I hope this message finds you safe and well. First, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who responded to the April 2025 membership survey and to those who participated in our inaugural ACRM Town Hall Meeting on 2 May. Over 150 members across career stages took part in this important process, which reflects our ongoing commitment to stay closely connected to your experiences and ensure ACRM continues to reflect the values, needs, and realities of our global community. Your voice matters.

As promised, I’m writing to share what we’ve learned—and more importantly—what actions we are taking in response.

What We Heard: Why Members Value ACRM

• Interdisciplinary networking

• A welcoming and supportive community

• Opportunities to connect clinicians and researchers

• Learning and collaboration across disciplines

Challenges You Identified

• Decreased research funding

• Workforce shortages and hiring freezes

• Threats to DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) efforts

• Barriers to rehab access for vulnerable populations

• Immigration and global workforce challenges

Clearly, professionals across rehabilitation (researchers, clinicians, educators, and advocates) are navigating complex changes. From national and state-level policy shifts in the U.S. to evolving global contexts, these developments impact the way we work, deliver care, conduct research, and support those we serve.

What We’re Doing in Response

Your input, through the survey, town hall meeting, emails, and informal conversations has directly informed our strategic direction. Key actions include:

1. Strengthening Advocacy & Communicating our Efforts

• We are working closely with national coalitions (e.g., Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC), Coalition to Preserve[SC1]  Rehabilitation (CPR), and the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition and have signed on to key advocacy letters. These efforts are now prominently listed on our website https://acrm.org/about/legislative-updates/ to ensure transparency.

• We’ve launched regular advocacy updates via email to raise awareness and share tools relevant to your work.

• ACRM has also sent letters to Congress and the President on 27 May 2025 to advocate for NIDILRR funding preservation.

2.  Expanding Access to the Annual Conference

• We recognize that travel is not feasible for many members this year. We are piloting a remote participation program for 2025 with live-streamed and on-demand content, expanding our established online poster format.

• A full-scale implementation is planned for 2026.

3.  Advancing Conference Accessibility

• Our Accessibility Subcommittee continues to innovate to make the conference more inclusive and navigable.

• Remote participation aligns with this vision and enhances access for all.

4.  Reaffirming Our Commitment to DEIA

• Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility remains unwavering.

• We continue to invest in the DEI Committee and its three subcommittees.

•  Our updated Equity Statement will soon be available on the website and featured in our eNews.

5.  Growing Our Global Presence-World Rehabilitation Alliance and more

• Our international membership has nearly doubled over the past 5 years, now comprising nearly 20% of our community, spanning 51 countries and all continents.

•  ACRM’s application for membership to the World Rehabilitation Alliance (WRA), has been approved. We are excited to join WRA, the global network of the World Health Organization (WHO) consisting of stakeholders whose mission is to support the implementation of Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative through advocacy.

• ACRM remains a core partner in REHABWEEK, the premier international technology rehabilitation conference. In May 2025, our ACRM track included a keynote presentation, multiple posters, and three full days of presentations.

• We’ve already committed to participating in REHABWEEK 2027 in Switzerland, opening more doors for global collaboration.

6.  Improving Communication

• Promotional emails have been reduced, and communication is now more targeted.

• A new quarterly Message from the President like this one will keep you informed of major initiatives.

• We’ve begun a full redesign of the ACRM website to make it modern, accessible, and member friendly. This project begins in 2025 and will be completed in 2026.

7.  Honoring Longstanding Members

A Lifetime Membership Program is in development to recognize long-term commitment to ACRM. Launch expected in 2026.

8.  Appreciating Our Volunteer Leaders

We’re piloting the ACRM Leadership Appreciation Program this year to better acknowledge the time, energy, and dedication of our community and committee chairs.

9.  Addressing Research Funding Challenges

• We’ll offer special sessions at the 2025 Annual Conference to help members navigate funding uncertainties.

• We’re also exploring resources and training to help members build resilience in grant development and career sustainability.

10.  Continuing Town Hall Engagement

Members appreciated the interactive format of our first Town Hall. We will host the second session during the 2025 Annual Meeting. Please keep an eye out for details!

I know this was a long update and if you’ve read this far, thank you! Your continued engagement, energy, and insight are what make ACRM the community it is. My appreciation to our dedicated members and staff who work closely with the Board of Governors to advance the mission of ACRM.

I hope you can enjoy a restful summer, and if you haven’t yet, please take time to recharge.

Thank you again for your support and for being part of the ACRM family.

Warm regards,

Fofi Constantinidou, PhD, CCC-SLP, CBIS, FACRM, FASHA
ACRM President