World Cerebral Palsy Day 2015

World Cerebral Palsy Day is a social movement, of, by and for the CP community. Our vision is to ensure that everyone with CP has the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else. Our campaign empowers you take action locally and, in doing so, help to build the global movement for change.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability in childhood and is also one of the least understood. Doctors are reluctant to make a diagnosis, too many people receive ineffective therapies, too many individuals and their families lack access to basic information and support, too little money is being spent on research, and far too many societies keep people with CP out of sight, out of mind and out of options.

Take action
It is time to close the gap between the everyday circumstance and the real potential of people living with CP. Through World CP Day, we will join together to combine our resources, energy and knowledge. We will share our stories and best ideas.
We will tell the world … I AM HERE … WE ARE HERE
Local to global
The global impact of World CP Day will be measured by the local impact you can achieve. We will harness the incredible commitment and ingenuity of the CP community by:
Giving you the tools to take action in your town, city or country
Sharing success stories, so those solutions can be applied in other places
Reaching out to the broader community of people who passionately believe in the rights, access and opportunities for those with disabilities.
Six key areas for change
Six key areas are critical to our collective success. Our World CP Day community has told us that these issues are the biggest barriers for them, irrespective of where they live.
We encourage you to choose one or more of these issues for World CP Day and beyond – to champion for change, develop solutions or celebrate achievements.
Share your stories of challenge and triumph with us On the Map. Early next year we will showcase the best of them and ask the community to vote for the World CP Day Awards 2016.
Read more about these issues and some great success stories that are having local and global impact:
Public awareness
Putting an end to ignorance and the stigma it can create, by building a true understanding of what CP is (and is not). The objective is nothing less than to create cultural change so that everyone in a society embraces people with CP as brothers, sisters and full citizens.
Civil rights
Ensuring that government officials at the local, regional and national level will move beyond passing proclamations, and take concrete action to guarantee that our basic rights, our full citizenship and our individual opportunities are real and cannot be taken away.
Medical/Therapeutic
The very best information for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of CP so doctors and therapists can make better decisions earlier in the process and provide everyone with CP the best possible assistance in living the fullest possible life.
Quality of life
The most useful advice, support and inspiration for our community, our families and others who help us. Not just to help each of us ‘survive’ the challenges, but to ensure we all thrive and can find enjoyment and fulfilment in life.
Education
Helping all educators create an experience that will encourage the broader community to embrace people with CP, and provide an education to members of the CP community that is equal to that of every other citizen of the societies in which we live.
Contribution
Each of us has a unique ability to contribute economically, artistically, socially and/or politically. Not being able to make that contribution is not just a matter of personal loss, it is a matter of robbing our entire society and culture of something that is essential to its ability to flourish.
Take action

Our Tools page has many different resources that you can download and start using right now, or customise for your local needs and issues.