FAQ
What is United Spinal Association?
United Spinal Association is a vital system of community support for our nation’s 5.5 million wheelchair users to live exciting, independent, and healthy lives. We proudly trace our roots to the paralyzed World War II veterans who came home to an inaccessible nation and made it their new mission to create a fully inclusive society. We honor them by directly providing top-notch support and resources to people living with spinal cord injuries/disorders, all wheelchair users, and the broader disability community.
Where is United Spinal located?
Everywhere! Our staff is almost 100% remote, our programs are active in every state, and our digital platforms are visited by wheelchair users from every nation that has Internet access. But our mailing address is in Queens, New York.
Is United Spinal a disability-led and run organization?
Yes — our CEO, Matt Castelluccio, uses a wheelchair, as do many board and staff members. Although our focus is on wheelchair users, many of us have other types of disabilities as well. We proudly showcase our nation’s diversity, as our leadership and staff are multicultural, multigenerational, and LGBTQ-inclusive.
We’ve got something for everyone who uses a wheelchair. Our programs include Advocacy, Resource Center and Help Desk, Peer Support, Pathways to Employment, Ready to Roll, Tech Access Initiative, and Accessibility Services. Sign up for our newsletters, visit our membership publication, New Mobility and download our free Disability Etiquette Guide. Explore our chapter network and Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Partners.
How many people does United Spinal reach per year?
The short answer? Millions. From one-on-one peer support interactions all the way up to collaborating with airlines to improve the flying experiences for wheelchair users, our work touches all aspects of life on wheels. Let’s break it down:
Our Digital Impact:
Our websites and social media platforms are lively, vibrant offerings that provide educational and entertaining resources directly to wheelchair users nationwide and globally.
We reach 5 million people annually across our social media platforms, including our membership publication, New Mobility. Over 1 million engage with our websites each year. Look for us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Threads and TikTok.
Our Personal Touch:
We run a wide variety of in-person and virtual groups to engage wheelchair users and their families where they are, and how they need it.
- 60k have signed up as individual members and are eligible for the associated privileges and benefits.
- 115+ Therapeutic and Rehabilitation members across the nation serve wheelchair users in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
- 110+ peer support groups provide wheelchair users with camaraderie and authentic interactions with others in similar circumstances.
- 40+ independent chapters and affiliates organize everything from Advocacy Days to Bowling Nights.
That’s Amazing! How can I help?
We’re glad you asked! Please consider a personal donation to support our programs. We’d love to explore a partnership with your company. Your generosity fuels our programs and supports the lives of our nation’s 5.5 million wheelchair users and their families.