In honor of longtime RESNA member Denis K. Anson, friends and colleagues have established an endowed award: the Denis K. Anson Innovation Award. Spearheaded by past RESNA Presidents Gregg Vanderheiden and Roger Smith, the award will be presented annually to the Audience Favorite winner of the Developers Showcase. RESNA is now accepting contributions toward the endowment – with all contributions being matched one to one up to $10,000.
A RESNA member for over 30 years, Denis Anson passed away on November 25, 2025 after a four-year battle with metastatic prostate cancer. Despite being in constant pain, he continued his professional contributions with his characteristic full jolly smile. That determination—to keep contributing, teaching, and sharing—was characteristic of Denis throughout his life and career.
Denis was also a deeply committed RESNA volunteer. He served as an active board member and SIG leader and was inducted into the Hall of Fellows in 2003. For many years, RESNA conference attendees knew Denis as the “Tech Lab” guy. Each year at the annual conference, he set up computer labs equipped with the latest software for computer access, AAC, and cognitive disabilities. These hands-on labs allowed scores of members to explore new and emerging assistive technology tools, compare solutions, and discuss best practices with one another—and directly with Denis. For many, the Tech Lab was a highlight of the conference and an invaluable learning opportunity.
At the core of Denis’s work was a deeply held belief: that the most effective way to improve the lives of people with disabilities was to ensure that clinicians and ATPs had access to accurate, practical, and timely information about computer technology. He believed computer-based tools represented one of the most powerful resources available to the field. As a result, his focus increasingly turned toward education—helping clinicians understand the availability, application, and value of assistive technologies.
The Denis A. Anson Innovation Award reflects these values and this legacy. By recognizing innovation that resonates most strongly with the RESNA community, the award celebrates the practical, clinician-centered creativity Denis championed throughout his career. It honors not only his technical expertise, but also his belief in sharing knowledge, fostering curiosity, and supporting the people who turn technology into meaningful impact. The award will be presented annually to the Audience Favorite winner of the Developers Showcase.
Through this award, Denis’s spirit of generosity, innovation, and education will continue to inspire future developers, clinicians, and assistive technology professionals for years to come.
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