Press Releases: 2004 Releases

Kansas City Attorney Tom O’Donnell Named Chairman of the United Cerebral Palsy Board of Trustees (9/28/04)

New chairman has 30 years of advocacy experience within the disability community

Contact: Jim Baker
(202) 973-7114

Washington, D.C., September 28, 2004—United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), a leader in national disability issues, announced today the election of Tom O’Donnell as Chairman of the UCP Board of Trustees.

"It is a pleasure to be counted among so many outstanding volunteer leaders," said Tom O’Donnell. "And I am honored to lead the United Cerebral Palsy Board of Trustees as we continue to build our vision for the future."

Tom O’Donnell has been an advocate for people with disabilities for three decades. As a staff attorney for the National Center for Law and the Handicapped in the 1970’s, O’Donnell helped influence public policy related to the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, a law that later evolved into the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

As an attorney with Legal Aid of Western Missouri, he enlisted UCP of Kansas City to help pursue cases seeking to expand school accessibility for students with disabilities.

UCP of Kansas City recruited Mr. O’Donnell to join its board in 1982, which he eventually led as chairman. In the years since, he has served as a regional board vice-president, a national Trustee, and chairman of the Affiliate Services Committee. He was also deeply engaged in the reorganization of the national organization’s by-laws and board structure over the last two years.

Mr. O’Donnell is currently an attorney for the Kansas City based law firm Polsinelli Shalton Welte & Suelthaus, P.C. As legal counsel to a variety of health management organizations, he is an expert in state and federal managed care regulatory issues, development of provider contracts, and compliance issues including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

"We are fortunate to have such a distinguished leader and advocate leading our board," said Stephen Bennett, President and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy.

The United Cerebral Palsy Board of Trustees, in addition to its fiduciary responsibilities, oversees the long-term strategic vision and policy of the organization consistent with the organization’s mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.

About United Cerebral Palsy

United Cerebral Palsy is one of the nation’s leading organizations serving and advocating for the more than 54 million Americans with disabilities. Most UCP consumers are people with disabilities other than cerebral palsy. Through its nationwide network, United Cerebral Palsy offers services to individuals, families and communities, such as job training and placement, physical therapy, individual and family support, early intervention, social and recreation programs, community living, state and local referrals, and instruction on how to use technology to perform everyday tasks. For more information, call (800) 872-5827.

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