"A Cup of Health with CDC" Weekly Broadcast: Physical Activity is Important for Adults Who Have Disabilities

NCHPAD was recently mentioned on "A Cup of Health with CDC", a weekly broadcast of the MMWR, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Dr. Brian Armour, a health scientist in CDC's Division of Human Development and Disability, visited the show to discuss research findings on physical activity among people who have disabilities. The report, "Physical Activity Among Adults with a Disability - United States, 2005", can be found in MMWR, October 5, 2007, Vol, 56, No. 39, and summarizes the results of data from the 2005 BRFSS which determined that, compared with adults without a disability, a smaller proportion of adults with a disability met national recommendations for physical activity. Visit: http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=6889#transcript to listen to the podcast or to read a transcript of the show.

November is "Boundless PLAYATHON® Month"

Can you remember the last time you gathered with your family and friends to play SCRABBLE, CONNECT FOUR, CHUTES AND LADDERS, OPERATION and TWISTER? Now is the time to bring your family and friends together to "play for a cause" and help make a difference in the lives of children of all abilities. A PLAYATHON® event is a great way for families and children of all ages to raise funds for Boundless Playgrounds, while playing and having fun. Hasbro Children's Fund is proud to offer this innovative fundraising tool to its philanthropic partners and Boundless Playgrounds is delighted to be one of Hasbro's partners.

Here's how your family can get involved:

• Act fast. A limited number if PLAYATHON® kits are available on a first come, first-served basis.
• Agree to host a PLAYATHON® event to support Boundless Playgrounds during the month of November by contacting Denise Robidoux, Boundless Playgrounds' Development Manager, by emailing drobidoux@boundlessplaygrounds.org or calling 860.243.8315, ext. 120
• After you receive your PLAYATHON® kit, get started by accepting pledges for playing from your family and friends, then gather everyone for an exciting time of fun and games

Please note: Kits (including games and how to host your PLAYATHON® event instructions) are available in age ranges of 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and teen/adult.

NEW Features on Thera-BandAcademy.com

With the recent acquisition of Biofreeze® products, The Hygenic Corporation has been working on upgrades to the Academy with new features to enhance your online experience.

Our newest feature is the new Online Portal section. These portals are "micro-sites" that gather information and resources on one topic into one convenient web page. Each portal features folders containing links to information organized into topics such as research, exercises, and workshops. Portals also offer specialized search functions to find the information you want quickly.

In addition to our new portals, the Academy is now requiring registration to view resources. Access to the entire Academy is still free, and registration will only take a minute to set up your email and password. When you log-in, you'll have full access to research, exercises, articles and clinical toolkits. Registration also lets you tailor your preferences by opting in or out of specific features such as newsletters, workshop information, and product news.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Phil Page at: ppage@thera-band.com.

Membership Discount on new Disability and Health Journal

The inaugural issue of the scholarly, scientific, multidisciplinary and peer-reviewed Disability and Health Journal is scheduled for the first quarter of 2008. In anticipation of its launch, AAHD is offering a discount on memberships through December 31, 2007. To learn more about AAHD membership, please go to http://www.aahd.us/page.php?pname=contact/membership to fill out and submit a membership form to AAHD.

Jr. Olympic Skills Competition

Sign up now for a FREE basketball, soccer, tennis and track & field skills competition. Open to any youth organization, school/ PE class, parent and/or coach in your community. Children with physical and visual disabilities are also encouraged to participate in the program. Details on how to incorporate kids with physical and visual disabilities in the program are included in the Junior Olympic Skills administrative kit.

Host 1, 2, 3 and/or all 4 sporting events - basketball, soccer, tennis and track & field. Facility requirements: a basketball hoop for basketball; a wall for tennis; an open field for soccer and track & field. A free administrative kit is provided to each Local Qualifying Event host, complete with information/materials necessary to host a competition. Details on how to incorporate kids with physical and visual disabilities in the program are included in the Junior Olympic Skills administrative kit.

Athletic equipment is also included. Sign up today at www.jrolympicskills.com. For more information please contact: Jr. Olympic Skills National Headquarters, 770-641-5096 or email: joskills@usoc.org.