Thousands Offered For Disability Innovations

Thousands Offered For Disability Innovations

In 2012, UCP, our affiliates and global partners joined together to establish the first annual World Cerebral Palsy Day, an international day of awareness about cerebral palsy. As part of the day, we introduced the “Change my World in 1 Minute” contest. We asked people with disabilities from around the world to create a one-minute video telling us what could be created, developed or modified, that would change their world and how. We received a staggering 500 submissions, and from this incredibly diverse pool, a specially appointed committee selected three ideas as finalists: a solar-powered wheelchair, a fold-up motorized wheelchair, and a documentary about people living with cerebral palsy in the 21st century.
 

The next phase of the “Change my World in 1 Minute” contest is the most exciting; we are challenging, the world’s inventors, craftsmen, makers and hackers, tinkerers and anyone who thinks they can bring one of these ideas to life, to compete for a share of a $25,000 prize. So if you or someone you know could build or create one of these ideas, let us know! We are so excited about this contest—not only will we get to see the world’s creativity at work, but the final products will make a significant difference in the lives of people living with disabilities.

For the estimated 57 million Americans and 650 million people around the world living with

 disabilities, World CP Day and the “Change my World in 1 Minute” contest is more than just

 a single day or awareness or a cash prize. It is a daily recognition of their lives—and the need

 to increase accessibility and independence for everyone.  It’s an innovative approach for a 

nonprofit: Asking for ideas instead of dollars. Then  rewarding the people who can make 

those ideas a reality. 

To read more, please click on the above title.

To access the CDR Library catalog, please click on this link.