SCI Links of Interest

These links are not part of the University of Michigan or the University of Michigan Model Spinal Cord Injury Care System. We cannot verify the accuracy of these sites. All information on our site and others is for general educational purposes only.

Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living (AACIL)
The AACIL provides peer mentoring and co-leads independent living classes for participants in the UM Model SCI Care System. The AACIL is a long-term partner with the UM Model SCI Care System in research, outreach, and in other activities.

Determined2heal web site provides information to help simplify the difficult transition families of newly injured patients face when dealing with paralysis. The non-profit organization and personal website "Determined2heal" was created by teenager Josh Basile after he had a C4-C5 spinal cord injury.

UM Model SCI Care System Professional Dissemination (Peer-reviewed manuscripts, other publications from the U-M Model SCI Care System)

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) provides leadership and support for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. The UM Model SCI Care System is funded by NIDRR.

Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC)
The purpose of Knowledge Translation is to make usable information available to everyone, whether they are consumers, scientists, health professionals or others. This allows recent research findings to more quickly become a part of current care and practice and allow people with disabilities to have access to the latest findings.

National Rehabilitation Information Center
The National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) is an organization whose primary mission is to collect and disseminate the results of research funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). It's (remove apostrophe) on-line database can be searched by topic, (such as advocacy, care giving, SCI, recreation, etc.) grant, institution or researcher.

ADA Home Page:The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) site describes the law and provides information about new or proposed regulations, recent court cases and enforcement. There are also sources of technical assistance for the ADA and information about how to file a complaint.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Spinal Cord Information Page
NINDS is a part of the National Institutes of Health. The site has lists of SCI-related organizations and their contact information, provides access to scientific results and consumer information. A link leads to studies on SCI and related conditions which are recruiting participants.

Medline Plus Spinal Cord Injuries
Medline Plus is a service of the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Go to this page and enter "spinal cord injuries." Medline has links to articles written for laypeople on topics such as treatment, coping, specific conditions, finding a neurosurgeon and many others. There are resources in Spanish and on-line tutorials about SCI. You can search about other health conditions as well.

These sites have information on the use of technology for people with disabilities.

Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)
RESNA is an interdisciplinary association of people with a common interest in technology and disability.

ABLEDATA
ABLEDATA is the premiere source for information on assistive technology. This site sponsored by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).  

UM Model SCI Care System Resource Guide Technology Section
This site provides a wealth of information on assistive technology, including funding information.

Access-Able
A detailed source of information about travel opportunities, both nationally and internationally. Viewers can select a destination and find listings of accessible accommodations, transportation, and attractions.

Access Anything
Craig and Andy Kennedy are a couple who have written a travel and sports accessibility guide about Colorado and other states. Access Anything features a sports and travel newsletter and travel tips about accessible skiing and other sports. Craig Kennedy is a skier who has an SCI and is devoted to showing others how to find accessible vacation spots and sports.

American Spinal Injury Association
ASIA fosters research on prevention, improving care, and cure. ASIA is committed to educating its members, other health care professionals, those with SCI and the public about many SCI issues. This site has educational materials, resources for obtaining information published in medical journals and other links.

CareCure Community
Forums include communication between Dr. Wise Young (a U.S. neurosurgeon, scientist and leader in the area of SCI treatment and cure) and people with SCI. This site is a great source for support and advice for people who have a new SCI from those who have lived with the condition. CareCure provides the best and latest information on spinal cord injury treatment, care giving, cure, funding, pain, sex, links, research, and current studies.

Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center (PRC), a program of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF), was created in 2002 to provide a comprehensive, national source of information for people living with paralysis and their caregivers to promote health, foster involvement in the community, and improve quality of life.

Cure Paralysis Now
A source of information about functional recovery and cure-related research with a variety of links to other sites.

Disaboom
Disaboom is a new website that may appeal especially to younger adults, but has something for everyone:  friends, family, caregivers, etc.  There is an online dating service, community forums and even reviews of hotels, restaurants and other establishments that include accessibility information. Keep an eye on this developing site!                

Facts and Figures
Based on information from the National Spinal Cord Injury Database, this site provides the most current statistics on spinal cord injury in the United States today. It includes information on the numbers of new injuries, people living with SCI, their length of hospitalization, causes of injury and life expectency (correct spelling is expectancy). Published by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, Facts and Figures also provides links to articles, some of which are available for free and others which can be purchased.

Independent Living Centers USA
Listings of nearly 500 Independent Living Centers throughout the nation, listed by state. Addresses and phone numbers are included, as well as links to Web sites, as available. In addition, IL USA has a number of articles by nationally respected authors about the IL movement. The site is updated monthly.

Independent Living Institute
A source of information and training materials on numerous topics related to independent living. Examples of areas covered are personal assistance, technical assistance, peer support, and advocacy. Their bulletin board provides a forum for discussion on a variety of topics.

I'm Adapting to Disabilities
Primarily providing information about the disability services and programs on a state by state basis, I'm Adapting to Disabilities also has information about Federal agencies and advocacy groups. The site also includes an art gallery focusing on creativity for people with disabilities.

International Disability News Ticker
A source of news stories from the US and international presses about various topics. Topics addressed by recent stories have included improvements in adaptive technologies and medical studies; legislation affecting people with disabilities; and interviews (with both disabled and non-disabled people). The site is updated daily. 

The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
Located at the University of Miami School of Medicine, the Miami Project is the world's largest research center dedicated to finding a cure for paralysis that results from spinal cord injury.

Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
This site includes a vast amount of information of interest to Michigan residents, though most is applicable to those living elsewhere. The Michigan Disability Rights Coalition's mission is to build a state-wide alliance of Michigan's disability community through activism, education, and advocacy.

mobileWOMEN.org
This is an online magazine for women in wheelchairs. MobileWOMEN.org was created by women and features articles and tips on health, sex, fashion, available studies and other subjects.

National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
A rich source of information regarding physical activity, related equipment, and health maintenance. The NCPAD site does not focus on SCI, but rather has information pertinent to those with a variety of disabilities. This site has a good search facility.

National Spinal Cord Injury Association
Founded in 1948, the National Spinal Cord Injury Association is the nation's oldest and largest civilian organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Americans living with the results of spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) and their families.

Paralyzed Veterans of America
Established to serve the needs of veterans with spinal injuries, PVA and its site provide a wealth of services to all. PVA advocates for quality health care; promotes research and education; and advocates for legislation to enhance the civil rights and opportunities of those with disabilities.
Click here for the Michigan Chapter of PVA, a partner and supporter of the UM Model SCI Care System.

Post-Polio Health International (PHI)
Formerly known as GINI, this site is included because it contains valuable information for patients people who are ventilator users, their families, and the health professionals who treat them

SCI-Info-Pages
This site is a not-for-profit, non-commercial site and an informative resource for those with SCI or other disabling injuries or diseases of the spine. It is meant to be a "best of the web" site and has includes links to many topic-related sites: sports, research, rehabilitation facilities, medical equipment companies, travel and leisure and many, many others.

Spinal Cord Injury Information Network
Excellent information on an extensive range topics for persons with SCI, clinicians, or researchers, including sections on medical and psychosocial care, equipment and accessibility issues. This site also includes Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures, a comprehensive description of persons with SCI and their health care expenditures that is up-dated bi-annually.
Sponsored by the University of Alabama, one of the 16 Model SCI Care Systems.

The Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center
Excellent information on an extensive range topics for persons with SCI, clinicians, or researchers, including sections on medical and psychosocial care, equipment and accessibility. This site includes Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures, a comprehensive description of people with SCI that is updated twice per year. The site is sponsored by the University of Alabama, one of the 14 Model SCI Care Systems.

Spinal Cord Injury Resources
An extensive list of well-organized links to a vast number of disability-related sites.

Sports and Spokes
A magazine sponsored by PVA focusing on sports and recreation opportunities for those with spinal injuries

ThinkFirst
The mission of the ThinkFirst Foundation is to prevent brain, spinal cord and other traumatic injuries through the education of individuals, community leaders and the creators of public policy. ThinkFirst's award-winning public education efforts target children and teens, teaching them about personal vulnerability and risk taking.