United Cerebral Palsy

05/28/2026

What happens when clinicians, researchers, engineers, and families come together around one goal? Innovation that changes lives.

UCP of Greater Cleveland recently partnered with researchers and engineers to test an innovative motorized gait trainer designed to help children explore their environments more independently.

Read how this international collaboration is opening doors for pediatric mobility research and helping children engage with the world in new ways.

⏩ bit.ly/4vhHTb2

05/25/2026

Memorial Day began after the American Civil War as a way to honor soldiers who died in military service. Originally called Decoration Day, people would decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, flags, and wreaths.

The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers after World War I.

The tradition stems from the famous 1915 poem "In Flanders Fields" by Canadian military physician and officer John McCrae. He wrote about bright red poppies growing across the battlefields and graves in Flanders (in present-day Belgium), where enormous numbers of soldiers had died during the war.

One of the poem’s most famous lines is:

“In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row ...”

United Cerebral Palsy honors the courageous service members who gave their lives to defend our nation. May their sacrifice never be in vain.

As we reflect on their legacy, let us continue striving for a world where freedom and dignity are extended to all.

05/20/2026

Accessible digital spaces help ensure everyone can participate, connect, learn, and thrive.

UCP challenges organizations, designers, and creators to prioritize accessibility from the very beginning — not as an afterthought.

05/19/2026

Today in The Hill, UCP Interim President and CEO Diane Wilush, ANCOR American Network of Community Options and Resources CEO Barbara Merrill, and Easterseals President and CEO Kendra Davenport put a spotlight on the caregiver workforce crisis and why policymakers must invest in community-based services.

Read the op-ed:

This workforce and the home and community-based care system that supports them is in crisis.

05/18/2026

Stories shape how children see themselves — and how they understand others. That’s why disability representation in books matters so deeply. Every child deserves to feel seen, valued, included, and celebrated.

In honor of National Share a Story Month, we're sharing a selection of books for young readers that celebrate inclusion, acceptance, resilience, and the unique strengths that make each of us who we are.

Swipe to discover stories that open hearts, spark empathy, and teach kids (and adults!) that everyone belongs.

05/15/2026

Founded in 1976 by a group of parents seeking adaptive programs and support for their children, Cerebral Palsy Alberta now serves more than 4,300 individuals across Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Valley View, and beyond, through 29 diverse programs and services.

From Dance Without Limits and Aqua Therapy to Music Therapy, Equine Therapy, AdaptABLE Gymnastics, early intervention programs, and more, Cerebral Palsy Alberta helps individuals of all ages reach their full potential — with the support of more than 700 volunteers and dedicated staff who make it all possible.

“What I find the most rewarding about the work we do here is not feeling like it’s a job or feeling like it’s work,” says CEO Joanne Dorn. “It feels like the right thing to do — just embrace the disability community and help those individuals reach their full potential.”

Beyond direct services, Cerebral Palsy Alberta continues to advocate for accessibility and inclusion through initiatives like the Alberta Ability Network and Barrier-Free AB.

Their impact also extends to sustainability: Cerebral Palsy Alberta’s Go Green social enterprise generates 41% of the organization’s revenue while diverting 3.5 million pounds of waste from landfills each year.

Congratulations to Cerebral Palsy Alberta on 50 years of empowering lives, strengthening communities, and advancing inclusion. Here’s to the next 50! 🎊 🎉

05/07/2026

Self-expression can play a powerful role in emotional well-being.

In our latest blog, we explore how creative arts can empower people with disabilities by providing meaningful outlets for communication, identity, and connection. Whether through music, photography, writing, painting, or other crafts, creativity can help people process emotions and share experiences in meaningful ways.

Read the blog: bit.ly/42mcyaA

05/07/2026

UCP is proud to celebrate the many educators across our network who support people with disabilities at every stage of life.

Our teachers show up in so many ways: in the classroom, as therapists and early intervention specialists, job coaches, and life skills instructors. They create inclusive spaces, build communication and mobility skills, support independence, and help individuals reach meaningful milestones both big and small.

Whether they’re supporting a student in finding their voice or guiding someone toward employment and community living, their impact is lasting and life-changing.

To every educator across our network: Thank you for your dedication, your expertise, and your belief in every person’s potential.

04/29/2026

Day one of the 2026 UCP Annual Conference set a powerful tone for what's ahead.

Writer, comedian, and disability advocate Zach Anner opened the conference with his keynote, Joyful Grit: How Embracing Obstacles Unlocks Optimism.

“Happiness fades, but joy echoes,” he shared. “If you’re willing to laugh at something, odds are you’re willing to learn from it.”

A person living with cerebral palsy, Zach’s journey with UCP has come full circle. As a child, he received therapy at a UCP Affiliate in New York, and today he returned to energize our network with his story, which captures what’s possible when determination meets resilience, with a side of laughter.

Zach, thank you for your authenticity, your humor, and your message. We’re honored to have you as part of the UCP family.

This is what our community is all about — learning from one another, lifting each other up, and continuing to push what’s possible.

04/24/2026

This National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the people who power our mission forward!

From our dedicated Board of Trustees and Committee Members to our incredible volunteers across social services, marketing, and in local communities at every UCP Affiliate across the network — your leadership, advocacy, and creativity make a life without limits possible for people with disabilities.

Because of you, voices are amplified, access is expanded, and inclusion continues to grow. Thank you for showing up, lifting others, and turning purpose into progress every single day.