Featured Charity: United Cerebral Palsy

Two months using assistive technology is all it took to help Chloe break the barriers of communication. That’s just one of many ways UCP is helping people with disabilities live limitless lives.

When a child is first diagnosed with cerebral palsy or another disability, their parents often don’t know where to turn for support and assistance.

As that child matures into adulthood, they tend to have a difficult time transitioning toward higher education, real employment and general social acceptance and independence, and lack access to basic services in their community such as transportation and affordable housing.

That’s where United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) comes in. UCP educates, advocates, and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities.

A few ways UCP is making this happen include:

• Online public education resources: Through resources like My Child Without Limits and the One Stop Resource Guide, UCP connects individuals and families with the resources and services they need to get answers and assistance needed.
• Network of affiliates: UCP’s network of affiliates around the country provide support on a community-by-community basis and offer expertise for diverse sets of needs of people with disabilities in their region.  Each day, UCP and its affiliates help more than 175,000 children and adults with disabilities.
• World CP Challenge: This month-long activity provides participants with the opportunity to improve their health, fitness and well-being, all while raising funds needed for research and awareness for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

Meet Chloe, a great example case of how assistive technology tools improve the quality of life. Chloe received an iPad to help her with communicating.  After just two months of using the iPad, she has gone from being non-verbal (having 5 words at most) to having 50 words! Watch:

Give Through Your Workplace:

Workplace giving is an effective and easy way for you to make a tax-deductible donation and support United Cerebral Palsy all year long.

Check to see if your company supports a workplace giving campaign (if they don’t, encourage them to contact America’s Charities to start one today), and designate United Cerebral Palsy as your charity of choice. To make your workplace-giving donation go even further, ask your employer if they will join the effort by matching your donation.

If you are a federal employee, it’s easy to support United Cerebral Palsy through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) – just enter CFC #88763.

Connect with United Cerebral Palsy!

Web Site: www.ucp.org
 www.facebook.com/unitedcerebralpalsy
@UCPNational
www.youtube.com/user/UnitedCerebralPalsy