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International Standards
International Standards for Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Medical and Community Reintegrative Programs
April 18, 2011
We look forward to seeing a history of the development of international ABI medical and community reintegrative program standards that is well researched, broad and inclusive. A pure narrative is insufficient. We would appreciate it if said history included citations, links, historical evidence and other supporting information. We hope any discussion of the history of the development of standards is not confined to just the American standard development but also the work from other countries. If it is asserted that entities have contributed to standard development in one type of ABI (for example, stroke or tbi) as distinguished from the entire ABI category, then it would be important to point that out in any discussion. We also suggest that the patient consumer perspective be included in the history and in the discussion. We have noted that the International Brain Injury Association (IBIA) is having an international conference in 2012 regarding international standards for acquired brain injury (ABI). It would be so helpful if they would define that term on their web site and in the information regarding the conference.
We would like to remind IBIA that they state on their website that they welcome consumer input. Well, we are a consumer organization and we have emailed them several times over the years. They never respond with any personal communication in response to our concerns. So much for their statement that they are interested in the "consumers". Also, if anyone is interested, the Brain Injury Network has published many position statements and some of them have to do with international standards for our community. Topics include community reintegration, best practices for organizations, international and national standards (for college programs for abi survivors) , and brain injury terminology, Our material is from the client or patients’ viewpoint, however.
