Judith ‘Judi’ Rogers is an internationally recognized expert on parenting with disabilities and a retired occupational therapist living with cerebral palsy. She was born with hemiplegic spastic and athetoid cerebral palsy and always wanted to be a mother. Pregnancy and childbirth can be frightening for any woman, but especially for a woman with a disability in a time when there were few to no resources available. Her groundbreaking book, Disabled Women’s Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, changed all that.

Judi interviewed 90 women with various disabilities, creating what she calls “not your ordinary clinical text or patient guide.” She weaves in these women’s stories while counteracting the prevalent societal chatter that scolds women with disabilities, insisting that motherhood must not be considered a life option.

She didn’t stop there: She joined Through the Looking Glass (TLG) in 1990, a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to provide and encourage respectful and empowering services — guided by personal disability experience and disability culture — for families that have children, parents, or grandparents with disability or medical issues.” She spent three decades at TLG, where she helped expand awareness of parenting with disability and assisted in designing adaptive baby equipment.

She also served on the steering committee for Bright Futures for Women’s Health and Wellness, a program of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In 2002, she received the Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Award for her outstanding leadership on parenting and disability, and for her clinical insight and activism to develop more comfortable, accessible techniques to enable women with disabilities to receive lifesaving mammograms.

In addition to her professional achievements, Judi loves traveling and making sure she lives life to the fullest — with family, friends, and a lot of laughter. We sat down with Judi to learn more about her vision for the disability community and how she lives a life without limits.

UCP: Your book was a clearly groundbreaking publication and has received many accolades. What inspired you to research and write it?

Judi: It started while I was working at the Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Berkeley, California. In the late 1970’s, a woman with a spinal cord injury came in for help. Her disability was very different from mine, and I didn’t know what advice to give her. There was no internet. I looked for resources but couldn’t find any, so I decided to create one.

There were no medical experts to ask; my information would have to come from disabled mothers themselves. Being an occupational therapist, I knew that disability varied even within the same disability, which meant I would have to talk to many disabled mothers to cover a wide range of disability experiences. My goal was to provide help to all disabled women who wanted to become pregnant. For the first edition, I talked to 36 women from across the country. It made me aware of how few resources disabled women had, especially in smaller cities. Their isolation encouraged me to write the book. 

When my editor wanted to publish a second edition, I interviewed more women whom I had met from my work at CIL and TLG.

UCP: Tell us about your work as a pediatric occupational therapist. What was your approach to working with kids?

Judi: I was motivated to become an occupational therapist so I could be a pediatric therapist and work with children from newborns through school age. I felt I could be a better therapist than what I had experienced as a child. I viewed all my clients as being like me when I was their age. My therapist would not acknowledge my frustration, so I tried to create exercises in the form of games as much as possible to motivate the kids to keep trying. I gave them the space to talk about their experiences and the permission to whine if they needed. I never pitied them; I encouraged them to believe they could overcome challenges and move on.

UCP: You helped design adaptive baby equipment at TLG. What types of adaptive equipment did you create, and how much did your understanding of occupational therapy play a part in these innovations?

Judi: Our goal in making adaptive equipment was to create universal design usable for everyone — for people with all sorts of disabilities and for people without any disabilities. I’m delighted that some of our designs are now in use in the public. As a parent with disabilities, I formed the philosophy that parent and child need to work as a team to ensure the child’s needs are met. One part of the equation is adaptive equipment and techniques, but equally important is educating parents that, in general, there are ways to address the challenges.

An example of adaptive equipment we designed is a crib with a track that allows the crib side to slide rather than move up and down or swing out like a door. This makes it easy for wheelchair users who cannot get close enough to the crib to raise and lower the bars. If the crib side opens like a door, parents may back away, and the baby could fall out. Sliding a rail to the side removes the risk. It also helps those with invisible disabilities (back and arm pain) by making it easier to lift and place the baby in the crib. Both parents, with and without disabilities, love this design because it’s so easy to use.

One client lacked the strength to lift her baby into bed. She taught her son to crawl from her lap into the crib. Before he could crawl, her husband would put him in bed, but once he could get in on his own, he went to sleep without crying because it was his own idea to get into bed!

We applied the same thinking to a highchair design. Many disabled parents struggled to remove the highchair tray and lift their baby into the chair. We fixed both problems by designing a tray that swings to the side. For toddlers, we added a step stool so they can climb in. Today, the swing-open tray design is widely used, and many chairs come with step stools. 

For one father who could move only in his head, we designed an infant seat that attached to his wheelchair. This lets him feed his baby by holding the spoon in his mouth. The baby loved riding on daddy’s chair and engaging in facial play. Placing an infant seat on the parent’s wheelchair was a solution for a wide range of needs, particularly for parents who could not push a stroller. 

For parents who had trouble diapering because they had the use of only one hand or had trouble lifting the baby, we were often able to teach the baby to lift its behind on its own. Plus, the baby tended not to turn over. It made the whole activity faster, safer, and easier. 

It has been wonderful to see the joy of baby and parent alike as they realized they may not need as much, or any, outside help to meet their daily needs. These adaptations made a huge difference in their lives and went a long way toward building strong bonds as they worked together. 

UCP: UCP Association of Hawai’i is conducting a study on the impact of aging with cerebral palsy. As someone who has lived a long life with cerebral palsy, what would you like to say to the medical community about cerebral palsy and what is needed?

Judi: Medical schools usually only address disability in rehabilitation. Thus, healthcare providers often lack understanding of how pre-existing disabilities affect other conditions like cancer or pregnancy. Therefore, I believe medical professionals should collaborate with disabled people to do research studies on what is needed. This can take the form of having students spend time with people with disabilities to explore issues and provide insights that lead to better care. For example, when I had breast cancer, the doctors didn’t give me any advice on how to care for myself during chemotherapy because they didn’t know how it would affect me. 

UCP: What would you say to a 25-year-old person with cerebral palsy about living with it?

Judi: My advice is the same no matter what disability the person has. Live your life and enjoy it! 

I’ve had a full life with more to come. I’ve married, raised children, had a career, traveled the world, delighted in deep and lasting friendships, and raised my voice to support the rights of people with disabilities. I’ve seen many, many people accomplish miraculous things while living with disabilities. Above all, I would say that you, too, can have a fulfilling life brimming with joy. Have fun! 

UCP: Your legacy in the disability community is so profound, yet you make time to explore and enjoy traveling the world. Can you share one or two memories of your travels?

Judi: I started traveling internationally in my 20s. I walked well enough, and my disability had little impact on my mobility. In my 50s, I was mostly traveling to disability-related conferences, so I worried less about accessibility.

I remember once visiting my daughter when she was in the Peace Corps. I knew toileting was going to be an issue. I adapted a wheelchair as a portable potty by cutting a hole in the fabric seat and removing the cushion when I needed to use the toilet.

Recently, I traveled with my daughter to Madagascar and Vietnam, and I knew we could figure things out. I can still walk and climb stairs, but sometimes I use a lightweight manual wheelchair. When I traveled for conferences, I used a scooter to go any distances.

UCP: Travel certainly gets more complicated as mobility changes. Do you have any advice for people with disabilities who want to travel?

Judi: I have a community of disabled people on Facebook, and I post travel questions there. I always get lots of helpful answers. There are also discussions on Reddit and other online forums. Past that, Google is your friend. Some organizations like the World Institute on Disability, the National Council on Independent Living, and the European Network for Independent Living also provide helpful information on travel options. The most important thing is your attitude. Go with enthusiasm to embrace new experiences, and you will find a way to make it work. 

About the Author
Dr. Stephen Dantzig earned his Doctor of Psychology degree from the Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology in 1991. His dissertation studied the development of higher cognitive functioning of children with cerebral palsy and spina bifida. He was a school psychologist for 38 years, serving New York, New Jersey, California, and Hawai’i, and is now the Education and Outreach Program Manager at the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai’i. His autobiography was Get Up, Your Bus Is Here: Living MY Life with Cerebral Palsy: Trials, Tribulations and Triumphs. Read more about Stephen here.

The post My Life Without Limits: Judith Rogers on Parenting, Disability, and Innovation appeared first on United Cerebral Palsy.

The existence of fraud does not change the fundamental need for these services. Congress has long recognized that people with disabilities require strong and reliable support systems, which is why it has repeatedly funded Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services at the levels currently authorized. Fraud and bad actors should spur Congress and the Administration to strengthen oversight and accountability. They should not inspire actions that cut back resources that were always intended for individuals with disabilities who, through no fault of their own, did not receive them.

For decades, the UCP Network has partnered with states and communities to deliver these essential services. UCP providers are trusted partners with a long history of helping people with disabilities live independently, obtain employment, and remain connected to their communities. When fraud is identified and eliminated, responsible providers like UCP’s affiliates are better positioned to ensure these resources reach the individuals they were meant to serve.

Addressing fraud is important, and UCP supports efforts that improve transparency, strengthen program integrity, and ensure public dollars reach the people they are meant to serve. Broad cuts to Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services will not address fraud; they will only further harm the very people who are victims of bad actors in the first place, which is individuals with disabilities seeking to live independently and participate fully in the economy. 

Together, we must combat fraud while preserving the funding streams that make these essential services possible.

The post UCP Statement on Medicaid Fraud: Protecting Services for People with Disabilities appeared first on United Cerebral Palsy.

In November of 1963, my mother, Beatrice Hodges, gave birth to her seventh child, Philip, who was born with cerebral palsy due to complications of his birth. Philip’s arrival was a life-changing event for my parents, my siblings, and me. His influence in our lives was profound and, for me, formative.

A Brother, A Teacher, A Gift

The countless lessons Philip has taught me throughout my life have shaped the person I am. I share those lessons in this book, which I have been writing in my head for most of my life, and which I hope will help families who have Philips in their lives appreciate the great joys and important lessons that a disabled child or sibling can bring to their lives, as Philip did for mine and for my family’s.

Our parents made Philip a gift, not a burden. It was the most important lesson that my wonderful siblings and I learned.

How Growing Up with Disability Shaped My Character

Throughout my life, I’ve often thought about how having Philip for a brother has influenced me. As a young boy of eight when he was born, I interacted with Philip every day, helping to care for him, loving him, and coming to understand the gravity of his condition. Long after I left home for college and to build my own life, Philip’s influence stayed with me in so many ways.

After decades of pondering Philip’s immense effect on my self-image and worldview, I decided to catalog my reflections and to share them. I wanted the world to know, and more particularly, I wanted the families who were perhaps struggling with the reality of a disabled child or sibling to know that, amid the challenges and anxieties of caring for a disabled family member, joy can be found.

Further, I wanted to articulate, first for myself, and then for others, how Philip’s life influenced mine. It was through Philip that I developed my compassion for others, my work ethic, my sense of responsibility and teamwork, and my gratitude for being born healthy and for all the opportunities I’d been given.

Honoring a Mother’s Extraordinary Love

And finally, I wanted to honor our mother, Beatrice, whose extraordinary devotion to Philip’s care and limitless love for him shaped my life and my siblings’. As she told us, and as I wrote in this little book, “God knows that we will love him, no matter what has happened to him, no matter what he will become.”

Finding Joy Amid Challenges

I directed the messages and lessons I learned in this book to the families with disabled members, in the hope that they may find solace in the stories I share. I wrote this book not to instruct or even imply that I know how they should care for or feel about their disabled child or brother or sister, but to simply share my own reflections, my journey through life with Philip. And I hope that I can help those families find the joys that having a disabled family member can bring.

Despite cerebral palsy, Philip was a very happy child. Because his life was happy and joyful, he became a source of joy for my family and for me in so many ways. If I can help families to find the joy, then writing this book will have been worthwhile.

Continuing Philip’s Legacy

The reflections in this article come from my book, Lessons from Philip – The Joys and Sorrows of Growing Up with a Disabled Brother, a deeply personal account of what it meant to grow up alongside my brother and the many ways his life shaped my own.

In sharing these stories, my hope is not only to honor Philip, but also to offer encouragement to families who may be navigating the realities of life with a disabled child or sibling. If the book helps readers recognize the love, resilience, and unexpected joys that can grow from those experiences, then it will have served its purpose.

In that spirit, I have also decided to donate a portion of the proceeds from the book to UCP, whose work supports individuals with disabilities and their families across its international network.

Supporting organizations like UCP helps ensure that families facing the challenges of disability have access to resources, advocacy, and community — something every family deserves.

Find Lessons from Philip wherever books are sold.

About the Author
Mark Hodges is the author of Lessons from Philip, a memoir shaped by growing up with his brother Philip, who lives with profound cerebral palsy. As the third of eight children, Mark shares a sibling’s perspective on disability, family, resilience, and unconditional love. He wrote this book to encourage families raising children with disabilities and to honor the lasting impact Philip has had on his life. Mark credits his upbringing with shaping his optimism, compassion, and determination. Learn more at LessonsFromPhilip.com.

The post Lessons from Philip: Finding Joy, Compassion, and Strength Growing Up with a Brother with Cerebral Palsy appeared first on United Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral palsy is one of the most common motor disabilities in childhood, yet misconceptions still surround it. Let’s set the record straight.

1. Cerebral Palsy Is the Most Common Childhood Motor Disability

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cerebral palsy affects approximately 1 in 345 children in the United States. CP impacts movement, muscle tone, and posture, but no two individuals experience it the same way.

2. Cerebral Palsy Is a Group of Disorders — Not a Single Condition

Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term for a group of neurological disorders that affect body movement and coordination. The condition is caused by damage to the developing brain, often before or during birth, or shortly after.

There are several types of CP, including spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, and mixed forms — each with distinct characteristics.

3. Cerebral Palsy Is Not Contagious — and It’s Not Progressive

CP is caused by brain injury or abnormal brain development. It cannot be “caught,” and it does not worsen over time. While the original brain injury does not progress, symptoms may change as a person grows.

4. People with Cerebral Palsy Have a Wide Range of Abilities

One of the most common misconceptions is that CP affects intelligence. In reality, many people with cerebral palsy have average or above-average intelligence. Some may have intellectual disabilities; many do not.

Cerebral palsy primarily affects muscle control — not a person’s potential.

5. Assistive Technology Creates Greater Independence

Mobility aids, communication devices, adaptive tools, and accessible technology empower people with CP to live independently, pursue careers, and engage fully in their communities.

From speech-generating devices to adaptive vehicles, innovation continues to expand possibilities.

6. Early Intervention Makes a Powerful Difference

Early diagnosis and access to therapies — including physical, occupational, and speech therapy — can significantly improve outcomes for children with CP. Support during the early years, starting as early as six months old, helps build strength, coordination, and confidence.

UCP provides family-centered resources that help children reach their full potential.

7. Cerebral Palsy Doesn’t Define a Person’s Life

People with CP are students, parents, professionals, artists, athletes, and leaders. Disability is one part of a person’s identity — not the whole story.

Many individuals with CP advocate for accessibility, inclusion, and policy change, helping create a more equitable society for everyone.

8. Adults with Cerebral Palsy Need Lifelong Support

While CP is often discussed in the context of childhood, it is a lifelong condition. Adults with cerebral palsy may face barriers in employment, housing, healthcare, and transportation.

That’s why UCP supports individuals across the lifespan — from early intervention to employment services and community living programs.

9. Accessibility Benefits Everyone

Ramps, inclusive playgrounds, workplace accommodations, and universal design don’t just benefit people with CP — they create stronger communities for all. Inclusion is not a special feature; it’s a civil right.

10. Awareness Leads to Action

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month is about more than facts — it’s about fostering empathy, advocating for inclusion, and ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to education, employment, healthcare, and community life.

When we challenge stereotypes and replace assumptions with understanding, we build a world where everyone belongs.

How You Can Support Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month

• Learn and share accurate information about cerebral palsy
• Amplify the voices of people with disabilities
• Advocate for accessible policies in your community
• Support organizations like United Cerebral Palsy that fund groundbreaking research, advocate for policy change, and provide support services to individuals across the lifespan.
• Wear green to show your support during March

Together, We Can Advance Inclusion

For more than 75 years, United Cerebral Palsy has worked to ensure people with disabilities can live a life without limits. During Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month — and every month — we remain committed to advancing independence, productivity, and full citizenship for people with cerebral palsy.

The post 10 Facts About Cerebral Palsy You May Not Know appeared first on United Cerebral Palsy.

Today, Jessica is a respected healthcare professional and homeowner. But her path to independence began with uncertainty, growth, and a life-changing opportunity.

From Small-Town Beginnings to New Possibilities

Jessica graduated from high school in 2006 in Wynne, Arkansas. Like many graduates, she dreamed about college and life beyond her hometown. When she turned 18, her family introduced her to United Cerebral Palsy of Arkansas — now known as Achieve Community Alliance.

She joined the organization’s community living program, stepping into supported housing for the first time.

“I cried during that first week,” Jessica recalls — not out of fear, but from the overwhelming transition. After a sheltered upbringing, living alongside other people with disabilities felt unfamiliar.

But what started as discomfort quickly became a transformation. With support from staff and peers, Jessica developed:

• Self-advocacy skills
• Independent daily living routines
• Confidence in decision-making
• A sense of belonging

She discovered that independence isn’t a single achievement; it’s built one habit at a time.

Building Skills and Earning a Degree

While living in supported housing, Jessica enrolled at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, earning a degree in Sociology. Balancing academics with life skills development required determination. She strengthened:

• Time management
• Transportation coordination
• Communication skills
• Personal accountability

“Achieve Community was a steppingstone for me while I worked toward my undergraduate degree,” she says. The program didn’t replace her effort — it amplified it.

With stable housing and structured support, Jessica graduated and transitioned into workforce development through Achieve Employment.

From Apartment Living to Homeownership

After college, Jessica reached a major milestone: signing the lease on her first apartment. But she wanted more than temporary independence; she wanted permanence. Through Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas, Jessica pursued homeownership. The process required financial planning, patience, and commitment. Ultimately, she purchased a custom-built home designed around accessibility and long-term independence. “I’m proud to say I’m a homeowner,” she beams.

For Jessica, pride isn’t about status; it’s about stewardship:

• Paying bills on time
• Maintaining her household
• Managing transportation
• Building long-term stability

Her disability homeownership story reflects what’s possible when supported living evolves into sustainable independence.

A Career in Healthcare: Redefining Expectations

Today, Jessica works at Baptist Health Medical Center’s Rehab Unit as a unit secretary. She coordinates patient charts, supports clinical workflows, and ensures operations run smoothly. Colleagues describe her as dependable, organized, and compassionate.

Sometimes patients are surprised to see a healthcare professional who uses a wheelchair. Jessica responds with clarity and confidence: “My disability doesn’t define me or limit me. I am a loyal friend, sister, classmate, and employee. My wheelchair doesn’t stop me from living, working, and serving others.” Her presence challenges assumptions and broadens perspectives.

Life Without Limits: Jessica’s Advice for Others

Jessica lives by a simple but powerful principle: believe in yourself and keep going. She carries forward Achieve’s motto — Life Without Limits — not as a slogan, but as a strategy.

Her advice:

• Don’t let disability define your future.
• Set a goal.
• Take the next small step.
• Repeat.

“Never doubt your abilities or stop trying,” she adds. “You are more than the conditions that try to limit you. Keep pushing forward, because you are capable of more than you realize.”

The post Life Without Limits: A Disability Independence Success Story appeared first on United Cerebral Palsy.

Developed by Aretech, LLC, a leader in robotic rehabilitation technology, in collaboration with the National Institute of Health and the University of Southern California, the groundbreaking Baby G system is designed specifically to help young children with motor impairment learn to sit, crawl, stand and eventually walk. Baby G uses a robotic body-weight support system in an overhead 3D play space so babies, as young as six months, can practice balance tasks, repetition and gain motor skill experiences in a safe environment.

“Early diagnosis and intervention are critical when it comes to giving a child with cerebral palsy or motor disorders an opportunity to meet age-appropriate developmental milestones,” said Brittany Landabazo, pediatric physical therapist at UCP of Central Arizona. “Studies show starting therapy within the first year of life after a diagnosis can dramatically improve long-term outcomes in motor skills, independence and quality of life.”

Technology That Changes Lives

Baby G technology allows therapists to provide early mobility training for young children who have cerebral palsy and other neuromotor disorders  by helping babies learn motor patterns through self-directed movement using trial and error. It can be used with children as small as 12 pounds, making it ideal for infants and toddlers. The system can also accommodate up to 50 pounds for older children.

“The Baby G is more than just a piece of equipment; it’s a doorway to independence for our youngest patients,” said Landabazo. “With this technology, we can take advantage of young children’s motivation to explore. By offloading some of a child’s own weight, we help children experience movement by reducing fatigue and building strength and ultimately confidence to connect with their world at a stage when neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to reorganize its neural network, is at its peak.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood, affecting 1 in 345 children in the U.S. Many of these children face significant challenges with movement and coordination that require intensive, ongoing therapy that should begin in early infancy.

“The Baby G is a transformative addition to our Downtown East Campus, which will enable children as young as six months to engage in guided, repetitive, and therapeutic movement that previously wasn’t possible at this level,” Landabazo added. “This innovative tool supports UCP of Central Arizona’s mission to deliver advanced therapeutic solutions to the children and families we serve each day.”

UCP of Central Arizona: A Leader in Early Intervention

As the only clinic in the world to offer the Baby G in a therapeutic setting, UCP of Central Arizona continues to lead the way in combining clinical expertise, a world-class standard of excellence, and cutting-edge technology to serve children with special needs. The integration of Baby G reinforces the organization’s mission to provide comprehensive services for individuals with disabilities to live a life without limits.

The Baby G purchase was made possible thanks to a generous investment of nearly $400,000 from Thunderbirds Charities and the Arizona Board of Visitors.

For more information about the Baby G or to schedule an appointment, visit UCPofCentralAZ.org.

The post World’s First ‘Baby G’ Robotic Trainer for Children with Motor Disabilities Introduced in Arizona appeared first on United Cerebral Palsy.

The intersection of race and disability is not theoretical — it is lived reality. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 4 adults in the United States lives with a disability, and Black Americans experience disability at slightly higher rates due to longstanding inequities in healthcare access, environmental exposure, economic instability, and systemic racism. Black disabled individuals also face disproportionate disparities in employment, education discipline rates, healthcare outcomes, and interactions with law enforcement.

Disability justice and racial justice are inseparable. The following Black disability rights leaders have shaped policy, culture, and advocacy at that intersection.

1. Brad Lomax

A member of the Black Panther Party, Brad Lomax was a powerful bridge between the civil rights and disability rights movements. Living with multiple sclerosis and using a wheelchair, Lomax played a central role in the 1977 Section 504 Sit-ins in San Francisco — protests that demanded enforcement of federal disability protections. His connection to the Panthers proved pivotal: the organization supplied hot meals to demonstrators occupying federal buildings for nearly a month. Lomax’s leadership demonstrated that disability rights are civil rights and modeled cross-movement solidarity decades before “intersectionality” became widely used language.

Legacy: Coalition-building across racial and disability justice movements.

2. Lois Curtis

Lois Curtis was institutionalized in Georgia despite medical recommendations that she could live successfully in the community. Her lawsuit became the landmark Supreme Court case Olmstead v. L.C. In 1999, the Court ruled that unnecessary institutionalization constitutes discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

This decision fundamentally reshaped disability policy, affirming the right of disabled individuals to receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate. Curtis later became an artist, using painting as a form of self-expression after decades of institutionalization.

Legacy: Community living as a civil right and the legal foundation for deinstitutionalization.

3. Johnnie Lacy

After contracting polio as a young adult, Johnnie Lacy encountered racial and disability discrimination in higher education and employment. She became a founding force behind the independent living movement and helped shape the Berkeley Center for Independent Living. Lacy also challenged the disability rights movement to confront racism within its own ranks, ensuring that Black disabled voices were not sidelined. Her work expanded access to housing, transportation, and community-based services.

Legacy: Inclusive independent living and accountability within movements.

4. Fannie Lou Hamer

Known widely for her fearless voting rights advocacy, Fannie Lou Hamer also lived with lasting disabilities after enduring racial violence and a forced sterilization procedure. She experienced mobility impairments and chronic pain throughout her life. Hamer’s story illustrates how state violence, racism, reproductive injustice, and disability intersect.

Her testimony at the 1964 Democratic National Convention brought national attention to racial terror in Mississippi, while her lived experience underscores how disability has always been part of civil rights history.

Legacy: Bodily autonomy, voting rights, and intersectional resilience.

5. Imani Barbarin

Imani Barbarin is a writer, speaker, and founder of the blog Crutches and Spice. Through social media, public commentary, and cultural analysis, she addresses ableism within racial justice movements and racism within disability advocacy spaces. Barbarin frequently highlights disparities in healthcare access, media representation, and emergency response systems affecting Black disabled communities. Her digital advocacy has helped bring disability justice conversations into mainstream discourse, particularly among younger audiences.

Legacy: Modern disability justice leadership through media and storytelling.

6. Leroy F. Moore Jr.

A poet, hip-hop artist, and co-founder of Krip-Hop Nation, Leroy F. Moore Jr. has spent decades amplifying the voices of disabled artists of color. His work explores incarceration, police violence, ableism, and systemic racism. Moore has also been influential in developing the disability justice framework that centers those most marginalized — particularly queer and Black disabled individuals. Through art and activism, he reframes disability not as deficit but as culture and community.

Legacy: Disability justice through cultural production and radical art.

7. Keah Brown

Author of The Pretty One, Keah Brown writes about growing up Black and disabled with cerebral palsy. Her viral hashtag #DisabledAndCute created a global moment of celebration for disabled joy and self-acceptance. Brown challenges media portrayals that frame disability as tragedy and instead centers beauty, ambition, and complexity.

Her work in journalism and publishing has expanded representation for young Black disabled readers.

Legacy: Reclaiming joy, visibility, and self-definition.

8. Haben Girma

The first Deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School, Haben Girma is an international human rights lawyer advocating for accessible technology and inclusive design. She has worked with corporations, governments, and nonprofits to improve digital accessibility — a growing civil rights issue as education, employment, and healthcare move online.

Her memoir, Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law, highlights how innovation and communication access can unlock opportunity.

Legacy: Technology accessibility as a modern civil right.

9. Vilissa Thompson

Founder of Ramp Your Voice!, Vilissa Thompson is a social worker and activist who centers Black disabled women and girls. She addresses disparities in education, reproductive health, and gender-based violence impacting disabled women of color.

Solely centering Black disabled voices is an intentional, unapologetic action, one that is long overdue to occur and is strongly needed for us to truly be seen and heard without concerning the gazes of others.

Vilissa Thompson, Founder, Ramp Your Voice!

Thompson’s advocacy challenges the whiteness of mainstream disability spaces and calls for policy reforms that address layered discrimination.

Legacy: Elevating Black disabled women’s leadership.

10. Claudia Gordon

Claudia Gordon made history as the first Black Deaf female attorney in the United States. She has held roles in federal agencies and the White House, working on disability employment policy and civil rights enforcement. Gordon’s career demonstrates how representation in law and government matters for shaping inclusive policy.

Her leadership continues to inspire Deaf and disabled professionals of color pursuing careers in public service. She currently serves as Senior Accessibility Strategy Partner at T-Mobile.

Legacy: Disability representation in federal policy and law.

T-Mobile has also demonstrated its commitment to accessibility through its partnership with UCP, expanding opportunities for disabled communities nationwide.

Why We Recognize Black Disability Leaders

To understand why centering Black disability rights leaders is essential, we must understand intersectionality — a framework coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw to describe how systems of oppression overlap and compound.

Black disabled individuals do not experience racism and ableism separately. These systems interact.

A Black disabled person navigating healthcare, education, housing, employment, or law enforcement is often impacted by both racial bias and disability discrimination simultaneously — and the outcomes are measurable. Black disabled individuals face:

• Higher rates of unemployment compared to white disabled peers
• Disproportionate school discipline and special education misclassification
• Significant healthcare access barriers
• Increased vulnerability to police violence

When we center Black disability rights leaders during Black History Month, we:

• Broaden the narrative of Black excellence
• Recognize intersectional civil rights leadership
• Strengthen inclusive and accessibility initiatives
• Honor the full spectrum of Black lived experience

Black history includes disability history. Disability justice is inseparable from racial justice.

The post 10 Black Disability Rights Leaders Who Shape Disability Justice appeared first on United Cerebral Palsy.

The report reveals that wages for direct support professionals (DSPs), the workers who support people with IDD in their homes and communities, rose to a national average of $17.20 per hour in 2023, while workforce turnover declined to 39.7 percent — the first time turnover has fallen below 40 percent since national data collection began in 2014. Job vacancy rates also improved, with full-time vacancies dropping to 12.2 percent and part-time vacancies to 14.6 percent.

Much of this progress was driven by $26.3 billion in temporary recruitment and retention investments made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Yet despite the modest gains, DSP wages continue to fall short of living wage benchmarks in every state, and disability service providers across the country continue to report staffing challenges that limit their ability to expand, or even maintain existing services.

Due to inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates, providers struggle to pay wages that compete for talent against hourly wage industries such as fast food and retail, and as a result, there are too few DSPs to deliver the supports on which people rely.

These dynamics contribute to the fact that in 2025, separate research from ANCOR found that 88 percent of providers reported experiencing moderate or severe staffing challenges. As a result, 62 percent of providers reported turning away new referrals, while 29 percent reported discontinuing programs and services due to insufficient staffing.

At the same time, services in which people are supported in their homes and communities — known as home- and community-based services, or HCBS — remain the most cost-effective model for accessing long-term care for people with IDD. The new Case for Inclusion Data Snapshot shows that 94 percent of people with IDD receiving Medicaid-funded services do so through HCBS, costing on average just 44% of what it costs to support people in institutional settings such as nursing homes ($49,723 vs. $111,325 per capita annually, respectively).

However, the previous expiration of ARPA funding, combined with the forthcoming enactment of the 2025 budget reconciliation package that included nearly $1 trillion in cuts to federal Medicaid funding, present new risks for IDD services. Because federal statute does not require states to offer HCBS within their Medicaid programs, states facing budget shortfalls may scale back HCBS offerings to close the gap. This comes as 552,339 people with IDD are on their state’s waiting or interest list for services, an 8 percent increase since 2024.

ANCOR and UCP’s new report concludes with policy recommendations for state and federal leaders, including establishing a federal occupational classification for DSPs, strengthening Medicaid funding for HCBS, and improving oversight of reimbursement rates.

“People with IDD and their families will be profoundly impacted if we continue down the dangerous path of failing to sufficiently invest in home- and community-based services and the workforce of direct support professionals who make their inclusion in the community possible,” said Barbara Merrill, ANCOR’s chief executive officer. “We are finally seeing modest improvements in recruitment and retention of this critical workforce — gains that were only possible thanks to targeted but time-limited investments by federal and state governments.”

“Without sustained funding, we risk reversing the fragile progress we’ve fought so hard for over the past several years,” said Diane Wilush, interim president and CEO for UCP. “With post-pandemic resources drying up and massive federal Medicaid funding cuts on the horizon, it’s hard to imagine how the trajectory we’re on doesn’t lead to a mass exodus of direct support professionals from the workforce — leaving hundreds of thousands more people with IDD without the vital supports needed to stay connected to and included within their communities.”

To download the new Case for Inclusion Data Snapshot and browse state-by-state data for dozens of measures assessing how well state programs are supporting people with IDD to be included in their communities, visit CaseForInclusion.org.

About ANCOR
A leading national association of community-based providers, ANCOR has advocated relentlessly for person-centered outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1970. As the trusted conduit of resources for providers, policymakers and the public, ANCOR enhances providers’ ability to support individuals with I/DD to be fully included and empowered in their communities.

About United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) was founded in 1949, and today, its network of affiliate organizations in the United States and Canada provides a wide range of services annually to approximately 200,000 children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. These services include information, resource referral, advocacy, research, educational instruction, early intervention, therapies, job coaching, integrated employment, home and community-based services, recreational opportunities, and housing assistance. UCP is committed to the mission that all people with disabilities should be treated as equal members of an inclusive society.

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Starting January 12, 2026, researchers and clinicians across the U.S. and Canada are invited to submit letters of intent for funding opportunities to transform the lives of children with cerebral palsy and related neurodevelopmental disabilities. The deadline for submissions is February 13, 2026.

Led by UCP’s Research Council, which comprises medical professionals, individuals living with cerebral palsy, clinician-researchers, UCP affiliate leaders and community-based advocates who are dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with cerebral palsy, the Research Grant Program emphasizes knowledge translation — the application of research insights to real-world care — by funding projects that foster meaningful advances in early diagnosis, early treatment and rehabilitation.

The 2026 cycle includes two grant categories:

• Pilot Grants ($20,000 USD): Funding for generating preliminary data or performing novel analyses on existing datasets to support future large-scale projects.
• Extension Grants ($20,000 USD): Support for expanding ongoing research projects.

While letters of intent on any topic relevant to cerebral palsy and related neurodevelopmental disabilities are welcome, the Research Council will prioritize proposals that:

• Focus on early diagnosis and treatment of cerebral palsy.
• Involve collaboration with UCP affiliates.
• Focus on biomedical and therapy studies.

2025 Awardees Highlight Breakthrough Research

UCP’s Research Grant Program fuels groundbreaking studies, enabling clinicians and scientists to explore innovative approaches that can redefine care for individuals with cerebral palsy. The 2025 awardees exemplify the transformative potential of these grants:

California Primary Care Provider Education of Early Identification and Intervention for Infants

Primary Investigator: Christiana Butera, University of Southern California

This project will expand training for primary care providers across California to improve early detection of cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities. Building on the Early Identification and Intervention for Infants Network (EI3) initiative, the project will adapt a pilot program from Los Angeles County into a statewide virtual training program, ensuring accessible, evidence-based tools are available to providers and families.

Translating Early Diagnosis into Practice: Clinical Validation of BabyOSCAR for Selective Motor Control Assessment in Infants with Probable Cerebral Palsy

Primary Investigators: Theresa Sukal Moulton and Colleen Peyton, Northwestern University

This study will validate BabyOSCAR, a novel assessment tool that evaluates joint-specific movement using observational scoring of video-recorded spontaneous infant movement. By analyzing 250 retrospective infant videos and testing reliability across clinicians, the project aims to establish BabyOSCAR as a scalable, clinically feasible tool for earlier, more accurate CP diagnosis and individualized intervention.

“Each new grant cycle is an opportunity to push the field forward,” said Valerie Pieraccini, co-chair of UCP’s Research Council. “We are opening this program at a moment when the CP research community is bringing bold ideas, interdisciplinary thinking, and a clear focus on real-world impact. We encourage investigators to submit proposals that can meaningfully improve how cerebral palsy is understood, identified, and addressed.”

“UCP’s Research Grant Program is designed to catalyze innovation where it matters most — for children and families,” said Diane Wilush, interim president and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy. “By investing in rigorous, translational research, we aim to accelerate progress from discovery to practice and support solutions that lead to earlier identification, better interventions, and improved lifelong outcomes for people with cerebral palsy and related neurodevelopmental disabilities.”

The UCP Research Council will notify selected candidates to move forward with submitting a full proposal on March 25, 2026, which coincides with National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. The deadline for full proposals is May 29, 2026. Winners will be announced in September, and grant funding will begin in October.

The post United Cerebral Palsy’s 2026 “Change is Possible for CP” Grant Program Now Accepting Applications appeared first on United Cerebral Palsy.

If you’re supporting someone with sensory sensitivities, these three practical tips for traveling with sensory processing disorder can help reduce anxiety and create a more positive travel experience.

1. Set Expectations with Sensory-Friendly Techniques

Preparing for the travel experience should start long before the departure date. For individuals with sensory processing disorder, it can be helpful to set expectations in the lead-up to the trip, using sensory-friendly techniques.

You may want to work through the itinerary with them, using images, verbal storytelling, or checklists. It’s a good idea to highlight transitions, like entering airport security, waiting at different checkpoints, and boarding the plane. Create a sensory plan for the day, which might include a sensory comfort kit.

2. Build a Sensory Comfort Kit

A sensory comfort kit can be an excellent tool for helping someone with sensory needs to feel more comfortable while traveling. Identifying their needs first will help you determine what to include. You might want to pack:

• Noise-cancelling headphones, earplugs, or music/white noise playlists
• Sunglasses, a brimmed hat, or an eye mask
• Weighted lap pad or blanket and fidget toys
• Familiar, comforting snacks and drinks

While these tools can make a big difference, remember that flexibility is just as important. Scheduling regular breaks and offering reassurance can help prevent sensory overload during long journeys.

3. Choose Less Stimulating Transport Options When Possible

If there’s a type of transport that’s particularly distressing, try to choose a different option if you can. For example, some people may find flying particularly stressful and prefer to stay on the ground, while others may find a potentially bumpy, noisy train ride very overstimulating.

If you can’t avoid a particular type of transport, book your tickets for a quieter time of day, and choose seats in a less frequented area or somewhere the journey will feel a little smoother.

You may not be able to avoid getting on a plane, but you can take steps to make it as comfortable as possible. If you’re concerned or need advice, consider reaching out to the transport provider for support – they may be able to advise you on the best times to travel, or they might be able to offer special assistance.

Making Travel Easier for People with Sensory Processing Disorder

Traveling with sensory processing disorder requires planning, patience, and empathy — but with the right preparation, it can be far less overwhelming. By setting clear expectations, packing a sensory comfort kit, and choosing calmer transport options, caregivers can help create a safer and more enjoyable journey.

Most importantly, listening to individual needs and offering consistent support can make all the difference. With thoughtful preparation, travel doesn’t have to be stressful — it can be a positive and empowering experience.

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