United Spinal Association Acquires New Mobility Magazine: Two Leaders Serving the Disability Community Partner to Expand Advocacy and Information

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Oct 01, 2010, 07:00 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Spinal Association will announce today the acquisition of New Mobility magazine, leveraging capabilities of both organizations to improve the lives of people with disabilities nationwide.

The organizations will retain their individual names and United Spinal Association will continue the publication of New Mobility uninterrupted.

United Spinal Association, a national nonprofit and pioneer in the disability rights movement with more than 60 years of experience, advocates for people with disabilities by removing the medical, legal, architectural, and attitudinal barriers confronting many in their daily lives.

Paul J. Tobin, president and CEO of United Spinal Association said, "United Spinal and New Mobility share a legacy and vision to improve the lives of people with disabilities and mobility impairments. By integrating talents and areas of expertise, we can promote unprecedented access to information, resources and opportunity."

New Mobility magazine is recognized nationally as the premier lifestyle publication for active wheelchair users. For 20 years it has offered information and personal stories that encourage readers to participate in all areas of life, take charge of their health, seek assistive technology and assert legal rights.

New Mobility publisher Jeff Leonard said, "New Mobility will continue to break stereotypes with contemporary images and stories. United Spinal will continue to remove barriers in society and organize positive change. We will simply be in a better position to support each other's efforts."

The acquisition will be formally announced Friday afternoon at a special reception during United Spinal's Independence Expo, at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The Expo, which continues through Saturday, Oct. 2, is designed to promote active living and independence for all people with disabilities and aging Americans.

United Spinal Association and New Mobility have been collaborating for years on issues that affect the wheelchair community, such as improved access to power wheelchairs, lightweight manual wheelchairs, seating systems and other assistive technologies that facilitate an active, community-integrated lifestyle.

About United Spinal Association

United Spinal is a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, ALS and post-polio. It played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with SCI/D. United Spinal was instrumental in getting New York City to create sidewalk curb ramps and accessible public transportation that has been used as a model for many United States cities.

About New Mobility

New Mobility is a colorful lifestyle magazine for active wheelchair users seeking full participation in all that life has to offer — education, work, relationships, sex, parenting, home, media, recreation, travel and more. Through contemporary images, journalism and personal stories, NM also explores the latest news in healthy living, assistive technology and legal rights. Rooted in disability culture but committed to societal integration, the magazine recently changed its tagline from "life on wheels" to "life beyond wheels."

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Jim Weisman

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=84382

Paul Tobin

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=83457

Marlene Harmon-Perkins

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=94189

SOURCE United Spinal Association