Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025
Category: Member News
Dear RESNA Members,
I hope this message finds you well! It’s always a pleasure to connect, and I’m excited to share some important updates with you!
First, I hope you join me on September 18 for our 2025 Colin McLaurin Lecturer, Jean Minkel, whose talk is titled, Mobility Equity: Uncovering Systemic Inequities Towards Persons with Disabilities. Jeannie first gave her talk at our RehabWeek conference in May. By popular demand, she will be giving it virtually so our entire community can attend. It’s a wonderful, thought-provoking presentation that is applicable to practitioners, researchers, and educators across the spectrum AT device applications and clinic settings. Don’t miss it!
In 2026, RESNA will hold its Annual Conference in partnership with Abilities International, a first for our organization. In another first, this conference partnership involves two locations and dates:
- Los Angeles (Long Beach Convention Center, March 26-27).
- New York Metro (New Jersey Convention Center, April 30 + May 1 )
By combining RESNA’s quality educational programming with the energy and innovation of Abilities Expo’s expansive exhibit halls, we’re creating an incredible opportunity for members to learn, connect, and explore the latest in assistive technology on both coasts.
I hope you’ll save the dates and join us for either (or both) events! If you would like to present, the call for session submissions is still open for Greater New York until October 3, and we are accepting scientific papers and posters for both locations, as well as submissions for the Developers Showcase and student competitions. Further details and deadlines are here: https://www.resna.org/Events/RESNA-2026-Conference-Information.
Later this month, RESNA’s Education Committee will be sending a learning assessment survey to all RESNA members and ATPs. Your feedback will guide our educational offerings over the next three years, so please take a few minutes to share your insights—they are invaluable to our Education team.
In addition, keep an eye open for a notice regarding RESNA’s annual membership meeting, which will once again be virtual, in late September or early October.
Lastly, please join me in welcoming my two presidential appointments to the Board of Directors: Stephanie Bay, PhD, CCC-SLP, ATP and Christina Maragioglio-Esposito, ATP, RET. We’re fortunate to have their expertise and perspectives on our leadership team!
Thank you for being a valued part of the RESNA community. I wish you all a great August as we transition into fall, and I look forward to what we’ll accomplish together.
Best regards,
Jim Lenker, PhD, OT/L, FAOTA, RESNA Fellow
President, RESNA