2020

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11/19/20: United Spinal’s Corporate Advisory Council Highlights Progress in Expanding Disability Rights and Inclusion
United Spinal Association recently hosted its bi-annual Corporate Advisory Council virtual meeting to address the important role corporate America plays in expanding the rights and inclusion of people with mobility disabilities nationwide.

11/17/20: New Mobility Releases Comprehensive Guide Profiling Top 20 Colleges for Wheelchair Users
New Mobility, a publication of United Spinal Association has announced the release of Wheels on Campus, a comprehensive college guide for wheelchair users that identifies 20 wheelchair-friendly campuses and cultures that promote an inclusive college experience.

10/29/20: United Spinal Appoints Vincenzo Piscopo As New President and CEO
United Spinal Association today announced Vincenzo (Enzo) Piscopo, an experienced professional in diversity, inclusion and social causes, has been appointed president and CEO by the organization’s board of directors.Piscopo will begin his tenure as United Spinal’s president and CEO on November 16, 2020 replacing James Weisman, who is retiring after 40 years of service to the disability community as an advocate for disability rights and accessible transportation.

10/22/20: United Spinal Launches ‘Ready to Roll’ Initiative to Improve Disaster Preparedness for Wheelchair Users
United Spinal has announced the launch of a comprehensive disaster preparedness initiative for individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) designed to lessen the effects and risks associated with natural or human-caused disasters.

8/19/20: United Spinal Appoints Kimberly Hill as Chapter Liaison and Member of its Board of Directors.
In her new role as chapter liaison, Hill will lead the organization’s 50-plus chapters in developing initiatives to assist people with disabilities across the country discover new paths to greater quality of life and independence.

8/18/20: United Spinal Files Complaint Against Social Security Administration For Alleged ‘Wet Ink’ Signature Requirements
United Spinal filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for the alleged unlawful “wet ink” signature requirements imposed on persons with disabilities in connection with applications for certain disability benefits of the Social Security Administration.

7/14/20: United Spinal Launches ‘ADA Corporate Challenge’ Campaign To Recognize Companies Advancing Disability Access and Inclusion
In honor of the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, United Spinal recently launch its ADA Corporate Challenge campaign to raise awareness of the importance of  making workplaces, products and services accessible and welcoming to people with disabilities.

7/8/20: United Spinal Announces Two New Appointments to Its Board of Directors
United Spinal Association announced today that it has appointed David M. Capozzi, former Executive Director of the U.S. Access Board and Jenny M. Lieberman, PhD, OTR/L, ATP, Department of Rehabilitation, Mount Sinai Hospital to its board of directors.

6/25/20: United Spinal to Host Free Webinar on the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Its Future in the Age of COVID-19
United Spinal will host a free webinar to highlight the 30 years of progress since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how advocacy will continue to play a role in strengthening disability rights as we navigate new challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15th from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM EDT.

6/16/20: United Spinal and University of Pittsburgh Launch ‘My Wheelchair Guide’ Mobile App to Assist People with Disabilities in Choosing the Right Wheelchair
United Spinal Association and the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh have co-developed a new app that informs and encourages consumers and their families to play an active role in acquiring, using, and maintaining their manual wheelchairs and handling health issues related to wheelchair use.

4/29/20: United Spinal Launches National Initiative To Expand Access To Inclusive Technology For People With Spinal Cord Injuries And Disorders
The Tech Access Initiative will focus on improving various technologies that are vital and life-changing to people with disabilities, including autonomous vehicles; artificial intelligence and environmental controls; medical and mobility equipment; wheelchair and smart home technology; and augmentative and alternative communication.

4/21/20: United Spinal Awarded COVID-19 Relief Grant From Craig H. Neilsen Foundation To Assist People With Spinal Cord Injuries And Disorders
United Spinal Association announced today that it has been awarded a grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation to provide relief to people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) who are experiencing hardships due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

2019

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10/17/19: United Spinal Announces Six New Appointments to Its Board Of Directors
United Spinal announced today that it has appointed Carina Ho, Accessibility Specialist, Airbnb; Minna Hong, Delta’s Disability Advisory Board; Synergies Works Board; Andraéa LaVant, President, LaVant Consulting, Inc.; Chris O’Donoghue, Emmy Winning General Assignment Reporter; Reveca Torres, Co-director, ReelAbilities Film Festival; and Renee Tyree, West Regional Pharmacy Director, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospitals to its board of directors.

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9/25/19: United Spinal Helps Pass Resolution Designating September 2019 As SCI Awareness Month
United Spinal played a key role in championing a resolution that passed the U.S. Senate designating September 2019 as National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. The resolution (S.Res.329), introduced by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), recognizes the 291,000 individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI) in the U.S.

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9/12/19: Building Strong National Support For People With Spinal Cord Injuries And Disorders
United Spinal will gather over 50 affiliated chapter leaders in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 3-5 for its 7th Annual Chapter Leadership Meeting to improve the quality of life and independence of its growing membership base of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D).

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9/10/19: New Mobility Magazine Identifies 17 Big Ideas That Could Change The World For Wheelchair Users
What are the big issues affecting wheelchair users today? What will the solutions of tomorrow be? These are the questions tackled by United Spinal Association’s New Mobility magazine in its first-ever “Big Ideas” issue.

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8/14/19: Weisman Honored For 40 Years Of Advocacy At New York Yankees Disability Awareness Night
United Spinal president and CEO James Weisman was awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the Mayor’s Office for People With Disabilities during Disability Awareness Night at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY on August 12th, for his dedicated advocacy to expand disability rights and access to transportation for wheelchair users in New York City and across the country.

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7/23/19: Landmark Victory To Make Every NYC Street Corner Wheelchair Accessible
United Spinal and Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) today received U.S. District Court approval to move forward with their historic settlement agreement with the City of New York to vastly improve sidewalk accessibility for wheelchair users and other members of the disability community.

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7/11/19: ‘Wine on Wheels’ Portland Fundraiser to Benefit United Spinal and Wheelchair Users Nationwide
United Spinal Association and Wheeling Forward are co-hosting Wine on Wheels in Portland, Oregon on August 1 at the Ecotrust Rooftop Terrace to raise funds to improve the quality of life and independence of wheelchair users nationwide. Wine on Wheels will bring together Portland’s finest sommeliers and serve over 75 fine wines from Oregon and beyond. The event will include exclusive tastings, locally-sourced appetizers, and a silent auction.

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6/27/19: United Spinal’s 8th Annual Roll on Capitol Hill Empowers New Generation of Wheelchair Users
“We often use the slogan ‘nothing about us, without us’ to drive home the point that wheelchair users are fully aware of what works and what needs to be fixed when it comes to disability policies. That’s why it’s important they have a voice and play a role in the legislative process,” said James Weisman, United Spinal’s president and CEO.

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6/12/19: United Spinal Launches Disability Etiquette Public Service Campaign
United Spinal Association today announced the launch of a new public service campaign highlighting the organization’s Disability Etiquette Booklet, which educates the public on effectively interacting with people with disabilities. The Disability Etiquette Booklet and the related public service campaign were created to erase common misconceptions about wheelchair users and ease the awkwardness that many experience when interacting with someone with a disability for the first time.

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6/4/19: United Spinal’s 8th Annual Roll on Capitol Hill to Gather Record Number of New Member Advocates
United Spinal Association and over 100 wheelchair users from its national chapter network will gather in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 23rd for the 8th Annual Roll on Capitol Hill to advocate for greater disability rights, optimal healthcare and rehabilitation; accessibility of autonomous vehicles; and other legislative issues vital to the independence of people with spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D).

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5/23/19: United Spinal & Permobil Foundation Partner to Offer Life-Enhancing Wheelchair Technology
United Spinal Association and the Permobil Foundation have partnered to offer United Spinal members the opportunity to apply for a Roll Forward grant of either a Smart Drive or Active-Height seat elevator on a new Permobil Wheelchair order.

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3/19/19: United Spinal & New York City Receive Preliminary Approval for Landmark Curb Ramp Agreement
United Spinal and Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) have reached an historic settlement agreement with the City of New York that will vastly improve sidewalk accessibility for wheelchair users and other members of the disability community. On March 19, 2019, the Honorable Judge George B. Daniels of the Southern District of New York, issued preliminary approval of the settlement agreement, stating, “The agreement sets out a reasonable result for what should be an integral part of a first class city.”

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1/16/19: United Spinal Appoints Army Veteran Danielle Corazza as Vice President of VetsFirst
United Spinal Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Danielle Corazza, an experienced military and veteran advocate, as the new vice president of its VetsFirst program, which supports veterans with disabilities in achieving the highest level of independence and quality of life.

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2018

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12/5/18: United Spinal Reflects on the Leadership of President George H.W. Bush in Signing ADA
United Spinal Association mourns the passing of George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, who played a significant role in protecting the rights of millions of Americans living with disabilities.

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11/15/18: United Spinal Recommends Insurers Consider Powered Exoskeleton Devices Medically Necessary 
ReWalk Robotics, Ltd. applauds United Spinal Association’s recommendation, dated November 9, 2018, that health insurance providers consider the use of powered exoskeleton devices as medically necessary for eligible individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) in both the institutional and home settings who meet the applicable Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indications for use.

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10/15/18: 6th Annual Chapter Leadership Meeting Advances Community Support for People with SCI/D
United Spinal Association gathered key affiliated chapter representatives in Orlando, Florida, October 11-13 for its 6th annual Chapter Leadership Meeting to strengthen programs, services and outreach to people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) nationwide.

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10/2/18: United Spinal Appoints Marsha Mazz as Director of Accessibility Codes and Standards
United Spinal Association recently appointed to its Accessibility Services program Marsha Mazz, an experienced accessible design professional who was instrumental in the development of accessibility guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA).

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9/19/18: United Spinal Focuses on Improving Rehabilitation Outcomes for Individuals Living with SCI
United Spinal Association is actively working to identify barriers to appropriate rehabilitation services that provide greater personal independence and improved quality of life for people living with spinal cord injuries.

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8/28/18: United Spinal Named Beneficiary of ‘Cycle For SCI’ East Coast Bike Ride
United Spinal Association has been named a beneficiary of the Cycle For SCI fundraiser created by Ciara O’Sullivan and Larissa Clifford, who are bicycling from New York City to Orlando, Florida beginning in September to help improve the lives of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).

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6/29/18: 7th Annual “Roll on Capitol Hill” Gathers Record Number of Disability Advocates in DC
United Spinal Association and over 120 wheelchair user members, clinicians, partners and other disability advocates from 33 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, gathered in Washington, D.C. on June 24-27 for the 7th Annual Roll on Capitol Hill to highlight greater access to quality affordable healthcare, community integration, disability rights, assistive and rehab technology, veterans benefits and air travel protections vital to people with spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D).

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6/19/18: United Spinal to Host Arkansas Disability Advocate Cheri Arnold for “Roll on Capitol Hill”
United Spinal Association will host Cheri Arnold from Arkansas at its 7th Annual Roll on Capitol Hill (ROCH), June 24-27 in Washington, D.C., along with other prominent disability advocates, to speak directly with legislators on issues that affect the independence and quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries/disorders (SCI/D) and other pre-existing conditions.

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5/24/18: United Spinal to Host Ian Mackay, Washington State Disability Advocate for “Roll on Capitol Hill”
United Spinal Association will host Ian Mackay from Washington State, at its 7th Annual Roll on Capitol Hill, June 24-27 in Washington, D.C., along with other prominent disability advocates, to speak directly with legislators on issues that affect the independence and quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries and disorders and other pre-existing conditions.

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4/19/18: United Spinal to Host Frances Ozur Cole, New Mexico Disability Advocate for “Roll on Capitol Hill”
United Spinal Association will host Frances M. Ozur Cole from Albuquerque, New Mexico, at its 7th Annual Roll on Capitol Hill, June 24-27 in Washington, D.C., along with other prominent disability advocates, to speak directly with legislators on issues that affect the independence and quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries and disorders and other pre-existing conditions.

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2/13/18: United Spinal Appoints New National Chapter Liaison

United Spinal appoints Richard Hayden, a disability advocate and president of its Southern California Chapter, as National Chapter Liaison to lead the organization’s 50-plus chapters in helping people with disabilities discover new paths to independence.

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