2004 - Things are still not right
The hopes surrounding the deinstitutionalization of many individuals with disabilities and the passing of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) have not been fully realized.
- Life Without Limits (then known as Big Sky) is launched in April 2004. There is a long way to go before individuals with disabilities are fully integrated into all aspects of society.
- UCP jump-starts a far-reaching dialogue about how people with disabilities can become fully integrated in society and live life without limits.
2005 – 2006 - The Conversation Begins
We challenge ourselves, and others, to think outside the box to break down the attitudes, practices and policies that limit people with disabilities.
- Dozens of "Focus Groups in a Box" are sent out to organizations across the country, allowing them to envision how Life Without Limits might impact their work.
- UCP Affiliates in places like Massachusetts, Texas, and Alberta, Canada, begin hosting Rides Without Limits, Walks Without Limits, and Laughs Without Limits.
2007 - The Conversation Continues
Conversations fight the urge to go straight to solutions. We continue to dream and imagine what a life without limits could look like.
- UCP representatives, disability rights organization leaders, and individuals with disabilities meet in Omaha, Nebraska at Alegent Health.
- Preliminary "Straw-person" vision of the future for individuals with disabilities in the United States is developed.
- Life Without Limits National Visioning Sessions build on the "Straw–Person" vision at the UCP Life Without Limits Annual Conference in Orlando.
- Dr. Bob Johansen, The Institute For The Future's Distinguished Fellow, delivers in-depth review and discussion of future forces likely to have major impacts on individuals with disabilities.
- Participants discuss the waves of change that will shape the lives of people with disabilities over the next decade.
- Individuals offer thoughts for how people with disabilities will use their abilities to explore the emerging edges of what it means to be human.
- Key elements of a new vision of the future for individuals with disabilities identified:
- Believable Hope: The idea that energy for our movement comes from hope, and that the direction we take must be guided by the human spirit.
- Navigating the World Across Generations: Using tools to connect and include everyone and form alliances and partnerships that transcend traditional boundaries like the "generation gap."
- Universal Access: Access and accommodation for everyone – and not just in a physical sense, but access to everything that improves quality of life.
- Agile/Potent Networks: Linking people in multiple networks; networking communities and individuals; and leveraging virtual worlds.
- Meaningful Employment: Creating employment opportunities for everyone and using technology to expand employment possibilities.
- Community Not Government: Letting government follow initiatives that come out of communities and networks, and creating community partnerships that go beyond just dividing up the "pie."
2008 - Life Without Limits take shape
Projects evolve around the five key elements of Life Without Limits.
- The massively interactive, future forecasting, role playing immersive experience, Ruby's Bequest looks to community not government.
- My Child Without Limits is an agile potent online network and resource for parents, professionals and others who care for and about children ages 0-5 with developmental disabilities.
- A collaboration with the research firm Health Tech to identify emerging technologies gives meaning to universal access with the Future of Independent Living project.
2009 - Building Capacity, Charging Ahead
The new year is shaping up to be the most pivotal year of Life Without Limits thus far.
- January: Life Without Limits Executive Director Sally Sachar arrives to begin the challenging task of turning an initiative of ideas into concrete results.
- March: Highly anticipated release of interactive online collaboration Ruby's Bequest.
- April: My Child Without Limits will officially debut, and the United Cerebral Palsy Annual Conference will convene in San Francisco to focus on Growing an Agile Potent Network: Connect. Collaborate. Evolve .
- Throughout the remainder of 2009, numerous runs, walks, rides and other events without limits are scheduled at UCP affiliates across the country.
- The Life Without Limits team will be working with you to formulate and build the future of this groundbreaking, unprecedented initiative.
