Activity Highlights

2007 North Carolina Women's Health Report Card
The 2007 North Carolina Women's Health Report Card is a comprehensive summary of the state of women's health in North Carolina. The 2007 includes an insert on the health status of women with disabilities in North Carolina for the first time. This insert on Women with Disabilities in North Carolina highlights the many needs of women with disabilities and can guide our efforts to address the health disparities that exist between women with and without disabilities.

Partners include the NC Department of Health and Human Services, State Center for Health Statistics, NC Area Health Education Centers Program, NC Obstetrical & Gynecological Society, UNC Healthcare, UNC-CH School of Medicine, UNC-CH School of Public Health, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, and the Center for Women's Health Research at UNC and corporate sponsors AT&T and Talecris Biotherapeutics.

Read both reports
http://www.cwhr.unc.edu/

NC Association of Self Advocates Convention
For the past several years the NC Association of Self Advocates Convention has offered a health fair in partnership with the North Carolina Office on Disability and Health. The 2008 health fair, entitled “There’s Nothing more Important than Your Health", will be held Saturday, March 15 at the Winston Salem Convention Center. Stay tuned for more information.

Physical Activity and Recreation Initiative
NCODH staff is assisting the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability as subject matter experts in the development of a new certification program focuses on physical activity and disability. Stay tuned for more details.

NCODH has begun to work with INCO-RVC Community Rehabilitation Program in Henderson, NC to implement Work Healthy, Live Healthy, a work site health program for persons with disabilities. NCODH staff will assist INCO staff & consumers in establishing an agency Wellness Committee, regular opportunities for physical activity, and educational classes focused on healthy eating and physical activity at work.

Women's Health Initiative
Access for All: Implementing Fundamental Elements of Accessibility, funded by the NC Governor’s Crime Commission, is designed to improved accessibility of domestic violence and sexual assault services for women with disabilities. The project builds on prior GCC funded projects (2003-2005 and 2005-2007).

NCODH provided regional training workshops on the Women Be Healthy curriculum for the NC Community College System, Compensatory Education program. For more information contact Pam Dickens at 919-966-0871.

New Grant award 1,2,3: Breast Care Works has been awarded by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. This grant will develop developmentally appropriate breast health education material for women with intellectual disabilities.

During Spring 2007, NCODH will conduct 3 regional trainings about the Fundamental Elements of Accessibility for NC sexual assault and domestic violence agencies. Training will provide information and strategies regarding FEA implementation.

New Publications

Removing Barriers: Planning Meetings that are Accessible to all Participants
This publication highlights guidelines and strategies to help organizations make their meetings accessible and welcoming to people with disabilities. The guide focuses on small and last-minute meetings to make sure that a variety of participants are included in all aspects of organizational life. Download now (958KB)

A Provider's Guide for the Care of Women with Physical Disabilities & Chronic Medical Conditions (newly revised)
This guide, originally written by Dr. Sandra Welner, has been updated by Suzanne C. Smeltzer, RN, EdD, FAAN and Nancy C. Sharts-Hopko, RN, PhD, FAAN. The guide is designed for clinicians to improve their knowledge and practice in providing care to women with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions. It includes information on access to general medical care, removing common barriers, comprehensive reproductive health care and health promotion and wellness.Download PDF (164KB) or read online

A 4-lecture online course, “Strengthening Your Agency’s Emergency Plan to Address the Needs of Individuals with Disabilities” developed by NCODH is posted on the training site of the NC Center for Public Health Preparedness at the NC Institute for Public Health. To date there have been over 100 completions of the modules by participants from across the country. Take the course now!