Find an Accessible Park See NCPAD's new online database on accessible parks at http://www.ncpad.org/directories/18/Parks. Log on to search for a park in your area. Park administrators and/or accessibility coordinators can also add their park-related information to this national database by accessing the same link. Contact Cheeri Ong at cheeri@uic.edu with questions.
Webinar on Physical Activity and Disability
On January 12th, NCHPAD hosted its first webinar (a web-based seminar) on partnering with states in the development of evidence-based programs in physical activity and disability. Go to http://www.ncpad.org/webinar/ and choose from a variety of formats, including text, graphic, outline, and handout versions.
Paralympic Winter Games to be Seen Worldwide
The Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games will mark the beginning of a new level of broadcasting coverage for Paralympic sport, establishing a unique opportunity to connect with a worldwide audience. It will be the first time that all sports of the Paralympic Winter Games can be seen worldwide via an Internet television channel. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will, in its capacity as an International Federation (IF) for 13 sports, also be the first IF to launch its own Internet television channel: http://www.paralympicsport.tv. The channel will be launched and fully operational beginning February 20, 2006.
Health Awareness Days
This month is Low Vision Awareness Month. Call 800-331-2020 or go to http://www.preventblindness.org for more information. See the NCHPAD factsheets on beep baseball (http://www.ncpad.org/26/251/Softball), fitness for individuals who are visually impaired, blind, and deaf-blind (http://www.ncpad.org/110/847/Fitness~for~Individuals~who~are~ Visually~Impaired~~Blind~~and~Deafblind), and nutrition for eye health (http://www.ncpad.org/337/1995/Food~Choices~for~your~Eyes~).
Celebrate Heart Health Month (800-242-8721, http://www.americanheart.org) and Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, February 11-18, 2006 (312-321-5146, http://www.aacvpr.org). Obtain information on specific exercises (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4563), and the new Love Your Heart cookbook at http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3001239.
Top 10 Arthritis Advances of 2005
According to the Arthritis Foundation, weight loss and exercise were one of the top 10 arthritis advances of 2005 found to bring about significant changes in arthritis treatment in reducing arthritis pain and the risk of loss of joint function. Read more at http://www.arthritis.org/resources/Top_Ten/2005/Summaries.asp.
Three Steps to Recognizing a Stroke
A person experiencing a stroke may suffer brain damage if people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Doctors are now recommending that bystanders ask the person to do the following tasks to identify a stroke:
1) Ask the individual to SMILE.
2) Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
3) Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE coherently.
If the individual has trouble with any of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.