After the establishment of UCP National in 1949, a small but dedicated group of parents in Phoenix formed UCP of Central Arizona in 1952. Their goal: to change Arizona’s perception and treatment of people with cerebral palsy, to create an understanding and accepting society in which their children could lead healthy, productive lives.

It wasn’t long before these parents realized that cerebral palsy wasn’t the only disability facing obstacles. UCP of Central Arizona soon expanded their scope to include disabilities of all types. With autism, sensory processing disorders, genetic disorders, orthopedic disabilities, and many more now under their umbrella, UCP of Central Arizona worked in homes across the state to provide the care and support that would raise the quality of life for children with disabilities.

As our dedicated therapists and health professionals supplied their expertise to struggling families, the nation experienced a radical shift in the treatment of people with disabilities. The 1960s and ‘70s saw a  veritable civil rights movement for the disability community; the 1965 Title XIX amendment to the Ley de seguridad social proporcionó ayuda financiera a personas con discapacidades y sus familias; El 1970 Discapacidades del desarrollo Servicios y modificaciones de construcción de instalacionesdio la primera definición legal de discapacidades del desarrollo y ofreció subvenciones para servicios e instalaciones que podrían ayudar a las personas con discapacidades del desarrollo; los Ley de rehabilitación de 1973 hizo ilegal que cualquier institución federal o pública que reciba fondos federales discrimine por discapacidad. La legislación que protegía a las personas con discapacidades continuó aumentando, culminando en Acta de Americanos con Discapacidades de 1990.

Arizona también hizo sus propios avances. El proyecto de ley 1057 del Senado de 1970 hizo ilegal confinar a residentes no peligrosos a hospitales estatales contra su voluntad. Las personas con discapacidad intelectual ya no serían confinadas a la fuerza en instituciones construidas para enfermos mentales, y la residencia se redujo de más de 2,000 personas a 300 en unos pocos meses. El Sistema de Atención a Largo Plazo de Arizona se creó en 1988 para brindar atención a adultos con discapacidades físicas e intelectuales, entre muchos otros desarrollos.

The obstacles that had once faced those with disabilities were being broken down, creating a whole new set of hurdles to be conquered.  The facility that housed UCP of Central Arizona in the later part of the last century was a storefront location in a two-story strip mall near Central and Hatcher. The next-door neighbor was a liquor store and physical therapy was provided on the small hill behind the building that could have used a “do not litter” sign. It was small. And tight. The occupational therapy room was about the size of a large living room with three dividers, making spaces for three different therapists to work at one time.  As children and adults with disabilities began to realize that they were valued in our society like never before and services became more and more available, the cramped quarters of UCP were pushed to their limits. But, the most overwhelming thing about those days wasn’t the limited facilities or long, hard days – it was the feeling of passion and commitment for the purpose among the staff and the positive strides made every time an obstacle was removed in the life of another.