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ShareSPINAL CORD CENTRAL is New Resource for People Living with Paralysis
Rockville MD - National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) and United Spinal Association are proud to announce the launching of SPINAL CORD CENTRAL , a new web-based resource on all things related to paralysis.Operated jointly by both founding organizations, SPINAL CORD CENTRAL is the destination for members of the spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) community who are seeking information and resource referrals related to SCI/D.
SPINAL CORD CENTRAL will serve people with paralysis as a result of spinal cord injury, disease or dysfunction, their families, friends and others who have a strong interest or involvement with them, including health care and other professionals, direct service providers, and businesses focused primarily on serving this market.
“SPINAL CORD CENTRAL is a shining example of collaboration between two leading organizations in the SCI/D community,” says Eric Larson, executive director/CEO, National Spinal Cord Injury Association. “It builds on our existing strengths and identifies areas we can develop together for the benefit of the people we serve.”
“In this economic climate, working collaboratively to maximize utilization of resources honors the intent of our generous donors,” adds Paul Tobin, president/CEO, United Spinal Association. Building on a combined 120 years of shared experience, NSCIA and United Spinal each brings unique competencies to a joint resource center. NSCIA offers an existing structure and resource services supported by professionals (nurse) and volunteers, including staff with direct, personal experience with SCI/D.
United Spinal has substantial experience and staff who is knowledgeable in a number of relevant areas, including travel planning, accessibility services, civil rights advocacy, and graduate trained social workers. People living with paralysis, their family members and providers, will be able to access information on a wide range of subjects, such as:
- Rehabilitation (including rehab referrals)
- Health & wellness tips
- Resources for daily living
- Financial and legal issues
- Disaster preparedness
- Travel
- ADA compliance
- Architectural barriers
- Wheelchairs and assistive technology
SPINAL CORD CENTRAL provides information and resources that can be accessed by the one million+ Americans living with a spinal cord injury or disease, their families and friends, as well as the medical, scientific, academic, business, government, and media community, and the general public.
SPINAL CORD CENTRAL provides access to the most current community living and medical information. Resources can be accessed online and are organized in several user-friendly formats.
Local resources, organized by state, range from peer support, to Centers for Independent Living, to key state and local agencies. Hundreds of topics are listed in the A to Z topical index.
SPINAL CORD CENTRAL features a growing collection of web-based “knowledge books” on numerous topics, which consumers can access directly via the web portal www.spinalcordcentral.org
Knowledge books are available covering key issues from “How to Choose a Rehab Facility,” to “Pediatric SCI/D,” and the list grows weekly. As with many on-line resources, finding enough information is not difficult; what is more challenging is sifting through the vast amount of data that is out there. To aid in this undertaking, staff members will be available to answer questions, and to support those dealing with new injuries and others, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Visitors can also submit questions via email, fax or voicemail.
Staff will research questions and reply, usually within 48 hours. In addition to assisting with specific questions and concerns, SPINAL CORD CENTRAL information specialists can answer questions on various relevant topics, connect you with peer support options, and refer you to local resources.
SPINAL CORD CENTRAL is staffed exclusively by people who have direct experience with SCI/D, either through living with a spinal cord injury or disease or working professionally with people with SCI/D, as is the case for SPINAL CORD CENTRAL’s resident nurse and the staff licensed social worker.
SPINAL CORD CENTRAL‘s storehouse of information and resources is vast and ever-changing. With web-based support on hundreds of topics and new content regularly added, the combined resource center will be a leading source of news and information for the SCI/D community, as well as for the larger disability community.
For information, visit spinalcordcentral.org or call 1-800-962-9629.