United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is an international

nonprofit A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

charitable organization A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, Religion, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good). The legal definitio ...

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 United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.

History

United

Cerebral Palsy Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of movement disorders that appear in early childhood. Signs and symptoms vary among people and over time, but include poor coordination, spasticity, stiff muscles, Paresis, weak muscles, and tremors. There may b ...

was founded in 1949 by

Leonard Goldenson Leonard H. Goldenson (December 7, 1905 – December 27, 1999) was the founder and president of the United States–based television network American Broadcasting Company (ABC), from 1953 to 1986. Goldenson, as CEO of United Paramount Theatre ...

(who later became Chairman of the broadcast network ABC) 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 Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

and

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

, 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.

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 A trade name, trading name, or business name is a pseudonym used by companies that do not operate under their registered company name. The term for this type of alternative name is fictitious business name. Registering the fictitious name with ...

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 has since been called 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, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...

Accreditation

UCP meets the standards of the National Health Council 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 Health and disability rights organizations in the United States 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.