Enhancing Access to Care and Resources

Our efforts to forge robust partnerships have led to the formalization of referral relationships with leading healthcare providers such as the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and Providence Care. These partnerships are critical, enhancing our continuum of care and enabling more effective transitions for our clients from hospital to home.

Our collaborative efforts with healthcare institutions have led to the creation of vital educational resources. Notably, our skin check videos, developed in partnership with leading rehabilitation centers, have now been integrated into routine patient care, improving outcomes for hundreds of individuals.

Client Services has surpassed expectations, with our Accessible Employment Services team achieving a 25% increase over the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) placement targets. The partnership with University Health Network (UHN) via a new MOU has revolutionized our inpatient services, facilitating better transitions for over 100 patients this year.

Innovative Technology, Enhanced Knowledge & Policy Impact

Internally, our efforts have been directed at strengthening our operational foundations. Significant improvements in our financial and IT systems have enhanced our efficiency and service delivery, ensuring that we can respond more effectively to the needs of our community.

The revamp and launch of our digital platforms have extended our reach and enriched our engagement with the community. The Accessible Employment Services microsite now serves as a vital resource hub, providing comprehensive support for individuals with all disabilities. Moreover, our Cortree platform has seen the introduction of several new series focused on practical self-care techniques, each drawing significant user engagement and positive feedback.

Another critical component of this strategy was the overhaul of our main website, sciontario.org, which now features improved navigation, accessibility features, and enriched content, making it a more valuable resource for our community.

We continue to amplify the voices of our community through our digital platforms. The personal stories shared help to foster a greater understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with spinal cord injuries and drive our advocacy work. These stories not only inspire but also bring to light the critical issues that need our collective attention and action.

In an effort to address a critical need within our community, this year SCIO launched an innovative Intermittent Catheter Series on the Cortree platform. Developed in collaboration with clinical partners at Toronto Rehab – Lyndhurst Centre, this series provided comprehensive resources specifically designed for women and individuals with female anatomy using intermittent catheters. This initiative included a sequence of instructional videos covering various aspects of catheterization—ranging from techniques in different settings (e.g., in bed, in public washrooms) to discussions on best practices and anatomical explanations.

These resources have proven to be crucial in empowering users with the knowledge and confidence needed to manage their personal health care independently, contributing significantly to the overall quality of life. This success is part of our broader digital strategy, which aims to enhance accessibility and usability of essential health resources, ensuring they are beneficial to our community’s diverse needs.

The Intermittent Catheter Series is a prime example of how targeted educational initiatives can address specific gaps in healthcare information, demonstrating SCIO’s commitment to improving care through knowledge exchange and specialized resource development.

Our advocacy initiatives have gained momentum this year, with a concentrated effort on accessible housing and healthcare reforms. Through partnerships with other advocacy groups and direct engagement with policymakers, we have brought essential issues to the forefront of legislative discussions, paving the way for anticipated improvements in policy and support. Our focus will remain on enhancing our advocacy efforts.

2023-2024 was a particularly challenging year financially.  Our government grants for our critical client service and employment programs failed to keep up with inflation, and our fundraising efforts employed to supports all our other specialist resources, supports and advocacy efforts failed to meet their targets.  As a result, we have made significant changes in our fundraising approach for 2024-2025 that we believe will engage more individuals and companies in providing critical financial support, so we have the necessary resources to support all Ontarians living with a spinal cord injury.

Looking Forward: Strategic Goals for 2024-2025

As we look ahead to the next fiscal year, we are excited to build on the strong foundation we have established. Our focus will continue to be on expanding our services, enhancing our digital platforms, and strengthening our advocacy efforts to ensure that individuals with spinal cord injuries have the support and resources they need to thrive.

We are committed to advocating for and collaborating on the development of housing solutions that are fully accessible, addressing one of the most pressing needs of our community.  We are also committed to finally bringing successful resolution to our campaign to secure government funding for intermittent catheters, after four years of inching towards the finish line.

We are set to expand our educational offerings significantly, particularly through our Cortree platform. Plans include the development of new interactive content and resources that address the evolving needs of our community, fostering greater independence and well-being.

Appreciation and Gratitude: Thank you.

Reflecting on this past year, we are inspired and motivated by the achievements and the challenges we have overcome. Your support and dedication are invaluable to us, and we look forward to continuing our journey together, aiming to create a more inclusive and supportive community for all.

Thank you for your continued trust and commitment to our mission. Here’s to another year of growth, impact, and empowerment.

Best,

Dr. Stuart Howe
CEO, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario

Dana Francoz
Chair of the Board of Directors, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario