United Cerebral Palsy of New York City: Creating Opportunities for Children and Adults With Disabilities

United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, Inc. (UCP of NYC) is the leading non-profit agency in the Big Apple providing direct services, technology, and advocacy to individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. With locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Bronx, UCP of NYC offers over 75 comprehensive programs to more than 14,000 New York City residents and families each year. These include medical, technological, educational, clinical, rehabilitative, and residential services, which are delivered by a trained and dedicated team of more than 1,500 people, many of whom have disabilities themselves.


With a mission to create opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to lead independent and fulfilling lives, United Cerebral Palsy of New York City was founded in 1946 by families of children with cerebral palsy. At the time, institutionalization was the main “service” available and the medical profession knew little about the condition. Frustrated by the lack of services, these families came together to establish UCP of NYC and alert physicians to the need for specialized services for kids with disabilities. This commitment to raising awareness about disabilities paved the way for greater advocacy and service programming in subsequent years.

In 1949, UCP of NYC founders Leonard Goldenson and Jack Hausman established a national organization to merge all parent groups into one national entity known as The United Cerebral Palsy Associations. UCP of NYC quickly became the single largest affiliate of the national association and helped make possible the civil rights movement responsible for significantly improving the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities.

UCP of NYC's Project CONNECT helps individuals and families seeking information, guidance, and referral to the agency's many services sort through information, secure opportunities for loved ones, and understand the services they are eligible for. Project CONNECT staff is available five days a week to offer support.