Ready when you are.
SCIO has been changing lives in the province for 75 years. As a charity steeped in history and expertise on all issues relating to spinal cord injury and life with a disability, we are proud to share our story - and our knowledge - with you.
Press Releases
June 30, 2020
ONTARIO’S SCI COMMUNITY READY TO ROLL THROUGH BARRIERS IN JULY
November 8, 2019
MARCH OF DIMES CANADA EXPANDS ATTENDANT OUTREACH IN GTA THROUGH SCIO PARTNERSHIP
April 9, 2019
PEER SUPPORT VOLUNTEER AWARDED THE SOVEREIGN’S MEDAL FOR VOLUNTEERS
April 7, 2019
NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS WEEK 2019
October 25, 2018
GILA MARTOW REINTRODUCES TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESSIBILITY LEGISLATION
SCIO in the News
Kingston Whig-Standard on SCIO philanthropy award to Bergeron Clifford Law
CTV News on Oda’s UberEats experience and Rolling Through Barriers
Toronto.com on Wheel-Trans service December 2019
CBC News on wheelchair repair waits September 2019
Toronto Life Magazine on Chris Channon Thailand attack/recovery September 2019
Global News on Chris Channon September 2019
Toronto Sun on Chris Channon September 2019
The Toronto Star on Chris Rice May 2019
Orillia Matters on SCIO Ski Day February 2019
A Brief History
During the First World War, if a soldier sustained a spinal cord injury there was a very high chance they wouldn’t make it home. And of those who did, only 10% lived longer than a year.
In 1945 a group of Second World War veterans founded the Canadian Paraplegic Association, a network of provincial autonomous spinal cord organizations. In 1979, CPA Ontario was incorporated and in 2012, our name was changed to Spinal Cord Injury Ontario (SCIO). (In 2020 we celebrate 75 years of excellence in SCI support. Check out our anniversary activities.)
These men channeled their experiences to create a community of targeted health care and support with a view to cultivating a world where people with spinal cord injury could live, thrive, realize dreams and opportunities, just like anyone else.
Today, SCIO is a pillar of support and opportunity for people and their families.
For over seven decades we’ve been nurturing the strength, grit and innovation shown by our founders. We’re there for people when they need us, offering experience, knowledge, supportive services, community events and advocacy – from injury to recovery to rehab to independent living.
Check out our: Peer Program | Living with an SCI | Voices Blog | Research
Get the Facts
Every day, at least one person in Ontario sustains a spinal cord injury
It can take 2 – 3 years for someone to achieve optimal independence after sustaining their injury
Approximately 86,000 people in Canada have a spinal cord injury, of these 50% live in Ontario
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Spokespeople
We can provide access to a large community of people across the province ready to share their lived experience and expertise.
If you’re a journalist and would like to speak with a representative from SCIO, please contact: