WELCOME
FROM YOUR 2008 CONFERENCE CHAIR
We are in the middle of an election year in the US and constantly hear from the candidates about the need for experience, change, and making the right decisions. This June, the RESNA AT Family will also be hitting the campaign trail. We won't be campaigning for a particular candidate or political party, but for the field of assistive technology and for making AT available to those who can benefit from it. Echoing the various candidates, we have to draw on our collective experience and wisdom to chart a course through the many policy and technology changes that are taking place in the US and other countries. How will we address these issues? What is our campaign strategy for the 2008 Conference?
Defining Policy
Our opening keynote speaker, Judy Heumann, who has extensive experience as an AT user, activist, and both political "outsider" and "insider," together with our Monday Plenary speaker, Andrew Imparato, President of the American Association of People with Disabilities, will enhance our understanding of key policy issues and identify initiatives that we may want to support. Pre-conference courses, workshops, and papers will address funding, design and accessibility standards, advocacy skills, and other policy issues.
Promoting Research
In addition to the usual panoply of research-related workshops and papers, we are honored to present a Plenary session sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs featuring Michael Selzer, Director of Rehabilitation Research and Development for the VA, followed by Jonathan Wolpaw, Chief of the Laboratory of Nervous System Disorders at the State University of New York, who will speak about the latest work in brain computer interfaces.
We look forward to the repeat of a popular Plenary session introduced last year highlighting research from four of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) in the dissemination phase of their work. The RERCs, funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, will have booths on "RERC Row" in the Exhibit Hall to discuss their cutting-edge projects.
Continuing to build on the successes from last year, we are putting together a special double session sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on Emerging Technologies that have the potential to impact the field of AT in significant ways.
Strengthening Practice
Better policy and cutting-edge research will be the same as campaign rhetoric unless we are equipped to get the appropriate technology and services to those who need them. Service delivery, clinical practice, outcomes, and AT design will remain core elements of this year's conference. A vibrant Exhibit Hall will give participants direct exposure to current products while the Developers Forum will give us a peek at what is on the way.
Building for the Future
The Student Scientific Paper Competition, sponsored by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the NSF-sponsored Student Design Competition will highlight and encourage the work of the upcoming generation of researchers and designers. We will also be working to strengthen RESNA through membership and committee meetings.
I am proud to present this Preliminary Program as the Meeting Committee's Platform for RESNA 2008. My campaign promise to you is that this year's conference will be stimulating and professionally rewarding, with plenty of opportunities for networking and socializing. See you there!
Ray Grott
On behalf of the 2008 Meetings Committee
