Do you ever wake up in the morning and think, “I wish I didn’t have to go to work today”? Yet, you roll out of bed, get dressed, and go to work anyway. Consider this: what if you wanted to go to work, but were physically unable to? What if you needed assistance just to get out of bed and get dressed? There are a number of people in our community who face this every day. You may even know people in this situation. Is it important for us to reach out to try to make their lives better?
United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham is doing just that. They serve children and adults with cerebral palsy, as well as other disabilities including but not limited to mental retardation, traumatic brain injury, developmental disabilities, autism, down syndrome, spina bifida, and others. In addition to all the programs designed to meet the needs of children, they have very impressive adult programs. Here are just a few of the services they provide for adults to help them live independently:
Occupational and Speech Therapy – many people with cerebral palsy have difficulty using their limbs and sometimes have difficulty speaking. Qualified therapists work with consumers (people who use the service) to help them improve in these areas.
Activities of Daily Living – teaching consumers how to cook, do laundry, wash dishes, etc.
Employment Services – Job placement and support including on-site support (at the workplace) to provide assistive technology, job coaching and job site modification.
Community Living – UCP owns several apartments that are ADA-compliant, allowing people with disabilties to live independently. They also work with housing professionals, realtors, and housing counselors to assist them to work effectively with people that have disabilities.
UCP Enterprises – UCP operates three businesses out of their main headquarters: Gone for Good (document shredding), Outsource Solutions (collating and packaging), and Silk Screen Arts (t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, bags) which are completely staffed by UCP consumers. These businesses compete for contracts just like other companies who offer the same service. Consumers are paid a salary for working in the businesses and profits go right back into the agency to fund programs and services.
Your gift to the United Way allows UCP of Greater Birmingham to continue to do such great work.
Gus Jones
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