AUS NIGUARDA ODV was founded in 1998 in order to support the creation of the Spinal Unit at Niguarda Hospital. Today AUS Niguarda works side by side with the Spinal Unit, where its headquarter is located. ACTIVITIES AUS Niguarda supports activities and services which try to combine rehabilitation and the patients' full social re-integration. AUS offers support and information not only to patients, but also to every person with SCI and their families on each aspect that affects quality of life of para-quadriplegics: - psycho-social support by counseling service for patients and their families, during hospitalization until discharge - social workers for patients - explanation of laws and rights protecting people with disabilities - accessibility and architectural barriers - sport activities (sport therapy in the spinal unit during hospitalization and amateur/competitive sports' training for any para-quadriplegic interested in) - independence and leisure time