NCHPAD NEWS & PRODUCTS
Flash Video Library: Visit NCPAD's new Flash video library and gallery at our home page (www.ncpad.org).
Tetraplegia Video Clip: Go to http://www.ncpad.org/369/2068/Exercise~Program~for~Individuals~with~Spinal~Cord~Injuries~~
Tetraplegia~VHS~DVD~~~~Quick~Series~Booklet to preview a video clip and obtain pricing information of the this second exercise video produced by NCHPAD and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), with funding for duplication and distribution provided by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Aerobic, strengthening, and flexibility/cool-down segments are featured.
NCPAD's Online Request Page: Visit NCPAD's new online request page at www.ncpad.org/contact/ to request information on the topics of physical activity, fitness, recreation, and sports for people with various disabilities and chronic conditions.
MyNCPAD: Customize this new NCHPAD resource for your needs at http://www.ncpad.org/loginMyncpad. Track daily movement, heart rate, and body mass index, and design a personalized exercise program.
NCHPAD Forums: Click on http://www.ncpad.org/phpBB/ to network, find equipment, locate community resources, and gather information about grants and articles, as well as best practices and exercise adherence suggestions.
NCHPAD Products: Visit often for an array of new products at http://www.ncpad.org/ShopIndex.
HEALTH OBSERVANCES
- Celebrate Healthy Aging Month. Obtain good ideas on physical, social, financial, and mental wellness at www.healthyaging.net. Access NCHPAD factsheet on balance and flexibility exercises (http://www.ncpad.org/121/938/First~Steps~to~Active~Health~~Balance~and~Flexibility~
Exercises~for~Older~Adults)and video clips on seated strengthening (http://www.ncpad.org/2/1361/Seated~Strengthening~Exercises) and seated stretching (http://www.ncpad.org/11/43/Seated~Stretching).
- September is also America on the Move Month of Action. YMCAs throughout the U.S. are sponsoring special activities. Go to www.americaonthemove.org for details.
- International Walk to School Day will be celebrated October 4, 2006. Communities around the world are using Walk to School Day as an opportunity to promote physical activity, obesity prevention, and pedestrian safety and to strengthen connections among families, schools, and the broader community. Become involved by: 1) Asking local partners to promote or coordinate Walk to School events in their communities and to register their event on the Walk to School website at www.walktoschool.org; 2) Registering on the Walk to School website as a resource person for organizers conducting events in your state; and 3) Helping coordinate a Walk to School event. Go to http://www.walktoschool.org/downloads/WTSDbooklet.pdf, http://www.walktoschool.org/, www.walktoschool.org/register for more information.
- Celebrate National Recess Week, September 18-22, 2006. To call attention to the importance of daily recess for elementary school students, the Cartoon Network has declared the week of September 18-22 as National Recess Week. Held in partnership with leading child advocacy groups including National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), the National Parent Teacher Association, National Education Association, and Hands on Network, the event has a goal of encouraging schools to support and celebrate recess. Schools may register to participate at www.RescuingRecess.com. Each kit will contain a variety of activity ideas, games, and playground equipment such as red rubber balls, street chalk, whistles, and jump ropes, plus instructions on how to hold a recess rally.
- Eat your fruits and vegetables during Fruit and Vegetable Month (www.5ADay.gov)! See NCHPAD features on this topic at http://www.ncpad.org/376/2118/5-A-Day~is~just~the~Beginning~ and http://www.ncpad.org/259/1674/The~5~to~9-A-Day~Challenge. Also, observe National Food Safety Education Month to learn how to keep your food clean and hygienic (www.nraef.org).
- September is National Cholesterol Education Month at http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/cholmonth/, and September 24 is World Heart Day at www.worldhealthday.com. Take care of yourself and become educated! See the NCHPAD factsheet on Congestive Heart Failure at http://www.ncpad.org/349/2029/Congestive~Heart~Failure.
- Cancer Awareness: September is Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Month (www.lls.org), Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (www.ovarian.org), Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (www.pcacoalition.org), and Childhood Cancer Month (www.candlelighters.org). NCHPAD factsheets include cancer and exercise (http://www.ncpad.org/163/1255/Cancer~and~Exercise) and breast cancer and exercise (http://www.ncpad.org/31/216/Breast~Cancer).
- National Pain Awareness Month information can be obtained at http://www.theacpa.org/default.aspx, and see NCHPAD resources at http://www.ncpad.org/281/1784/Primer~on~Pain.
OTHER NEWS
New "Where Do the Children Play?" Website
This spring, in conjunction with "Where Do the Children Play?" (a public television documentary), Roundtable will launch a national initiative to help communities expand universal access to outdoor play and recreation. A Community Campaign and a National Dialogue Initiative will engage organizations, community groups, and concerned citizens throughout the country in an effort to address local barriers such as sprawl, violence, and lack of access in order to improve the healthy educational and emotional development of children. For more information, go to www.childrenplay.org.
Canemasters
The goal of this organization is to build a powerful resource for the rapidly growing community of people who are interested in learning how to use the cane for self-defense and exercise. Go to www.canemasters.com to learn more.
Opportunity for Success Ride
On October 1, 2006, on the first day of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Hire Disability Solutions will sponsor Jeff Klare as he embarks on a 300-mile bike ride from New York City to Washington, D.C., to promote the employment of individuals with disabilities. Learn more and become involved at http://www.hireds.com/Login.
ExerSCIzing Blog
ExerSCIzing provides daily online updates regarding one woman's tremendous efforts in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, integrating exercise, and managing secondary conditions as a person with SCI. ExerSCIzing author Pam Mackie lives with C6/7 tetraplegia and has been using a wheelchair for mobility since 1987. The blog has provided Ms. Mackie an outlet to share information regarding SCI secondary conditions, exercise, and general health topics through personal stories. To visit the blog, go to http://rrtc-sci.livejournal.com/.
O & P Extremity Games
The O&P Extremity Games by College Park is an extreme amateur sporting competition for individuals living with limb loss or limb difference. Organized to raise awareness of the ability of amputees to compete in extreme sports, the O&P Extremity Games allows participants to demonstrate skill, persistence, and passion while competing in various events for cash and other prizes. In this initial year, amputees could compete in rock climbing, wakeboarding, BMX biking, and skateboarding for a $5,000 first-place cash prize. Go to http://www.extremitygames.com/ to learn more.
New Online Resource for Rebuilding Accessible Communities
A new initiative is underway to promote accessibility in the rebuilding of communities destroyed by last year's hurricanes. Rebuilding Accessible Communities, a joint venture of the ADA Technical Assistance Centers and the Access Board, is focused on developing and distributing guidance on achieving accessibility in reconstruction projects. Under this program, a new website (http://www.adata.org)
has been launched to disseminate information prepared and collected to date.
Disability Accessible Microtel Inn & Suites
Microtel Inn & Suites earns Emerging Horizons gem status for their continued effort to make all of its properties accessible. All Microtel properties are newly constructed and there are no access "surprises," such as those you will find in other retrofitted hotels. And, according to a recent press release, "In order to better serve travelers with disabilities, Microtel Inns & Suites, now provides 'Access Microtel' pamphlets, 'Accessible Fitness' bags, and Upper Body Ergometers." http://www.microtelinn.com/ada/