Organization
United Spinal Association(USA)
Largest U.S. nonprofit serving people with spinal cord injuries and disorders, offering peer support, employment services, benefits navigation, and accessibility consulting.
About
Founded in 1946 by paralysed World War II veterans, United Spinal Association has grown into the largest membership organisation dedicated to people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) in the United States. Headquartered in New York, the organisation serves members through 48 chapters and more than 200 peer support groups across the country.
What They Do
USA provides guidance on healthcare, assistive technology, equipment funding, home modifications, and accessibility. Key programmes include the Peer Mentor Network (pairing newly injured individuals with experienced peers), Pathways to Employment career support, AskUs virtual peer navigation, and Accessibility Services Consulting to help organisations and venues meet ADA compliance. United Spinal also conducts federal policy advocacy for the SCI/D community.
Who They Serve
People with spinal cord injuries, disorders, and paralysis of any cause nationwide — including veterans with SCI/D — as well as their families, caregivers, healthcare providers, and the general public seeking to improve wheelchair accessibility.
Related Organizations
Leonard Cheshire
London, United KingdomInternationalLeonard Cheshire is one of the UK's largest disability charities, providing care and support services domestically and running international programmes in over 30 countries, primarily in Africa and Asia. Its international programmes focus on inclusive education, livelihoods, and disability rights in low-income countries.
Mixed LeadershipCross-DisabilityPhysical DisabilityService ProviderADAPT
Denver, CONationalADAPT is a national disability rights organisation known for its direct-action tactics — demonstrations, protests, and civil disobedience — that have shaped disability rights policy since the 1970s. ADAPT has been central to the movement for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) as an alternative to nursing home institutionalisation.
Disabled-LedCross-DisabilityPhysical DisabilityAdvocacyAutistic Self Advocacy Network(ASAN)
FeaturedWashington, DCNationalASAN is a national advocacy organisation run by and for autistic people, working to advance the rights of autistic people through public policy, community-building, and direct support. Their motto is "Nothing About Us Without Us."
Disabled-LedAutismAdvocacy