The project team would like to learn if you have received services such as "routine physical exams", "cholesterol checks", "blood pressure checks", "pneumonia shots", "breast exams", "mammograms", etc. Please complete this very short (under 5 minutes) poll at http://www.disabilityguide.org/cdc_onlinepoll.html.

Are you an older adult with arthritis? If so, you may have the opportunity to join a University of Illinois at Chicago exercise research study. The free exercise program fosters independent living through strength training, walking, and education. Physical therapists lead the program. You will also be interviewed at regular intervals for a period of two years. Call 312-413-9810 to find out if you are eligible and for additional information.

BlazeSports is a comprehensive program consisting of year-round local programs delivered by the community recreation provider, including state-level sport camps, clinics, junior teams, and regional competitions sponsored by USDAF.

BlazeSports has a variety of sports camps in July and August. For more information about any of these activities, visit BlazeSports' Web site at http://www.blazesports.com.

Abilities Expo, the leading show dedicated to educating and improving the lives of people with disabilities, senior citizens, and caregivers, is a great place for people with disabilities to discover new products and services. Products are conveniently displayed for you to see, test, and compare. The expo also hosts a series of free workshops and seminars.

Shows are held at several locations nationally: Metro Detroit, September 17-19; Northern California, November 12-14.

View additional information at http://www.abilitiesexpo.com/.

The International Paralympic Committee is hosting an International Paralympic Symposium on Disability Rights on September, 17, 2004 in the Athenaeum Intercontinental Hotel, Athens, Greece. The event aims at underlining the human rights of persons with a disability and promoting the right to inclusion in society and sport. The event is especially timely regarding work towards a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability.

Please RSVP by August 13 to Bart Schell at bart.schell@paralympic.org.

From Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, people with disabilities, researchers, family members, service providers, disability advocates, staff of federal, state, and local government agencies and students from New Mexico, the Southwest, and the nation will come together to learn from each other, share ideas and the latest research findings, and discuss and debate current policies and issues concerning disability and health.

A special mini-theme will explore health-related aspects of disability, including promoting the health of people with disabilities, assessing the impact of disability on health, and evaluating health and disability.

Dr. James Rimmer, director of NCPAD, will be one of the keynote speakers.

For more information, see the conference Web site at http://cdd.unm.edu.

To be held Nov. 11-13 in Orlando, FL, this conference will feature the latest market research on the mature population, world-class speakers, and more than 100 educational workshops, new activity sessions, and special events. The conference will also offer an unique opportunity to learn from and network with other professionals from such diverse fields as fitness, recreation, retirement, assisted living, rehabilitation, medicine, and wellness - all under one roof.

To view a conference schedule, learn about speakers, and find information about hotels and conference fees, go to http://www.icaa.cc or call the ICAA toll-free at 866-335-9777. To obtain a downloadable application form, go to http://www.icaa.cc.

The Disability and Health Team of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announces an opening for PhD level Senior Health Economist. This science position supports the team's intramural research activities regarding the health of people with disabilities and the prevention of secondary conditions among people with disabilities. The health economist will investigate the cost, cost-benefit, cost effectiveness, and cost utility of disability and health and the prevention of secondary conditions. Working with other scientists, the health economist will address specific populations, including people with mobility impairments, sensory impairments, and/or intellectual disabilities.

Investigations may address the costs of obesity, poor conditioning, depression, and injury among people with disabilities; aging with a disability; family caregiving; employment and health; environmental barriers and supports; and/or specific topics related to children, adults, and older people experiencing disabilities.

The scientist in this position is expected to contribute to the knowledge of disability and health and the prevention of secondary conditions as a part of an intramural research team. The scientist is expected to collaborate intramurally and extramurally to produce new knowledge and to publish in peer reviewed journals and present findings before national audiences.

The candidate would be expected to be proficient in SAS, SUDAAN, and SPSS, and familiar with large population based data sets including the Health Interview Survey, NHANES, and/or SIPP.

Salary range for GS 14 in Atlanta: $83,709 to 108,823. The position will be posted in late summer and filled late summer-early fall 2004.

Epidemiologist & Health Scientist, GS 13

The Disability and Health Team of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announces two or more openings for PhD level Health Scientists. These science positions support the team's intramural research activities addressing the health of people with disabilities and the prevention of secondary conditions among people with disabilities. Specific investigations focus on people with mobility impairments, sensory impairments, and/or intellectual disabilities; surveillance among people with disabilities; health disparities between people with and without disabilities; increased risk for such conditions as obesity, poor conditioning, depression, and injury among people with disabilities; aging with a disability; family caregiving; employment and health; environmental barriers and supports; and specific topics related to children, adults, and older people experiencing disabilities.

Scientists in these positions will be expected to contribute to the knowledge of disability and health and the prevention of secondary conditions as a part of an intramural research team. Scientists are expected to collaborate intramurally and extramurally to produce new knowledge and to publish in peer reviewed journals and present findings before national audiences.

Epidemiologist: The Disability and Health Team will be seeking one epidemiologist with strong analytical skills in population-based data sets. The candidate would be expected to be proficient in SAS, SUDAAN, and SPSS, and familiar with large population based data sets including the Health Interview Survey-Disability Supplement, 1994 Health Interview Survey Supplement on Aging, NHANES, and/or SIPP.

Health Scientist: The team is also seeking at least one PhD level scientist with a strong background in disability research. The candidate for this position would be expected to be well versed and well regarded as an investigator in disability science. Candidates would be expected to be knowledgeable in mobility impairment, sensory impairment, or intellectual disability. Interests in children, adults, or older people with disabilities are welcomed.

Salary range for GS 13 in Atlanta: $70,837 to 92,090. Positions will be posted in late summer and filled late summer early fall 2004.

For more information contact: John E Crews, DPA, Lead Scientist, Disability and Health Team, Jcrews@cdc.gov; 404-498-3013.

NuStep Inc., a growing Ann Arbor company that designs, manufactures, and sells wellness and fitness products, plans to hire a Research Coordinator to conduct original scientific research as well as coordinate external research projects by leading researchers. The chosen candidate will conduct research in the areas of stroke, cardiac, obesity, and aging, and write grants for funding, publish and present data, stay connected with the scientific community, and run an exercise lab. Qualifications must include a Master's degree in exercise physiology, exercise science, or a related field, and preferably a Doctorate degree; three years' practical experience in scientific research and current or future certification from the ACSM; and excellent communication and presentation skills. If you want to join other friendly, fitness-minded people in a smoke-free, picturesque environment, e-mail your resume, a cover letter, and salary history to jbrant@nustep.com.

Full or part time position for strength training research study. Baccalaureate degree required. Background in exercise science with ACSM certification preferred. Responsibilities entail data collection including tests of physical performance, subject recruitment, and screening. Prior experience with patients is highly desirable. Send resume to Peggy Covey: University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 S. Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60612, F:312-996-4979, or e-mail: mkcovey@uic.edu. No calls. For fullest consideration apply by 8/26/04.

The School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago, through the Health Research and Policy Centers, is currently accepting applications for postdoctoral fellowships in Gerontological Public Health. This training program is sponsored by the National Institute on Aging and provides funding support for 2-3 years for postdoctoral trainees.

This is an integrated multidisciplinary program with academic faculty and researchers in public health, gerontology, geriatrics, epidemiology, biostatistics, psychology, sociology, disability and human development, medicine, and occupational therapy. The goal of the program is to develop highly trained future faculty and researchers in health and aging. This program focuses on developing research skills through mentoring, a comprehensive curriculum, presentations and publications, and internal workshops and seminars. Fellows will be matched with a faculty mentor working in their area of interest for intensive training, collaboration, and scholarship.

Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. For more information, go to http://www.uic.edu or contact Thomas R. Prohaska, Ph.D., Gerontological Public Health Training Program Director, Center for Research on Health and Aging (MC 275), 1747 W. Roosevelt Rd., Room 558, Chicago, IL 60608, e-mail: prohaska@uic.edu, T: 312-413-9830, F: 312-413-9835.

Parent Public Policy Fellowship Program:

Parents or close family members of a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities are invited to submit applications for a one-year fellowship in Washington, DC, to learn how legislation is initiated, developed, and passed by Congress or how programs are administered and regulations promulgated by federal agencies. Candidates should have solid policy experience in state level advocacy, education, development of community supports and services, or similar areas, beyond the level to benefit solely the candidate's own child. Salaried experience in the field is NOT a requirement.

Professional Public Policy Fellowship Program:

Mid-career professionals in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities are invited to submit applications for a one-year fellowship in Washington, DC, to observe and participate in federal public policy development through work as staff of a congressional committee or federal agency. Outstanding policy experience is sought in: 1) state-level advocacy; 2) education, law, economics, criminal justice, international issues, child welfare or other social services, housing, community organizing, etc.; 3) health or mental health care policy affecting persons with intellectual disabilities; or 4) development of family support services.

The deadline for both programs is September 1. Address questions about either program to Jill Fosse at 301-565-5476 and for application details, see the announcement at http://www.jpkf.org.

Nickelodeon, which is celebrating its landmark 25th anniversary this year, supports television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines, and feature films. Launched in June 2003, the multi-platform "Let's Just Play" campaign is Nickelodeon's national, grassroots effort to get kids more physically active and to encourage more positive, healthy, and playful lifestyles for kids across America.

Nickelodeon's pro-social "Let's Just Play" campaign, which celebrates active, healthy lifestyles for kids, is announcing its first call for entries for a newly established "Let's Just Play" grants program, offering a half-million dollars in awards to schools and after-school programs to provide resources to create and expand opportunities for physical play. Elementary schools, middle schools and after-school programs across the country are eligible to enter the grants program by participating in "Let's Just Play" events within their own local communities. Criteria for entries, step-by-step details about how to apply, postmark date of November 1, and other information are now available at www.everythingnick.com. An interesting grant application would be to target children with disabilities, who usually have a much higher level of physical inactivity and social isolation.

For more information, contact Lauren Sklar, T: 212-846-7653, e-mail: Lauren.sklar@nick.com, and Nancy Muldoon, T: 212-846-7491, e-mail: nancy.muldoon@nick.com.

RYKÄ, the only performance athletic footwear brand in the world dedicated exclusively to women, and the Women's Sports Foundation announced year three of the RYKÄ Women's Fitness Grant program, dedicated to supporting organizations and programs that enhance women's lives through health and fitness.

The grant provides financial assistance to fitness programs that: 1) empower and enhance the self-esteem of women aged 25 and older, 2) combine fitness activities and health education, and/or 3) serve women recovering from health and/or emotional challenges. One $10,000 grant and eight $5,000 grants will be awarded.

The RYKÄ Women's Fitness Grant application is currently available via http://www.ryka.com and http://www.WomensSportsFoundation.org, or by calling the Foundation at 800-227-3988. Completed applications must be received on or before August 16, 2004.

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), a national non-profit cross-disability member organization, invites applications for the 2004 Paul G. Hearne-AAPD Leadership Awards program. The deadline is September 10.

Up to three people with disabilities who are emerging as leaders in their respective fields will be awarded $10,000 each through the program to help them continue their progress and development as leaders. They also will have an opportunity to meet and network with national disability leaders at the AAPD Leadership Gala in Washington, DC, in early 2005.

For complete application instructions and information on past awardees go to http://www.aapd-dc.org/awards/awards04/hearne_app04.html, or for additional requests for proposals in Disability, click on http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_disabled.jhtml.