In 1992, NRRTS was born from a simple but urgent truth: Complex Rehab Technology users deserved more. They deserved more than unqualified providers, more than unclear standards and more than a system that treated their life-sustaining equipment as ordinary retail goods. They deserved professionals, individuals who brought skill, ethics and accountability to the provision of complex seating and mobility equipment. NRRTS answered that call by establishing the first registry of suppliers who committed themselves to professional excellence and a code of ethics specific to this work.
Now, more than three decades later, iNRRTS has reached a remarkable milestone: 1,000 active Registrants. This is not simply a number. It is a testament to a profession that continues to grow in its standards, its scope and its responsibility to those we serve. It marks a moment to reflect on how far we have come and to recognize the profound importance of what lies ahead.
The Roots of a Movement
When NRRTS was first conceived, the landscape of CRT provision was dramatically different than from today. There were no defined qualifications for suppliers. No standards for practice. No recourse for those who experienced substandard care. Anyone could sell a wheelchair, with little regard for whether it met the clinical needs of the person using it. This absence of accountability left too many people vulnerable, at risk for poor outcomes, medical complications, and diminished quality of life.
NRRTS was established not just to recognize those who were doing things right, but also to create a framework that ensured consistency, integrity and professionalism. The Registry set forth requirements for continuing education, adherence to a code of ethics and a public commitment to competence in the field. Registrants were expected to demonstrate knowledge, pursue growth and serve their clients with respect and responsibility.
Through these efforts, NRRTS helped elevate the role of the supplier from vendor to professional, a critical distinction in a field where equipment decisions have direct implications for health, independence and dignity.
A Legacy of Leadership
Over the years, NRRTS has evolved alongside the CRT industry itself. Registrants have been at the forefront of advocacy efforts, pushing for appropriate coverage policies, ethical business practices and recognition of CRT as a distinct and essential service. The Registry’s standards have become a benchmark, reinforcing the idea that this work requires not just technical skill, but empathy, ethics and accountability.
Education is a central pillar of NRRTS’s mission, providing opportunities for Registrants to deepen their knowledge, share expertise and stay informed of best practices. The creation of webinars, CEU opportunities and the respected DIRECTIONS publication have helped ensure that suppliers remain informed and engaged as lifelong learners.
The NRRTS Code of Ethics has stood as a guiding document throughout these decades, reminding Registrants that their decisions impact lives in ways far beyond equipment delivery. It codifies the values of integrity, advocacy and respect that continue to shape our profession.
Becoming iNRRTS: A Global Perspective
As the profession has matured, so too has the recognition that the challenges and opportunities in CRT are not confined by borders. Complex needs are universal, and the expertise required to meet them is a global conversation. The transition from NRRTS to iNRRTS marked an important acknowledgement of this reality, broadening the reach of the Registry and inviting professionals around the world to share in this mission.
The “i” in iNRRTS reflects both “international” and “inclusive.” It speaks to a vision of collaboration, where suppliers from diverse health care systems and cultural contexts can contribute to and benefit from shared knowledge, standards and advocacy. This evolution ensures that iNRRTS remains not only relevant but also vital as the world becomes more interconnected and as access to CRT becomes a global human rights issue.
A Milestone Worth Celebrating: 1,000 strong
Reaching 1,000 active Registrants is more than a statistic, it is evidence of a thriving community united by purpose. It reflects the trust that professionals place in this organization to uphold standards, support education and lead the conversation on what it means to deliver ethical, competent and person-centered CRT services.
This milestone is also a reflection of the changing health care landscape. Policymakers, payers and the public increasingly recognize that quality outcomes in mobility, positioning and communication require knowledgeable providers. The growing number of Registrants signals that more professionals are embracing accountability, seeking peer connection and valuing continued learning.
Every Registrant represents a point of impact. Behind each number is a person serving individuals with disabilities, advocating for the right equipment, ensuring proper fit, supporting health outcomes and, ultimately, enhancing lives. The ripple effect of 1,000 committed professionals is immeasurable.
Looking Ahead with Optimism and Purpose
While this milestone invites reflection, it also serves as a springboard for the future. The work is far from finished. The challenges facing CRT remain formidable: inconsistent access, evolving technologies, regulatory complexities, and the ever-present need to center the voice and experience of the person using the equipment.
iNRRTS stands ready to meet these challenges. The commitment to professional standards remains unwavering. The investment in education will only deepen. The emphasis on ethics will continue to guide decision-making in an environment where pressures can threaten to erode quality.
Moreover, iNRRTS is positioned to lead with a vision that is both global and forward-looking. Opportunities to collaborate with international organizations, share best practices across borders and advocate for policies that recognize the unique nature of CRT are expanding. As the Registry grows, so too does its capacity to influence positive change.
Technology will continue to reshape our field, from advancements in materials and manufacturing to new approaches in assessment and data integration. iNRRTS Registrants are uniquely prepared to navigate these developments with discernment, ensuring that innovation serves the needs of the people who rely on CRT.
A Shared Achievement
This milestone belongs to every Registrant, past and present, who has chosen to align with the values and standards of iNRRTS. It belongs to the volunteers, board members and staff who have nurtured this organization through decades of change. It belongs to the advocates who have championed the importance of qualified suppliers. And it belongs to the community of CRT users whose needs inspire our unwavering commitment.
Reaching 1,000 Registrants is not the finish line. It is a reminder that together, we are stronger, more capable and more prepared to face the complexities of our work. It is a moment to reaffirm our shared mission: to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the technology and expertise they need to live fully, safely and with dignity.
The future of iNRRTS is bright because it is grounded in the principles that launched this journey over 30 years ago: ethics, education, accountability and advocacy. These principles remain the foundation upon which we build our next achievements.
As we celebrate this milestone, we do so with gratitude for the past, pride in the present and optimism for the future. Together, we will continue to elevate our profession and, more importantly, the lives of those we serve.
Here’s to the next 1,000.
Andrea Madsen, ATP
Andrea may be reached at amadsen@nrrts.org.
Andrea Madsen, ATP is the Executive Director of iNRRTS, the International Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers. She has over 20 years’ experience providing Complex Rehabilitation Technology to adult and pediatric patients in Southern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, Northern Iowa and Internationally through her work with Mayo Clinic. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management and Finance, is a credentialed Assistive Technology Professional and has been a Certified Complex Rehabilitation Technology Supplier®. She served for 10 years on the iNRRTS Board of Directors and as Committee Chair for the Midwest Association of Medical Equipment Services. She has lectured for the University of Minnesota Rochester, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, and at ISS.