Did you know that the International Seating Symposium, or ISS, is the largest seating and mobility conference in the world? We’re admittedly a bit biased with our organizing team hailing from the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. This expansive symposium is led by our Master of Rehabilitation Technology (MRT) faculty Mark Schmeler and Rachel Hibbs - and we think this year’s event was the best yet.
The last two years have not been easy for anyone and no doubt organizations that offer continuing education have had to nimbly adapt to the times. Pitt’s team is no exception—we decided to take a risk by scheduling in-person last year, only to be delayed to January of this year. And then Omicron had other plans. Like many other sector conferences (like RESNA to be held in July of this year) we switched to virtual. Even in its virtual state, we were excited to welcome over 1,100 attendees for three full days of engaging, interactive and state-of-the-art content.
Hopefully by now you know that each session was recorded! The ISS registration fee includes on-demand access to 108 sessions until February of next year. This is an awesome benefit of the virtual shift—I am still watching sessions I missed from a conference I attended in the fall while I do dishes and take walks. Learning “on the go” is a nice break from reality!
I recommend the following not-to-miss sessions:
- “Large Data: Threat or Opportunity” (how data can improve practice, policy and innovation)
- “A Telehealth Model for Assistive Technology (AT) Assessments” (tips for implementing a telerehabilitation program for various stages of the AT service delivery model)
- “Impact of the Assistive Technology Professional in the Provision of Mobility Assistive Technology” (great data suggesting well-qualified providers make a difference in client outcomes)
- “Global Perspectives on Wheelchair Policy” (international experts weigh in on what’s working and what’s not related to wheelchair policies in 5 different countries)
Also, the RESNA track offered a great bang for your buck. These sessions were interdisciplinary and brought in presenters who may not have otherwise joined the more niche seating community. These 10 sessions include content on alternative and augmentative communication devices, mainstream smart home technologies, training consumers and much more. Simply click the ‘RESNA Track’ filter to view the session list.
Missed out on the exhibit hall? The exhibit hall was buzzing with over 70 exhibitors. Don’t worry, their contact information and promotions are still available on the conference platform. I know the exhibitors would love to hear from you. Continue to build your networks together!
If you weren't able to make it, it's not too late to tune in and see all the latest news. As mentioned, if you registered, you can access all the content through the Attendee Hub until next February! It's not too late to sign up, either. If you register now, you can view ALL 2022 ISS sessions and receive CEU credit.
--
Written by: Mary Goldberg, PhD
MRT Program Director
Associate Professor
Rehabilitation Technology