RESNA Fundraising for Denis K. Anson Innovation Award
The Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) is honoring longtime member Denis K. Anson by launching an endowment fund in his name.
Donations are now being accepted for the fund, whose creation is being led by past RESNA Presidents Gregg Vanderheiden and Roger Smith. The award will be given each year to the Audience Favorite winner of the Developers Showcase, presented at RESNA’s annual conference.
Anson, who served as a RESNA board member and special interest groups (SIG) leader, passed away on Nov. 25. He became a RESNA fellow in 2003.
“For many years, RESNA conference attendees knew Denis as the ‘Tech Lab’ guy,” RESNA said in a Dec. 16 announcement. “Each year at the annual conference, he set up computer labs equipped with the latest software for computer access, AAC [augmentative and alternative communication], and cognitive disabilities. These hands-on labs allowed scores of members to explore new and emerging assistive technology tools, compare solutions and discuss best practices with one another — and directly with Denis. For many, the Tech Lab was a highlight of the conference and an invaluable learning opportunity.”
RESNA is matching donations to the endowment fund up to $10,000.
“Through this award,” the association said, “Denis’s spirit of generosity, innovation and education will continue to inspire future developers, clinicians and assistive technology professionals for years to come.”
ABLE Account Eligibility Changed to Age 46
The eligibility age to open an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account significantly changed on Jan. 1 to include people who become disabled later in life.
ABLE accounts can now be opened for people with disability onset by the age of 46 years, rather than by age 26.
The change “increases the number of individuals who can benefit from ABLE accounts, enhancing financial security and support for a broader group of people with disabilities, including veterans,” said the nonprofit ABLE National Resource Center. “The ABLE Act allows a person whose disability began before age 46 to save money in the ABLE account without affecting most federally funded benefits based on need. The money in the account may be used to pay for qualified disability expenses.”
The ABLE contribution limit for 2026 is $20,000.
