United Cerebral Palsy

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United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)

Type	Non-Profit
Founded	1949
Founder(s)	Leonard and Isabel Goldenson, Jack and Ethel Hausman
Headquarters	1660 L Street, NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20036
Key people	Stephen L. Bennett, President and CEO Woody Connette, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Website	www.ucp.org

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United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is an international nonprofit 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.^[1]

History

UCP was founded in 1949 by Leonard Goldenson (who would later become Chairman of the broadcast network ABC) and his wife Isabel, and Jack and Ethel Hausman. United Cerebral Palsy pioneered the use of fundraising telethons.^[1]

Service provider

UCP through its almost 80 local affiliates across the United States,^[2] and in Canada, Australia ^[3] provide a broad array of services and resources to children and adults with developmental disabilities acquired at birth or as a result of injury. 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.^[1] With 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.^[4]

UCP of New York City

Advocacy

In addition to raising money for services and research, UCP also engages in public policy advocacy, including promoting the right of people with a disability to vote, 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 in 1990. More recently, UCP has been on the cutting edge of disabilities rights with programs such as Life Without Limits, a national initiative to empower people with disabilities to envision and build a better future for themselves and their community. UCP leads the Life Without Limits initiative in cooperation with former Congressman Tony Coelho (D-CA). Another significant initiative is called Don't Block My Vote, which was launched in 2004 to help engage people with disabilities and their supporters in the election process.

Calls for a name change

In April of 2013, United Cerebral Palsy of Central Maryland announced it would change its name from UCP to Unified Community Connections, in order to make more clear the clientele served by the organization.^[5]

In 2013, several high-profile advocates for those with cerebral palsy called on UCP to change its name.^[6]^[7] A petition, written by Michele Shusterman of CP Daily Living states that "Some individual affiliates may have programming that has a particular focus on the CP community, but this is not part of their UCP's national mission, nor a requirement of their affiliates. Contrary to what people believe, UCP does not maintain any formal commitment to fund medical research within the US, nor do their federal advocacy initiatives specifically target the unique needs of the CP community."

Leadership

UCP is led by a 25-person Board of Trustees and President/CEO Stephen Bennett. The headquarters is in Washington, DC.

Accreditation

UCP meets the standards of the National Health Council and the Better Business Bureau/Wise Giving Alliance.

References

↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Mission and History". United Cerebral Palsy. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
↑ "UCP Affiliates". United Cerebral Palsy. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
↑ "ucp.org international resources". United Cerebral Palsy. Retrieved July 3, 2012. ]
↑ "Press room". United Cerebral Palsy. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
↑ From United Cerebral Palsy of Central Maryland to Unified Community Connections
↑ United Cerebral Palsy National (UCP) & affiliates: Remove references to cerebral palsy from your name to end confusion among donors/families.
↑ YouTube Video by John Quinn: United Cerebral Palsy Should Change Their Name

External links

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