United Spinal Association

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United Spinal Association staff and members at the 2019 Roll on Capitol Hill annual disability-advocacy event ROCH Group Shot.jpg
United Spinal Association staff and members at the 2019 Roll on Capitol Hill annual disability-advocacy event

United Spinal Association is a nonprofit membership, disability-rights and veterans'-service organization, based in Queens, New York.

Contents

It was formed in 1946 as Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association by a group of paralyzed World War II veterans from New York City. [1]

United Spinal Association is recognized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a veterans' service organization; as such, United Spinal Association is authorized to prepare, present and prosecute claims for veterans benefits from the local VA regional-office level to the Supreme Court of the United States. United Spinal Association's veterans service program is entitled VetsFirst.

History

In 1948, seventy smembers of the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (EPVA) held a public demonstration in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal to gather signatures supporting the nation’s first accessible-housing bill (Public Law 702) to get federal funds to build accessible homes for paralyzed veterans. [2]

In 1968, EPVA advocated for equal access to federally funded buildings and facilities for wheelchair users and all Americans living with disabilities, leading to the passage of Architectural Barriers Act of 1968. [3]

In 1970, executive director James J. Peters set out to expose the deplorable conditions on the spinal-cord-injury units at the Bronx Veterans Hospital, [4] culminating in a Life magazine exposé, the creation of the VA's dedicated Spinal Cord Injury Service. In addition, the hospital was modernized, and is now known as the James J. Peters VA Medical Center. [5]

In 1987, in conjunction with Paralyzed Veterans of America, United Spinal Association helped found and continues to underwrite spinal-cord-injury research at the Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. This center remains under direction of Dr. Stephen Waxman. [6]

United Spinal played a role in writing portions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the landmark civil-rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability.[ citation needed ]

The group's past and present members include Lex Frieden, Junius Kellogg and Frank Genese.[ citation needed ]

In 2024, the United Spinal Association partnered with TandemStride and other groups as a part of TandemStride's new peer-to-peer network. The media reported that this network was to provide support to those suffering from traumatic injuries. [7]

Programs

United Spinal's Spinal Cord Resource Center offers visitors the opportunity to submit questions to experienced information specialists on any aspect of living with spinal cord injuries or disorders or get information and resources to resolve a situation that impacts health, independence and quality of life.[ citation needed ]

United Spinal offers members access to local chapter and peer support groups that promote inclusion and independence, organize local events and projects, advocate for rights and accessibility, and offer information and support.[ citation needed ]

Other services and programs include:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "United Spinal Association - National Organization for Rare Disorders". National Organization for Rare Disorders. August 11, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Adaptive Housing Grants". United States House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. October 31, 2011. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  3. ↑ "U.S. Access Board - Architectural Barriers Act". www.access-board.gov.
  4. ↑ "Memorial" (PDF). www.rehab.research.va.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 25, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Facility Directory". United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Archived from the original on December 26, 2003.
  6. ↑ Engers, Rachel. "Navigating the Spinal Cord". Yale School of Medicine. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  7. ↑ "United Spinal Joins Peer Network". HME News . April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
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