To a child or adult with disabilities, your donation opens up a world of possibilities.
What does it take to unlock the potential of more than 27,000 children and adults with disorders and injuries of the brain, spinal cord and musculoskeletal system?
At Kennedy Krieger Institute, it means leaving no stone unturned in our mission to turn disabilities into abilities. Between exceptional patient care, cutting-edge research, education programs, community initiatives and training more than 700 healthcare professionals a year, the Institute takes a multifaceted approach to empowering children and adults with special needs to thrive.
It also takes a community that’s not short on heroes. Since our founding in 1937, Kennedy Krieger has grown to a team of 2,500 employees, spread across 13 locations, who specialize in over 45 diverse brain, spinal cord and musculoskeletal disorders. Autism, cerebral palsy, brain injuries, Down syndrome, feeding disorders, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida and spinal cord injuries are just a few of the conditions we work to treat each and every day.
Most importantly, it takes help from compassionate people like you, who commit to standing by individuals with disabilities. Every gift we receive helps to transform a person’s life through our efforts in:
Patient Care
Being a child or adult with disabilities can be an incredibly isolating experience. We understand that it takes a village to unlock potential— and thanks to your generosity, each of the 27,000+ patients in our care has a dedicated, interdisciplinary team of specialists cheering them on every step of the way.
Your gift allows us to provide 24-hour inpatient programs, outpatient treatment, and home- and community-based services, taking a comprehensive approach that draws from science, medicine, therapy and education. Plus, your support allows us to make a difference early on, when it has the greatest impact on someone’s development.
For more information about the many patient care services offered by Kennedy Krieger Institute, please view our informational fact sheet. And for more information about our efforts made possible by generous people like you, please visit these pages:
Research & Training
Every day, our scientists and researchers work tirelessly to advance the understanding, treatment and prevention of neurological disorders, diseases and injuries.
Your support empowers our scientists to proudly lead the worldwide charge for innovations in imaging technology, genetic discoveries and bioinformatics. Translation? We’re breaking down barriers for individuals with special needs, one new medical discovery at a time— and we’re equally passionate about sharing our knowledge. Beyond published research, we also train more than 700 professionals a year to deliver life-changing care to children and adults across the globe.
Special Education
Due to highly complex disabilities, the students we serve overcome enormous challenges each and every day. Yet many also face even greater barriers when it comes to receiving the customized education they need.
At Kennedy Krieger, we’re firm believers that every mind matters. Thanks to heroes like you, we’re able to take a stand and advocate for kids with special needs, providing compassionate and cutting-edge educational programs that many families have been unable to find elsewhere, from our award-winning and nationally-recognized schools in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. to partnerships with public school systems.
Community Initiatives
At Kennedy Krieger, changemaking doesn’t end in the clinic or classroom. We believe true transformation happens when we extend our reach directly into the communities our children and adults live in. Outreach, education, training, early intervention support services, adaptive sports, access to resources and therapeutic foster care programs are just a few of the ways we help children and adults with special needs thrive outside the Institute’s walls.
The heart of these efforts is the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities (MCDD) at Kennedy Krieger Institute. By partnering with community organizations and state agencies to provide vital resources and services throughout Maryland, the center is dedicated to helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieve independence, productivity, and inclusion within their communities.