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CONTACT:

Kaelan Richards: 202-973-7175,

REGISTER TODAY FOR THE 2013 WORLD CP CHALLENGE 

4-week health and wellness activity raises support for people with disabilities

Washington, D.C. (May 16, 2013) – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is pleased to announce that the registration for the 2013 World Cerebral Palsy Challenge is now open.  Register today to join an international competition for good!

UCP launched the World CP Challenge in September 2012 in an effort to provide an accessible health and wellness activity that is proven to promote healthy living and change participants’ health and fitness habits, all while raising awareness and crucial funds for direct services and research for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Cerebral palsy is a permanent disability resulting from damage to the developing brain, usually before birth. CP is the largest cause of physical disability in children; each year, approximately 10,000 infants in the United States will develop cerebral palsy.

World CP Challenge participants form teams of four and challenge themselves to take 10,000 steps a day, everyday, from September 4 through October 2. Throughout the Challenge, participants log their daily steps online, climbing virtual mountains around the world with each step and receiving weekly fitness tips and healthy recipes. And the ‘steps’ can be any activity—the World CP Challenge is unique in that it enables everyone to be active in their own way with the option to convert more than 40 activities, such as yoga or swimming, into steps. The option to convert almost any activity into steps makes the World CP Challenge available to people of all abilities. Throughout the Challenge, participants can fundraise, with all proceeds supporting services to people with disabilities and cerebral palsy research.

This year, the World CP Challenge will held in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. In these countries, the event is known as “Steptember.”

The World CP Challenge is not only a great opportunity for individuals, but for corporations and organizations as well. The Challenge serves as an employee engagement activity, increases productivity and reduces sick days among company employees. Participating companies can have employees compete amongst themselves, as well against other organizations to see who can reach the top of each mountain first.

“UCP and our international partners are thrilled to announce that registration for the 2013 World CP Challenge is now open—and we encourage everyone to check out our website, learn more about the Challenge and sign up! The World CP Challenge is a fun and exciting way to get active, compete against other teams and help to raise support for people with disabilities around the world,” said Stephen Bennett, President & CEO of United Cerebral Palsy. “It truly is an international effort to bring people together in support of a great cause. We hope you will join us, and see you on the mountain!”

To learn more about the Challenge, please visit our website, www.worldcpchallenge.org, or contact Sarah Abram at .

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About United Cerebral Palsy

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services through an affiliate network to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. Together with nearly 100 affiliates, UCP has a mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities by supporting more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time. UCP works to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities. For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society. Together, with parents and caregivers, UCP will continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams, for the next 60 years, and beyond. For more information, please visit www.ucp.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Kaelan Richards: 202-973-7175,

UCP HONORS EDWARD R. MATTHEWS WITH LEADERSHIP AWARD 

Maul Award Recognizes Exceptional CEOs at United Cerebral Palsy

Washington, DC (May 2, 2013) – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is pleased to announce that the 2013 Kathleen O. Maul Leadership Award has been awarded to Edward R. Matthews, Chief Executive Officer of UCP of New York City.

The Kathleen O. Maul Leadership Award is presented to an exceptional chief executive of a UCP affiliate in memory of Kathy Maul, a remarkable executive director at UCP of Suffolk who died young and left a legacy of leadership ability and strong commitment to UCP. It was presented as part of UCP’s Awards for Excellence, which are given annually to UCP affiliates, individuals and companies whose exceptional activities, achievements and dedication exemplify the UCP mission to educate, advocate and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities.

Matthews recognized the 2013 honor for his dedication and long history working to improve the services and supports provided to people with disabilities, including: part of the Medicaid Redesign Team, responsible for overhauling New York State’s massive Medicaid system; serving on the Steering Committee to implement the People First Waiver, a partnership between New York State and the federal government to reconstruct the Medicaid funding system for New York’s citizens with developmental disabilities, to provide them greater choice and access and reduce costs; leading the InterAgency Council (IAC) in New York City, a coordinating body and trade association consisting of over 150 agencies providing services for people with developmental disabilities; and serving as CEO of UCP of NYC since 1989, during which the affiliate has grown to a budget size of over 107 million and provides services to more than 14,000 children, adults and their families throughout New York City.

“I am so pleased to honor Ed Matthews with the 2013 Kathleen O. Maul Leadership Award for his extraordinary efforts to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities,” said Stephen Bennett, President and CEO of UCP. “For more than 20 years, Ed has served as the CEO of UCP of New York City, leading and growing that affiliate into one of the strongest in the country—and a shining example of UCP’s mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with a spectrum of disabilities. Congratulations Ed, and we look forward to your continued successes.”

“The Kathy Maul Award is very meaningfully personally and professionally. To me, it represents the values that Kathy & UCP have always stood for,” said Ed Matthews, CEO of UCP of New York City. “I am honored to join my distinguished friends and colleagues who have been recipients.”

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About United Cerebral Palsy

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services through an affiliate network to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. Together with nearly 100 affiliates, UCP has a mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities by supporting more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time. UCP works to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities. For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society. Together, with parents and caregivers, UCP will continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams, for the next 60 years, and beyond. For more information, please visit www.ucp.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Kaelan Richards: 202-973-7175,

UCP ANNOUNCES $25,000 INNOVATION CONTEST 

Challenges inventors to bring three ideas to life and help better the lives of people with disabilities

Washington, DC (January 9, 2013) – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) has announced $25,000 in prize money to anyone who can create one of the three winning ideas submitted to the World Cerebral Palsy Day’s “Change my World in 1 Minute” contest.

Estblished in 2012 as an international day of awareness about cerebral palsy, World CP Day is focused on change and innovation that can make a real difference for people living with disabilities. To jumpstart this change, World CP Day’s “Change my World in 1 Minute” contest challenged people to submit ideas that would help improve mobility, independence, accessibility, communication or social connections for people living with cerebral palsy, offering $25,000 in prize money to who ever can bring these three ideas to life.

 Solar-powered wheelchair:

A solar-powered wheelchair would enable individuals who rely on motorized wheelchairs to charge their chairs on the go with solar energy and eliminate current battery life limitations.

Fold-up motorized wheelchair:

This idea proposes developing a motorized wheelchair that could be easily disassembled to fit into a regular car or SUV, instead of a specially modified vehicle.

Documentary: Cerebral Palsy in the 21st Century:

A documentary focusing on the successes of people with cerebral palsy and work to develop role models for the millions of people living with disabilities around the world.

The “Change my world in 1 minute” contest identified these three ideas as the best of nearly 500 global submissions. Inventors from around the world are invited to join the contest and compete for a share of the $25,000 in prize money. Submissions are due on March 31, 2013, and the winners will be announced on the next World Cerebral Palsy Day: September 2, 2013. Find out more about the contest and get involved today!

“We're challenging the world to bring these three innovative ideas to life—and to help people living with disabilities become more independent, increase accessibility, and raise awareness,” said Stephen Bennett, President & CEO of United Cerebral Palsy. “We invite everyone, including universities, engineers, companies, inventors, hackers and makers to bring their best thinking to the contest. This is a chance to use the best of humanity's gifts to change the lives of others. Let’s get started!”

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About United Cerebral Palsy

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services through an affiliate network to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. Together with nearly 100 affiliates, UCP has a mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities by supporting more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time. UCP works to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities. For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society. Together, with parents and caregivers, UCP will continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams, for the next 60 years, and beyond. For more information, please visit www.ucp.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Kaelan Richards: 202-973-7175,

UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY RESPONDS TO FISCAL CLIFF VOTE

Washington, DC (January 2, 2012) – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) issued the following statement in response to the passage by Congress of legislation to avert the so-called ‘fiscal cliff’ of tax increases and spending cuts.

“We applaud Congress’s action to prevent harmful tax increases and cuts to vital services and supports for millions of Americans. The deal passed by Congress protects Social Security benefits and Medicaid— but most importantly, the individuals and their families who depend on these safety net programs, and particularly those living with disabilities.

“However, we are very disappointed that the CLASS Act, which offered a framework for funding long-term services and supports, was repealed in the ‘fiscal cliff’ legislation. We are hopeful that the replacement Commission that was created in its place will be successful in helping our country to address these critical issues.

“United Cerebral Palsy urges Congress and President Obama to continue to work together to ensure that the programs and services that help so many Americans with disabilities and their families are protected in our ongoing budget debates.”

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About United Cerebral Palsy

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services through an affiliate network to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. Together with nearly 100 affiliates, UCP has a mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities by supporting more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time. UCP works to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities. For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society. Together, with parents and caregivers, UCP will continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams, for the next 60 years, and beyond. For more information, please visit www.ucp.org.