United Ability

United Ability (formerly Spastic Aid of Alabama and United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham or UCP of Greater Birmingham) is a non-profit organization that supports individuals and families affected by intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism, down syndrome, spina bifida and other conditions affecting physical and mental functioning.

The organization was founded in August 1948 by Rabbi Milton Grafman who served as its first president. Its offices are located at 100 Oslo Circle in Birmingham's Oxmoor neighborhood. Gary Edwards is the current CEO.

Since 1950 the organization has been supported by the Civiettes Club. Their efforts resulted in the completion of the John W. Simpson Cerebral Palsy Center in 1972. Beginning in 1960 at the initiative of developer Newman Waters who sat on the charity's board of directors, Spastic Aid of Alabama received proceeds from coins tossed into one of the two fountains at Eastwood Mall.

In 1995 UCP joined with The Arc of Jefferson County and Positive Maturity to merge their respective transportation services as the Birmingham Regional Paratransit Consortium (ClasTran). From 1998 to 2004 UCP of Greater Birmingham was the beneficiary of proceeds from the sale of WRAX-FM's "Live in the X Lounge" compilation albums.

In 2016 UCP took in an estimated $15.7 million in revenues and employed a staff of 83 people locally. In 2017 UCP, whose focus had grown well beyond only serving those with cerebral palsy, rebranded itself as United Ability.

References

• Rebman, Stephanie (February 14, 2017) "Birmingham nonprofit rebrands, launches new name and website." Birmingham Business Journal

External links

• United Ability website