STEPtember 2026: Move With Purpose for Cerebral Palsy

Each September, people worldwide commit to getting active in their own way, including walking, cycling, dancing, swimming, or rolling in their wheelchairs.

What began in Australia has grown into a global movement that raises awareness and funds for cerebral palsy (CP). The challenge encourages people to move in ways that work for them while supporting efforts to improve life for people with disabilities.

For STEPtember 2026, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation (CPARF) is focusing on health and well-being while raising funds to make life-changing assistive technology more accessible and affordable for people with disabilities.

STEPtember 2026 gives longtime supporters and first-time participants a chance to move with purpose, raise awareness, and support greater accessibility and independence for people with disabilities.

What Is STEPtember​?

STEPtember is a global fitness and fundraising campaign that takes place every September to support people with all types of cerebral palsy.

It was created by Cerebral Palsy Alliance in Australia and is now led in the United States by CPARF, with partner organizations running campaigns worldwide.

Participants aim for the equivalent of 10,000 steps a day, but the event is designed to be inclusive. Activities such as swimming, dancing, yoga, and wheelchair rolling can also count toward daily goals.

The purpose of STEPtember is to raise awareness and generate donations that support better health outcomes and help make assistive technology more accessible and affordable for people with disabilities.

The Impact of STEPtember

The money raised through STEPtember gives CPARF the resources to fund real change. These efforts include medical studies, new technology, and programs that support families.

One CPARF-funded project focused on pain in people living with CP. Doctors at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital are leading a study to create a clear standard for how pain is identified and treated. This work could help adults with CP across the country get the care they need.

Technology is another area where STEPtember donations can make an impact. CPARF’s Remarkable US accelerator supports innovators developing assistive technology for people with disabilities.

The program helps promising products move forward through mentorship, user testing, and other support, with the goal of making life-changing technology more accessible and affordable.

How Does STEPtember Work​?

STEPtember is simple to join and flexible enough that anyone can participate at any time in September. The campaign is designed to keep people moving, raise awareness, and collect donations that benefit cerebral palsy research and support programs.

Here’s how the STEPtember challenge​ works:

• Register online through CPARF as an individual, with a team, or through your workplace.
• Pick your activities from more than 80 options that convert into daily steps, including walking, swimming, yoga, wheelchair workouts, or even physical therapy.
• Log your movement on the STEPtember website, app, or connect a fitness device to track your activity automatically. You can log steps through October 6, 2026.
• Fundraise as you go by sharing your personal or team page with friends, family, and colleagues who can donate in support of your challenge.
• Join anytime in September. Even if you start late, your participation still counts, and you can log steps through the end of the month.
• See your impact grow as the funds you raise go toward CP research, assistive technology, and services for families affected by cerebral palsy.

This model makes STEPtember accessible to everyone and ensures every participant can contribute in a way that works best for them.

Join the STEPtember Challenge​

At the Cerebral Palsy Guide, we support STEPtember because it builds community, raises awareness of cerebral palsy, and directs funds toward research and services that help improve lives.

Families, friends, and workplaces across the country take part each year, showing that small daily actions can add up to lasting impact.

By joining the challenge, you can stand with families affected by CP and join a global effort to break barriers and build a stronger future.

For families whose child’s condition may be linked to complications at birth, our team can be an additional resource. Call us at (855) 220-1101 to learn how we may be able to help.

Written by:Cerebral Palsy Guide

Cerebral Palsy Guide was founded upon the goal of educating families about cerebral palsy, raising awareness, and providing support for children, parents, and caregivers affected by the condition. Our easy-to-use website offers simple, straightforward information that provides families with medical and legal solutions. We are devoted to helping parents and children access the tools they need to live a life full of happiness