About


Our Mission

 Link to Living Life In Motion informative viideo on United Spinal

United Spinal Association is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of Americans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). Membership is free and open to all individuals with spinal cord injuries and diseases.

For more than sixty (60) years, we have committed our energy and our talents to improving the lives of individuals with a spinal cord injury or disease. Our initiatives, in promoting inclusion, improving access, fostering independence, enhancing mobility, and demanding equality, along with our commitment to member service, has helped to improve the quality of life and to create opportunities for our members and all people with spinal cord injuries or disorders.

We accomplish our mission by:

  • Ensuring quality health care
  • Promoting research
  • Advocating for civil rights and independence
  • Educating the public and enlisting its help
  • Expanding opportunities for all paralyzed Americans
  • Providing services to veteran members though our VetsFirst program
  • Providing participatory events for children and young adults through our KidsFirst progam
  • Providing guidance and motivation through our Peer Mentoring program

Some of Our Accomplishments

United Spinal advocated for and drafted significant provisions of landmark federal legislation including:

  • The Americans with Disabilities Act
  • The Fair Housing Amendments Act
  • The Air Carrier Access Act
  • VA benefits for veterans with spinal cord disabilities, and veteran dependents with spina bifida
  • VA disability benefits for injured veterans returning from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

How We Achieve Our Goals

United Spinal enhances the lives of its members through its service and program offerings in:

  • Counseling
  • Referrals and service identification and location
  • Wheelchair and assistive technology consultation
  • Veterans Services
  • Sports and recreational opportunities
  • Peer coaching
  • Health and benefits information
  • Self-advocacy coaching and support
  • Disaster assistance

United Spinal supports vital research and education by:

  • Providing over $52 million for cutting-edge spinal cord research
  • Launching and supporting two of the most prominent research facilities in the nation
  • Sponsoring the nation’s premiere Spinal Cord Medicine and Health Conference
  • Supporting three national organizations for SCI healthcare professionals
  • Offering lectures, training programs, and seminars
  • Publishing high impact, informative journals and publications

United Spinal facilitates social and regulatory change by:

  • Advocating at the national, state and local levels
  • Participating in action coalitions and groups
  • Educating the public through outreach, campaigns, and publications
  • Giving expert testimony at governmental hearings and inquiries
  • Providing our 60 years of experience to numerous advocacy endeavors
  • Supporting the goals, ambitions, and desires of our members and the disability community.