RESNA highlights busy RehabWeek2019

TORONTO - RESNA doled out a bevy of awards during its annual conference—part of RehabWeek 2019, June 24-28 in Toronto— including naming the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) as the recipient of the RESNA Leadership Award.

The honor recognizes a company, agency or organization for significant contributions to the field of assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering, and for supporting and recognizing RESNA and its mission of promoting access to AT for people with disabilities.

John Anschutz, a RESNA board member and the assistive technology manager at the Shepherd Center, nominated NMEDA for the award.

“NMEDA has enhanced the public's knowledge about quality resources available to help people with disabilities and mobility impairments, and has made sure they have the freedom of travel with various wheelchair accessible vehicles, whether the individual travels as a passenger or a driver,” he said.

NMEDA is a nonprofit trade association with more than 600 members, including mobility equipment dealers, manufacturers and drive rehab specialists.

Michelle Lange named fellow

Other awards and honors handed out included naming Michelle Lange as a Fellow (recognizes members who have made long-term and substantial contributions to the field of rehab and assistive technology, as well as significant contributions to RESNA); Chapal Khasnabis, honorary fellow (recognizes non-members who have promoted issues and demonstrated leadership highly relevant to the field and who have encouraged the independence of individuals with disabilities); Travis Tallman, Samuel McFarland Memorial Mentorship Award (recognizes members or groups of members who have influenced, counseled and nurtured others in the field); Perry Loh and Sue Redepenning, Emerging Leader Award (recognizes new members who have made significant contributions, provided leadership and have made an impact to RESNA during their first several years of participation); and Seanna Kringen and John Anschutz, Distinguished Service Award (recognizes members for their sustained contributions and service to RESNA and the field).

New board members announced

RESNA also elected officers for three open positions on its board of directors. They are: Jennifer Boger, a RESNA member since 2008, and a member of the Cognitive and Sensory Loss, Engineers and Technologies, ATSC Cognitive Accessibility, Conference Planning committees (also a chair); Ed Giesbrecht, a RESNA member since 2014, and a member of the Conference Planning Committee (also a chair); Seong-Hee, a RESNA member since 2015 and an ATP since 2016, and a member of the Engineers and Technologists and Marketing & Communications committees. They will join the board in August. Leaving the board are Meghan Donahue, John Anschutz, Patricia Bahr, Doug Gayton, Vince Schiappa and Cher Smith.