, was elected to a two-year term on the American Occupational Therapy Foundation's Board of Directors. She is eager to support the AOTF's mission of advancing research, education and public awareness of occupational therapy, as well as working on the specific board strategic goal of fostering the use of technology to improve occupational therapy practice.  
  
RESNA president to speak at NIDDR   Alex Mihailidis
Alex Mihailidis, PhD, P.Eng, will speak on "Current and Future Trends on Information Communication Technologies for People with Disabilities" at the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research in Washington, D.C. on April 17. Alex is the Barbara G. Stymiest Research Chair in Rehabilitation Technology at the University of Toronto and the Toronto Rehab Institute. He has been conducting research in the field of pervasive computing and intelligent systems in health for the past 15 years, with a focus on intelligent home systems for elder care and wellness of people with disabilities.
  
Have member news to submit for the next issue?
Send your items, along with a photo, to Andrea in the RESNA office at avanhook@resna.org. We're interested in new jobs, promotions, accomplishments, awards, publications, and more. If you want to tell your colleagues about it, we want to hear it!
Coming Soon
Provide input on accessible building design
  
RESNA members will have the opportunity this summer to contribute to revisions of the ICC/ANSI 117 standard, which is used for accessible design of public buildings and housing through building codes in the United State. RESNA is now a member of this American National Standards Institute committee, represented by board member Edward Steinfeld, an accessible design expert, and Glenn Hedman, chair of the RESNA's Assistive Technology Standards Board.  Read the article.
  
Don't Forget - Board, RESNA Awards nominations due

Board nominations due April 15    Don't forget sticky note

The 2013 Call for Nominations is now available. 3 board positions are open. If you've ever thought of running for the Board, now's your chance. More

  
Nominate a deserving colleague for a RESNA award  
RESNA awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the fields of assistive technology, rehabilitation engineering, or service to RESNA. Nominations are due April 22, and honorees are recognized at the conference's annual awards luncheon. More
 

RESNA, the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, is the premier professional organization dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of people with disabilities through increasing access to technology solutions. Find out more at www.resna.org.