United Spinal Association is asking wheelchair riders to share what Medicaid coverage means to them. In a March 19 bulletin to stakeholders, United Spinal announced its new Medicaid Stories campaign, which the organization says is “centered on real-life experiences from the disability community. This campaign aims to educate the public, media and elected officials about…
United Spinal Calls for Medicaid Stories from Wheelchair Riders
United Spinal Launches Advocacy Impact Fund to Protect Disability Rights
Association references recent threats, including possible Medicaid cuts and airlines’ lawsuit.
United Spinal Association has created an Advocacy Impact Fund in response to multiple new threats to disability rights and programs that support people with disabilities. “United Spinal is fighting to protect decades of progress toward accessibility and disability inclusion that are under threat by cuts to Medicaid, attacks on accessible air travel, and efforts to…
Briefly: ISS 2025 App Now Available; New ALS Navigator Helps Patients, Families with Insurance Denials
Featuring the International Seating Symposium and the ALS Association.
ISS 2025 App Now Available If you’re heading to Pittsburgh next week, download the International Seating Symposium’s (ISS) app to keep track of your educational sessions, meetings, and conference events. The cvent events app is free to download and is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Scan the QR code to…
Briefly: VA to End Remote Work Arrangements; Wheelchair Travel Advocate Stars in Super Bowl Commercial
Featuring the Department of Veterans Affairs and Curb Free with Cory Lee.
VA Calls for Employees’ Full-Time Return to Offices The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has told eligible employees that they must return to work full time “at their respective duty stations (agency worksites).” The policy change complies with President Donald Trump’s “Return to In-Person Work” memorandum, issued on Jan. 20 and calling for “heads of…
Briefly: CMS Announces California Wildfire Flexibilities; First 2025 Abilities Expo Scheduled for March
Featuring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Abilities Expo.
CMS Announces Flexibilities in Response to California Wildfires The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced flexibilities in response to ongoing wildfires that began last week in Southern California. In a Jan. 10 news alert, CMS said state of California waivers are available for affected providers. Medicare beneficiaries who have lost their durable…
Abilities Expo Announces 2025 Dates, Venues
The first 2025 show will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in March.
As the final 2024 stop on the national Abilities Expo tour approaches — Dec. 6-8 in Dallas — the consumer show series has released its 2025 schedule of dates and venues. The 2025 schedule kicks off at the Los Angeles Convention Center on March 7-9. That event is followed by the New York Metro Abilities…
Briefly: Hibbs Receives ASCIP Award; New Disney Film Stars Young Actress with CP
Featuring the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals and Disney+.
University of Pittsburgh’s Rachel Hibbs Receives ASCIP Excellence Award Rachel M. Hibbs, DPT, NCS, ATP, received the Excellence Award from the Therapy Leadership Council at the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals (ASCIP) annual conference. The award is given to a member “who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership in the clinical application of SCI/D…
Briefly: United Spinal Offering Grants for Wheelchair Users; NSM Sponsors Pilgrimage Music Festival
Featuring United Spinal Association and National Seating & Mobility.
United Spinal Mini Grants Available for Wheelchair Riders Affected by Disasters United Spinal Association is accepting disaster-relief grant applications from wheelchair riders who have been impacted this year by disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires or floods. To qualify for the grants, which are provided by the Neilsen Foundation, applicants must have spinal cord injuries or…
RespectAbility Changes Its Name to Disability Belongs
The new name reflects the organization’s disability-led operations.
RespectAbility, an advocacy organization for people with disabilities, will now be known as Disability Belongs. In a Sept. 4 news announcement, the organization, based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, said, “This name is the result of a year-long rebranding process that sought input from the organization’s staff, board, program alumni, partners, supporters and the disability community at…
United Spinal Launches Walking Rollers Support Group
New group is aimed at consumers who both ambulate and use wheelchairs.
United Spinal Association is launching a support group for consumers who both walk and use wheelchairs. In its July 3 newsletter, United Spinal said the new Walking Rollers group, “for semi-ambulatory, part-time wheelchair users,” will be facilitated by Rob Henry, a board member of United Spinal Association of Michigan who coordinates that group’s peer mentor…