End of Year Letter from Joseph M. Pancari
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Every December is an opportunity for reflection and celebration. As we prepare holiday events, we are assisting 1,000 families through direct support, expanding and transforming opportunities for persons with disabilities in New York, and inspiring countless more across the country.
This year, innovation and development were the two themes that represented our efforts. There were advancements big and small that contributed to greater access and mobility, improved speech and communication, dedicated legislation and action, and awareness-building advocacy work that collectively benefitted millions of our neighbors. Behind each breakthrough is the energy and commitment of our 2,200+ person CPU Family.
In 2024, the CPU team sought to grow our sphere of influence and initiated a partner and publicity plan to help support those goals. In conjunction with the University of Illinois, we joined the Speech Accessibility Project to inform technological interventions and home devices such that they can more accurately work with persons with disabilities. This built on our previous work on Google’s “Project Euphonia” and the Agency will always look to enlighten smart solutions wherever possible. Our collaboration with Cooper Union University via New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc. (NYSID) helped engineer and pilot an emergency wheel locking device to increase safety and reliability for people who use wheelchairs. In the Bronx we welcomed the Creative Lifestyles cohort, as we brought their network under the CPU umbrella while adding expertise to develop our team.
Media-wise, this was a year where the enhanced profile of CP Unlimited shone in the spotlight. CP Unlimited published op-eds in support of the “Traveling with Dignity” Act—the bill was inspired by CPU self-advocates—and disability rights while providing expert commentary in a variety of national publications on how businesses can better accommodate people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in service to a more inclusive and reflective workforce. Further, our “Staten Island Disability News” television program welcomed over a dozen guests to highlight fascinating stories and individuals from the disability field. Truly, 2024 brought CPU to a new level of leadership and prominence.
All of what we do is motivated by our shared promise to the people we support, and we thank you for being a part of these efforts. On behalf of CP Unlimited, we wish you a new year of health, happiness, and success.
Sincerely,
Joseph M. Pancari
President & CEO
