United Spinal Association Newsletter

 

Free Temporary Housing Now Part of Ready to Roll Offerings New Leaflet: A New Tool to Get the Word Out United Spinal has been working tirelessly to get support to our community in Los Angeles County. We are determined to help every wheelchair user in LA who needs financial aid, wheelchair replacement or repair, or a place to stay. Whatever it takes, we are fighting for you. What's New We’re making it easier to spread the word and understand what Ready to Roll is all about for people impacted by the wildfires! Please distribute our new, print-ready leaflet widely. We’ve also made it available as a graphic to post on social media, your group chats and Discord servers. We’re offering something new in conjunction with Airbnb.org: Wheelchair users impacted by the wildfires can apply for a stay of up to 30 days at an accessible Airbnb property. No member of our community should go unhoused, period—especially in a disaster. You can indicate your interest in our relief application form, and we’ll take it from there. How We Help Natural Disaster Survivors Our financial grants continue to serve every wheelchair user who has lost their house, needs repairs or specialized cleanings for their home, requires repairs or replacement of their accessible vehicle or durable medical equipment, or can’t meet the costs (great and small) of evacuation due to a natural disaster. Apply today. Asking for help is never easy, but we make receiving the help you deserve simple and approachable. Spread the word.  POLICY AND ADVOCACY United Spinal Explains What Do the Executive Orders Mean—And What Can I Do to Protect My Benefits? It’s been hard to keep up with all the changes that have resulted from the Trump Administration’s flurry of executive orders—and which moves may have lasting consequences. Especially concerning is the federal pause on Medicaid disbursements, which is temporarily blocked by two federal judges.  We’ve created an explainer that is being regularly updated here. Keep checking in as the situation continues to develop. United Spinal is monitoring the situation, identifying impacts, advocating, and—most importantly—helping you take action to safeguard vital services and programs. Let’s mobilize together. Join forces with United Spinal:   Start here: Sign up for the Grassroots Advocacy Network to get all the latest updates and information about how to get involved in the issues that matter to you. Sign up for our Advocacy and Policy newsletter for even more coverage and opportunities for action Make your voice heard: Receive action alert emails and click through to contact your members of Congress. You can also call the offices of your members of Congress and schedule meetings at your representatives’ district/state offices—find their information here Meet your community: Join our monthly Advocacy Live calls via Zoom to discuss important issues with fellow grassroots advocates TAKE ACTION What you Can Do Now to Save Medicaid Cuts to Medicaid are a real possibility. We need to act now. We need to let our members of Congress know that every day, we depend on Medicaid as a lifeline for our health care, personal care and independence.  TAKE ACTION Share Your Medicaid Experience with Us Medicaid-funded programs could be on the chopping block next. We need the public and media to know how these programs help wheelchair users remain independent in the community. Share your story with us and help United Spinal show the world how real people are being affected by threats to our benefits. Looking for a way to sustain United Spinal in a way that’s also more sustainable for you? Consider breaking your contribution up into a monthly pledge. Monthly support fuels our community support programs and advocacy—and helps expand our reach, enhance resources, and create lasting change for wheelchair users. We want to meet every challenge this new year presents to us and come out stronger on the other side. Become a monthly donor today and make a powerful, enduring impact. CHECK THESE OUT Tech Talk: Making Exercise More Accessible Steve Ferreira, a Paralympic gold medalist, motivational speaker, and advocate, shares how he is making exercise more accessible for wheelchair users. Join us Thursday, February 27 at 7 pm EST. More Events

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 February 18 at 1pm ET. Employment Empowerment Resource Group These sessions showcase essential resources, insights, and practical strategies offered by our Employment Empowerment Resource Group. Members will learn how to build long-term career success. Meets 3rd Wednesday of each month. Our next meeting is February 19 at 1pm ET. Walking Rollers This group is for all our semi-ambulatory part-time wheelchair users. Group meets every 4th Monday of the month. The next meeting is February 24 at 7 PM ET. Rolling Through Parenthood This group is a safe place to share information, advice and resources. Benefit from the experiences of your peers who are living with a disability and are adjusting to parenthood. The group meets every first Monday of the month. Join us March 3 at 7pm ET. Rolling Through Life: Aging with a Disability We created a space to discuss the privileges and challenges our community members face as they age. This group meets the 4th Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is February 26 at 7pm ET. Resource Center Live Come join our Resource Center team to have your questions answered live. The next meeting is February 26 at 4pm ET. Empowering Parental Caregivers Calling all parents/guardians of children, adolescents, or young adults with spinal cord injuries or mobility disorders- if you are looking for a community that understands what you are going through, this group is for you! The next meeting is February 11 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 now meets the first Wednesday of every month. Our next meeting is February 5 at 6pm ET. VIEW ALL UPCOMING EVENTS

Copyright © 2025 United Spinal Association. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 102 Duane Road Fort Totten, NY 11359 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

NADD Newsletter

 

Together, our efforts grow exponentially 💗 NADD’s mission is to promote leadership in the expansion of knowledge, training, policy, and advocacy for mental health practices that promote a quality life for individuals with dual diagnosis (IDD/MI) in their communities. The Journal of Mental Health Research  in Disabilities The Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities (JMHRID) is an international peer-reviewed journal, with a clear emphasis on all aspects of mental health in people with intellectual and developmental disorders.  It publishes 4 issues a year on behalf of the NADD (National Association of the Dually Diagnosed). It is committed to improving the prevention, investigation, diagnosis, treatment, and care of mental illness and to promote mental health for this population globally. JMHRID publishes original research from around the world, editorials, review articles, commentaries and book reviews. Downloads of journal articles have increased significantly in recent years and is essential reading for clinicians and researchers with an interest in mental health.  JMHRID Announces Editor in Chief Dr. Angela Hassios, MD, PhD served as the second Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of the JMHRID for three terms. During her tenure, she significantly advanced the Journal’s growth by attracting and retaining esteemed members of the Editorial Board and Associate Editor Staff. Dr. Kerim Munir will succeed Dr. Hassios as EIC in 2025. A psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics (Developmental Psychiatry) at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Munir specializes in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders across the lifespan. JMHRID Seeking Associate Editors Essential Requirement: Substantial publications record and knowledge of peer review process  Key Responsibilities:  Support and promote the journal to authors, readers and subscribers  Carry out  the timely manuscript peer review process for allocated manuscripts (about 5 per annum either new or revised)  Provide second opinions on papers (e.g. where reviews are incomplete, or rejection of a commissioned article has been recommended)  Contribute to twice annual meetings of the editors and publisher  Contribute to overall direction of the journal and strategic outlook  Espouse and comply with editorial ethical standards and the values of NADD  For more information, please contact: Angela.Hassiotis@camden.gov.uk NADD members receive free access to the latest research! JMHRID Link Center Resource Spotlight A link to this full report can be found on the Link Center's free online Resource Library which offers valuable information to improve the lives of individuals with IDD and mental health needs. Read More at: https://acl.gov/TheLinkCenter/Services-Supports Resources are available to a wide audience, including individuals with lived experience, families, allies, advocates, DSPs, clinical professionals, and policymakers. NADD is proud to be working together with the Link Center: https://acl.gov/TheLinkCenter Merakey's 4th Annual Dual Diagnosis Conference Integrating Healthcare: Supporting Those with IDD/Mental Illness Through the Lifespan February 26, 2025                                11:00 AM EST-5:00 PM EST Merakey is hosting a virtual conference! This event is open to healthcare professionals, family members, and individuals with lived experience of IDD and mental health needs. Merakey has a long-standing relationship with NADD and a NADD Accredited Program.  Keynote speakers Dr. Robert Fletcher, NADD Founder, and Terrence McNelis, Senior Advisor for IDD Services at Merakey will discuss historical challenges and the outlook of supporting individuals with IDD and mental health needs. Their session will be moderated by Tim Barksdale, Psy.D, LMSW, NADD-CC, Senior Executive Director of Clinical Services at Merakey & NADD Board Member.  Jeanne Farr, MA, NADD Chief Executive Officer, Wendy Morris, RN, MSN, CS, NASMHPD, and Stacy L. Nonnemacher, Ph.D., NASDDDS will discuss the mission, goals, and strategies of the collaborative work being done with the Link Center. Registration is required! To learn more about these and other esteemed presenters and view the full conference schedule, click the link below.  READ MORE The Importance of Connections In this podcast, Melissa Cheplic, MPH, NADD-CC, from The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development interviews Karyn Harvey, PhD. Together, they explore the vital role of relationships in trauma prevention and recovery for individuals with IDD.  Emphasizing the universal need for meaningful connections beyond paid supporters; the need for friendships and love. Dr. Harvey's work on Hello It’s Me, a dating and friendship app for people with IDD, embodies this mission. The app includes lessons on consent, building connections, and avoiding exploitation, along with online events designed to promote secure, empowering relationships. The full podcast is available at the link below. LISTEN NOW NADD ACCREDITATIONS CONGRATULATIONS! Claratel Behavioral Health The following programs were recently NADD Accredited! Community Support Individual Targeted Case Management Community Support Services Supported Employment Behavioral Health Outpatient Services Community Residential Alternative Service Community Access Services Peer Support Services Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services Service Access and Management  & River Edge Behavioral Health  were both recently Reaccredited! LEARN MORE NADD's 2025 National Conference For over 40 years, NADD has brought together our vibrant community, strengthening connections and fostering the exchange of diverse perspectives and expertise. Save the Date for NADD's 42nd Annual Conference! LEARN MORE Not a NADD Member? Become one today, starting at just $99 per year. JOIN NOW FOLLOW NADD ON SOCIAL MEDIA