SCIA was established in 1967 as the Australian Quadriplegic Association (AQA) by a group of patients in Prince Henry Hospital in Sydney, Australia.
The founding members were Trevor Annetts, Tom Clarke, Graeme Dunne, David Fox, Peter Harris, George Mamo, Jim McGrath, Robert McKenzie, Alan Moore, John Munday, Cecil Murr, Brian Shirt, Paul Sorgo, Stan Wanless, and Warren Mowbray.
They were successful in securing accommodation at Bon Accord Nursing Home in Coogee and later established Ashton House in Maroubra.
Services provided by SCIA today are information, advocacy,accessible accommodation, NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination, employment, peer and family support and NeuroMoves an innovative, holistic, evidence-based exercise and therapy service for people living with a neurological condition or physical disability.
A regional information team also provides individual support and advice for people with spinal cord injury in coastal and inland NSW.