2021 Call for Session Proposals Closed

Click Here to Submit Sessions

If you have problems submitting your proposal, contact the RESNA office at info@resna.org. 

PRESENTER NOTIFICATION:

We will make every attempt to notify presenters about the status of their proposals by 29 January 2021. The Principal Organizer/Author will receive all notification materials and is solely responsible for disseminating the information to his/her co-presenters.

SESSION SCHEDULING

We will schedule accepted proposals for presentation during the regular conference program. Please confirm your ability to attend the conference before submitting a proposal. If presenters have special scheduling needs or restrictions, please note such in your proposal or advise us immediately upon notification of workshop acceptance, so we may do our best to accommodate everyone’s needs.

The full Conference schedule will not be available until late spring.

DISCLOSURE OF PROPRIETARY INTEREST POLICY

Presenters agree to disclose to participants any proprietary interest in any product, instrument, device, service, or material discussed in the activity, and the source of any compensation related to the presentation.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POLICY

The author/presenter/faculty certifies the material contained in their presentation/paper is original and created by said author(s), and in cases where materials have been used from other sources, proper documentation is provided and appropriate and necessary credit is given to the original sources. RESNA will not tolerate violation of copyright or intellectual property rules and shall take steps to sanction any RESNA author or presenter who does not follow established protocols for obtaining permission to use and/or reference work created by others. Authors/presenters/faculty of material to be distributed or presented at a RESNA educational activity shall abide by all applicable copyright and intellectual property laws, and are required to provide proper documentation and credit to the appropriate source in cases where materials have been used from other sources. Violators of this policy shall be excluded from participation in future RESNA educational programs.

CONTACT US:
Please direct any questions to the RESNA office:
Email: info@resna.org  
Subject Line: Conference Session Proposal
Phone: 202- 367-1121

• Who can submit a proposal for a conference session? 

Any individual or group is welcome to submit a proposal for consideration; you do not need to be a member of RESNA. Collaborative proposals are strongly encouraged to involve cross discipline presentations by presenters from assorted special interest and professional specialty areas, including public policy organizations, AT Act Programs, comparable associations, international partners, or research programs.

• I would like to demonstrate a new product during a conference session. May I submit a proposal? 

Sponsors and exhibitors receive first consideration for product demonstrations. While other manufacturer-sponsored sessions are welcome, these sessions have a better chance of being accepted if they discuss their product, strategy, or type of technology in collaboration with other companies, clinicians, researchers or consumers, and present their ideas or topics in a broader context which reflects a range of perspectives. Also, product demonstration proposals must have clear learning outcomes.

• Is there reimbursement or payment for conference sessions? 

While RESNA recognizes the value sessions add to the conference program, we do not provide honoraria or travel reimbursements. Presenters will receive a special one-day registration rate for the conference for the day they are presenting. If you would like to attend multiple days of the conference, you may receive the RESNA member rate for the conference, whether or not you are a RESNA member.

• What if the live conference is cancelled?

2021 will be a challenging year. While we are hopeful of an in-person in July conference, there is ample opportunity for our wishes not to be met. As a result, we are co-planning a virtual conference to take place during the same time frame. Presenters will be asked during the submission process whether they are interested, and able, to present their session virtually as well as in-person.

New Topic Areas:

In keeping with the conference theme, “Welcome Home”, RESNA is encouraging session proposals in the following topic areas:

SHO     Smart Home Technologies
e.g, the use of consumer smart home technologies such as home automation, virtual assistants, IOT (Internet of Things) appliances and other technologies to adapt and assist people with disabilities in the home.

HMD     Home Modifications
Technologies, modifications, accessibility, etc. specifically related to supporting living in the home; this can be for any age group.

Traditional Topic Areas:

ACT      Access and Communication Technology
e.g. computer/Computing Access and Use:  innovation in software and hardware; training strategies; integration of computer/computing technologies; alternative access; outcomes measurement.

AAC     Augmentative & Alternative Communication.  
e.g. augmentative and Alternative Communication: Assessment and intervention strategies; language representation techniques; clinical/technical; AAC research and developments; funding issues; service delivery options, outcomes measurement.

AGE     Aging
e.g. technologies, interventions, policy, etc. specifically related to supporting aging.

AV        Autonomous Vehicles
e.g. technology, policy, and standards for autonomous vehicles with benefit people with disabilities.

COG     Cognitive and Sensory Impairments
e.g. cognitive disabilities; learning disabilities; developmental disabilities; cognitive rehabilitation and aids to memory; low vision/blindness; hearing impairment.

ETH      Ethics
e.g., real world examples of RESNA’s Standards of Practice; ethics of Assistive Technology for cognitive impairment; AI, machine learning and ethics

INT       Technologies for Less Resourced Areas
e.g. providing services or conducting research relative to Assistive Technology in developing countries and other resource-limited environments.

JEA      Job & Environmental Accommodation – including Ergonomics
e.g. access to employment, education, or built environments; ergonomics; farming and other rural interventions; EADL systems; universal design of products, places & systems; liability and legal issues associated with home access and workplace modifications. 

K12      K - 12 Practice
Efforts to improve access to quality AT services within the school setting. Tools, techniques, research, or applications which facilitate the promotion and improvement of assistive technology practice in the primary and secondary school setting.

NEW    Emerging Technology
e.g. emerging technologies and innovations with the potential to improve the health, employment, community participation, and education of people with disability or aging. This is primarily for new technology not yet on the market or a new application of technology.

OUT     Service Delivery, Outcomes, & Measurement
e.g. service delivery programs and administration; remote service delivery; models, challenges, funding, and best practices; ethics for practitioners
e.g. outcomes measurement tools, application, importance, practice
e.g. measuring/quantifying function; documenting change in performance; testing validity and reliability of measurement instruments.

PP        Public Policy and Advocacy
e.g., legislation; credentialing and certification; advocacy for AT funding; access to services; nation-wide or model programs 

SM       Seating and Mobility – Including Complex Rehab Technology (CRT)
e.g., seating and wheelchair interventions; transportation issues; vehicle modifications; user training; wheelchair features and client/diagnosis matching; objective tests; custom vs. off-the-shelf solutions; 24/7 postural support; documentation and outcome measures for funding approval, mobility issues over a lifespan.

OTH     Other

I. Abstract (75-100 words) Note: This is a short description of what the audience can expect from your presentation. 

MUST be completed for submission review and for publication on the Website, and in the Final Program. The Abstract MUST NOT exceed 100 words and should clearly and succinctly summarize the session content and learning outcomes. It should be able to be used for marketing purposes. This is short description of what the audience should expect form your session.

II. Relevance to RESNA Audience / Interaction (75 words)

MUST be completed for submission review and for possible publication on the Website, and in the Final Program. Write a clear and succinct statement about: 1) Relevance to RESNA audience; 2) Timeliness of topic; and 3) Explanation of how the various AT-related professions and AT-disciplines may gain from this session. Please do not simply restate the information in the Abstract.  Please assist us in understanding your content.  

III. Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes are written statements which:

• Provide a framework for acquired knowledge application;
• Provide the basis for selection of content and instructional strategies;
• Are participant-centered (e.g. “By the end of this program, learners will be able to [explain, describe, identify, list, differentiate, direct, perform, etc.]”.) and describe to learners exactly what knowledge, skills, and/or competencies they are expected to accomplish/demonstrate as a result of the learning activity;
• Are the basis for providing periodic feedback, measuring progress, and final assessment of learning; and
• Are appropriate in number for the planned activity.

Properly described learning outcomes are the key to providing IACET CEUs for conference activities. Presenters must include a slide at the beginning of their presentation showing the expected learning outcomes. 

IV. Quiz Questions

Multiple choice quiz questions are required to assess learning for each of the learning outcomes.  There should be one quiz question per learning outcome.  See example below.

Presenters must plan to include the answers to the quiz questions in their presentation.

IV. Proposed Handout Materials

List and describe all handout materials. Although not required with your proposal submission, session outlines and/or sample handouts assist reviewers in appraising the strength of your proposal.

V. Organizational Structure of Session

Specifically describe how session time will be allocated and outline what each presenter will contribute, using the format below. Please note - presenters are required to present and discuss their learning outcomes at the beginning of the session and to set aside time at the end of the session (as detailed below) for questions and audience interaction.

Information sharing sessions and other formats or activities which draw upon the experience and expertise of the audience are strongly encouraged. As mentioned at the beginning of this document, we are especially soliciting proposals for more interactive sessions to include diverse audience participation, as well as innovative ways of presenting information. You should provide enough detail so the reviewers will have a clear idea about the session content and the overall organization. If there are multiple presenters for your session, please specify the presenter name and session content for each time allocation. Total time must equal 30, 60, 75 or 90 minutes.

The example below is for a 60-minute session. For examples of 30 minute, 75 minute, and 90-minute sessions, visit the conference call for session submissions webpage.

LEARNING OUTCOMES EXAMPLE

Quiz Question Example

Example of quiz questions for the above session would be:

VII. Brief description of presenters’ experience with this topic area.

Describe the professional expertise of each presenter with respect to the proposed subject matter. Please include relevant conference presentation or instructional experience. An abbreviated CV may be used if it provides an effective summary. This is required by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) in order for RESNA to provide CEUs for your Conference Session. (Approximately 50-100 words)