CPARF Turns 10 and STEPtember Is Bigger Than Ever!

Are you ready for STEPtember 2025?

We’re officially in double digits — CPARF is celebrating 10 years of funding groundbreaking cerebral palsy research and driving innovation forward. And there’s no better way to mark this milestone than with our biggest, boldest STEPtember yet.

Thanks to you, STEPtember has grown into a global movement that powers life-changing medical research and unlocks independence, opportunity, and accessibility for people with cerebral palsy. Whether you walked, rolled, danced, stretched, or cheered someone on — thank you for stepping up year after year.

This year, we’re honoring everything you’ve helped us build while turning the energy up to eleven. Based on your feedback, here’s what’s new for STEPtember 2025:

• A fresh new website look — with the same accessibility features and tools you’ve come to count on

• Weekly challenges — complete with exciting incentives and a grand prize

• Engagement activities all month long — to keep you motivated and moving in ways that work for you

We’re making this a celebration to remember — and we want YOU to be part of it. Register your interest today to be the first to know when registration opens this summer.

What Your Steps Have Powered

Because of your commitment, CPARF has been able to drive meaningful change in the lives of people with cerebral palsy. Here’s just a glimpse of the impact you’ve made possible:

Advancing Pain Research for Adults with CP

Dr. Amy Bailes at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is the Principal Investigator of a 2024 CPARF-funded study focused on standardizing procedures for screening and classifying pain in adults with CP. This study, conducted across four Cerebral Palsy Research Network institutions in the US, aims to identify a consistent set of procedures and apply them to a sample of more than 200 adults with CP. The goal is to better understand different types of pain and create a clear, effective protocol that can be used nationwide. Hear more about the project’s progress directly from Dr. Bailes and her colleague, Dr. Mary Gannotti, in our CPARF in Conversation series.

Empowering Independence Through Accessible Tech

The We Hear You team, part of CPARF’s technology accelerator, worked with a single mother to enhance her home’s accessibility by installing the Hero on her back door. This affordable modification empowers her 3-year-old son, who uses a wheelchair, to gain the independence he needs to explore his surroundings. With the ability to easily hit the fob on his wheelchair, he can come and go freely, enjoying playtime without constant assistance. This small but significant change not only fosters his sense of independence but also brings peace of mind to his mother, knowing that he can safely navigate in and out of their home while engaging in play. This transformational assistive technology exemplifies the commitment to creating inclusive environments that support the needs of children with disabilities and their families.

Let’s Keep Moving Forward

As medical research funding grows more uncertain, your support is more vital than ever. You’re not just fueling groundbreaking discoveries and life-changing assistive technology — you’re helping build a world that truly includes everyone. A world where accessibility and inclusion aren’t extras — they’re the standard. The world people with disabilities deserve.

We can’t wait to celebrate our 10th anniversary with you. Let’s keep moving, keep innovating, and keep working toward a world that includes everyone.

Let’s make STEPtember 2025 the best one yet. Register your interest today!