OBIA is a leader in education and advocacy for treatment, care and appropriate facilities for persons who have sustained a brain injury. The Association is an essential player in policy development, prevention and education on behalf of individuals and families in attaining appropriate services provincially and abroad.

1. Public Hearings: In April 1989, OBIA held Hearings to Determine the Status of Wellness Opportunities for Ontario Residents Who Live with the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury. The hearings brought attention to the intolerable conditions many Ontario residents living with brain injury were experiencing.

   
   Scope of Hearings:

   • 150 submissions totalling over 600 pages were received;

   • 36 hours of verbal testimony were reviewed by the Hearings Panel;

   • Conclusions and observations were brought to the attention of the Government of Ontario.

1. In 1994, OBIA revisited the findings by conducting A Report Card to the Status of Wellness Hearings.

   
   

2. Bicycle Helmet Legislation: OBIA is active in advancing the use of protective head gear when cycling, skateboarding, roller-blading, etc. OBIA has supported the implementation of legislation mandating the use of bicycle helmets.

   
   

3. Committees: OBIA is an active member on over twenty-five provincial, national and international organizations which address issues on brain injury prevention, research, education and advocacy.

   
   

4. No Excuses: Many so-called accidents could have been prevented through safety equipment, responsible behaviour, precautionary measures and education. The NO EXCUSES public awareness campaign educates people to the importance of protecting themselves from injury to the brain and supplies answers to the many excuses people use to justify unsafe actions. The campaign addresses bicycle helmet use, automobile safety, Shaken Baby Syndrome (and other paediatric issues), Senior's safety, snowmobiling, water sports and other injuries related to sports.