Policy work, submission, reports and alliances.
SCIA Advocacy Engagements
SCIA’s Policy and Advocacy Team are working hard to create a more inclusive society on a systemic level. Our engagements with like-minded alliances and policy work help make this happen.
If you need assistance contact us through our Policy and Advocacy Request Form.
If you would like more information about the advocacy work, NDIS Disability Snapshot we do at SCIA contact us at representative@scia.org.au or call 1800 819 775.
Policy Briefings
The Policy and Advocacy team is committed to speaking up on issues that are important to our members. Through recent consultation with the members who make up our issues-based campaign networks and following our 2020 Advocacy Engagement Project, SCIA Advocacy is launching a series of Policy Briefings covering the issues of critical importance to SCIA’s membership.
Below are Policy Briefings:
1. Achieving Accessible Housing in NSW without compromising housing affordability Policy Brief
The current housing stock in NSW falls well short of providing homes with basic accessible and adaptable features suitable to meet the needs of the NSW population, now and in the future. SCIA has developed the Achieving Accessible Housing in NSW without compromising housing affordability Policy brief, designed to be printed and taken to your local MP. Download here
2. Achieving Equity for people who acquire disability at 65 or older
If you acquire a disability such as Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) at age 64 you will receive tailored supports that enable you to participate in your community. If you acquire a disability such as SCI at age 65, you will not have access to disability supports. This glaring inequity needs our urgent attention.
SCIA has developed the Achieving Equity for people who acquire disability at 65 or older Policy brief, designed to be printed and taken to your local MP; Download here.
3. Achieving Quality Disability Service Provision
In 2024 members identified gaps in the quality and consistency of Disability Service Provision in our Service Provider Survey Report.
In this Policy Brief we identify solutions for service providers and government bodies to improve standards of service delivery for our community.
4. Breaking Down Barriers to Physical Activity for Older Adults with Spinal Cord Injury
Promoting physical activity is an important component of overall support for people with SCI. Physical activity improves wellbeing and health outcomes and likely reduces government costs. Read about our research and policy recommendations in this Policy Brief.
The Policy and Advocacy team and members will be speaking with decision makers to highlight the importance of these issues and to share a personal perspective.
Ongoing Policy Work
2020 Member Engagement
In late 2020, SCIA’s Policy and Advocacy Team reached out to our members to identify the most important issues affecting people with spinal and neurological conditions, their families and carers. We conducted an online survey with 134 respondents and follow up interviews with 22 people.
As a result, our Policy and Advocacy team had identified priority areas for upcoming systemic advocacy work:
- Support for people with disability aged over 65
- Increasing availability and allocation for long-term accessible housing, including social housing
- Ensuring universal, timely access to assistive technology and equipment
Read our Policy and Advocacy team’s Advocacy Engagement Project Summary and Advocacy Engagement Project Final Report.
NDIS Staff, LAC and Planner Training Sheet
SCIA’s Policy and Advocacy team were approached to develop a disability snapshot on spinal cord injury be used internally for staff training and planners and LACs. They were asked to develop this NDIS fact sheet based on the template with specific relevant information on SCI. This fact sheet is now published and being used across the NDIA internally and by partners in the community (LACs) to help their understanding of different disability types.
- To access the NDIS Spinal Cord Injury Disability Snapshot, go to this LINK.
Recent SCIA Reports
2024 Service Provider Survey Final Report
- Read our report online now
- Download a copy of our report here
SCIA undertook this survey because of the feedback from members about their experiences with service providers. SCIA’s Service Provider Report provides valuable insight directly from people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and neurological conditions and their family members and caregivers into people’s experiences with disability and aged care service providers. Sixty-eight (68) people responded to the online survey.
2025 SCIA Assistive Technology Survey Final Report
- Read our report online now
- Download a copy of our report here
Assistive Technology (AT), as defined by WHO (2016), includes tools and modifications that enhance independence and participation for people with disability. AT benefits users, families, and carers by reducing reliance, stress, and health risks while improving quality of life (Cleland et al., 2024).
People with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) rely heavily on assistive devices and technology to increase independence and enhance participation (Wagner, A., et al., 2023). To better understand the experiences of accessing and using AT. SCIA conducted an AT Online Survey (Aug–Oct 2024) to explore access and usage of AT for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and neurological conditions. The goal was to identify challenges and gather insights to address the specific AT needs of members with spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions, as well as their family members and carers, enabling more effective advocacy.
Where it matters
Recent Submissions
Working collaboratively