View source for Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America

{{Short description|American association for technology and disabilities}}
{{Notability|date=December 2024}}
The '''Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America''' ('''RESNA''') is an association of people with an 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 provider]]s engaged in these activities.

RESNA was started in August 1979. In 1993 RESNA became a self-managed organization. RESNA has over 1,000 members, the bulk of whom are concentrated in the US and Canada.

Beginning in 1995, RESNA developed certification programs for credentialing professionals working as assistive technology service providers.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Lenker|first=James A.|title=Certification in Assistive Technology|journal=OT Practice|volume=5|number=21|year=2000|url=http://www.wheelchairnet.org/WCN_ProdServ/Clinicians/ATPCertification.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Stakeholders Applaud RESNA Move to Combine ATS/ATP Certifications|magazine=HomeCare Magazine|date=September 8, 2008|url=http://homecaremag.com/mobility/wheelchairs/stakeholders-applaud-resna-move/index1.html|accessdate=January 1, 2011|url-status=unfit|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712214537/http://homecaremag.com/mobility/wheelchairs/stakeholders-applaud-resna-move/index1.html |archivedate=July 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Resna sets score for Exam|magazine=HomeCare Magazine|date=October 22, 2010|url= http://homecaremag.com/mobility/seating-postioning-resna-certification-20100202/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=RESNA expands Certification in Seating and Positioning|website=HME News|date=February 2, 2010|url=http://www.hmenews.com/?p=article&id=hm201010MmsV1K}}</ref> 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. In December 2015, the Rehabilitation Engineering Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) updated the WC18 standards for wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint systems (WTORS) standards for wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint systems (WTORS).<ref>{{cite web|title=WC18 at a Glance|url=http://sure-lok.com/wc18-at-a-glance-2/|website=sure-lok.com|date=16 March 2015 }}</ref>
RESNA is governed by a 14-member Board of Directors. The president is Roger O. Smith, PhD, OT, FAOTA, RESNA Fellow

== Sister organizations ==
* Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE)
* Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA)
* Rehabilitation Engineering Society of Japan (RESJA)
* Portuguese Society of Rehabilitation Engineering and Accessibility (SUPERA)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{official|http://www.resna.org}}


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[[Category:Medical associations based in the United States]]
[[Category:Engineering societies based in the United States]]
[[Category:Rehabilitation medicine organizations based in the United States]]
[[Category:Assistive technology]]
[[Category:Scientific organizations established in 1979]]
[[Category:Medical and health organizations based in Virginia]]


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