Q: What is an Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP)?

A: A service provider who is involved in analysis of a consumer's needs and training in the use of a particular device.

Q: What is an Assistive Technology Supplier (ATS)?

A: A service provider who is involved with the sale and service of rehab equipment, assistive technology and commercially available products or devices.

Q: What is a Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist (RET)?

A. A Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist (RET) is a person who applies engineering principles to the design, modification, customization and/or fabrication of assistive technology for persons with disabilities. An assistive technology device is any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized that is used to increase or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. The areas of practice for the Rehabilitation Engineering Technology examination typically encompasses job accommodations, computer access, mass/ public transportation, vehicle modifications, architectural modifications and home modifications, augmentative/ alternative communications, environmental controls, positioning devices, seating and mobility, sensory aids, and learning accommodations.

Q: Must an individual obtain the ATP credential prior obtaining the RET credential?

A: YES. The ATP is a co-requirement for earning the RET credential.

Q: What is the purpose of RESNA's credentialing program for the Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist (RET)?

A: 1) To ensure consumer safeguards; and 2) To increase consumer satisfaction .

Q: What is the aim of RESNA's credentialing program for the Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist (RET)?

A: To provide a method for consumers and third party payers to identify those professionals who have demonstrated command of the foundation practice-related knowledge of Rehabilitation Engineering Technology.

Q: What is the RESNA Code of Ethics?

A: RESNA is an interdisciplinary association for the advancement of rehabilitation and assistive technology. It adheres to and promotes the highest standards of ethical conduct. Its members:
i. Hold paramount the welfare of persons served professionally.
ii. Practice only in their area(s) of competence and maintain high standards.
iii. Maintain the confidentiality of privileged information.
iv. Engage in no conduct that constitutes a conflict of interest or that adversely reflects on the association and, more broadly, on professional practice.
v. Seek deserved and reasonable remuneration for services.
vi. Inform and educate the public on rehabilitation/assistive technology and its applications.
vii. Issue public statements in an objective and truthful manner.
viii. Comply with the laws and policies that guide professional practice.

Q: What is the:RESNA Standards of Practice for Assistive Technology Practitioners and Providers?

A: These Standards of Practice set forth fundamental concepts and rules considered essential to promote the highest ethical standards among individuals who evaluate, assess the need for, recommend, or provide assistive technology. In the discharge of their professional obligations assistive technology practitioners and suppliers shall observe the following principles and rules:
i. Individuals shall keep paramount the welfare of those served professionally.
ii. Individuals shall engage in only those services that are within the scope of their competence, considering the level of education, experience and training, and shall recognize the limitations imposed by the extent of their personal skills and knowledge in any professional area.
iii. In making determinations as to what areas of practice are within their competency, assistive technology practitioners and suppliers shall observe all applicable licensure laws, consider the qualifications for certification or other credentials offered by recognized authorities in the primary professions which comprise the field of assistive technology, and abide by all relevant standards of practice and ethical principals, including RESNA's Code of Ethics.
iv. Individuals shall truthfully, fully and accurately represent their credentials, competency, education, training and experience in both the field of assistive technology and the primary profession in which they are members. To the extent practical, individuals shall disclose their primary profession in all forms of communication, including advertising, that refers to their credential in assistive technology.
v. Individuals shall, at a minimum, inform consumers or their advocates of any employment affiliations, financial or professional interests that may be perceived to bias recommendations, and in some cases, decline to provide services or supplies where the conflict of interest is such that it may fairly be concluded that such affiliation or interest is likely to impair professional judgments.
vi. Individuals shall use every resource reasonably available to ensure that the identified needs of consumers are met, including referral to other practitioners or sources which may provide the needed service or supply within the scope of their competence.
vii. Individuals shall cooperate with members of other professions, where appropriate, in delivering services to consumers, and shall actively participate in the team process when the consumer's needs require such an approach.
viii. Individuals shall offer an appropriate range of assistive technology services which include assessment, evaluation, recommendations, training, adjustments at delivery, and follow-up and modifications after delivery.
ix. Individuals shall verify consumer's needs by using direct assessment or evaluation procedures with the consumer.
x. Individuals shall assure that the consumer fully participates, and is fully informed about all reasonable options available, regardless of finances, in the development of recommendations for intervention strategies.
xi. Individuals shall consider future and emerging needs when developing intervention strategies and fully inform the consumer of those needs.
xii. Individuals shall avoid providing and implementing technology which expose the consumer to unreasonable risk, and shall advise the consumer as fully as possible of all known risks. Where adjustments, instruction for use, or necessary modifications are likely to be required to avoid or minimize such risks, individuals shall make sure that such information or service is provided.
xiii. Individuals shall fully inform consumers or their advocates about all relevant aspects, including the financial implications, of all final recommendations for the provision of technology, and shall not guarantee the results of any service or technology. Individuals may, however, make reasonable statements about prognosis.
xiv. Individuals shall maintain adequate records of the technology evaluation, assessment, recommendations, services, or products provided and preserve confidentiality of those records, unless required by law, or unless the protection of the welfare of the person or the community requires otherwise.
xv. Individuals shall endeavor, through ongoing professional development, including continuing education, to remain current on all aspects of assistive technology relevant to their practice including accessibility, funding, legal or public issues, recommended practices and emerging technologies.
xvi. Individuals shall endeavor to institute procedures, on an on-going basis, to evaluate, promote and enhance the quality of service delivered to all consumers.
xvii. Individuals shall be truthful and accurate in all public statements concerning assistive technology, assistive technology practitioners and suppliers, services, and products dispensed.
xviii. Individuals shall not invidiously discriminate in the provision of services or supplies on the basis of disability, race, national origin, religion, creed, gender, age, or sexual orientation.
xix. Individuals shall not charge for services not rendered, nor misrepresent in any fashion services delivered or products dispensed for reimbursement or any other purpose.
xx. Individuals shall not engage in fraud, dishonesty or misrepresentation of any kind, or any form of conduct that adversely reflects on the field of assistive technology, or the individual's fitness to serve consumers professionally.
xxi. Individuals whose professional services are adversely affected by substance abuse or other health-related conditions shall seek professional advice, and where appropriate, withdraw from the affected area of practice.

Q: What is the impact of the Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) and Assistive Technology Supplier (ATS) Credentials on Assistive Technology?

A (Source: RESNA):

a. Many persons with disabilities must rely on the use of technology to function in their daily lives. Such technology can dramatically expand and facilitate independent living, employment, recreation, education, and management of medical risks. For these persons, gaining access to technology can be critical, but acquiring it can be costly, time-consuming, and risky if done without professional assistance. Providing inappropriate technology and technology-related services not only results in user dissatisfaction and risk, but leads to waste and abandonment of the equipment. To ensure consumer safety, satisfaction, and optimum function in their use of assistive technology and rehabilitation services, it is important that consumers have a way of identifying qualified people who: 1) specialize in the evaluation or supply of assistive technology services and devices, and 2) can provide the necessary training on their use.

b. As an interdisciplinary association of professionals, consumers and public advocates, the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) aims to advance both consumers and the professionals who serve them. For you and for the field, we strive to promote and advance a recognized set of professional standards through which providers of rehabilitation & assistive technology can validate and promote their knowledge, experience, expertise, and professionalism.

c. RESNA has developed two credentials that recognize a demonstrated level of professional competence in the service provision of Assistive Technology:
i. ATP: for service providers primarily involved in evaluation of a consumer's needs, fitting, and training in use of a particular device.
ii. ATS: for service providers primarily involved in the sale and ser ice of commercially available devices.

d. Knowing that assistive technology (AT) professionals can hold an ATP or ATS credential empowers the consumer to be a stronger self-advocate while empowering the provider to raise the bar of professional standards and market their own professional expertise as a qualified AT professional.

e. The customer, whether an end user, an insurance company, or a government agency, can have confidence that an individual who is certified through RESNA offers:
i. A level of education and professional experience required to meet eligibility criteria
ii. Knowledge of assistive technology, as shown by passing a credentialing exam
iii. Professionalism and ethical practice, as prescribe by RESNA's Standards of Practice
iv. Professional oversight by the RESNA Professional Standards Board

Q:. How has Rehabilitation Engineering been defined over the course of its history?

A: See the following references.
a . A. M. Cook and S. M. Hussey, "Introduction and Overview," in Assistive Technologies: Principles and practice, 2nd ed. St. Louis: Mosby, Inc., 2002, pp. 3-33.
b . D. A. Hobson and E. Trefler, "Rehabilitation Engineering Technologies: Principles of Application," in The Biomedical Engineering Handbook, vol. 2, J. D. Brozino, Ed., Second ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2000, pp. 146-1 - 146-9.
c . A. Y. J. Szeto, "Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology," in Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, J. D. Enderle, S. M. Blanchard, and J. D. Bronzino, Eds. New York: Academic Press, 2001, pp. 905-941.
d . J. M. Winters, "Rehabilitation Engineering Training for the Future: Influence of Trends in Academics, Technology, and Health Reform," Assistive Technology, vol. 7, pp. 95-110, 1995.
e . J. B. Reswick, "How and When Did the Rehabilitation Engineering Center Program Come into Being?," Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, vol. 39, pp. 11-16, 2002.
f . A. R. Potvin, T. C. Mercandante, and A. M. Cook, "Skill Requirements for the Rehabilitation Engineer: Results of a Survey," IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, vol. 27, pp. 283-288, 1980.
g . D. A. Hobson, "Rehabilitation Engineering - A developing Specialty," Prosthetics and Orthotics International, vol. 1, pp. 56-60, 1977.