Wheelchairs Plus Staff with Credentialsto Meet Insurance Requirements
Angie Gapinski, COTA & 2010 ATP
John Huju ATP, Rehab Manager Chris Schedin, ATP, Owner
Laura Bigo, ATP, CRTS Skeeter Carkhuff, ATP
Press Release March 2008
Wheelchairs Plus Announces!
RESNA, The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America is pleased to inform you that Wheelchairs Plus employees Laura Bigo of Nashwauk, Chris Schedin of Bowstring, and Skeeter Carkhuff of St. Cloud are now credentialed as ATS (Assistive Technology Supplier). RESNA administers a 4 hour exam in order to ensure consumer safeguards and increase consumer satisfaction with the service and delivery process for mobility equipment. The exam was sponsored at the Sawmill Inn on January 26th by Wheelchairs Plus with 16 people from various parts of the US attending.
Wheelchairs Plus Inc is a family owned and operated Grand Rapids Company with 30 employees and over 33 years of experience providing adaptive equipment for people with special needs. It is their mission to improve the quality of life and independence for people with special physical needs. A store branch is located in the St Cloud area with two ATS’s. Chris Schedin, owner, stated that five equipment specialists took the exam and all five passed which is unusual based on reports from others who have taken the exam. She is very proud of the level of expertise the staff at Wheelchairs Plus has to help customers.
RESNA requirements include a combination of relevant education and experience, as well as adherence to a Code of Ethics and rules as outlined in the RESNA Standards of Practice. Effective April 1st Medicare will require a credentialed ATS to be directly involved with selection and delivery of power wheelchairs for people who have neurological, muscular, congenital deformities as well as a variety of other conditions.
For more information about Wheelchairs Plus Inc, visit our website at: www.wcphello.com., call or stop in our stores Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30.
Congratulations to Chris Schedin, Laura Bigo, and Skeeter Carkhuff, John Huju, ATS!
Renewal was completed with continuing education for 2009-2011
Congratulation to Angie Gapinski, she took and passed her exam earlier this year (2010).
Why is ATP Certification important?
ATP certification is a clear way to identify professionals who have expertise in helping people with disabilities select the proper assistive technology that meets their needs, such as persons in need of wheelchairs, access to computers, aids for communications, etc. The ATP Certification recognizes professionals who have reached an internationally accepted standard of knowledge in assistive technology, promoting RESNA's code of ethics and highest ethical standards.