Developing Policy-Oriented Research to Benefit People Living With Spinal Cord Injury: Key Policy Topics 

Last Updated: 03/11/2026

This resource helps researchers to conduct policy-focused research to support people with spinal cord injury (SCI). It outlines priorities related to people living with SCI and provides links to organizations advocating for these priorities. Individuals with SCI often face many challenges due to their injury, especially when it comes to accessing healthcare, finding employment, and participating in everyday life. To help individuals with SCI access opportunities in these areas and foster their independence, it is important for SCI researchers to identify 
and study key policy priorities. The organizations listed in this 
resource serve as potential partners that researchers can engage 
to make policy-oriented research more relevant to stakeholders. 

Key policy issue 1: Access to affordable healthcare

Individuals with SCI often lack access to high-quality, affordable healthcare.

• Medical equipment, therapy, and prescription drugs
  • United Spinal Association 
  • American Association of People with Disabilities 
• Medical insurance coverage, especially for assistive technology (e.g., wheelchair accessories) 
  • United Spinal Association 
  • Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation 
  • The Association of Assistive (Adaptive) Technology 
  • American Association of People with Disabilities 

Key policy issue 2: Employment and independent living

Individuals with SCI face many challenges to find gainful 
employment and live independently.

• Affordable housing 
  • United Spinal Association 
  • American Association of People with Disabilities 
  • Center for Disability Rights 
  • Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation 
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America 
• Transportation 
  • United Spinal Association 
  • American Association of People with Disabilities 
  • Center for Disability Rights 
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America
• Expanded coverage for long-term services 
  • United Spinal Association 
  • The Commonwealth Fund 
  • American Association of People with Disabilities 
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America 
• Competitive employment 
  • United Spinal Association 
  • American Association of People with Disabilities 
  • APSE 1 
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America 
• Support for caregivers 
  • United Spinal Association 
  • Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation 
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America

Key policy issue 3: Consumer-directed health care and community integration

Individuals with SCI often lack access to community-based services and customized care, which may inhibit their participation in society. 

• Home and community-based services and opportunities for individuals with SCI to receive in-home services 
  • United Spinal Association 
  • Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation 
  • The Commonwealth Fund 
  • American Association of People with Disabilities 
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America 
• Delivery of healthcare and options to pay for healthcare services 
  • United Spinal Association 
  • The Commonwealth Fund 
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America

Key policy issue 4: Disability rights

To achieve independence, individuals with SCI need laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and other similar laws that protect against discrimination to be continually applied and advanced.

• United Spinal Association 
• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation 
• The Association of Assistive (Adaptive) Technology 
• American Association of People with Disabilities 
• Paralyzed Veterans of America

Key policy issue 5: Funding for SCI Research

Funding for SCI research is essential for advancing treatment practices that improve the health and wellness of individuals with SCI. 

• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation 
• United Spinal Association 
• Unite 2 Fight Paralysis 
• Paralyzed Veterans of America 

Disclaimer

The contents of this policy brief were developed under grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90DP0082 and 90DPKT0009). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this brief do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.