United Spinal Newsletter, January 2024

  2023 was a year of firsts and landmarks for our organization. Here are some of the highlights from last year.

United Spinal Newsletter | January 2024 View this email in your browser 2023 was a year of firsts and landmarks for our organization. Here are some of the highlights from last year. We weren’t afraid to be bold. We took risks. We hope this inspires you to be a part of our 2024. Activists and volunteers grew our Grassroots Advocacy Network to cover nearly every Congressional District in the country, and have helped establish our dynamic Working Groups as an authentic voice on critical issues facing our community. Travelers of all kinds were a big part of our 2023 when we won historic gains to ensure safer and more accessible air travel—and United Spinal got a shout out from and a seat at the table with Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg. Washington, DC leaders and staff gathered at the White House with the President to celebrate the accomplishments of our movement. Our voices are more United than ever: check out our Advocacy Program 2023 Year in Review to get the full recap. Parents took center stage when we launched our Rolling into Parenthood group. Creatives changed the face of our community as part of our first ever Photo Contest. United Spinal members, allies, and sponsors gathered at our inaugural StrongWheeled Together Conference to explore a new way of organizing and building alliances. All of us bade farewell to visionary disability rights leader Judy Heumann—and vowed to honor her legacy through continuing her fight for liberation and equality. Thank you all for a year to remember. Want to be in touch with the latest about United Spinal? Follow us on our lively Instagram account. This month, we’ve partnered with Kam Redlawsk to give you a peek into the reality of her daily routine and care support regimen. Her message? “It’s ok to care for each other. It’s ok to need each other.” Give Kam a shout out in the comments! Beat Cabin Fever with Our Adaptive Winter Recreation Guide The snow is falling and the stoke is high. Paralympian Jeff Pagels has teamed up with our Outdoor Access Working Group to put together this blockbuster guide to snowsports—and most importantly, philanthropic resources that ensure that the slopes and trails are within reach for everyone. POLICY SPOTLIGHT NEW! Improved Care Support for the Disability Community Changes are needed now in the home and community care support landscape for all people with disabilities to live independently. United Spinal gives our community the tools to win. Check out our new webpage where you can find out more about our care support priorities and activities. Register for our Care Support Webinar, “Finding, Hiring, Training and Retaining Care Support Professionals” Tuesday, January 30, 4-5:15pm ET. NEW! Work Without Worry Poised to Transform Medicaid for People with Disabilities United Spinal Association is launching a multi-state campaign, the Work without Worry campaign targeting states across the country, plus DC, to implement and/or enhance Medicaid programs for disabled workers. Visit here. Robby Barbieri, Josh Basile, and Robby’s parents want you to join them in this historic campaign Read Robby’s story. With your support we can make a difference. Protect the Disability Community Against Infections Resistance to antibiotic and antimicrobial prescription drugs is a leading public health crisis. Globally, 1.3 million deaths have been attributed to antimicrobial resistance in 2019. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has only increased the problem of drug resistance, at a time when increased protections for individuals with disabilities, the immunocompromised and chronically ill are needed more than ever. We can protect each other. Here’s how: TAKE ACTION SPONSORED CONTENT There are over 61 million people with a disability in the US. Across our community, our health needs are quite diverse. On Jan 24th at 2:00pm ET, join All of Us Research for a conversation about the many intersections that affect #DisabilityHealth. Register: https://bit.ly/Jan24-Webinar CHECK THESE OUT Social Hour Take a little break from the daily grind. Join us every Thursday at 1pm ET for a social hour via Zoom to connect with others from our local chapters, support groups, and peer mentoring networks. Register here. Advocacy Live Join the Rolling Revolution Come join and collaborate with other advocates the 3rd Tuesday of every month – alternating times at 1pm ET and 5pm ET. The next Advocacy Live is January 16 at 5pm ET. Resource Center Live Come join our Resource Center team to have your questions answered live. The next meeting is January 24 at 4pm ET. VIEW ALL UPCOMING EVENTS TechTalks Join United Spinal Tech Access Members to collaborate and share about accessible technology. The next meeting is January 11 at 5pm ET. Empowering Parental Caregivers Parents and guardians of youth with spinal cord injuries or mobility disorders meet on the third Tuesday of each month for support and connection. The next meeting is January 16 at 7pm ET. Rolling with Pride Want to meet other LGBTQIA wheelchair users from around the country? Now you can! All members of the LGBTQIA community who have disabilities — including our allies —  are welcome. Rolling with Pride meets the first Tuesday of every month. Next meeting is February 6 at 1pm ET. Copyright © 2024 United Spinal Association. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 120-34 Queens Blvd. #330 Kew Gardens, NY 11415 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.