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 Greater Texas Rehab Providers' Council |
 Dedicated to the enhancement of the quality, accessibility, and professional provision of enabling technologies to individuals with disabilities through the partnership of industry and consumers. |
2009 TXRPC Annual Meeting Participant Biographies
- Dennis Borel
As Executive Director of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD), Dennis is frequently called on for research, policy analysis and recommendations to the Texas Legislature and state agencies on issues surrounding disabilities. He serves on multiple advisory groups to state health and human services agencies and was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the State Independent Living Council and by HHSC Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins to the Promoting Independence Advisory Council. He has successfully advocated for positive change in government policy and practice in employment, transportation, housing, health care and architectural barriers to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities in community life. He was Project Director for CTD’s history-making Team Everest expedition, an internationally-recognized expedition by a team of people with diverse disabilities to the world’s tallest mountain.
Dennis has twenty-eight years' experience as a senior manager of nonprofit organizations, during which time his programs have received numerous state recognitions and national awards from HUD, the Points of Light Foundation, the New York Interactive Film Festival, the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management and the Barbara Jordan Media Awards. In 2006, the University of Michigan honored him with the national James Neubacher Award for creating opportunities for people with disabilities and in 2009, he received the National Advocacy Award from the National Council on Independent Living. He is a former high school teacher and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco.
Contact:
Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
316 W. 12th St., #405
Austin, TX 78701512/478-3366
FAX 512/478-3370
dborel@cotwd.org
- Jay Brislin, MSPT
General Manager Rehab Applications & Field Product Development
Quantum® Rehab/Pride Mobility Products CorporationMr. Jay Brislin, MSPT, is the General Manager of Rehab Applications & Field Product Development for Pride Mobility Products Corporation, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of mobility products. He serves as sales manager in charge of all Manual Chair, Power Chair, & Quantum Product validations, launches, design reviews, and development. Mr. Brislin also oversees Pride’s Beta Testing Program which garners field feedback for all products in development.
Mr. Brislin’s responsibilities include developing a Custom Rehab Team to provide sales support and R&D feedback. He focuses on the education of sales representatives, providers, and therapists on all Pride product lines and informing the industry about Quantum Rehab, a division of Pride Mobility, which designs and manufactures high-end rehab power chairs and power positioning seating systems. Mr. Brislin also is a member of Pride’s Product Development Team, responsible for the design and implementation of power mobility products highlighting function and safety for all users.
Mr. Brislin joined Pride in July 2000, serving as an Inside Quantum Support Specialist. In March 2002, he joined the Quantum Education Department, educating and training Quantum Representatives and serving as a presenter for Pride/Quantum’s annual Seminar Tour. In November 2004, Mr. Brislin was named General Manager of Rehab Applications/Custom Group, prior to assuming his current role in July 2007.
Mr. Brislin graduated from College Misericordia in Dallas, PA, with a master’s degree in Physical Therapy. He is a proud Friend of NRRTS and member of RESNA.
1.) Peds Power! Evaluation and Options (0.15 CEU / 1.5 CEC) 90 minutes
A clinical framework will be utilized to help evaluate and select the best mobility option for the pediatric client. This course will provide an overview of the evaluation process including readiness for driving, seating for function and programming options that all access to their environment. This course will provide equipment options to match the client to his/her functional mobility needs. Power mobility choices such as Front Wheel Drive, Mid Wheel Drive, and Rear Wheel Drive power chairs, as well as non-traditional solutions such as manual/power hybrid options will be discussed with regard to access issues as well as drive control considerations. An overview of electronic considerations will also be reviewed.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to identify at least 3 critical evaluation criteria when selecting a Pediatric power base system.
- Participants will identify at least 3 criteria when considering the seating options and power positioning options for the Peds client.
- Participants will be able to identify the characteristics of Hybrid power mobility products as well as Front, Mid, and Rear wheel drive power chairs and their advantages and disadvantages for the pediatric client.
- Participants will be able to identify at least 3 electronic options that exist to improve access and participation with their environment
2.) Drive Controls and Beyond…Clinical Applications of Wheelchair Electronics
(0.2 CEU / 2.0 CEC) 120 minutesThis course will utilize clinical case scenario to demonstrate customized programming to enhance individual drive control, environmental access, power seating operation, and more. This course will review programming options for alternative drive controls as well as interfacing assistive technology devices to enhance a client’s function and quality of life.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to distinguish between the advantages and disadvantages of proportional vs. non-proportional drive methods and how they will affect access to driving and access to other system functions.
- The participants will be able to identify at least 3 programming options that will enhance the clients drive capabilities that allow integration of environmental controls, computer access, and electronic devices to be operated from the wheelchair.
- The participants will learn how to program the wheelchair electronics in order to interface the assistive technology devices to meet the client’s needs.
- Amy Meyer, PT, ATP
Pediatric and Standing Specialist
Permobil, Inc.
6961 Eastgate Blvd.
Lebanon, TN 37090
Phone: 800.736.0925, ext. 312
Fax: 615.523.1122
Email: amy.meyer@permobilus.com
Web: www.permobil.comAmy has been involved in wheelchair and adaptive seating since beginning her career as a physical therapist. Amy has worked for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in the past where she was involved in both outpatient and inpatient pediatric physical therapy including inpatient rehabilitation. This experience afforded her the ability to work with a variety of patient populations and diagnoses.
Additionally, Amy was the lead therapist in the Wheelchair and Adaptive Seating Clinic which included evaluation for equipment as well as power mobility training for young children. Most recently, Amy worked exclusively with the Neuromuscular Comprehensive Care Center at Cincinnati Children’s. She has presented various lectures on prescribing and funding wheelchairs and adaptive equipment and writing effective letters of medical necessity. In her role as a pediatric physical therapist, she has been a strong proponent of early power mobility and standing technology. Amy is currently the Pediatric and Standing Specialist for Permobil, Inc. and is an active member of RESNA and the APTA.
ACT for Success
Amy Meyer, PT, ATP -- sponsored by Permobil9:00 am to 10:00 am Pediatric Power Mobility: Assessment and Training 10:00 am to 10:15 am Break 10:15 am to 11:15 am Functional Mobility Solutions for Kids 11:15 am to 11:30 am Break 11:30 am to 12:00 pm The Power of Mobility: Choosing a Power Base 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Lunch 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Power Seat Functions -- Pressure Management 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm How to Write a Powerful LMN
