United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is an international

nonprofit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

charitable organization consisting of a network of affiliates. UCP is a leading service provider and advocate for adults and children with disabilities. As one of the largest health nonprofits in the United States, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.

History

UCP was founded in 1949 by Leonard Goldenson (who later became Chairman of the broadcast network

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

) and his wife Isabel, and Jack and Ethel Hausman. United Cerebral Palsy pioneered the use of fundraising telethons.

Service provider

UCP, through its more than 66 local affiliates across the United States, as well as in Canada and

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

, provide a broad array of services and resources to children and adults with a broad range of disabilities. Each affiliate provides a different menu of services tailored to their local needs and capabilities, but often include education, employment, health & wellness, housing, parenting & family training and support, sports & leisure, transportation, and travel assistance. UCP has a combined budget of more than $750 million for research, public policy advocacy and direct services. System-wide, an average of 85 percent of all revenue is dedicated to programs. UCP Lawrence Av jeh

Advocacy

In addition to raising money for services and research, UCP also engages in public policy advocacy, including promoting access and opportunity for people with disabilities, and the provision of services. In the United States, UCP was one of the catalyst organizations advocating for the adoption of the

Americans With Disabilities Act The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or ADA () is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. It affords similar protections against discrimination to Americans with disabilities as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ...

in 1990. More recently, UCP has been on the cutting edge of disabilities rights with programs such as ''Life Labs'', a national initiative to foster innovation and technology.

Calls for name change

In April 2013, United Cerebral Palsy of Central Maryland announced that it would change its name from UCP to Unified Community Connections to make it clearer which clientele is served by the organization. Other affiliates have chosen not to include the phrase "United Cerebral Palsy," as part of their doing business as names or logos even if it might remain part of their legal names, in an effort to be more encompassing of their programs and services. In 2013, the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago merged with Seguin Services and are now known as UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago.

Leadership

UCP is led by a 16-person Board of Trustees and President/CEO Armando A. Contreras. The headquarters is in Washington, DC.

Accreditation

UCP meets the standards of the

National Health Council The National Health Council (NHC) is a nonprofit association of health organizations. Its members are national health-related organizations, including leading patient advocacy groups such as the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Associa ...

and the Better Business Bureau/Wise Giving Alliance.

References

External links

*
Herald and Review, March 4, 2008 Celebrity dance partners step out to aid United Cerebral Palsy

* [https://www.nytimes.com/1954/11/20/archives/united-cerebral-palsy-reports-increase-in-research-funds-topping.html The New York Times, Saturday, November 20, 1954. United Cerebral Palsy Reports Increase In Research Funds, Topping $500,000] {{Authority control Organizations established in 1949 Disability rights organizations Health charities in the United States Cerebral palsy organizations Disability organizations based in the United States Disability law advocacy groups in the United States Medical and health organizations based in Washington, D.C. 1949 establishments in the United States 1949 establishments in Washington, D.C.