Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Category: Member News
Dear RESNA Community,
It is an honor to serve as President of RESNA and to represent an organization that has played such a vital role in advancing assistive technology, rehabilitation engineering, and accessibility. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside an extraordinary community of researchers, educators, clinicians, practitioners, suppliers, manufacturers, and consumers who share a commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities.
For those I have not yet had the opportunity to meet, I will share a little about my background. I have spent the past 44 years working in the Assistive Technology and Complex Rehab Technology field. I currently serve as Vice President of Government Relations for RxFunction, where I focus on coding, coverage, and payment policy, as well as educating policymakers about sensory peripheral neuropathy and the technologies that help individuals maintain their independence and mobility.
Throughout my career, I have been passionate about and committed to protecting and expanding access to assistive technology and ensuring that policy decisions focus on meeting the needs of people who depend on Assistive Technology, grounded in the strongest available evidence, real-world outcomes, as well as the knowledge and experience of an individual’s care team. My involvement with RESNA has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my professional career. Having served on the Board of Directors, Executive Board, Government Affairs Committee, and Governance Committee, I have seen firsthand the tremendous value that RESNA brings to our field. As I begin my term as President, I have been reflecting on what makes RESNA truly unique among the many organizations that influence assistive technology.
What sets RESNA apart is the breadth and depth of expertise that exists within our membership and the unique role we collectively play across research, education, certification, and professional practice. Few organizations bring together such a diverse community of thought leaders, academics, clinicians, engineers, practitioners, suppliers, policymakers, and consumers. RESNA serves as a bridge connecting innovation, evidence, and service delivery.
Our certification programs help establish professional standards and ensure that individuals who rely on assistive technology receive services from qualified professionals. Our support of research and scholarship helps build the needed evidence that drives innovation and informs policy decisions. Our educational programs foster professional growth and create opportunities for knowledge sharing across disciplines. Together, these activities strengthen our field and ultimately improve outcomes for the people we serve.
I also believe that RESNA's commitment to ethics is one of our greatest strengths. Ethical practice is foundational to high-quality service delivery and to maintain trust among consumers, professionals, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. As technologies evolve and service delivery models continue to change, RESNA's leadership in establishing professional standards and supporting ethical decision-making becomes even more important.
These strengths are not only important to RESNA; they are essential to the future of assistive technology. By supporting research, education, certification, and ethical practice, we help ensure that innovation translates into meaningful access and results in improved outcomes and participation for individuals with disabilities.
Warm regards,
Rita Stanley
RESNA President