The Clinician Task Force continues to advance access and promote best practices in the Complex Rehabilitation Technology industry through educational outreach, advocacy and leadership.Â
Under the leadership of the Executive Board and Executive Director Tamara Kittelson, MS, OTR/L, ATP/SMS, the CTF is active and committed, as evidenced by key accomplishments in 2025 and excited about future projects and opportunities. Â Â
Expanding representation
The CTF Executive Board continues to make progress toward its goal of having CTF representation in all 50 states. This is vital when state-specific advocacy issues arise in the states where CTF members reside. CTF members have sought potential members through local efforts and national platforms. On April 23, 2025, iNRRTS published Kittelson’s letter to introduce CTF and request assistance from industry stakeholders in recruiting additional members. Eleven new members were added to the CTF membership roster in 2025. In 2026, efforts will focus on expanding CTF representation in 11 remaining states.
Educational outreach
In 2025, the education workgroup and Executive Board introduced a student membership program to encourage potential specialization in CRT. The workgroup also created mentorship lists to help connect interested students with CRT clinicians providing mentorship. The workgroup will continue to update resource lists with newly published journal articles, books, videos and sources to assist interested students, educators, clinicians and stakeholders.
State-level progress
Several CTF members advocated for key state-level policies in their respective states. In Minnesota, the Senate passed a bill requiring insurance funding of standing power wheelchairs with three CTF members testifying in person. Several Colorado CTF members are advocating for appropriate use of telehealth for Medicaid evaluations. Additionally, a CTF member in Washington state testified for a Right to Repair bill’s safety amendment.
CTF’s state advocacy workgroup is active with several key projects. The group is creating a survey on current billing practices to capture a snapshot of current best practices and challenges related to CRT billing. They are also working on a one-page resource to educate policymakers and reviewers on the roles and responsibilities of CRT members involved in service and delivery provision.
CTF representation in organizations
Several members serve other key organizations on behalf of CTF. Organizations include the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel, American Society of Exercise Physiologists, Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals and Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition. Serving through national, state and local organizations allows CTF members to provide education, support decision-making and shape policies. In 2026, CTF is looking forward to additional partnerships to support key associations.
Federal accomplishments
On the federal level, CTF supported the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ recognition of the National Coverage Determination reconsideration request on power standing systems. Two members represented CTF at the meeting hosted by CMS. The CTF also provided letters urging CMS to address funding challenges, preventing wheelchair users receiving home health care from obtaining specialty CRT evaluations.
CTF’s federal workgroup published an updated resource titled, “Guide to Practicing Telehealth for CRT Evaluations.” This guide integrates current literature and best practice principles to support high-quality service delivery through telehealth. The publication outlines key factors for conducting successful telehealth visits, the process from referral to fitting, training and delivery and includes a documentation checklist to support clinicians using the telehealth modality. The published guide was shared with Colorado’s Medicaid program as it explores policy changes for telehealth service delivery. The updated guide is readily available on CTF’s website.1
The committee also closely monitored the federal resolutions extending Medicare telehealth services through January 30, 2026, and retroactive to October 1, 2026.
Based on members’ concerns with CMS changes for the five-year replacement rule for powered mobility devices, the CTF submitted letters to CMS, Item Coalition, Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, iNRRTS, National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology, American Association for Home Care, and HME News.
Clinical coverage projects
Members of the clinical coverage workgroup advocated for key reimbursement issues with respect to home health and outpatient seating wheelchair mobility. Several CTF members co-authored “RESNA and CTF Position on the Application of Supported Standing Devices: Current State of the Literature.”2 CTF members are actively participating in various research projects, including a study examining the impact of follow-up visits to support repair and maintenance of power wheelchairs.
Social media outreach
The social media team continues to expand outreach efforts to educate the public about CRT, highlight CTF’s resources and share achievements of CTF members. The workgroup shares information about presentations, publications and project successes on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. These platforms included posts about CTF’s updated telehealth guide, the Medicare coverage extension and a CRT holiday gift guide resource. Be sure to follow these platforms to be among the first to learn about updates and resources.
Abilities expo partnership
The CTF Executive Board formally announced a collaboration between NCART, RESNA, iNRRTS, US Rehab and the International Seating Symposium in supporting the Abilities International Accessibility Conference. This conference aligns with the 2026 Abilities Expos. Several CTF members will serve on plenary panels for the Abilities Expo in Long Beach, New York Metro area and Chicago. The plenary panels will focus on 24-hour posture care management, supported standing options, pediatric mobility devices and the psychosocial adjustment and logistics impacting evolving needs for CRT. You are encouraged to invite others and attend these panels and connect with members at the CTF booth.
Looking ahead
As we reflect on the meaningful progress achieved this year, we are reminded that our work is far from finished. Progress is not a destination but rather a responsibility — one that our members actively choose and work toward every day. Our members remain steadfast in their commitment to advancing clinical expertise that shapes public policy, elevates best practices and drives positive outcomes for people who rely on CRT.
Leslie may be reached at otrjackson@yahoo.com.
Leslie Jackson, OTD, OTR/L, ATP, CEASIII, LSVT BIG Certified, has served as an occupational therapist for over 25 years in various settings, including outpatient, acute care, home health, acute rehab and a doctoral-level academic program. She currently leads the outpatient Seating and Mobility Clinic for Marion Health and serves as an occupational therapist for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Jackson earned the Assistive Technology Professional certification from RESNA in 2008 and is certified in ergonomics and LSVT BIG, a treatment protocol for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. She volunteers as an executive board member for Services for the Visually and Hearing Impaired, a nonprofit organization providing assistive technology and education to its clients. Jackson is honored to contribute through the Clinician Task Force’s advocacy and educational initiatives.
References:
Clinician Task Force. (2025). Clinician Task Force resource center. Retrieved from www.cliniciantaskforce.us/resources
Masselink, C. E., Detterbeck, A., LaBerge, N. B. & Paleg, G. (2025). RESNA and CTF position on the application of supported standing devices: Current state of the literature, Assistive Technology, 37(4), 257-274, DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2024.2411560