Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) is calling on the Australian government to support formal United Nations recognition of 6 October as World Cerebral Palsy Day, creating a permanent global platform to raise awareness, strengthen support and drive action for the 50 million people living with cerebral palsy worldwide.
Every year on 6 October, people in more than 100 countries come together to raise awareness of cerebral palsy, share their stories and call for meaningful change. In Australia, approximately 37,000 people live with CP, and around one in every 700 babies is diagnosed with CP.
World Cerebral Palsy Day began in 2012 as a joint initiative of Cerebral Palsy Alliance in Australia and United Cerebral Palsy from the United States.
Since then, it has grown into a global movement of 187 partners, reaching millions of people each year and bringing together people with cerebral palsy and their allies around a common goal, a more inclusive world where people with cerebral palsy have the same rights, access and opportunities as everyone else.
Cerebral palsy is the world’s most common lifelong physical disability, affecting movement and posture.
Yet it remains overlooked and underfunded, with many people with cerebral palsy continuing to face barriers to healthcare, education, employment, community participation and lifelong access to assistive technology and rehabilitation.
Research getting results
CPA has played a leading role in changing the future of cerebral palsy through world-leading research, prevention, early diagnosis and clinical leadership.
Over the past two decades, CPA and its research partners have helped drive a 40 per cent reduction in the rate and severity of cerebral palsy in Australia, while Australian research and clinical leadership are helping children receive earlier diagnosis and intervention, improving outcomes for people with cerebral palsy in Australia and around the world.
Through CPA leadership and support, Australian researchers developed the world’s first evidence-based early diagnosis guidelines, now used in more than 36 countries.
Australian-led research and advocacy have also supported the establishment of cerebral palsy registers in 14 low- and middle-income countries.
While instrumental in launching World Cerebral Palsy Day, CPA continues to champion the day and its founding purpose, to ensure people living with cerebral palsy are seen, heard and involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives.
Unique and united
This year’s World Cerebral Palsy Day theme, #UniqueANDUnited, celebrates the diversity and individuality of people with cerebral palsy while recognising the power of their collective voice. People with cerebral palsy are being asked to name the change they want to see, from accessible education and workplaces to greater recognition, inclusion and opportunity, turning 50 million individual voices into a global call for action.
For CPA CEO, Rob White, that change starts with formal UN recognition of 6 October as World Cerebral Palsy Day.
‘In 2012, World Cerebral Palsy Day was established to create a global platform to shine a light on cerebral palsy, celebrate the unique experiences and stories of the cerebral palsy community, and drive meaningful change.
‘This year, we are marking the 15th World Cerebral Palsy Day. What began as a shared vision has grown into a truly global movement. Now, we have an opportunity to build on that legacy and take the next step,’ he said.
‘Formal UN recognition would put cerebral palsy on the global agenda, creating a platform to strengthen international attention, build political support and generate momentum for greater action and investment in research, lifelong services, inclusion and opportunity for people with cerebral palsy.
‘We are championing this because 50 million people with cerebral palsy deserve to be recognised at the highest international level.’
People can register their support for formal UN recognition of World Cerebral Palsy Day at worldcpday.org/un. CPA is also inviting the cerebral palsy community to share the change they want to see and tag a local leader, business or community organisation who can help make it happen.
For more information on cerebral palsy or World Cerebral Palsy Day visit Cerebral Palsy Alliance or World Cerebral Palsy Day.
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