RESNA Credentialling Program
RESNA STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PRACTITIONERS AND
SUPPLIERS
These Standards of Practice set forth fundamental concepts and rules considered
essential to promote the highest ethical standards among individuals who evaluate,
assess the need for, recommend, or provide assistive technology. In the discharge
of their professional obligations assistive technology practitioners and suppliers
shall observe the following principles and rules:
- Individuals shall keep paramount the welfare of those served professionally.
- Individuals shall engage in only those services that are within the scope
of their competence, considering the level of education, experience and
training, and shall recognize the limitations imposed by the extent of their
personal skills and knowledge in any professional area.
- In making determinations as to what areas of practice are within their
competency, assistive technology practitioners and suppliers shall observe
all applicable licensure laws, consider the qualifications for certification
or other credentials offered by recognized authorities in the primary professions
which comprise the field of assistive technology, and abide by all relevant
standards of practice and ethical principals, including RESNA's Code of
Ethics.
- Individuals shall truthfully, fully and accurately represent their credentials,
competency, education, training and experience in both the field of assistive
technology and the primary profession in which they are members. To the
extent practical, individuals shall disclose their primary profession in
all forms of communication, including advertising, that refers to their
credential in assistive technology.
- Individuals shall, at a minimum, inform consumers or their advocates
of any employment affiliations, financial or professional interests that
may be perceived to bias recommendations, and in some cases, decline to
provide services or supplies where the conflict of interest is such that
it may fairly be concluded that such affiliation or interest is likely to
impair professional judgments.
- Individuals shall use every resource reasonably available to ensure that
the identified needs of consumers are met, including referral to other practitioners
or sources which may provide the needed service or supply within the scope
of their competence.
- Individuals shall cooperate with members of other professions, where
appropriate, in delivering services to consumers, and shall actively participate
in the team process when the consumer's needs require such an approach.
- Individuals shall offer an appropriate range of assistive technology
services which include assessment, evaluation, recommendations, training,
adjustments at delivery, and follow-up and modifications after delivery.
- Individuals shall verify consumer's needs by using direct assessment
or evaluation procedures with the consumer.
- Individuals shall assure that the consumer fully participates, and is
fully informed about all reasonable options available, regardless of finances,
in the development of recommendations for intervention strategies.
- Individuals shall consider future and emerging needs when developing
intervention strategies and fully inform the consumer of those needs.
- Individuals shall avoid providing and implementing technology which expose
the consumer to unreasonable risk, and shall advise the consumer as fully
as possible of all known risks. Where adjustments, instruction for use,
or necessary modifications are likely to be required to avoid or minimize
such risks, individuals shall make sure that such information or service
is provided.
- Individuals shall fully inform consumers or their advocates about all
relevant aspects, including the financial implications, of all final recommendations
for the provision of technology, and shall not guarantee the results of
any service or technology. Individuals may, however, make reasonable statements
about prognosis.
- Individuals shall maintain adequate records of the technology evaluation,
assessment, recommendations, services, or products provided and preserve
confidentiality of those records, unless required by law, or unless the
protection of the welfare of the person or the community requires otherwise.
- Individuals shall endeavor, through ongoing professional development,
including continuing education, to remain current on all aspects of assistive
technology relevant to their practice including accessibility, funding,
legal or public issues, recommended practices and emerging technologies.
- Individuals shall endeavor to institute procedures, on an on-going basis,
to evaluate, promote and enhance the quality of service delivered to all
consumers.
- Individuals shall be truthful and accurate in all public statements concerning
assistive technology, assistive technology practitioners and suppliers,
services, and products dispensed.
- Individuals shall not invidiously discriminate in the provision of services
or supplies on the basis of disability, race, national origin, religion,
creed, gender, age, or sexual orientation.
- Individuals shall not charge for services not rendered, nor misrepresent
in any fashion services delivered or products dispensed for reimbursement
or any other purpose.
- Individuals shall not engage in fraud, dishonesty or misrepresentation
of any kind, or any form of conduct that adversely reflects on the field
of assistive technology, or the individual's fitness to serve consumers
professionally.
- Individuals whose professional services are adversely affected by substance
abuse or other health-related conditions shall seek professional advice,
and where appropriate, withdraw from the affected area of practice.
