Northwest Ohio Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association

“Our Mission Statement”

We are committed to sustaining a supportive community that offers educational and recreational opportunities for individuals with spinal cord injuries and related neurological diseases.  Together we provide emotional support for families and friends, as well as promoting community awareness and the prevention of spinal cord injuries.

Computer Exchange Program

Mission Statement

    The Northwest Ohio Chapter of the NSCIA is committed to bring computer technology to those with disabilities that do not qualify for services from BVR (Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation) or other similar resources. Computers can and do open up an entire new world for the disabled. As well as learning new skills that could allow them to return to work.

    This program was started to help those members that could benefit from the use of a computer but the did not qualify for assistance through any of the agencies that work with the disabled to get them back to what is considered "gainful employment". We take older donated computers and set them up to fit an individuals needs. If possible we try to give them everything they'll need including a working printer and a set of speakers. If we don't have any at the time a computer is ready the member is responsible for getting these items. Our CEP ( Computer Exchange Program) program coordinator will help in finding the right printer and speakers, they have become inexpensive enough that the individual can afford to purchase them on their own.

    Most of our computers are donated from people or businesses that are upgrading their computers and are looking for a way to get rid of their old computer or computers without just throwing them out. Whoever donates a computer is given a receipt for tax purposes. At times we have received grants for this program and with that we have implemented an incentive program that allows members to receive an upgraded if not new system if they use their computer for group purposes or can demonstrate the need for a more powerful system. This only happens when we have the proper funds.

    If you are interested in this program please contact Hank Barney III by e-mail. He can provide you with information on donating computers or if you are disabled he can provide the proper information on how to apply for a computer through our program.

Educational Projects

    Each year we have a core group of members that reach out to many area schools targeting mostly 5th and 6th graders, but we have done a few very young groups as well as a few older kids. The main topic is prevention but we also have a lot of adaptive equipment that we demonstrate for them and in the past we've even let some try out a wheelchair. We always have either a doctor or physical therapist on hand to explain the physical changes that usually take place after a spinal cord injury. Each member tells their story as far as how they ended up disabled and how they cope each day. Then we take a few minutes to answer questions and just have a few laughs with the kids. It is our hope that by talking to the kids at an age where they are more impressionable that they will remember what happened to another person that did something similar to what they are about to try and they will not try it and error on the side of safety.

Upcoming Events

    We will be having several guest speakers in the upcoming months with topics ranging from personal health care for the disabled to useful equipment that makes life just a little easier. Please check back here in the upcoming months for those announcements.

You may have to download Adobe's Acrobat Reader but you can get it here free of charge.   

If you're interested in becoming a member you can download an application by clicking here.

Also please fill out our short survey and send it along with your membership application, especially if you are renewing your membership.

Or if you wish to make any donations or inquire about specific programs and fund raising events please contact Debbie Burke we are a tax exempt non-profit organization.

Date this site was last updated: January 15, 2008