Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Category: General

RESNA, the Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America, is offering “Fundamentals in Assistive Technology,” an introductory course for professionals about technology solutions for people with disabilities, at the NEAT Center at Oak Hill (120 Holcomb Street, Hartford, CT 06112) on April 25-26. 

The two-day, in-person course is designed for professionals that assess, evaluate, configure, procure or service assistive technology for people with disabilities. Assistive technology can be as simple as speed dial on a telephone, which helps someone with a motor impairment from having to push several buttons, to disability-specific solutions such as computer screen readers, power wheelchairs, and communication devices. 

The Fundamentals course provides a broad overview of almost every type of assistive technology, including how the technology is used or adapted depending on the disability. Real-life case studies illustrate the principles and theories in assistive technology provision. The intensive curriculum is perfect for assistive technology professionals who are new to the field, or those who are working in a specific area and would like to broaden their expertise. Physical therapists, special education teachers, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, mobility suppliers, rehabilitation engineers, and students studying assistive technology will find the course relevant to their daily professional lives. 

The instructors are Barbara Crane, PhD, PT, ATP, a physical therapist by training and the coordinator of the Wheelchair Assessment Service for Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford, CT; and Glen Ashlock, MS, ATP, a rehabilitation engineer at the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living in Ann Arbor, MI. Both are RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professionals (ATP) with extensive experience in the field. 

The course fee is $465; RESNA members pay $350, and students pay $315.