ThinkFirst Foundation

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In the United States of America, individuals with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities are protected by a variety of laws that provide entitlements that safeguard and promote their health, welfare, and independence. Legislation came into being because of the work of disability advocacy groups across the country. Explore this section to learn more about programs, agencies, resource centers, and special interest groups who promote accessibility, inclusion, and equality for individuals living with a spinal cord injury.

Scroll through the resources below to identify various Disability Resource Centers that serve as clearinghouses of disability-specific information. These include sources for health and patient advocates who can help you navigate the complexities of the health care system. Learn about self-advocacy across a spectrum of needs – medical, psychological, social, emotional, recreational, and vocational. Understand how to find healthcare providers and identify additional support through community-based disability groups.

This section also includes state-wide disability action centers and alliances involved in promoting and ensuring civil rights for people with disabilities. These include state-wide Centers for Independent Living (CIL), National Spinal Cord Injury Association chapters, Family Caregiver Alliances and foundations that support spinal cord injury recovery. These groups provide transition support and counseling for housing, home-based services, personal assistants, and other legal services. Centers for Independent Living and Spinal Cord Associations also provide peer mentoring programs for youth and adults.

ThinkFirst Foundation The ThinkFirst Foundation, provides injury prevention programs nation-wide to youth and teens. Formally known as the National Head and Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Program, ThinkFirst was established in 1986 to prevent traumatic through education, research and policy.   The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) were also key in the creation of program due to their concern for their patients with brain and spinal cord injuries. These groups shared the belief that prevention is the only cure, and that neurosurgeons had the duty to try to prevent these traumatic injuries.  The program has many nation-wide local chapters sponsored by neurosurgeons committed to public education and injury prevention. The replicable program materials consist of a teen-oriented program, reinforcement materials, and a program to influence public attitudes and legislative policy.