United Spinal Association
United Spinal Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1946 that serves 70,000+ wheelchair users and individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders nationwide through free membership, peer mentoring, advocacy, a Resource Center, and a 40+ chapter network supported by donations and corporate partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1946
- HeadquartersKew Gardens, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What United Spinal Association does
United Spinal Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1946 by paralyzed World War II veterans, headquartered in Fort Totten, Queens, NY, with a nearly 100% remote staff operating nationwide. It serves individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) and the broader wheelchair-user community, along with their families, caregivers, healthcare providers, and disabled veterans. Its primary constituents are 70,000+ members accessed through a free membership model, supported by 40+ chapters, 110+ peer support groups, and 450 trained peer mentors across all 50 states. The organization reaches 5 million people annually via social media and over 1 million website visitors annually, and maintains a 115+ hospital/rehabilitation partner network that distributes its New Beginning Backpacks program to over 100 hospitals for newly injured individuals.
The organization's core programs include a Resource Center handling 2,500 cases annually, a one-on-one Peer Support Program, a Grassroots Advocacy Network with 2,700 registered advocates, a Work Readiness Program, Disaster Relief ("Ready to Roll"), Accessibility Services for organizations, and the New Mobility member publication (in print and online for 30+ years). Underlying technology is a conventional digital stack of websites, social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Threads, TikTok), email newsletters, a mobile app delivered via the MARC Network partnership, and online resource directories (including the spinalcord.org products and services directory). The organization also produces a free 20-page Disability Etiquette Guide.
The business model is philanthropy- and partnership-based rather than commercial. Revenue streams include individual and corporate donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships and co-branded programs (Whirlpool, Byram Healthcare, Hollister, Permobil Foundation), member-affiliate referral partnerships (BetterHelp, Cephable, HealthDesk, Travel For All), and consulting revenue from Accessibility Services engagements with Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses, and universities. Membership is free; the model monetizes the community through donations and partnerships rather than membership fees. The organization is independently governed (no parent company or private equity involvement) and led by CEO Matt Castelluccio, a wheelchair user, who was appointed in April 2026.
United Spinal Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- United Spinal Association
- Legal name
- United Spinal Association
- Website
- https://unitedspinal.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1946
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- United Spinal Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1946 that serves 70,000+ wheelchair users and individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders nationwide through free membership, peer mentoring, advocacy, a Resource Center, and a 40+ chapter network supported by donations and corporate partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
United Spinal Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Advocacy Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Recreational Outings, Community Participation & Mobility Support (Non-Clinical) (HSABAAAI)
Keywords
Where United Spinal Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kew Gardens
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
United Spinal Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Philanthropy: Non-profit organization relying on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund programs and operations.
- Membership Fees: Free membership for individuals with SCI/D, families, and healthcare providers. Some partner discounts and special offers available to members.
- Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate partners (Whirlpool, Byram Healthcare, Permobil Foundation, etc.) provide sponsorships, co-branded programs, and member discounts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free Membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
United Spinal Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
United Spinal Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization delivering free programs and resources for wheelchair users and people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). Core offerings include a Resource Center for healthcare, benefits, and equipment guidance; a Peer Support Program matching individuals with trained mentors; a Grassroots Advocacy Network; a Work Readiness Program; a Chapter Network of 40+ local chapters; the New Mobility member publication; and Accessibility Services for corporations and organizations. Membership is free for individuals with SCI/D, their families, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
Product overview
United Spinal Association is a nonprofit membership organization offering a unified suite of programs and services for wheelchair users and people with spinal cord injuries/disorders. The core offerings include a Resource Center providing guidance on healthcare and benefits, a Peer Support Program with one-on-one mentoring, a Grassroots Advocacy Network for policy engagement, a Work Readiness Program for employment support, a Chapter Network with 40+ local chapters, and Accessibility Services for organizations. The organization also publishes New Mobility Magazine and maintains a Products & Services Directory (spinalcord.org). Additional offerings include Disaster Relief (Ready to Roll), the New Beginning Backpacks program, and the Disability Etiquette Guide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- New Mobility: Online magazine and membership publication for active wheelchair users, providing practical advice, technology reviews, and coverage of life with a disability.
Products and services
- Resource Center
Quantifiable outcome
- Reached 192,000 wheelchair users with accessible dishwasher product launch
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use United Spinal Association
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
United Spinal Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
United Spinal Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Allsup Employment ServicescoreAllsup Employment Services joined United Spinal's Work Readiness & Education Program for 2026. AES, a Social Security-authorized Employment Network, provides vocational experts to discuss the Ticket to Work Program and related employment topics for SSDI beneficiaries.
- accessiBeminorUnited Spinal participates in accessiBe's Inclusive Product Advisory Board, bringing together disability advocates, assistive technology users, and accessibility professionals to shape product decisions and industry research. Board drives product updates including redesigned accessWidget interface.
- MARC NetworkcorePartnership expanding reach through a free mobile app and online community for the disability community.
- TandemStrideminorPartnership to revolutionize trauma recovery, emphasizing survivorship and community in the healing process.
- WhirlpoolcoreWhirlpool collaborated with United Spinal's Michigan chapter members for hands-on testing and direct feedback on the Spin&Load accessible dishwasher rack. When launched, reached 192,000 wheelchair users. United Spinal also offers Whirlpool Inside Pass program with factory discounts to members.
- The Viscardi CenterminorPart of accessiBe's Inclusive Product Advisory Board alongside United Spinal and Parkinson's Foundation.
- Parkinson's FoundationminorPart of accessiBe's Inclusive Product Advisory Board alongside United Spinal and The Viscardi Center.
- Hollister Inc.coreTeamed up to create a national network of peer support groups providing peer-to-peer support for individuals, friends, caregivers and family members.
- Byram HealthcarecoreLogo sponsor providing New Beginning Backpacks to over 100 hospitals for newly injured individuals. Provides urology products with educational resources for SCI community.
- Permobil FoundationcorePartnership offering Roll Forward grants for United Spinal members to apply for Smart Drive or Active-Height seat elevator on new Permobil wheelchair orders, based on financial need.
- Travel For AllminorAccessible travel specialists offering $100 discount to United Spinal members and donating 15% commission back to United Spinal on booked trips.
- BetterHelpminorPartnership providing United Spinal members with one month of therapy at no cost through BetterHelp's online therapy platform.
- HealthDeskminorUnited Spinal members receive exclusive 33% savings on annual HealthDesk membership providing dedicated health advisors for care coordination and insurance navigation.
- CephableminorUnited Spinal members receive 20% off Cephable Plus or Pro subscription. Cephable provides on-device AI for accessibility-first productivity tools.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
United Spinal Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Easterseals: One of the largest US disability service nonprofits, providing a much broader portfolio (autism, veterans, seniors) than United Spinal. Competes for corporate CSR and individual donor dollars across the disability category.
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Condition-specific nonprofit serving people with MS, many of whom use wheelchairs. Direct overlap with United Spinal on mobility equipment advocacy, peer support, and disease-related service navigation.
- American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD): National cross-disability advocacy organization. Competes with United Spinal on federal policy influence, donor mindshare, and corporate accessibility partnerships at the policy and DEI level.
Regional players
- Special Olympics: While international, the US program is a peer for adaptive sports and community programming that United Spinal's Chapter Network also delivers. Competes for the same corporate sponsors and local volunteer bases.
Direct peers
- The Viscardi Center: Disability services and advocacy nonprofit that co-participates with United Spinal on accessiBe's Inclusive Product Advisory Board. Operates education, employment, and advocacy programs for people with disabilities.
- Disability Rights Advocates: National disability rights legal center. A direct peer on federal disability rights litigation, including the kind of ADA-based impact litigation United Spinal has pursued in the assisted suicide cases.
- Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: The most direct peer: a national nonprofit focused on spinal cord injury research, advocacy, and quality-of-life grants. Competes for the same SCI donor base, federal advocacy influence, and corporate partnership dollars.
- Paralyzed Veterans of America: Veteran-founded national nonprofit serving paralyzed veterans, with overlapping peer support, advocacy, and benefits-navigation programs. Closely comparable mission and member services to United Spinal's veteran-origin population.
Others
- Parkinson's Foundation: Listed alongside United Spinal on accessiBe's Inclusive Product Advisory Board. A condition-specific peer that overlaps in wheelchair-using populations, peer support programs, and corporate partnership pipelines.
- Allsup Employment Services: A Social Security-authorized Employment Network and active United Spinal partner in the Work Readiness & Education Program. Comparable as a stakeholder in vocational rehabilitation and Ticket to Work delivery.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
United Spinal Association social profiles
Digital presenceUnited Spinal Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
United Spinal Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
United Spinal Association subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
United Spinal Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
United Spinal Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about United Spinal Association
What does United Spinal Association do?
United Spinal Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization delivering free programs and resources for wheelchair users and people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). Core offerings include a Resource Center for healthcare, benefits, and equipment guidance; a Peer Support Program matching individuals with trained mentors; a Grassroots Advocacy Network; a Work Readiness Program; a Chapter Network of 40+ local chapters; the New Mobility member publication; and Accessibility Services for corporations and organizations. Membership is free for individuals with SCI/D, their families, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
Is United Spinal Association a public or private company?
United Spinal Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was United Spinal Association founded?
United Spinal Association was founded in 1946. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is United Spinal Association based?
United Spinal Association is headquartered in Kew Gardens, United States, in the North America region.
How does United Spinal Association make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Philanthropy is the primary driver. The others are membership Fees and corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships.
Who are United Spinal Association's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Easterseals, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Special Olympics is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are The Viscardi Center, Disability Rights Advocates, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and Paralyzed Veterans of America. Others are Parkinson's Foundation and Allsup Employment Services.
Does United Spinal Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for United Spinal Association.
What industry is United Spinal Association in?
United Spinal Association's product category is Disability Advocacy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support. Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8600.