President Obama Announces New White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport, Office of the Press Secretary, June 16, 2009, Washington, D.C.
On June 16, 2009, President Barack Obama announced the formation of the White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport. This permanent White House office will promote the values of the Olympic Movement and encourage increased youth participation in athletics. The primary function of the Office will be to enhance awareness of the Olympic Movement through promotion of its fundamental principles at the federal level.
For more information, go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-Announces-New-White-House-Office-of-Olympic-Paralympic-and-Youth-Sport/.
2009 ADA Anniversary (19th) Tool Kit Available Online, July 26, 2009
The DBTAC - Network of ADA Centers is pleased to announce the release of the 2009 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Anniversary Tool Kit. [fix links]Together with Affiliate Networks and Partners, they have accomplished significant results toward voluntary ADA compliance. The Tool Kit captures collective achievements and offers informative materials designed to help you plan and publicize your ADA activities during the ADA Anniversary and throughout the year. The Tool Kit includes:
- Overview of the ADA and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008
- ADA - Findings, Purpose, and History
- The Americans with Disabilities Act from a Civil Rights Perspective
- Americans with Disabilities Act Resources and Publications
- Americans with Disabilities Act and Olmstead Resources
- ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) Summary and Resources
- Statistics You Can Use
- The White House Agenda on Disabilities
- Tips on Writing a News Release
- Sample Proclamation: ADA Anniversary
- National DBTAC Initiatives
The 2009 ADA Anniversary Tool Kit can be downloaded at http://adaanniversary.org/.
Every Body Can! Physical Activity Video Contest, American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR)
This new contest is a unique initiative designed to create and distribute inspiring videos that promote inclusive and adapted physical education and activity. Every Body Can! will promote, celebrate, or teach adapted or inclusive physical activity and raise awareness about physical opportunities and accomplishments of people with disabilities. Anyone can enter their videos in one of six categories: Disability Awareness, Lifelong Activity, Good Games, Effective Instruction, PSAs, or Wild Card. Winners will be announced at AAHPERD's 2010 Convention. Sponsorships are available.
To enter, go to http://www.aahperd.org/aapar. For more information, contact Sarah Snyder at (703) 476-3434.
New Article Focuses on ADA Compliance and Efforts to Make Fitness Facilities More Inclusive
Scanlin, A. (2009). The law of inclusion: ADA compliance. OnSite Fitness, 4(3), 26-28.
Excerpt: Facility accessibility is at the forefront of discussions for fitness managers. In a study published in 2005 in the American Journal of Public Health, an investigation into the accessibility of health clubs found that facilities have only low to moderate levels of accessibility - with issues ranging from ADA facility guidelines, to policies, staffing and equipment. In 2009, thanks to awareness, education, new types of equipment and strict Americans with Disabilities Act facility code compliance, the inclusion of all members is growing, and people of all abilities are finding their way to a healthier lifestyle.
The improvement in standards and steps we take to improve the lives of others is a great thing! After all, how would you feel if you were a person with a visual impairment and couldn't see the prompts to start a piece of equipment? Or utilized a wheelchair for mobility and couldn't find an arm ergometer to raise your heart rate and reap the rewards of cardiovascular exercise? "Fifty-four million Americans have some type of disability," says Amy Rauworth, MS, RCEP, Associate Director for the National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability. "This amounts to approximately one out of every five Americans or 20% of the population."
In a truly inclusive environment, the individual with the disability should be able to participate independently. They should be able to use lifts, restrooms, equipment - all without assistance. While this isn't always the case yet, we are working on it.
To view the full text of this article as well as the entire June/July Issue of OnSite Fitness, please visit: http://www.onsite-fitness.com/OSF_6_09_web.pdf