Tag: United Spinal Association

VALLEY COTTAGE, N.Y. – National Ramp, a manufacturer of modular ramps, is a premier sponsor of United Spinal Association’s Roll on Capitol Hill. Roll on Capitol Hill is United Spinal’s annual policy event to support key advocacy priorities for its membership and the broader disability community and to ensure that legislators include wheelchair users and all people with disabilities in policy debates on Capitol Hill. “The United Spinal Association is...

NEW YORK – Seventy-five years ago, a small support group of paralyzed World War II veterans banded together to advocate for themselves and others in New York City. Today that small support group has 57,000 members and goes by the name of United Spinal Association. HME News spoke with Vincenzo Piscopo, president and CEO, about how the organization is celebrating its year-long anniversary campaign and where the next 75 years will take them. HME News: Who are some of the advocates United Spinal...

WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives has passed a bill that would extend the moratorium on the 2% Medicare sequestration cuts from March 31, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2021.  H.R. 1868, which passed 246-175, would also exempt the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan from the statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, eliminating an additional 4% Medicare cut that would amount to about $36 billion in 2022.  On March 15, Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.,...

NEW YORK – United Spinal Association has named Kleo J. King senior director of accessibility operations and counsel. King previously served as deputy commissioner and general counsel for the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities from 2014-21. “During her impressive career, Kleo’s steadfast work has helped to achieve unprecedented legal victories providing accessibility in transportation and the built environment for people with disabilities,” said...

NEW YORK – United Spinal Association celebrates 75 years of providing people with spinal cord injuries and disorders valuable programs and services that maximize their independence and quality of life. “As we reflect on United Spinal’s impact to advance disability rights throughout its history, we look forward to future progress in building an inclusive world that offers people with SCI/D new opportunities to become leaders, advocates and innovators,” said Vincent Piscopo,...

KEW GARDENS, N.Y. - United Spinal Association has named Vincenzo Piscopo as president and CEO. Piscopo, a wheelchair user who was paralyzed from a herniated disk in 2010, previously worked at The Coca-Cola Company for 25 years in a variety of strategic roles both in the U.S. and internationally, most recently as community and stakeholder relations director, where he managed and cultivated company relationships with disability, veteran and Hispanic organizations and advocates. “With the help...

NEW YORK - The United Spinal Association and the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh have co-developed a new app that informs and encourages consumers and their families to play an active role in buying, using and maintaining their manual wheelchairs. “As a national nonprofit serving people with spinal cord injuries and disorders, we know how important having a properly fitted manual wheelchair is in pursuing a healthy, active and independent...

NEW YORK - United Spinal Association has named six new members to its board of directors. They are: Carina Ho, accessibility specialist, Airbnb; Minna Hong, disability advisory board, Delta; Andraea LaVant, president, LaVant Consulting; Chris O'Donoghue, Emmy winning general assignment reporter; Reveca Torres, co-director ReelAbilities Film Festival; and Renee Tyree, west regional pharmacy director, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospitals. “United Spinal strives to build diverse perspectives...

NEW YORK - United Spinal Association will hold its 7th Annual Chapter Leadership Meeting Oct. 3-5 in Las Vegas. The meeting of more than 50 chapter leaders will help the organization identify critical needs within the spinal cord injuries and disorders community. This year's meeting also will highlight how chapters can build membership, partnerships and community engagement; and will feature a “Creativity Award” that will be presented to a chapter that has found creative ways to connect...

WASHINGTON - The United Spinal Association's Roll on Capitol Hill, June 23-26, resulted in a record 250 visits with congressional offices, says Alexandra Bennewith.“That's the most we've ever done,” said Bennewith, vice president, government relations. “We had more than 100 advocates from more than 30 states, plus Puerto Rico. It was excellent.”The annual advocacy event addresses the issues that impact the health, independence and quality of life of individuals living with...