On 18 September 2026, The Association of People with Disability (APD) marked 25 years of its Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation (SCIR) Programme at M. S. Ramaiah College, Bengaluru. The milestone brought together persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), their families, healthcare and rehabilitation professionals, government representatives, policymakers, institutional partners, donors and members of the wider disability sector.
More than a celebration of the programme’s journey, the occasion offered an opportunity to reflect on how SCI rehabilitation has evolved in India, recognise the people and partnerships that have shaped its progress, and consider what the next 25 years could look like.
Twenty-five years of journeys, experiences and impact
The celebration brought the SCIR journey to life through beneficiary testimonies, historical reflections, an immersive exhibition, the screening of a commemorative video and the release of the SCIR Caregiver manual, Empowering Lives.
A key highlight was Voices of 25 Years, a series of conversations that placed the lived experiences of persons with SCI at the centre of the celebration. Their journeys offered a glimpse into how rehabilitation can extend well beyond clinical recovery, opening pathways to greater independence, education, livelihoods, sport and participation in society.
The occasion also recognised individuals and organisations whose contributions have strengthened the rehabilitation ecosystem, including role model entrepreneurs, advocacy champions, caregiver champions, government representatives and NGO partners.
Understanding the SCI journey beyond rehabilitation
One of the key attractions was the interactive SCI exhibition, which invited visitors to understand the experiences and challenges faced by persons with spinal cord injury at different stages of their lives.
Moving beyond the clinical aspects of rehabilitation, the exhibition explored accessibility, hospital experiences, prevention of secondary complications, functional rehabilitation and livelihood opportunities. Visitors could engage with interactive activities such as identifying everyday accessibility barriers and recognising potential health risks.
Through these experiences, the exhibition encouraged visitors to look beyond injury and disability and recognise the importance of independence, dignity, participation and economic inclusion.
Taking the conversation forward: Three perspectives on the future of SCI rehabilitation
A central part of the celebration was a series of three cross-sectoral panel discussions that brought together clinical experts, persons with lived experience, legal professionals, government representatives, researchers, development partners and programme practitioners.
The first discussion, SCI Rehabilitation in India: 25 Years of Learning, Impact & the Road Ahead, examined how rehabilitation has evolved and what is needed to strengthen access and continuity of care. A key concern was the challenge of reaching a geographically dispersed SCI population. The discussion highlighted the need for a more distributed rehabilitation ecosystem that connects specialist expertise with hospitals, district systems, community-based support, partnerships and technology.
The second panel, From Rights to Reality: Reimagining India’s Support Systems for Persons with SCI, explored the gap between the rights and entitlements available to persons with SCI and their actual accessibility. Bringing together perspectives from law, government, research and lived experience, the conversation emphasised stronger coordination across social protection, accessibility, employment and wider participation in society.
The third discussion, Data, Evidence & Investment: Building the Future of SCI Rehabilitation, focused on the role of data and evidence in shaping more effective rehabilitation systems. Participants highlighted the need to develop a better understanding of the SCI population, its geographical distribution, long-term needs and outcomes, and injury prevention. APD also highlighted the potential of a National Spinal Cord Injury Social Registry to support population-level understanding, inform planning and investment, and strengthen coordinated, long-term support.
Together, the discussions reinforced that the future of SCI rehabilitation will depend not only on the quality of direct services but also on stronger systems, partnerships and sustained investment.
What will the next 25 years look like?
Across the exhibition, personal testimonies and panel discussions, a common understanding emerged: rehabilitation cannot end at the hospital or rehabilitation centre. It must extend into homes, communities, workplaces and public spaces, enabling persons with SCI to participate meaningfully in all aspects of life.
The conversations also brought attention to the importance of collaboration across healthcare, government, rehabilitation institutions, community systems and development partners. Stronger data, evidence and capacity building will be equally important in ensuring that rehabilitation services respond to long-term needs.
As APD looks ahead, four interconnected priorities will be central to strengthening the SCI rehabilitation ecosystem:
- Access: Bringing rehabilitation services and support closer to people, across geographies.
- Continuity: Connecting acute care, rehabilitation, home-based support and community reintegration.
- Evidence: Strengthening data, research and outcome measurement to inform decisions and investment.
- Partnerships: Working with government, hospitals, communities, institutions and funders to create sustainable support systems.
The larger question is how to ensure that every person with SCI can access the right support, wherever they live and throughout their rehabilitation and reintegration journey.
A collective journey
The 25-year celebration was made meaningful by the participation of people and organisations from across the disability and rehabilitation ecosystem. Among the distinguished participants were Prof. Dr. Pratima Murthy, former Director of NIMHANS; Mr. Subir Hari Singh, Honorary President, APD; Dr. H. S. Chhabra, Chief of Spine Service and Medical Director, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre; Dr. Jaya Das, St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences; and representatives from government departments, healthcare institutions, development organisations and CSR partners.
The occasion also saw the release of the digital teaser of the SCIR Coffee Table Book, Beyond Injury. The celebration would not have been possible without the collective efforts of the SCIR team, APD leadership, Board members, persons with SCI and their families, clinical and institutional partners, government representatives, donors, volunteers and colleagues across APD.
Twenty-five years of SCIR represent more than a programme milestone. They reflect the experiences of people, the commitment of caregivers and professionals, and the strength of partnerships that have helped advance SCI rehabilitation in India.
From 25 years of rehabilitation to the next 25 years of transformation, APD looks forward to continuing this journey towards a more accessible, inclusive and supportive future for persons with spinal cord injury.