Annual Events

United Cerebral Palsy of Metro Detroit convenes events throughout the year for people with disabilities, families and partners in the field to share ideas, resources and insights.  We also provide opportunities for the Metro Detroit business community to support UCP/Detroit.

UCP annually hosts four major events that illuminate its mission:

Life without Limits through Assistive Technology Conference

Assistive Technology (AT) is any item,  piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. 

AT equipment gives people the tools to do things they might not otherwise be able to do, whether that is communicating spontaneously, controlling the environment, or being able to perform a job via a computer.  AT is something we all use, but is critical for people with disabilities. 

The goal of Annual “Life without Limits through Assistive Technology” Conference is to provide access to information and resources to families and individuals with disabilities and to professionals.

Annual Red Wing Alumni Hockey Event

For the past 13 years UCP/Detroit has hosted an annual hockey event which includes sled hockey and an opportunity for the UCP/Detroit team to take on the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Team.  This great event includes a silent auction, chuck-a-puck and lots of fun for the entire family.

UCP Bear Campaign

This is an opportunity for the business community to support UCP/Detroit by identifying a day or week to participate in the bear campaign by making contributions to support the QuickRamps for Kids program.

Annual Reception (formerly Annual Luncheon)

The goal of the annual reception is to highlight the work of UCP/Detroit and to recognize community partners through the following awards:

The Life Without Limits Award recognizes a person or organization for accomplishments in assuring that people with disabilities can be included in society and experience all that life has to offer with the greatest degree of independence.  This award is given in the name of Kit McDonnell, a lifelong activist, UCP founder, mentor to many of us, and a person committed to life without limits for people with disabilities in a way that the rest of us can only hope to live up to.

The Community Partner Award recognizes a person or organization that has excelled in partnering with UCP to advance its mission and serve the interests of people with disabilities.  We lost a friend and longtime leader in the disability movement last year with the passing of Roger McCarville.  Roger was a community leader throughout the region, the state, and beyond, in his service, his advocacy, his media work on PBS, and above all in his passion.  He was true partner in the disability community and was himself honored by many organizations, and we honor his memory by recognizing an outstanding Community Partner. 

The Volunteer of the Year Award is established for the person that best exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism that is the basis on which UCP was founded.  Richard Beer was an inspiring example of volunteerism to many of us at UCP.  He took the experiences he had with his own disabilities, and the successes he had in his career and his life, and carried that forward in volunteer activities at the local and national level.