Date: Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Category: General
"Despite all of this year’s challenges, the RESNA community showed great resilience and commitment to achieve career, learning, and personal goals."
December always presents a time for reflection on the past year, and a look towards the next. Despite all of this year’s challenges, the RESNA community showed great resilience and commitment to achieve career, learning, and personal goals. I am happy to report on a few of these achievements in this month’s letter.
2021 saw a renewed commitment to education and professional growth by many of our members and certified professionals. First, RESNA saw almost 10 percent growth in new ATP certifications. Congratulations to the more than 400 individuals who earned their ATP in 2021. I am proud of your effort and willingness to prioritize your professional growth during a year that presented many challenges. In addition, 2,260 individuals renewed their ATP certification. Recertification is an accomplishment that should not be overlooked. The CEUs needed to recertify requires dedicated time away from work and family – this commitment should be recognized and celebrated.
In 2021, RESNA offered informational webinars to the community about ATP exam eligibility and requirements for ATP recertification. These webinars have proven to be very popular, and we will be bringing them back in 2022 to ensure that all of our ATPs have the information they need to keep their certification up-to-date.
In addition to an increase in ATPs, we also grew as a member community. RESNA currently has more than 1,400 members that lend their experience and expertise to our community. We continually hear that the ability to ask questions and seek advice from other members is RESNA’s greatest benefit. If you are a new member, make sure you join our SIG and PSG community groups to build more connections within RESNA. This past June we hosted SIG and PSG open houses for our members to learn more about these communities and we will plan to offer these again so you can make the most out of your membership. In addition, make sure you look through the New Member Kit (also available on the website at this link) and take advantage of everything RESNA membership offers.
One of the most significant accomplishments of the past year was the 2021 RESNA Virtual Conference. Over 500 attendees enjoyed the conference sessions. Some wonderful highlights from this event include the Accommodations SIG’s Show and Tell session, the return of the Developer's Showcase, and our always popular Student Design Challenge. We also heard an inspiring keynote from poet and author Molly McCully Brown, and a stellar Colin McLaurin lecture from our very own Peter Axelson, ATP. The virtual conference would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors: National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association, California State University Northridge, U.S. Rehab, and Makers Making Change. We are currently planning the 2022 RESNA Conference. The call for Scientific Papers and Student Scientific Papers was just announced!
We are already planning for 2022 and we have a lot to look forward to. For the first time, RESNA is hosting a track of sessions at the International Seating Symposium. These sessions, taught by RESNA members, are designed to help ATPs gain knowledge and experience in other areas beyond seating and mobility. Check out the list of sessions and, if you are going to ISS in late January, make sure you stop by the RESNA booth in the exhibit hall!
Thank you again for a wonderful year. On behalf of RESNA’s Board of Directors and staff, we wish you and yours a very happy holiday season and a great New Year. I am grateful to serve as your president and look forward to 2022!
Best,
Maureen Linden