Meet the Presenters
Meet the industry-leading teachers, trainers, and CRT experts that you’ll be learning from this year at ACT Now.

Alex Chesney, OTR, ATP/SMS
Alex practiced as an occupational therapist in a top neurological inpatient rehabilitation center in Houston, treating those with traumatic spinal cord injuries and various neurodegenerative diseases. As a clinician, she was a prescriber of advanced seating and mobility technologies and a primary education resource for best practice within neurological rehabilitation. Alex served as a committee chair for The Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals and continues involvement as a committee member. She is the occupational therapy coordinator for Rehabilitation Services Volunteer Project a non-profit providing free neurological therapy services to those in the Texas area.

Jessica Presperin Pedersen, OTD, MBA, OTR/L, ATP/SMS
With over 40 years of clinical practice as an OT, Jessica Presperin Pedersen has worked in all sectors of the wheelchair and seating industry as a master clinician, supplier, manufacturing consultant, design representative, and educator. Dr. Presperin Pedersen was a pioneer in the development of the profession of wheelchairs and seating in the 1980s and has spent the last two decades contributing to the research world to demonstrate evidence for knowledge translation in the clinic, advocacy, and product development. She is a RESNA and AOTA Fellow, serves on the Clinician Task Force, the Seating and Wheeled Mobility Committee for AOTA, and has shared her experiences internationally through publications and presentations.

Thomas Halka, MOT, OTR, ATP
Thomas Halka, MOT, OTR, ATP is an occupational therapist and is a Clinical Education Manger for Permobil, supporting Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Thomas joined Permobil in 2019. Prior to this, he practiced at the Dallas VA Medical Center in Spinal Cord Injury Unit. There he provided complex seating and mobility solutions for veterans with SCI/D and multiple sclerosis. Thomas earned his ATP from RESNA in 2018, is a member of AOTA, and has served Texas Woman’s University School of Occupational Therapy as a member of the Vanderkooi Endowed Lectureship advisor council.
ACT Now 2022 Schedule
Thursday, October 27th
8:15 – 12:15 |
Session A – AM - Pediatrics 0.8 CEUs, 8 Contact Hours |
The “Why” of Pediatric Mobility – Empowering Development Through Participation in Mobility 0.4 CEUs, 4 Contact HoursInstructor: Alex Chesney OTR, ATP/SMS |
12:15 – 1:15 |
CRT Lunch and Learn: Working Lunch - Manufacturer World Tour We will serve lunch and allow you unopposed time to tour the world of CRT. Visit Manufacturer Booths and get your questions answered as well as get hands on experience with the latest CRT. |
1:15 – 5:15 |
Session A – PM - Pediatrics |
Positioning for Participation and Function: 24-hour Postural Positioning Using Equipment 0.4 CEUs, 4 Contact HoursInstructor: Jessica Presperin Pedersen, OTD, MBA, OTR/L, ATP/SMS – Director of Clinical Education |
5:15 – 6:30 |
Networking Reception - Manufacturer World Tour cont’d We will serve wine, beer and appetizers and allow you more unopposed time to tour the world of CRT. Network with colleagues and visit Manufacturer Booths |
Friday, October 28th
8:30 – 12:30 |
Session A – AM - Adult 0.7 CEUs, 7 Contact Hours |
Seating and Mobility Solutions for Older Adults 0.2 CEUs, 2 Contact HoursInstructor: Thomas Halka, OTR, ATP Postural Positioning for Adults Using a Wheelchair 0.1 CEUs, 1 Contact HoursAdult Manual Mobility Options 0.1 CEUs, 1 Contact HoursInstructor: Jessica Presperin Pedersen, Director Clinical Education |
12:30 – 1:30 |
CRT Lunch and Learn: Working Lunch - Manufacturer World Tour We will serve lunch and allow you unopposed time to tour the world of CRT. Visit Manufacturer Booths and get your questions answered as well as get hands on experience with the latest CRT. |
1:30 – 4:30 |
Session A – PM - Adult |
Clinical Considerations for Seating and Mobility with the Geriatric or Chronic Deconditioning Client 0.1 CEUs, 1 Contact HoursBalancing Function and Independence: Clinical Considerations for Power Positioning 0.2 CEUs, 2 Contact HoursInstructor: Alex Chesney OTR, ATP/SMS |
How to Join ACT Now 2022
Here are the steps you should take to reserve your spot and join in this October!
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Reserve your spot online via Eventbrite.
Visit the registration page on Eventbrite to sign up. There is a $95 flat rate for both days, or a $55 fee for one day.
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Watch for your email confirmation following your ticket purchase.
Shortly after your ticket purchase through Eventbrite, you’ll receive an email confirming your purchase that will contain your ticket for the event.
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(Optional) Reserve a Room with DoubleTree.
If you're attending from out of town, you can reserve a room within the Action Seating & Mobility block at the DoubleTree by Hilton Tulsa-Warren Place at a special rate of $119.00/night.
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Join us starting October 27th!
The action starts early! Be sure to arrive before 8:00AM to grab a good seat and to get ready to absorb cutting-edge education from the best in the CRT industry!
Courses
The “Why” of Pediatric Mobility – Empowering Development Through Participation in Mobility0.4 CEUs, 4 Contact Hours • Instructor: Alex Chesney OTR, ATP/SMS |
Pediatrics as a whole is a challenge when you start to talk about mobility options. This course will increase your understanding of all of the physical, social, developmental and physical considerations that need to be taken into account to allow for the best possible outcomes when recommending mobility device interventions for a pediatric client. List 3 ways in which early independent movement can benefit the pediatric client.
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Clinical Considerations for Seating and Mobility with the Geriatric or Chronic Deconditioning Client0.1 CEUs, 1 Contact Hours – IACET approved • Instructor: Alex Chesney OTR, ATP/SMS |
Ambulatory aids, manual wheelchairs, scooters (POVs), and power wheelchairs are designed to augment function when functional mobility is compromised or lost. For many geriatric end-users there is not only medical diagnosis and presentation, but also aging with a disability, additional comorbidities, on top of general deconditioning related to age that all play significant roles in the relationship to the end-user and their mobility equipment. This course will focus on the goals, focus, and recommendations for this population.
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Balancing Function and Independence: Clinical Considerations for Power Positioning0.2 CEUs, 2 Contact Hours – IACET approved • Instructor: Alex Chesney OTR, ATP/SMS |
Power wheelchair drive controls are constantly evolving with advancing technology. There is a wide range of these products and complex rehab equipment professionals often have limited exposure to the options that are available. This class will provide evaluating clinicians, Assistive Technology Professionals, and other seating/mobility professionals with knowledge of various drive control options and programming options available to provide maximal benefit to the end user.
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Positioning for Participation and Function: 24-hour Postural Positioning Using Equipment0.4 CEUs, 4 Contact Hours • Instructor: Jessica Presperin Pedersen, OTD, MBA, OTR/L, ATP/SM |
A 24-hour postural positioning program provides equipment intervention for all activities a child may be involved in around the clock. Activities such as eating, communicating, self-initiated moving, standing, walking, sitting, playing and sleeping will be discussed with a demonstration of how equipment can be incorporated into the activity to support posture and function for optimal participation and safety. Mobility and postural positioning equipment will be available. Hands-on opportunities will provide the participant with the ability to understand how the equipment can be adjusted to meet specific postural needs.
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Postural Positioning for Adults Using a Wheelchair0.1 CEUs, 1 Contact Hour • Instructor: Jessica Presperin Pedersen, OTD, MBA, OTR/L, ATP/SM |
Seat and back cushions can provide pressure distribution, postural support, prevent leaning or sliding out of the wheelchair, decrease pain, and enhance function. This session will review the characteristics of various seat cushions and back supports. Participants will identify evaluation considerations for determining an individual’s positioning needs and how to make optimal seat cushion and back support recommendations. A brief overview of outcome measures to assist in determining a back support will be discussed. Participants will be able to have hands-on opportunities with various products to assess various aspects of cushions, backs, and hardware.
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Adult Manual Mobility Options0.1 CEUs, 1 Contact Hour • Instructor: Jessica Presperin Pedersen, OTD, MBA, OTR/L, ATP/SM |
The range of mobility options provides a plethora of decisions from dependent through various self-propelling manual options. The rotation in space wheelchair provides a range of adjustments to assist an individual who may not be able to tolerate upright positioning throughout the day. Another style of tilt may provide changes against the gravitational pull while promoting easier self-propulsion. A folding or rigid manual wheelchair provides decreased weight and varying adjustments to meet functional and postural needs. This session will review the choices for manual mobility bases, providing case studies to demonstrate why one might e chosen over another. Hands-on opportunities will allow the participant to see the wheelchairs and understand how adjustments can be made to meet the rider’s needs.
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Seating and Mobility Solutions for Older Adults0.1 CEUs, 1 Contact Hour • Instructor: Thomas Halka, MOT, OTR, ATP |
The purpose of this 2-hour interactive course is to consider practical strategies related to seating and wheeled mobility evaluation and training for older adults. Older adults experience changes related to the aging process, but also may experience a number of other health issues. These individuals may demonstrate safety and mobility issues due to a variety of co-morbidities, cognitive changes and functional limitations. This course will provide an overview of seating and mobility considerations for this population, including the clinical decision-making process. The best practice applications of manual wheelchairs; power assist technology; power wheelchair and power seat functions to promote safety, mobility and independence will be discussed. Wheelchair skills training techniques to ensure the client’s understanding of the equipment and to promote effective and safe use of the device will be reviewed. This will include, but not be limited to, strategies for optimal outcomes in seating, driving, and power seat function utilization. Clinical evidence and case examples will be utilized to demonstrate best practice for seating and mobility solutions for this population. Various client presentations and equipment choices will be discussed, highlighting the process leading to equipment recommendation, justification, and training by the team. By the end of this course, clinicians will have a better understanding of the changes that older adults or clients aging with a disability experience, as well as the ability to utilize best practice decision making in recommendations and training related to wheelchair seating and mobility for these individuals. Course Objectives:
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COVID-19 Safety Protocols for ACT Now 2022
We are looking forward to the ACT Now conference and are very excited that we can all meet in person again. We want everyone to feel comfortable while at the same time minimizing exposure to COVID-19. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
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We ask that you only attend and participate in the conference if you are healthy and not exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19.
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Masks are recommended but not required.
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Attendees recognize that it is impossible to eliminate the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and acknowledge that if they belong to a high-risk category, their risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19 and developing complications is elevated.
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Participation at ACT Now 2022 is voluntary and attendees assume all risks associated with exposure to COVID-19. Attendees waive any claim they may have against Action Seating & Mobility, its staff, partners, and anyone involved in the conference.
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We encourage social distancing when possible.
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Action Seating & Mobility is providing attendees with color-coded wristbands. We ask that all attendees wear them in order to easily communicate their comfort level of interaction with other attendees.
Green: “Handshakes and hugs are welcomed!”
Yellow: “I’m okay with elbow bumps and fist bumps, but please don’t get too close.”
Red: “6-foot social distance is preferred.”
These protocols may change based on the evolving COVID-19 disease and CDC recommendations.