Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Category: General
RESNA, the premier professional membership organization for assistive technology professionals, is pleased to announce the Denis K. Anson Innovation Award, a $500 cash prize that will be presented to the "Audience Favorite" winner of the 2026 Developers Showcase. This year’s showcase is being held at the Abilities International Accessibility Conference, March 26-27, in Los Angeles, CA. The award is named in honor of RESNA Fellow and tech guru Denis Anson, who recently passed away after a four-year battle with cancer.
The Developers Showcase provides a unique platform for professionals, students, inventors, and entrepreneurs to present innovative assistive technology products in various stages of the design phase and receive feedback from AT professionals and consumers. This exciting event features new products, products under development, and products currently being enhanced or redesigned that have the potential to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.
"For years, Denis was known as the Tech Lab Guy at the RESNA Conference, and always participated in the Developers Showcase,” said Andrea Van Hook, Executive Director of RESNA. "He believed in sharing knowledge, fostering curiosity, and supporting the people who turn technology into meaningful impact. This award is a fitting tribute to the practical, clinician-centered creativity he championed throughout his career.”
The showcase welcomes all types of assistive technology products, including hardware, software, standards or guidelines, and instruments or tools. Products may be open source or commercial in nature but must not currently be available on the market. Audience members will have the opportunity to interact with developers, learn about emerging technologies, and cast their vote for the Audience Favorite.
The Denis K. Anson Innovation Award winner will be selected by popular vote and announced at the conclusion of the Developers Showcase on March 27.
For more information about the Developers Showcase, the Denis K. Anson Innovation Award, or the Abilities International Conference, please visit the Developers Showcase webpage at this link.
Donations to the Denis K. Anson Innovation Award are welcome and all donations given by March 1, 2026, will be matched by a generous donor. To find out more and to give, visit this page.