Physical Activity and Exercise

Importance of Physical Activity and Exercise
Physical
Activity and Sport for People with Disabilities: Symposium and Strategic
Planning
The Athletic Equity Symposium held in June 2011 brought together
diverse academic, administrative, organization, and education experts as well
as advocates and athletes with disabilities to discuss policy issues and changes
that can be made at the national, state and local levels to ensure full participation
of children, youth and young adults in sports and physical activity. A strategic
plan was created to accomplishing the goal of full participation in sports and
physical activity. Click
here to read these proceedings and the strategic plan from the meeting.
The last page of the proceedings document contains links to other resource documents
used to inform the discussion.
Proceedings
and Strategic Plan
Symposium
Agenda
Overview
of the Inclusive Fitness Coalition
Presentation
by Jim Rimmer
The Office of the Surgeon General. This office of the US Department of Health and Human Services has much information related to physical activity and health for all people. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/ Some of the reports and information for and about individuals with disabilities includes:
Surgeon General’s report on Physical Activity and Health
The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability(NCPAD) has a section on the “Rationale and benefits of Sport Participation for Youth of all Abilities” and the “Parents Roles in Facilitating and Supporting an Active Lifestyle for a Child with a Disability” containing information on the benefits of, the need for parent support and resources on physical activity for youth with disabilities http://www.ncpad.org/lifetime/fact_sheet.php?sheet=449
http://www.ncpad.org/lifetime/
Physical Activities
Move Experience Engage
An exciting new publication that is a calendar of 365 activities designed to be used by individuals providing services to adults with developmental disabilities in community-based residential facilities. It includes a variety of fun and engaging activities like exercises, cooking and community activities that will help promote health and a sense of well being. A list of exercises and photographs illustrating the exercises is also included.
The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) has information on groups for adapted sports http://www.ncpad.org/lifetime/fact_sheet.php?sheet=450§ion=2410
And for information about developmental disabilities and fitness http://www.ncpad.org/disability/fact_sheet.php?sheet=117§ion=928
Resources and Links
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind. Provides information and activities
for children who have blindness or low vision. http://www.clb.org/
Inclusive Fitness Coalition (IFC). The IFC addresses need to support
all people with disabilities in the
sports and physical activity to keep them healthy and active.
The IFC creates
a unified effort to increase access to and participation
in physical activity for youth, adults and seniors with
physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities. http://www.incfit.org/
Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Inc sponsors
Youth Athletic Programs (YAO) and Adapted Sports. Click
here for more information or http://hscsn-net.org/node/34
National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD). Information center on physical activity and disability across the lifespan.
http://www.ncpad.org/
Special Olympics. Organization that empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate in their communities through activities and sports. http://www.specialolympics.org/ They have local chapters including the District of Columbia http://www.specialolympicsdc.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40427
DC Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Therapeutic Recreation provides recreation and athletic programs for all ages and abilities. http://dpr.dc.gov/dpr/cwp/view,a,1241,q,640853.asp
Access and Imagination Stage
Imagination stage offers classes for children with all abilities to access arts
and movement. Some classes are designed for specific groups including children
who are deaf and hard of hearing.
http://www.imaginationstage.org/fall2009/access-a-inclusion