United Spinal Association's Advocacy Alliance Strengthens Voice of Wheelchair Users to Create Policy Change

.@UnitedSpinal launches Advocacy Alliance giving #Wheelchair Users voice to create policy change http://ow.ly/KyVkS

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Mar 26, 2015, 09:15 ET

NEW YORK, March 26, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Spinal Association, the single, largest membership organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with spinal cord injuries and diseases (SCI/D) nationwide, today announced the launch of its Advocacy Alliance, formerly called UsersFirst, to help bring awareness to policy makers on issues that affect wheelchair users nationwide, including access to essential mobility equipment.

The new name reflects United Spinal's effort to ensure its advocacy efforts on both the state and national level are closely tied to its overall mission.

The Advocacy Alliance is made up of United Spinal members, grassroots advocates and other individuals who are invested in helping our community and improving the health, quality of life and independent living of people with disabilities.

"We believe in the strength of the individual wheelchair user's voice and the empowering effect of educating our members to fight for their rights and to create positive policy change on Capitol Hill," said Jenn Wolff, manager of United Spinal's Advocacy Alliance.

United Spinal's Advocacy Alliance aims to empower wheelchair users to advocate for complex rehab technology or "the right mobility equipment"; housing; transportation; equal rights; insurance coverage; employment; and accessibility.

"Among other issues, people with disabilities have had limited freedom when choosing equipment such as properly fitted wheelchairs, critical to their daily lives, due to government and health insurance company restrictions," said Joe Gaskins, United Spinal's president and CEO.

"The Advocacy Alliances enables these individuals to become stronger self-advocates––educated on the issues that impact their independence and mobilized to take action with direct support from United Spinal's Public Policy department," he added.

By working closely with United Spinal membership chapters, disability advocates, wheelchair manufacturers and legislators, the Advocacy Alliance strives to help people with disabilities gain the freedom to live the lives they choose. It also is the driving force behind United Spinal's Roll on Capitol Hill ––an annual advocacy event held in Washington, DC that ensures legislators include wheelchair users and all people with disabilities in policy debates.

To learn more about becoming an active participant in the Advocacy Alliance, please visit http://www.unitedspinal.org/advocacy-alliance/advocacy-alliance-messages/ or contact Jenn Wolff at [email protected].

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.

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Media contact:
Ahvi Spindell
Spindell Media Relations, LLC
United Spinal Association
(212) 580-4567
[email protected]
Twitter @ahvispin

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SOURCE United Spinal Association