United Spinal Launches Health Access Working Group United Spinal Association is seeking members for its new Health Access Working Group, created to “advocate for improving access to health-care services for the disability community.” Members will work together “to identify health-care accessibility problems, key obstacles and societal barriers that prevent people with disabilities access to the…
Briefly: United Spinal Launches Health Access Group; Travel Insurance Company Names Best, Worst Airlines for Handling Wheelchairs
United Spinal Reacts to Proposed Medicaid Cuts, Urges Stakeholders to Act
The Congressional Budget Office said the so-called “one big, beautiful bill” would cut $715 billion from Medicaid over the next 10 years.
United Spinal Association is urging stakeholders to act swiftly to prevent sweeping Medicaid cuts that are part of the Trump administration’s so-called “one big, beautiful bill” that advanced out of the budget committee on Sunday night, May 18, according to a report from PBS. The association said in a May 16 bulletin that the bill…
Briefly: ‘Stronger Together’ Podcast Launches May 13; Parkinson’s Researchers Seeking Volunteers for Scratch-and-Sniff Test
Featuring United Spinal Association, M.A.R.C. Network, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
United Spinal, M.A.R.C. Network to Debut ‘Stronger Together’ Podcast on May 13 As part of their newly announced partnership, United Spinal Association and the M.A.R.C. Network are launching their “Stronger Together with Marc & Matt” podcast on May 13, starting at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time. The first episode will feature Wheel with Me Adapt Fit…
Commentary: Everyone Wins When People with Disabilities Are Accurately Represented in Media
Getty Images grants affirm the need to portray people with disabilities in professional settings.
In late March, a TikTok video by @ezbruhhspinz showed a small boy in his ultralightweight wheelchair pointing to a poster in a Target store. “There’s a girl in a wheelchair, just like me!” he says of the poster’s artwork. The video racked up 26.7 million views. Maybe it also sparked conversations on how important it…
United Spinal Announces Advocacy Partnership with M.A.R.C. Network
The M.A.R.C. Network includes an app for members to share resources, experiences, and news.
United Spinal Association is partnering with the M.A.R.C. (Mobility Awareness Resource Community) Network “to celebrate collaboration, inclusion and the power of storytelling.” The new partnership will include a disability-focused podcast called Stronger Together, United Spinal said in an April 24 announcement. “This is more than just a podcast launch,” the association said. “It’s a movement…
United Spinal Hires Director of Chapter and Hospital Network Relations
The new director is a decorated long-distance wheelchair racer.
United Spinal Association has hired wheelchair racer Arielle Rausin as its new director of chapter and hospital network relations and engagement. “Rausin’s appointment will strengthen United Spinal’s national chapter network during a period when disability issues are gaining greater visibility and important new rights and reforms have been secured in areas such as health care…
Exokinetics Launches Project ELEVATE Mobility to Support Zeen Purchasers
A new grant program will match consumers’ contributions up to 50% of the mobility device’s cost.
Exokinetics has launched the Project ELEVATE Mobility (PEM) charitable foundation as a way to help consumers pay for the company’s Zeen mobility device. In an April 17 press release, Exokinetics, based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, said PEM plans to award dollar-for-dollar matching grants to consumers hoping to buy a Zeen, which the company described as…
United Spinal Introduces Tech Access Product Guide
The crowd-sourced directory includes products in a range of categories, from wheelchair accessories to electronics, meal preparation, and home management.
United Spinal Association has launched a Tech Access Product Guide, “a crowd-sourced database of products designed to make life easier for people with physical disabilities, ranging from spinal cord injuries to age-related arthritis,” the organization said in an April 8 press release. “The Product Guide offers something for consumers from all backgrounds within the disability…
Jean L. Minkel to Deliver 2025 Colin McLaurin Distinguished Lecture in May
The lecture on mobility equity will be presented as part of RESNA’s conference at RehabWeek.
This year’s Colin McLaurin Distinguished Lecture, presented by the Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), will be delivered by industry legend Jean L. Minkel, PT, ATP, as part of RehabWeek in May. Minkel, senior vice president of rehab and mobility services for Independence Care System in New York City, will be…
Briefly: CRT Update Webinar Rescheduled for March 27; ISS to Partner with the Abilities Expo
Featuring the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology, U.S. Rehab, the International Seating Symposium, and the Abilities Expo.
CRT Update Webinar Planned for March 27 The rescheduled Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) industry update webinar sponsored by U.S. Rehab and the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) will take place on Thursday, March 27, starting at 11 a.m. Eastern time. Future-Proofing Complex Rehab Technology: Strategies for Growth and Protection in 2025 will…