Learning from Each Other

ASCoN was established in 2001. Representatives from rehabilitation  centres  and  hospitals  came  together  to  discuss  how  to  sustain  the momentum and interest that was generated during this conference. ASCoN works as a platform for organizations to come together and share and learn from each other. ASCoN became an affiliated society of the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) in 2004 and now has 75 member organisations in 18 countries in Asia.

Annual ASCoN Conference

The annual ASCoN conference is the main activity of the Network and covers all aspects of spinal cord injury management, treatment, rehabilitation and community integration. The conference provides an opportunity for people in the Asia region to come together and network with others nationally, regionally and internationally, to share ideas and best practices and to discuss or debate dilemmas and the latest developments and innovations in spinal injury management. An SCI consumer workshop is now held each year at the annual ASCoN conference and wheelchair sports have also become a feature.

Mission

ASCoN consists of a group of organisations in the Asia region that have come together to share and learn from each other in all aspects of spinal cord injury management, from initial treatment of the patient to re-integration of the person.

Objectives

1. To strengthen  spinal   injury  services   and  human   resource  development for organisations and people working in spinal injury management in the Asia region.

2.To share information, ideas and knowledge of best practices in spinal cord injury management among members.

Activities

ASCoN is now recognized as a catalyst for the development of rehabilitation services in low-resourced countries. Recently the ASCoN SCI  Consumer  Network has been formed. It is a network comprising  people  with  SCI  from  the  Asia region. Established in 2009. The ASCoN Consumer Network has grown steadily and now has a membership of organisations that represent people with spinal injury from eight countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Nepal, India and the most recent member, the Spinal Injuries Association of Korea. The project has enabled members from various countries to meet, share experiences and to plan future activities.