United Cerebral Palsy of New York City has changed its name to ADAPT Community Network to prepare for shifts in the cerebral palsy landscape.
It made the change official at the organization’s 70th anniversary gala at the New York Hilton on March 9.
“It was time to examine everything that we do so that we can serve our communities to the best of our ability and continue to be on the cutting edge of change,” Edward R. Matthews, ADAPT’s chief executive officer, said in a press release. “We want to remain as responsive as possible to the needs of the next generations that have growing expectations of the types of services that we can offer.”
The organization already supports people with challenges beyond cerebral palsy. The rebranding stems partly from the need to adapt to families seeking integrated services.
“The Board of ADAPT Community Network is proud of our 70-year history and our many accomplishments, but this brand launch is very timely,” said Gary Geresi, the board president. “While UCP was comforting for a generation of parents who felt that we would understand the needs of their loved ones, the modern parent or individual receiving supports does not want to be associated with an organization known only by a diagnosis.”
ADAPT’s new tagline is We Change — and that refers to being able to respond to lives, environments, social attitudes, or services, the organization said. A major aim of the name change is to underscore its ability to adapt as circumstances change.
Seventy years ago, a group of founding families started a cerebral palsy support movement that led to the birth of the disabilities sector, ADAPT said. Now, care models are changing nationwide and government funding is decreasing, limiting the number of organizations that can help people with disabilities get the care they need, the organization added.
ADAPT Community Network said it has responded to these challenges by expanding its network and adding three partners: New York League for Early Learning, Human First, and the non-profit Partners Health Plan. Partners Health is a care program for New York City residents with intellectual and development disabilities.
The board said ADAPT Community Network will continue to provide healthcare, education, technology and other programs and services that improve the quality of life of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.