Neurological disorders and injuries

Spinal Cord Injury

Damage to the spinal cord, often from trauma, affecting movement and sensation below the injury site.
  • enableDex
  • disAbility Atlas
      • Spinal Cord Injury

About

A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord, often due to trauma or accidents. This injury can result in partial or complete loss of movement and sensation below the site of injury. The severity depends on the location and extent of the damage.

This condition is often invisible.

Many disabilities, including this one, may not have outward signs—people can be significantly impacted even if they appear “fine” on the outside.

Common Challenges

  • Difficulty with mobility and transportation to work.
  • Limited ability to perform physical tasks or lifting.
  • Fatigue or pain from long periods of sitting or standing.
  • Inaccessibility in the workplace (e.g., lack of ramps or elevators).
  • Need for frequent medical appointments or rehabilitation.
  • Communication barriers, if the injury affects speech or motor skills.

Practitioner Help

  • Assist in identifying skills and strengths that can be applied to suitable jobs.
  • Help with writing resumes and preparing for interviews.
  • Advocate for reasonable workplace accommodations.
  • Provide coaching on job-related tasks, if needed.
  • Suggest training or skill development programs for career advancement.
  • Offer support to overcome barriers like transportation or access issues.

Common Accommodations

  • Accessible parking and workspace (e.g., wheelchair-accessible desks)
  • Adjustments in workload to reduce stress
  • Flexible working hours or part-time work
  • Special computer equipment (voice recognition software, adaptive keyboards)
  • Accessible restrooms
  • Private break areas for rest or meals
  • Access to physiotherapy during work hours
View more on enableDex

Notes

SCI impacts people differently, and the level of disability can vary.

A supportive work environment can make a significant difference in job retention and success.

image17.png

World Spine Day is October 16th

Video titled: What is a spinal cord injury? picture

Video titled: Josh: Living with a spinal cord injury picture

Resources

  • Spinal cord injuries | healthdirect
  • Spinal injuries in Australia 2020-21, About - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
  • Spinal Cord Injuries Australia - Spinal Cord Injuries Australia
  • Spinal cord injury - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
  • https://youtu.be/dKtBC2Sg_Bg?si=q5S7VBwVLZBzUkl8
  • https://youtu.be/ffBhEVAtH5w?si=MtIkuPQhwG_f44x1
Neurological disorders and injuries

Help Us Improve the Knowledge Hub

This Knowledge Hub is a living library that relies on community feedback to stay current, accurate, and effective for everyone. We welcome all submissions, whether you've spotted an error, have an improvement idea, or want to suggest a new topic.

Report an Inaccuracy

Help us correct outdated information, broken links, or any factual errors you find.

Suggest an Improvement

Suggest an improvement to make an existing profile or resource much clearer.
submit feedback