Since its establishment as a registered charity in 1967 as the Australian Quadriplegic Association, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia has come to be recognised as the peak consumer organisation for people with people with spinal cord injuries and similar disabilities throughout Australia. What began as a grass-roots struggle by a small group of people with quadriplegia to escape their enforced security as residents of a nursing home has become a rock of solidarity for others who find themselves in the strange new world of physical disability.

The principle of participation and control by its consumers is enshrined in SCI Australia's constitution, which provides that the majority of Directors must be people with physical disabilities. Seven of the current nine Board members have physical disabilities. From its earliest days, SCI Australia has been directed, managed and staffed by people with disabilities at all levels of its operations.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia's services provide a continuum of support to people with severe physical disabilities who are living, or wish to live, in the community. These range from peer support to accommodation support, vocational training to job placement, information to public education. All are directed towards one aim: to maximise the independence of people with severe physical disabilities.

All funds that Spinal Cord Injuries Australia receives a result of the World Rugby Jersey Auction will be directed towards the construction of a state of the art rehabilitation facility at Collaroy Beach, NSW. This new facility will mean that people who are newly spinal cord injured will be able to leave hospital more quickly and have the best start possible to their new life.

Services
SCInfo Information service provides a wide range of information on severe physical disability and services to people with a disability, families, carers, professionals and the general public.

Policy Centre focuses on systemic advocacy, working to secure the rights of people with severe physical disabilities by lobbying for improved and expanded services from both the public and private sectors. Its work on physical access to transport and the built environment, for example, has made a considerable impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

Rehabilitation and Peer Support provides the kind of day-to-day assistance people with severe physical disabilities may need to participate in community life. Staff visit clients in hospitals, at home and in community venues, and offer peer support, counselling and individual living skills training. Team members also liaise with service providers to ensure that appropriate services are provided and to identify gaps in service.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia Network. Rehabilitation and peer support services are available throughout NSW via community support officers in regional centres. SCI Australia stays in touch with issues that matter to people with disabilities around Australia via network officers in the other States and Territories.

Sci Workforce Australia has a full range of vocational services-work assessment, career guidance, vocational training, job placement, post-placement support-for people with any disabilities. Supported employment is available in data processing at SCI Geo & Data Processing.

Accommodation. Transitional and respite accommodation and group houses are available in houses in Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Dapto. A new centre is being developed in Collaroy. SCI Australia also assists in locating and developing accessible housing facilities.

Public Education. Disability awareness workshops give people without disabilities an understanding of the issues facing people with disabilities. Packages can be tailored to the individual needs of corporate or community groups.

SCI Access Australia advises commercial clients on access to the built environment and how to comply with disability legislation. It also provides medico-legal assessments on the cost of living in the community with severe physical disability.

Accord. SCI Australia's quarterly journal is THE source for the latest information and issues of interest to people with severe physical disabilities.

For Further Information
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia can be contacted by phone on 02 9661 8855 or 1800 819 775, by email at office@spinalcordinjuries.com.au or by writing to PO Box 397, Matraville NSW 2036. Or check out their website at www.spinalcordinjuries.com.au.