Newsletter September 2020
Dear Colleagues!
Despite the uncertain times, we at ESCIF try to look forward and start with the planning for next year. However, before looking into next year, we also want to spread the word about the Spinal Cord Injury Day and update you about the very successful ESCIF Help Alliance. If you have any suggestions or feedback, don’t hesitate to contact us.
September 5th, 2020: World Spinal Cord Injury Day
"International Days" are celebrated to mark important aspects of human life and history. Spinal Cord Injury Day, every 5th September, is intended to increase awareness amongst the general public. It is presumed that the awareness would facilitate an inclusive life for persons with disabilities and ensure greater chances of success of prevention programs. Therefore, we ask you all to help and spread the word about Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Day. Together we have the power to bring inclusion for persons with SCI forward and advocate our needs. More information: http://www.worldsciday.org.
Save the dates 5th-7th May 2021 - ESCIF CONGRESS in Nottwill
Since, due to the Coronavirus, this year’s congress had to be cancelled, the ESCIF board decided to hold a congress with the same topic and nearly the same program as planned for 2020. The congress will also be held in Nottwil. During the congress, participants will learn how the CRPD should be implemented and how organisations, such as ESCIF and its member organisations, can participate in governmental processes related to the CRPD. Furthermore, a study about differences in European countries is presented and practical examples of the impact of the CRPD to the rehabilitation needs of disabled persons. Finally, a workshop on different topics related to the CRPD will be held. After the workshop, a paper summarizing the outcome will be available at the ESCIF homepage.
The congress is open to anyone who has an interest in spinal cord injury and disability rights. Also, we invite the delegates of the ESCIF member organizations to participate in the assembly of delegates. We will let you know as soon as the registration opens.
ESCIF Help Alliance
In the last few months, during the Corona crisis, ESCIF has built the ESCIF Help Alliance. The Help Alliance was able to distribute face masks to the carers and helpers to persons with SCI who were in need of this personal protective equipment. We have distributed around 900 000 masks – some are still on the way. This unprecedented initiative was only possible with the support of sponsors, such as our main sponsor Hollister and many more (please see https://protectthevulnerable.org). Besides the financial support, we received the invaluable help of Kevin Schultes from Germany during the project. A huge THANK YOU!!
In the next weeks, we will assess the impact the Help Alliance had on persons with SCI and also if there is a need for more face masks. If you need more information please visit https://protectthevulnerable.org and Like and share the project on Facebook and other social media. If you have pictures, we will be more than happy to receive them.
Invitation to join ISCoS Global consumer network meeting
In order to connect with other organizations, a global consumer network in relation to ISCoS has been established. A meeting will be held in English, and the main topic will be the review of the ISCoS session titled 'network of networks' followed by a discussion on how networks can facilitate the sharing of information.
The date of the “SCI consumer networks meeting” is 17th September via Zoom (England, London 13:00 BST) (Switzerland, Zurich 14:00 CET).
Sign up for the Meeting:
https://cwru.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJckdOCsrzooH9ayN9TRKVwo3JoXpTlJ2Lzx
Launch of temporary www.escif.net homepage
Over the last few months, Milan Kašiak from the ESCIF board has been designing a new homepage - available on www.escif.net. We will merge the two existing pages, www.escif.org and www.escifcongress.org, into the address www.escif.org. We are working to remove the last bugs so that we can go live in late September. If you see further bugs or inconsistencies, please don’t hesitate to contact milan.kasiak@escif.org.
Best regards,
for the Executive Board
Stefan Opresnik Jorlev
ESCIF President
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