Along with the "60 Years and Onward Celebration," UCP is convening a three-hour Economic Forum in Washington, DC, entitled "Extreme Users Drive Economic Value."
The Forum will be a power discussion about the social and technological shifts morphing those experiencing long-term disabilities into an emerging economically powerful class of "extreme users" who routinely push products and services beyond normal design specifications.
Those attending the Forum will include leaders from business, nonprofit and government agencies who envision the tremendous emerging economic opportunities and who are moving from an Americans with Disabilities (ADA)-compliance to a return on investment (ROI) mentality.
If you feel you should attend this Forum or know someone who should, contact Kerri Beeker at (202) 776-0406 x7120.
United Cerebral Palsy Mourns the Loss
of a Great Legislative Champion
United Cerebral Palsy, all children and adults with developmental disabilities, and their families lost a legislative champion with the death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) on August 25, 2009. His legislative achievements in the field of disability were many and far reaching. Civil rights, education and health care were the cornerstones of his efforts to help all Americans live decent and productive lives. In the rights arena, Senator Kennedy's most notable achievement was the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. He played an instrumental role in the passage of Public Law 94-142 in 1975 (now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) which gave every student with a disability the right to a free appropriate public education. Senator Kennedy was one of four Members of Congress who, along with former President George W. Bush, crafted the No Child Left Behind Act. He was instrumental in assuring that all students with disabilities would be part of the student achievement assessments under this law. Just last year, he co-authored the Higher Education Opportunity Act which, for the first time in Federal law, will afford higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities. Senator Kennedy's additional major civil rights accomplishments, which helped people with disabilities enter the mainstream of society include the Fair Housing Act and the Voting Rights Act.
Founder of United Cerebral Palsy of East Central Florida
Center Has 'Tenacious' Heart
Jerry Schwartz knew something was wrong when her first child wasn't sitting up or doing things like other children his age.
While Dennis had been born premature, she wasn't prepared when he was a toddler in the late 1940s for a doctor to tell her and her husband that "he's retarded. You should put him in an institution."
"Those days were very, very cruel," the 93-year-old said recently. "It was all I could do to keep my husband from hitting the doctor. This was our baby. We're not putting him in an institution."
Schwartz, who admits she has a stubborn streak, wouldn't have it. Instead, she and her now late husband, Vance, who founded and owned the Jai Alai Fronton in Daytona Beach, gave him "tender loving care" and "enjoyed him the way he was." She took the news and began a lifelong passion of improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities.
UCP Supports Children With Disabilities - Back To School Edition
Today, millions of children with disabilities are enrolled in public schools and attending classes – right in their own communities. And they are making their parents, teachers and themselves very proud.
For children with disabilities and their parents, the start of the school year is even more meaningful, because it wasn't too long ago that parents of children, born with cerebral palsy or other disabilities, were told to put their children into an institution and forget them.
All kids need love and support – from their families, from their teachers, friends and from caring people like you. Matthew and his family have experienced first-hand the rewards and challenges of being included instead of excluded in education.
Matthew was born prematurely and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, due to the lack of oxygen to his brain at birth. Doctors told Matthew's family that he would never walk or talk. However, Matthew's mother did not give up—she always showed him love and attention and told him how beautiful and smart he was, even if he did not respond to her.
Matthew attended a program at his local United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) affiliate in South Florida, and after one year, crossed his first milestone — moving his head. Then he began to acknowledge when people talked with him and he would point to things with his eyes or laugh when he noticed familiar faces. Eventually, Matthew recognized words and could say his name.
In June of 2009, Matthew graduated from UCP's Early Beginning Preschool, and he is affectionately nicknamed "Chatty Matty" by staff at UCP. This fall, Matthew will enter kindergarten in a mainstream public school in his community. "He amazes me everyday. Thanks to his wonderful teachers and therapists at UCP, Matthew is now outgoing, more competitive and has learned how to socially interact and use a writing utensil," says Matthew's Mother, Vivian.
Information & Referral: Guide to self-advocacy
Self-advocacy is a term we hear a lot in the disability world. Self-advocacy refers to people with disabilities speaking up for themselves and making the decisions that impact their lives. It also refers to people with disabilities who are active players in shaping policies that impact all people with disabilities. Self-advocacy is at the core of Life Without Limits.
Disability Scoop recently featured a great article about self-advocacy titled, Speak Up: Your Guide to Self-Advocacy. The story presents some basic steps people can take immediately to have their voices heard. Please share this useful guide with the people with whom you work, encouraging them to become self-advocates.
Founded in 1948 to help people with cerebral palsy, today United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a pivotal advocate for the rights of all people with disabilities. As one of the largest health charities in America, UCP is dedicated to advancing the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities.
Disability Leadership Meet With White House Staff on Health Reform JF Activist Blog Washington,DC,USA 8/31/09 On August 27, as a follow-up to the meeting that President Obama had with disability community representatives on July 24, a group of advocates for home and community-based long-term services and supports met with Nancy-Ann DeParle and other senior staff at the White House to discuss the Community First Choice - Option.
Teen's award-winning video depicts life with muscular dystrophy KTUU News Channel 2 (Video) Anchorage,AK,USA 8/31/09 Many Alaskans first met Bryan Arnold through the video profile he created about life with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The video educated viewers about the daily challenges of living with Arnold's fatal form of the disease.
Hiker doesn't let blindness slow him down WCNC News Channel 36 (Video) Charlotte,NC,USA 8/28/09 "For about 400 miles it was just me hiking by myself hoping that I could stay on the trail," Thomas said.
Disability Issues At Center Of Heated Health Care Debate Disability Scoop (Video) USA 8/14/09 Advocacy groups and White House officials are fighting back after Sarah Palin and other critics recently charged that proposed health care reform would be bad for people with disabilities.
Read letter Dingell sent to Sola Detroit Free Press Detroit,MI,USA 8/12/09 The CLASS Act is widely supported by many disability groups including United Cerebral Palsy, American Association of People with Disabilities, Assisted Living Federation of America, National Council on Aging, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, and the Catholic Health Association of the United States.
State budget cuts slash after-school activities for disabled The Desert Sun Palm Springs,CA,USA 8/12/09
United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire lost state funding for a handful of after-school programs in Indio, Palm Springs, Beaumont, Banning and Hemet.
Attitudes Toward The Intellectually Disabled National Public Radio (Audio) Washington,DC,USA 8/11/09 Eunice Kennedy Shriver died Tuesday. She leaves behind a legacy that helped change the way we view intellectual disability. Ann Turnbull of the Beach Center on Disability at the University of Kansas and Disability Policy Collaboration director Paul Marchand discuss.
New video helps understand people with disabilities Examiner.com Washington,DC,USA 8/7/09 "Not Just Ramps," offers great insight into people with disabilities. The two actors go into detail explaining that they are not just a person with a disability; they are a full person who happens to have a disability (View the demo here).
Database to help 911 crews assist disabled Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Rochester,NY,USA 8/7/09 The Monroe County Emergency 911 Call Center launched a new initiative Thursday designed to help police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and other first responders when working with people who have disabilities.
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United Cerebral Palsy, all children and adults with developmental disabilities, and their families lost a legislative champion with the death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) on August 25, 2009. His legislative achievements in the field of disability were many and far reaching. Civil rights, education and health care were the cornerstones of his efforts to help all Americans live decent and productive lives. In the rights arena, Senator Kennedy's most notable achievement was the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. He played an instrumental role in the passage of Public Law 94-142 in 1975 (now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) which gave every student with a disability the right to a free appropriate public education. Senator Kennedy was one of four Members of Congress who, along with former President George W. Bush, crafted the No Child Left Behind Act. He was instrumental in assuring that all students with disabilities would be part of the student achievement assessments under this law. Just last year, he co-authored the Higher Education Opportunity Act which, for the first time in Federal law, will afford higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities. Senator Kennedy's additional major civil rights accomplishments, which helped people with disabilities enter the mainstream of society include the Fair Housing Act and the Voting Rights Act.
Please make a 
Matthew attended a program at his local United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) affiliate in South Florida, and after one year, crossed his first milestone — moving his head. Then he began to acknowledge when people talked with him and he would point to things with his eyes or laugh when he noticed familiar faces. Eventually, Matthew recognized words and could say his name.
Self-advocacy is a term we hear a lot in the disability world. Self-advocacy refers to people with disabilities speaking up for themselves and making the decisions that impact their lives. It also refers to people with disabilities who are active players in shaping policies that impact all people with disabilities. Self-advocacy is at the core of 
