Orthotic &Prosthetic Resource Links

• American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP)
  As the pre-eminent professional organization in orthotics and prosthetics, the mission of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists is to promote high standards of patient care through advocacy, education, and literature & research. In keeping with this mission the Academy is the professional organization representing practitioners credentialed by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics.
  
  

• American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA)
  The American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is a national trade association committed to providing high quality, unprecedented business services and products to O&P professionals.
  
  

• International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO)
  The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO), is a multi-disciplinary organization comprised of persons who have a professional interest in the clinical, educational and research aspects of prosthetics, orthotics, rehabilitation engineering and related topics.
  
  

• Amputee Coalition of America (ACA)
  The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) is a national, non-profit amputee consumer educational organization representing people who have experienced amputation or are born with limb differences. The ACA includes individual amputees, amputee education and support groups for amputees, professionals, family members and friends of amputees, amputation or limb loss related agencies, and organizations.
  
  

• Canadian Board for Certification of Prosthetists & Orthotists (CBCPO)
  The Canadian Board for Certification of Prosthetists and Orthotists (CBCPO) was granted incorporation in Canada with the purpose of recognizing proficiency in the field of Prosthetics and/or Orthotics.
  
  

• National Commission of Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE)
  The National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) is the accreditation body for the orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) profession. As such, its primary mission and obligation is to ensure educational and residency programs meet the minimum standards of quality to prepare individuals to enter the O&P profession.
  
  

• Orthotic & Prosthetic Assistance Fund (OPAF)
  The Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund (OPAF) is a nonprofit organization, a 501(c)(3) public charity, established and incorporated by the Orthotics and Prosthetics National Office. Dedicated initially to providing financial and in-kind support to the 1996 Paralympics, the Fund now generates its own initiatives through partnerships with individuals, organizations, and institutions engaged in raising public awareness of physical disability; and improving the quality of rehabilitation medicine, science, and technology.
  
  

• oandp.com, the global information portal for orthotics and prosthetics
  oandp.com is an Internet portal dedicated to providing comprehensive information and services to the orthotics and prosthetics profession. The vision of oandp.com is to make as much information as possible freely available to both professionals and consumers, toward the goal of improving the quality of care provided by O&P professionals and the quality of life of their patients.
  
  

• oandptech.com, website for O&P technicians
  A new website dedicated to serving the needs of O&P technicians. Resources include a web forum for the discussion of technical issues, a classifieds section and educational information.
  
  

• Joint Committee on Orthotic and Prosthetic Awareness
  This website provides information for students and others interested in the orthotic and prosthetic professions as a career.
  
  

• National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA and NCCA)
  The National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) is the leader in setting quality standards for credentialing organizations. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is the accreditation body of NOCA. Organizations may apply and be accredited by the NCCA if they demonstrate compliance with each accreditation standard. NCCA is the only national accreditation body for private certification organizations in all disciplines.
  
  

Strategic Relationships

• Advances in Skin & Wound Care (Woundcarenet.com)
  ABC-certified practitioners concern themselves with wound care on a regular basis. Woundcarenet.com is an on-line source for information related to the care of wounds. It contains a product resource directory, information on the journal Advances in Skin & Wound Care, related books on the topic, breaking news, and a calendar of events.
  
  

• Advance for Directors in Rehabilitation (www.advancefordr.com)
  A source for current information in rehabilitation medicine, Advance publications provides insight ranging from practical treatment advice to the latest trends in the rehab industry. ABC is the main provider for Advance on orthotic and prosthetic news and issues, which are presented on a regular basis in both the print publication and online news forum. All ABC credentialed individuals receive complementary subscriptions to the Advance publication.
  
  

• The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD)
  Like ABC, The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) strives for the highest possibible quality of life for people with disabilities. At NCPAD, it is believed that exercise is for every body, and everyone can reap benefits from regular physical activity. Having a disability does not mean you cannot be healthy. The NCPAD offers a variety of resources to help people with disabilities become more active.
  
  

• The World Association of Persons with Disabilities (WAPD)
  The World Association of Persons with Disabilities (WAPD) advances the interests of persons with disabilities with the firm belief that all are entitled to high quality of life. WAPD links the "disAbled" and supporters to current leading edge disAbility information via various mediums of communication.
  
  

• International Polio Network (IPN)
  The International Polio Network (IPN) provides information to polio survivors, their families, and the health care community and promotes networking among the post-polio community. The IPN publishes a Post-Polio Directory and Polio Network News, Polio and Post-Polio Fact Sheet, as well as other publications. Custom-made orthoses fitted by ABC-certified orthotists help improve functioning in polio patients.
  
  

• American Professional Wound Care Association
  An organization that concerns itself with amputation is the American Professional Wound Care Association. It is also interested in preserving and/or enhancing the quality of life for these patients, regardless of the cause of the amputation. Of course, ABC shares this goal.
  

• International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange (CIRRIE)
  The mission of the Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange (CIRRIE) is to facilitate the sharing of information and expertise in rehabilitation research between the U.S. and other countries. ABC now has a representative to CIRRIE, Mr. Jonathan Bowman, CPO, and is proud to offer information on orthotics and prosthetics for dissemination throughout the United States and beyond.
  
  

• National Association For Home Care (NAHC)
  Like ABC, the NAHC works to foster as much independence as possible for individuals with disabilities, in this case, through the intervention of home services. ABC strives to reach out to these physical and occupational therapists, nurses, case managers and others who take part in delivering home care to persons with disabilities. Many of these individuals are involved in the process of referring patients to orthotists and prosthetists. As an organization, ABC’s goal is to familiarize the NAHC with ABC’s credentials so that these referrals are to ABC-certified practitioners and ABC-accredited facilities.
  
  

• American Academy of Wound Management (AAWM)
  Another healthcare organization with which ABC has much in common is the American Academy of Wound Management (AAWM). It is also a 501c6 organization that credentials multidisciplinary practitioners in the field of wound management. It is important that the AAWM seek out ABC- certified practitioners in ABC-accredited facilities.
  

• National Rehabilitation Association (NRA)
  One organization that has been around for quite a long time – since just after Congress passed the National Rehabilitation Act of 1920 – is the National Rehabilitation Association (NRA). ABC wants to reach out to their members, which include rehabilitation counselors, physical, speech and occupational therapists, independent living instructors, job trainers, and others with the ABC message regarding certification and accreditation.