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
Autistic 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-LedAutismAdvocacyThe Arc
FeaturedWashington, DCNationalThe Arc is the largest national community-based organisation in the United States for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families, with more than 600 chapters nationwide providing direct services and advocacy.
Mixed LeadershipIntellectual & Developmental DisabilityAdvocacyNational Federation of the Blind(NFB)
FeaturedBaltimore, MDNationalThe NFB is the largest organisation of blind people in the US, with over 50,000 members organised in chapters in all 50 states. Led entirely by blind people, NFB is known for its strong civil rights stance, its flagship Jernigan Institute, and landmark accessibility litigation including the Target.com lawsuit.
Disabled-LedBlind / Low VisionAdvocacy