United Spinal Association Advocacy Network

10/13/2026

SCI Connections Webinar: PFDD Debrief & What Comes Next
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST
https://nascic.org/sci-connections-webinar-q3-2026-pfdd-debrief/

Join NASCIC (North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium) for a special SCI Connections webinar on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST. NASCIC President Jerrod Kerr and past President Ian Burkhart will guide you through the outcomes of the September 29 spinal cord injury (SCI) Externally Led Patient-Focused Drug Development (EL-PFDD) meeting: what the community told the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), what happens with that input next, and what it means for spinal cord injury research and treatment.

The SCI PFDD meeting gathered comments from the SCI community to help the FDA and medical product developers understand what matters most to the spinal cord injury community. The public comment period stays open through October 30, 2026.

Free NASCIC webinar, Oct. 21 at 3:00 PM ET. President Jerrod Kerr and past President Ian Burkhart on what the SCI community told the FDA and what comes next.

10/09/2026

📣 Did you miss the SCI PFDD Meeting? Your voice can still be heard!

On September 29th, the FDA’s Spinal Cord Injury Patient-Focused Drug Development (SCI PFDD) Meeting brought the SCI community together for an important opportunity to speak directly to the FDA about the realities of living with spinal cord injury.

While the live meeting has ended, the conversation isn’t over.

🗣️ You can still submit comments through October 30th and share what matters most to you; including the symptoms and challenges that have the greatest impact on daily life, experiences with current treatments, and what you want future treatments and research to address.

Your perspective can help the FDA and medical product developers better understand the priorities and unmet needs of the SCI community.

💬 Submit your comments:
https://www.scipfdd.org/comments

🎥 Watch the meeting recording:
https://www.scipfdd.org/

⏩ Want the full meeting summary? Jump to 5:09:40 in the recording.

The meeting may be over, but there’s still time to make your voice count. ♿💬

10/07/2026

Kelly Brush Foundation Adaptive Rec Talks: Fencing
Tuesday, October 13th, 5:30 - 6:30 PM EST
https://adaptiverechub.org/adaptive-rec-talks/

Ready to Give Fencing a Try?
Join for a virtual conversation all about adaptive fencing!

On Tuesday, October 13th at 5:30 PM ET, Adaptive Rec Talk will bring together adaptive fencers, program leaders, and community members to share their experiences and answer questions about getting started.

They will chat about finding programs, adaptive equipment, getting started with fencing, and what to expect as a new fencer. Hear from the pros and the Denver Fencing Foundation to learn more about adaptive fencing and how you can get involved. Whether you’re curious about fencing or already involved, come listen, ask questions, and connect with others in the community.

10/06/2026

📣 Did you miss the SCI PFDD Meeting? Your voice can still be heard!

On September 29, the FDA’s Spinal Cord Injury Patient-Focused Drug Development (SCI PFDD) Meeting brought the SCI community together for an important opportunity to speak directly to the FDA about the realities of living with spinal cord injury.

While the live meeting has ended, the conversation isn’t over.

🗣️ You can still submit comments through October 30 and share what matters most to you; including the symptoms and challenges that have the greatest impact on daily life, experiences with current treatments, and what you want future treatments and research to address.

Your perspective can help the FDA and medical product developers better understand the priorities and unmet needs of the SCI community.

💬 Submit your comments:
https://www.scipfdd.org/comments

🎥 Watch the meeting recording:
https://www.scipfdd.org/

⏩ Want the full meeting summary? Jump to 5:09:40 in the recording.

The meeting may be over, but there’s still time to make your voice count. ♿💬

Replay Watch the Meeting Recording. Press play below to watch the recording of the September 29, 2026 SCI PFDD Meeting. ↓ Public comments Be Part of the Conversation. The meeting has ended, but you can still share your perspective. Comment period closes October 30, 2026 Submit Your Comments. Help...

10/05/2026

💬 “Survival shouldn’t require luck.”

In this powerful clip from the September United Spinal Association Advocacy Network Meet an Advocate Live Stream guest advocate, Marcus Johnson, reminds us why advocacy must be intentional.

People with disabilities shouldn’t have to rely on luck to access the healthcare, services, supports, and opportunities they need to live and thrive. Real change happens when the disability community is included, listened to, and valued from the very beginning.

♿ Advocacy isn’t just about speaking up when something goes wrong. It is about intentionally building systems that work for everyone.

🎥 Watch this clip, then catch the full conversation with Marcus in the United Spinal Association Meet an Advocate Live Stream Archives: 👉 https://unitedspinal.org/advocacy-live-streams/

10/02/2026

🎉 ADVOCACY IN ACTION AND A BIG WIN FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS! ♿

After years of advocacy, the Choices for Increased Mobility Act (H.R. 1703) has passed both the House and Senate and is headed to the president’s desk!

This progress didn’t happen on its own. Advocates made it happen. 💪

From bringing this issue directly to congressional offices during United Spinal Association's Roll on Capitol Hill to sending messages and keeping the pressure on lawmakers, advocates across the country made their voices heard.

👏 A special thank you to Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Congressman John Joyce (R-Pa.) for their leadership and commitment to moving this legislation forward.

Once signed into law, Medicare will be required to create separate billing codes for titanium and carbon fiber wheelchair frames by January 1, 2028. Instead of paying the entire cost of an upgraded ultralight frame, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to pay only the difference.

This is what happens when advocates speak up, lawmakers listen, and we work together for greater mobility, independence, and choice.

To every advocate who called, emailed, attended meetings, and shared their story: THANK YOU. This victory belongs to you! ♿🧡

10/01/2026

♿💼 Celebrating Value. Recognizing Talent. Creating Opportunity.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

This is a time to celebrate the skills, talents, perspectives, and contributions people with disabilities bring to workplaces every day.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” is an important reminder that people with disabilities are an essential part of our workforce and our communities.

NDEAM is about more than celebration. It’s also about continuing the work toward accessible, inclusive, and equitable employment opportunities where people with disabilities are valued not simply for being included, but for the experience, ideas, leadership, and talent they bring to the table.

Throughout October, let’s recognize the accomplishments of disabled employees, entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders, while continuing to advocate for workplaces where accessibility and inclusion are built in from the beginning.

💡 When we remove barriers, we don’t create talent, we create opportunities for talent to shine.

Learn more about National Disability Employment Awareness Month from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam

09/30/2026

� MEET AN ADVOCATE — LIVE THIS WEDNESDAY!

What does it mean to make sure people with disabilities have a real voice, and real power in shaping the systems that impact our lives?

Join us Wednesday, September 30 at 12:00 PM ET for our next United Spinal Association Advocacy Network Meet an Advocate Live Stream, featuring Marcus Johnson, disability justice activist, policy strategist, educator, and systems-change leader.

For more than two decades, Marcus has worked at the intersection of disability advocacy, rehabilitation, mental health, healthcare equity, and community organizing. His advocacy centers on independent living, community-based supports, civil rights, and ensuring that lived experience is recognized as expertise.

During our conversation, we’ll explore disability justice, race and disability, healthcare equity, leadership, advocacy, and the importance of having people with disabilities at the table when decisions are being made about our lives.

Marcus’s advocacy is grounded in a powerful message:

� “Limiting choices limits existence.”

� Wednesday, September 30
� 12:00 PM ET

Tune in LIVE on the United Spinal Association Advocacy Network page, United Spinal Association page, or the United Spinal Association LinkedIn page and join us for a conversation about advocacy, lived experience, and creating meaningful change.

� Come meet the advocate behind the advocacy!

� New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! �

09/29/2026

📣 We’re Closing In on 3,000 Advocates! Will You Help Us Get There?

The United Spinal Association Advocacy Network is now more than 2,945 registered advocates strong, and we have a big goal ahead of us!

🎯 In honor of United Spinal Association's 80th Anniversary, we want to reach 3,000 registered advocates by the end of the year.

That means we’re less than 55 advocates away!

By becoming a registered advocate, you’re joining a nationwide network of people with disabilities, family members, caregivers, and allies working together to make our voices heard and create meaningful change.

As a registered advocate, you can:
📢 Take action on issues impacting the disability community
🏛️ Engage with policymakers and decision-makers
🤝 Connect with advocates across the country
📚 Access advocacy resources and opportunities
♿ Help strengthen disability representation at the local, state, and federal levels

You don’t have to be an advocacy expert to make a difference. Your lived experience and your voice have value.

Help us celebrate 80 years of United Spinal by building an even stronger advocacy network for the future.

🚀 Let’s get to 3,000! Become a registered advocate today:

Grassroots Advocacy Network Mobilize with us by adding your name to our Grassroots Advocacy Network. The Grassroots Advocacy Network is for those advocates who want to be on the cutting edge of change. We will never share your information without your permission.