Read:

Piscopo’s Vision: Maximizing The Disability Advantage


Photo by Gabriela Isabel Photography
Photo by Gabriela Isabel Photography

Seventy-five years after United Spinal Association was born, Piscopo is looking to leverage his background in creativity and innovation to make sure the organization remains the go-to organization for the SCI/D community for the next 75 years. “I want to create a culture of innovation in United Spinal,” he says. “We have to be brave — not be afraid to fail, learn from it and go on. We have to be an organization that is great at building on ideas and making them better and not an organization that kills ideas. We have to hate the status quo and constantly look to improve, even when we think we are perfect.”

Fortunately, creativity is one place he thinks the disability community already has an advantage. “People with disabilities are very creative because we live in a world that was not created for us — we are in problem solving mode 24/7 and that makes our creative muscles very fit,” he says. “I want to empower our community to better flex those muscles and make real change.”

Piscopo expanded on his hopes and vision for the organization in a Q&A with our staff.

NEW MOBILITY: As you settle into your new role as CEO of United Spinal Association, what do you envision for our community?

Enzo Piscopo: I envision a world where wheelchair users can compete on the same playing field as our nondisabled counterparts without having to worry about accessibility, stigma and the rules and regulations that limit employment opportunities.
I envision a time when the world realizes the power and brilliance of our community and embraces us for the betterment of our society.
I envision United Spinal to be the organization that brings together and empowers the community of people with SCI/D to proudly show the world our brilliance and our ability to make in an impact in the world!

NM: What keeps you up at night?

EP: We’re still not treated equally in our society. There’s still stigma, and it’s still difficult for many of us wheelchair users to find jobs. We’ve done a lot to get laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act, and that’s allowed us to be more visible, but there’s much more work to do. We have to fight with our insurance companies to get the right wheelchairs and health care that we need to be on the same playing field as our nondisabled counterparts, for example. There is still a lot to do for our community, but I am super energized by the possibilities.

NM: What energizes you specifically?

EP: I’m energized by the fact that we’ve accomplished a lot as an organization in the past 75 years. If we think big, we will accomplish more in the next 75 than we ever thought possible. As we speak, United Spinal’s accessibility services team is consulting with businesses on how they can better serve us, and our advocacy and our policy team is working to improve or pass laws and policies that benefit us. Together we will continue to take greater strides to improve opportunities and the quality of life of our community.

NM: Are there any particular areas where you see an opportunity for United Spinal to expand or to add services?

EP: I think we have an opportunity to expand our services in employment. When I say services, I mean 360-
degree services — facilitating job search, getting people more qualified for their dream job, guiding them through the legal and benefits maze, and advocating to ensure that laws make it possible for people to work. Other big areas are in diversity and inclusion in our membership base — developing programs for the underserved communities that live with SCI — and transportation and technology. The broad focus is in changing the narrative to show that our community does not need charity, but opportunities — and when we are given opportunities, we shine and everybody wins.


Support New Mobility

Wait! Before you wander off to other parts of the internet, please consider supporting New Mobility. For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. But none of this is cheap, easy or profitable. Your support helps us give wheelchair users the resources to build a fulfilling life.

donate today

Comments are closed.