Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America
Encyclopedia
Rehabilitation Engineering
and Assistive Technology
Society of North America (RESNA) is an interdisciplinary association of people with a common interest in technology
and disability
. Its mission statement
notes that RESNA's mission is to improve the potential of people with disabilities to achieve their goals through the use of technology through promoting research, development, education, advocacy and provision of technology; and by supporting the assistive technology service providers
engaged in these activities.
RESNA was started in August 1979. In 1993 RESNA became a self-managed organization. Currently, RESNA has over 1,000 members, the bulk of whom are concentrated in the US and Canada.
Beginning in 1995, RESNA developed several certifiation programs for credentialing professionals working as assistive technology service providers. These certification programs are administered through RESNA's Professional Standards Board (PSB), which includes representatives from RESNA, the National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS), and consumers.
RESNA is governed by a 14 member Board of Directors. The current president is Glenn Hedman,MS,PE,ATP.RET
Rehabilitation engineering
Rehabilitation engineering is the systematic application of engineering sciences to design, develop, adapt, test, evaluate, apply, and distribute technological solutions to problems confronted by individuals with disabilities...
and Assistive Technology
Assistive technology
Assistive technology or adaptive technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them...
Society of North America (RESNA) is an interdisciplinary association of people with a common interest in technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
and disability
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
. Its mission statement
Mission statement
A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...
notes that RESNA's mission is to improve the potential of people with disabilities to achieve their goals through the use of technology through promoting research, development, education, advocacy and provision of technology; and by supporting the assistive technology service providers
Assistive technology service provider
Assistive technology service providers help individuals with disabilities acquire and use appropriate Assistive Technology to help them participate in activities of daily living, employment and education....
engaged in these activities.
RESNA was started in August 1979. In 1993 RESNA became a self-managed organization. Currently, RESNA has over 1,000 members, the bulk of whom are concentrated in the US and Canada.
Beginning in 1995, RESNA developed several certifiation programs for credentialing professionals working as assistive technology service providers. These certification programs are administered through RESNA's Professional Standards Board (PSB), which includes representatives from RESNA, the National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS), and consumers.
RESNA is governed by a 14 member Board of Directors. The current president is Glenn Hedman,MS,PE,ATP.RET