Physical Activity and Recreation
Everyone, including people with disabilities, can enjoy the numerous physical, psychological, and social benefits of physical activity. According to the 2005 North Carolina Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), people with disabilities are less likely to engage in regular moderate physical activity than people without disabilities, yet they have a similar, and sometimes greater, need for health promotion and disease prevention opportunities. The NCODH has implemented several projects that are designed to enhance opportunities for persons with disabilities to engage in physical activity.
One way to encourage people to be physically active is by removing barriers to fitness opportunities and improving the accessibility of fitness facilities. NCODH has developed a community-centered training model based on the NCODH publication Removing Barriers to Health Clubs & Fitness Facilities: A Guide for Accommodating All Members, Including People with Disabilities and Older Adults. The goal is to create fitness environments that are accessible, safe, and supportive of persons of all abilities. Fitness and recreation professionals, persons with disabilities, disability organizations, and community residents play key roles in the implementation of this model. Training involves an onsite workshop at a community fitness facility, an accessibility survey and development of a plan of action to remove identified barriers. Sites that have participated in the community training have included YMCAs, hospital wellness centers, community recreation centers, commercial gyms, and senior centers. View more detailed information (54KB). View a portion of our Fitness Facilities Accessibility Survey and a sample plan of action, (27KB). If you would like to host a FREE, on-site, training, including an accessibility survey of your facility, contact Chris Mackey at 919-966-0865 or chris_mackey@unc.edu
In recent years, public health has increasingly recognized the value of worksite health programs as a way to promote physical activity and healthy eating. NCODH has developed Work Healthy, Live Healthy, so that persons with disabilities who receive services through community rehabilitation programs will have access to important health opportunities. Work Healthy, Live healthy combines environmental changes with health education and individual supports. Core activities include a consumer directed and staff supported wellness committee, time limited health education classes, regular opportunities for moderate physical activity, such as a walking club, and changes to vending selections. Work Healthy, Live Healthy is designed to encourage the workplace to become supportive of health and wellness for all. View a sample Health Education Lesson (184kb). For FREE technical assistance, resources and information, call 919-966-0865 or 919-966-0881.
Obesity and overweight is on the rise. The amount of time spent by most children in physical activity and physical education has been going down. There is an increased focus on the many benefits of physical activity for children and yet many children with disabilities and special healthcare needs are less likely to take part in regular moderate physical activity than children without disabilities. The NCODH has partnered with various state and community organizations to increase awareness of the need to include students with disabilities in all aspects of school health programs, including physical education. A key activity of the NCODH Physical Activity Work Group is dissemination of information to parents and families of students with disabilities on the importance of and right to inclusive physical education. NCODH has also partnered with the NC Division of Public Health, the NC Department of Public Instruction, BeActive NC, PE Central.com and NC Healthy Schools to produce Teaching, Responding, Communicating Quality Inclusive Physical Education (290KB), a brochure for PE teachers that offers some basic tips about inclusive physical education.
