Clinician Task Force

04/18/2026

Celebrating Occupational Therapy Month! 🎉

This month we're honoring the incredible Occupational Therapists whose work creates life-changing opportunities for patients & clients and inspires the next generation of innovators in complex rehabilitation technology.

Student spotlight: Kyle Harris just wrapped up his OT capstone experience at with CTF member Stephanie Cooley, OTR/L, ATP. Kyle told us "It makes me smile hearing stories of how individuals plan to use their chair to see their kids or grandkids run a race, play in a sport, or see them perform. Knowing that the equipment we work to provide allows people to engage and participate in the things that bring them joy in their life is the greatest reward of the work we do.”

Thank you to all occupational therapy professionals who are shaping tomorrow's healthcare solutions and impacting the patients and clients you serve!



Image: Kyle Harris, 3rd year occupational therapy student at The Ohio State University and Ryan Burnett PT, DPT, ATP are pictured utilizing a stair climbing PMD in a stairwell at Dodd Rehabilitation Center in Columbus, Ohio.

04/01/2026

Members Act Now!
The proposed changes to Local Coverage Determination language threatens to limit power seat elevation (K0830, K0831) coverage and deny medically necessary equipment for beneficiaries who use a Group 2 power wheelchair. Please share with your clients, suppliers, clinicians and reps and submit your story today to protect access and coverage of technology invaluable to independence, safety and health. For more information about the benefits of power seat elevation, see RESNA position statement (2020) and Policy Analysis on Power Seat Elevation Systems (Masselink et al, 2022) on the CTF website. Stay tuned for a letter from the CTF coming soon.

Email your comments to PMDRecon@noridiancom by midnight on April 4th!

03/27/2026

Day 2 at Abilities International is officially in the books! Looks like a wheelie good time was had by all! ☺️ 👩🏼‍🦽

03/27/2026

Members of the CTF gathered to collaborate with industry partners to provide education and network with clinicians at the first conference in LA!

03/21/2026

03/17/2026

Join us for two days of forward-thinking education, collaboration and practical strategies you can put into action immediately at the Abilities International Accessibility Conference March 26–27, 2026 in Los Angeles. There's still time to register and be part of the conversation shaping the future of complex rehab technology. We can't wait to see you there!

CTF members presenting include:
Tamara Kittleson, MSc, OTR/L, ATP/SMS
Lee Ann Hoffman, EdD,OTD, MSc, OTR/L, ATP/SMS, CAPS
Erin Michael, PT, DPT, ATP/SMS, CSMC
Stan Arledge, ATP/SMS
Christie Hamstra, PT, DPT, ATP/SMS
Lisa Kenyon, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS
Jenny Siegle, Advocate, Producer Altitude Sports & Entertainment

03/13/2026

New FREE online training is now available to help build practical manual wheelchair skills for everyday life!

These web-based, self-directed courses include step-by-step guidance, photos, videos, and safety tips for skills such as navigating ramps, turning and maneuvering, transfers, wheelies, and more.

Courses are available based on propulsion style:
• Using both arms
• Using one arm and one leg
• Using both legs

Designed for manual wheelchair users, care partners, and rehabilitation professionals. This training is based on the Wheelchair Skills Program and developed in collaboration with wheelchair users.

Explore the training: https://wheelchairskillsprogram.ca/en/upcoming-courses/

03/01/2026

International Wheelchair Day was founded in 2008, by Steve Wilkinson, a passionate advocate for wheelchair users whose vision was to create a global movement that celebrated the positive impact of wheelchairs, recognized the efforts of those who provide and support mobility solutions and raised awareness about the millions of people still in need of a wheelchair. We support the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP) and honor Steve by promoting International Wheelchair Day. Accessibility, inclusion, and mobility must remain a global priority.

02/19/2026

CTF Members just created this infograph for CRT Roles & Responsibilities. We would like to thank our members for this contribution! This can also be found on the CTF website to download. See link in bio.
Author credit: CTF members Britta Schwartzhoff, PT, DPT, ATP/SMS and Laura Morgan, PT, DPT, APT

02/16/2026

Congratulations to CTF members Ginny Paleg, PT, MPT, DScPT, Ashely Shilling PT, DPT, PCS, Kristen Cezat, PT, DPT, NCS, ATP/SMS and Katie Fitzgerald, PT, DPT, NCS who presented at 2026 APTA CSM national conference in Anaheim, California this weekend.

Sessions were selected by the Pediatric and Neurology sections respectively:

Right on Time! Considerations for Prescription of Adaptive Equipment in Young Children with Developmental Delay
Presenters: Heather A. Feldner, PT, MPT, PhD, Ginny S. Paleg, PT, MPT, DScPT, Gena Priest, PT, DPT, PhD and Ashley Schilling, PT, DPT

The Unintentional Consequences of “Failing” Rehab: Reframing Success after SCI
Presenters: Katie Blackburn, PT, DPT, Kristen Cezat, PT, DPT, Katie Fitzgerald, PT, DPT and Chrissy Voigtmann, PT, DPT

02/15/2026

Arlen Klamm, OTR/L, ATP/SMS (South Dakota), Chrissy Scheer ,PT, DPT, CPST (Nebraska), and Jane Loscheider, OTD, OTR/L, ATP, CLT(North Dakota) recently returned from a medical mission trip to Ecuador where they helped children with disabilities including fitting them for wheelchairs among other therapy services.