Resources

Resources

Links

  • Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals 
    • This site is dedicated to improving the quality of medical care delivered to persons with SCI
  • NIDRR
    • National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. Current NIDRR research and publications. Also has links to other disability and rehabilitation resources.
  • NCDDR
    • National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research. Funded by NIDRR. Includes link to listing of the Model Spinal Cord Injury Systems.
  • Job Accommodation Network
    • An international toll-free consulting service that provides information about employment of people with disabilities. Not a job placement service.
  • International Paralympic Committee
    • This site contains information about the upcoming Paralympics.
  • ASIA
    • American Spinal Injury Association. Information regarding organization, annual meetings, publications, membership information, research and other SCI links.
  • National Sports Center for the Disabled
    • Information regarding summer and winter sports and recreation for children and adults with disabilities.
  • Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine
    • The Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine released an updated evidence-based guideline on the acute managment of autonomic dysreflexia (AD) following spinal cord injury. For a copy of the guidlines, go to www.scicpg.org.
  • NSCIA
    • National Spinal Cord Injury Association. Includes chat room, news room, resource center, message board, communication desk and upcoming events.
  • NWBA
    • National Wheelchair Basketball Association. Information regarding wheelchair basketball.
  • New Mobility
    • Includes broad range of topics including equipment and links to other sites.
  • PVA
    • Paralyzed Veterans of America. Includes SCI resource center, calendar of events, sports and recreation, resources for professional. Can also order PVA practice guidelines from this link.
  • Quad Rugby Association
    • Information regarding quad rugby.
  • RESNA
    • Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America. An interdisciplinary association for the advancement of rehabilitation and assistive technologies.
  • Think First Organization
    • Organization mission is to prevent brain and spinal cord injuries through education of individuals, community leaders and the creators of public policy.
  • Sexuality and Spinal Cord Injury 
    • Resources pertaining to sexuality in persons with SCI. 
  • Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center
    • This is an easy to read site about basic anatomy and medical issues for the person with SCI.
  • Team Rehab
    • Has links to National Registry of Rehab Technology Specialists and to organizations, facilities, resources, sports, etc.
  • NRIC
    • National Rehabilitation Information Center.  Instant Disability Information Center. Literature database on disability and rehabilitation. Contains abstract and citation information.
  • Resources for Physical Activity for Persons with Disability
    • The National Center of Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) provides a tremendous resource for individuals looking to plan or implement physical activity programs for persons with disabilities. On their website, you will find links such as video showing chair-based activity, guides to community parks that are wheelchair accessible, and a virtual tour of an accessible fitness center.
  • Physiotherapy Exercises for People with Spinal Cord Injury
    • This website will allow you to search for exercises appropriate for people with spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions.  Exercise can be selected and compiled into a booklet for your clients.
  • Inclusive Fitness Coalition
    • The Inclusive Fitness Coalition (IFC) is an advocacy group working to promote physical activity and accessibility for persons with disabilities. Their work is based upon objectives outlined by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
  • The International Network of SCI Physiotherapists
    • The International Network of SCI physiotherapists (SCIPT) is a not-for-profit initiative of physiotherapists worldwide. It is for physiotherapists working in the area of spinal cord injuries although other physiotherapists are welcome to join.
  • The World Confederation of Physical Therapy
    • The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) is the sole international organisation representing physical therapists worldwide. It is dedicated to promoting the profession and improving global health.
  • The World Health Organization
    • WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

 

Topics of the Month

Topic of the Month January 2007: SCI and Wellness

A greater number of persons who incur a spinal cord injury are surviving long-term. This leads to many sequelae associated with chronic SCI. These may include secondary orthopaedic conditions (e.g., rotator cuff injury and carpal tunnel syndrome), bony changes (e.g., osteopenia and osteoporosis), postural changes (e.g., scoliosis), muscular changes (e.g., atrophy and tissue fibrosis), integumentary changes, and cardiovascular/pulmonary changes (e.g., reduced metabolism, global deconditioning, decreased exercise tolerance). Evidence suggests that several of these sequelae are simply a consequence of the immobility produced by the patients' spinal cord injuries. If this is the case, restoration of activity or mobility may help to mitigate some of these secondary issues. [READ MORE]

Topic of the Month: Exercise and Spinal Cord Injury

Physical Fitness has been well documented for the able- bodied population for many years. Physical fitness has also shown to be important for persons with SCI. However, there are many factors that limit the ability for a person with SCI to exercise. Disruptions of the autonomic nervous system, motor dysfunction and secondary complications can all limit the exercise tolerance of persons with SCI. Research by such authors as Figoni, Hooker, Gass, Camp, Glaser, Nash, Davis, Shepherd, etc have shown the many benefits of physical fitness for persons with SCI. [READ MORE]

Topic of the Month: Respiratory Management For Persons Following A Spinal Cord Injury

As of May 2001, the National Spinal Cord Injury Database estimates approximately 11,000 individuals sustain a SCI per year. Of those individuals, 51.6% are diagnosed with a tetraplegia and 46.3% are diagnosed with a paraplegia. One of the leading causes of death in people with SCI is respiratory disease (20.4%). The SCI SIG had an open forum discussion on respiratory management post SCI. [READ MORE]

The Section would like to extend a special thanks to all of the partnering organizations that have joined in to make the organization an invaluable resource for information, tools, and support for the population we serve.