NOW OPEN: Submit your Session/Workshop proposal for RESNA 2026 at Abilities Expo.
DEADLINES: See Session/Workshop submission deadlines by conference location below. (You may submit for both locations.)
- Abilities Expo | Long Beach, CA - March 26 and 27
- Sessions and Workshops Submission Deadline: August 15th, 2025
- Abilities Expo | Greater New York - April 30 and May 1
- Seassions and Workshops Submission Deadline: October 3, 2025
ABOUT RESNA SESSIONS
RESNA’s sessions distinguish themselves in the field because the presenters work to ensure the learning experience is innovative, interdisciplinary, and informative. Presenters aim to: 1. Deliver current information; 2. Have a well-organized structure which stimulates and facilitates learning; and 3. Include discussions which draw upon the participants’ own expertise.
For 2026, RESNA is accepting session/workshop proposals in the following configuration:
- 60-minute Sessions: Interactive and make use of audience participation and group activities as a primary mechanism for knowledge transfer; this may include a single speaker, a panel of speakers, hands-on demonstrations, show & tell, and/or other creative formats.
Each session type must include a visual component (such as a PowerPoint-type presentation), a hands-on or demonstration component where possible, handouts and/or other teaching aids, and time for discussion and questions from the audience. Real-time polling, etc., can be made available. Please consider innovative ways to convey information and increase audience participation.
IACET CEU REQUIREMENTS
RESNA will be offering IACET CEUs for educational content sessions. In order to be included in the final program and to qualify for IACET CEUs, all educational sessions must have 3-4 measurable learning outcomes.
Following session acceptance, presenters will also be required to submit multiple-choice quiz questions to assess each learning outcome in order to be included in the official program. Instructions and a deadline will be provided following session acceptance.
REVIEW PROCESS
The Conference Committee and their chosen experts, composed of professionals with expertise in a range of topic areas, will review all proposals. Proposals shall be evaluated according to the general criteria listed below, in addition to the general fit into the program as a whole.
REVIEW CRITERIA
- The proposal includes a clear abstract accurately summarizing the session content, does not exceed the 300 word limit, and is suitable for marketing purposes. Although this is called an abstract, it is in truth a short description of what the audience should expect from your presentation. This description should be well developed, as it is what will largely market your presentation and will be published in the RESNA program;
- The subject matter is timely, relevant to the RESNA audience, and not too narrowly focused. Content of potential interest across disciplines is most welcome;
- The proposal clearly defines session structure, organization, and time allocation as appropriate to the proposed material;
- Presenters have sufficient expertise and knowledge of the subject matter; and
- The proposal is thorough and includes concrete, measurable learning outcomes are clearly possible.
PRESENTER NOTIFICATION:
We will make every attempt to notify presenters about the status of their proposals by mid-October (for the Long Beach location) and mid-November (for the Greater NY location). The Principal Organizer/Author will receive all notification materials and is solely responsible for disseminating the information to their co-presenters.
An acceptance notification will include the Education Committee’s review of the measurable learning outcomes and any suggested revisions, as well as instructions for developing the learning assessment, which are multiple-choice quiz questions.
The Principal Organizer/Author must accept the offer to present with final, revised measurable outcomes and multiple choice quiz questions by the deadline date provided in the acceptance notice.
SESSION SCHEDULING
We will schedule accepted sessions during the days of the conference (March 26-27 for Long Beach, CA and April 30-May 1 for Greater New York).
Please confirm your ability to both register for and attend the conference before submitting a proposal. Speakers will be eligible for a discounted registration rate. If presenters have special scheduling needs or restrictions, please note such in your proposal or advise us immediately upon notification of acceptance, so we may do our best to accommodate everyone’s needs.
The final conference program will be published on the website by [INSERT DATE]
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGREEMENT
DISCLOSURE OF PROPRIETARY INTEREST POLICY
The online submission system will ask Presenters to 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 online submission system will ask Presenters to agree with RESNA's Intellectual Property Policy, which states: 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.
Further, authors/presenters/faculty of RESNA conference sessions agree to comply with RESNA’s Code of Conduct and Standards of Practice.
OTHER INFORMATION
Due to the finite number of session slots available, RESNA may approach authors/presenters/faculty with an offer to present the session outside of the conference as a webinar or event. If this should happen, please note this is not an insult or a comment on the value of the session proposal, but a compliment on the strength of the proposal.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: info@resna.org
- Subject Line: Conference Session Proposal
Phone: 202-367-1121