The goal of the partnership grants was for NCHPAD to engage in strategic partnerships with organizations to create disability inclusion in all areas of health promotion, healthcare, and/or healthy living activities. NCHPAD started this work by launching a new charge that focuses on building inclusive health communities that provide people with disabilities equal access to and opportunities for healthy living. Under the umbrella of a global campaign, Commit to Inclusion, the Partnership for Inclusive Health was created to unite organizations behind disability inclusionary practices in healthy community efforts. The project worked with partners on an organization-wide planning and implementation project that promoted accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities in health promotion, healthcare, and/or healthy living activities.
The purpose of this grant was:
- To allow organizations to expand on existing or develop new disability inclusion programs and services that will be sustainable.
- Assess organizational readiness for inclusion and train appropriate leaders and staff on an inclusive organizational change process.
- Build capacity to effectively operationalize an organization’s Commitment to Inclusion.
- Select inclusion strategies for implementing sustainable, inclusive programs, policies and services.
National Academy of Health and Physical Literacy
Please provide a summary of your project
The National Academy of Health and Physical Literacy will:
- Identify a task force representative of adapted health and physical literacy, higher education, and regions within the Academy.
- Develop a needs assessment that will identify the current disability training and requirements for graduation in higher education and identify the needs related to educating students majoring in health and physical literacy-related fields. The survey will aim to identify gaps in undergraduate requirements.
- Host a working lunch ‘n learn session during the National Summit to release the findings of the survey with invited higher education leaders. Leaders will brainstorm potential solutions to the gaps identified by the survey and provide input for a potential plan of action.
- The NAHPL Task Force will identify at least one state in selected regions (1-3 states) to develop a model for disability education in higher education. The end goal will be to share the model with other states, along with guidelines, tips and strategies for implementation.
What excites you about this project?
Working to improve Inclusion Education for undergraduate students in the professions related to health and physical literacy.
How will your project support disability inclusion?
A model for disability education in higher education is the end goal. This may also include position statement(s), resources and support materials.
What is your end goal?
A model for disability education in higher education is the end goal. This may also include position statement(s), resources and support materials.
Tell us more about your organization and your collaboration with NCHPAD.
NAHPL and NCHPAD are partners in our efforts to advocate for a health and physical literate society.
HEAL United (Healthy Eating Active Living)
Please provide a summary of your project
HEAL will collaborate with leaders in the state and select schools to review the HEAL Afterschool Curriculum and its ability to be implemented successfully with students in self-contained special education classrooms and inclusive afterschool programs. HEAL will host a leaders’ retreat with adapted physical education specialists in Alabama. The retreat will focus on an orientation session, providing the materials, and establishing a review process. This process will identify modifications needed to the curriculum and assist in developing the training needs for those implementing the curriculum. The goal is to develop a HEAL Inclusion Education Curriculum. Assessments will be done to evaluate curriculum effectiveness and identify gaps that may have been missed in the original review.
What excites you about this project?
Working with teachers and students to implement and modify the HEAL curriculum so that all students have the skills to live a healthy, active lifestyle.
How will your project support disability inclusion?
When completed, the HEAL Inclusion Education Curriculum will provide content and resources for teachers to use in self-contained special education classrooms and inclusive afterschool programs. The curriculum will focus on what it means to be healthy, the importance of nutrition as it relates to a healthy lifestyle and the importance of physical activity regardless of the ability.
What is your end goal?
Finalizing and making available the HEAL Inclusive Education Curriculum.
Tell us more about your organization and your collaboration with NCHPAD.
HEAL and NCHPAD have collaborated on successful projects in the past to improve inclusion education.
Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (ASAHPERD)
Please provide a summary of your project
The Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (ASAHPERD) aims to promote inclusion and disability awareness among future professionals in health and wellness disciplines through a dedicated retreat, data collection, and support for participating universities.
Implementation Requirements
- Future Professionals Retreat:
- Host a retreat focused on inclusion and disability during the ASAHPERD annual conference.
- Invite student leaders from universities across Alabama, representing various health and wellness disciplines.
- Require each participating university to have a faculty member accompany their student leaders to the conference.
- Mini Grants and Conference Attendance:
- Provide mini grants to selected universities to support their attendance at the retreat.
- Grant recipients will be able to attend the subsequent spring conference at no cost.
- Funding will be distributed only after the universities have attended the retreat and fulfilled all requirements.
What excites you about this project?
The potential to better prepare future leaders to work in the inclusion education environment.
How will your project support disability inclusion?
During the retreat we will gather data from students regarding: 1) Their knowledge and experience related to working with individuals with disabilities; 2) Opportunities for learning about inclusion and disability within their educational programs; 3) Suggestions for program enhancements to better prepare them as leaders in their field and as role models for inclusion.
What is your end goal?
To better prepare undergraduate students in the disciplines related to health and physical literacy to be leaders in their field and role models for inclusion.
Tell us more about your organization and your collaboration with NCHPAD.
ASAHPERD and NCHPAD have partnered on several initiatives. A NCHPAD represented is a liaison to the ASAHPERD Board of Directors.