United Cerebral Palsy
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]
Company type
1949
Leonard and Isabel Goldenson, Jack and Ethel Hausman
1825 K Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20006
- Armando A. Contreras (President and CEO)
- Diane Wilush (Chair of the Board of Trustees)
History[edit]
UCP was founded in 1949 by Leonard Goldenson (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.[1]
Advocacy[edit]
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 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[edit]
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.[5] 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.[6]
In 2013, the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago merged with Seguin Services and are now known as UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago.[7][8]