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News
Thank you to the participants of the November Strategy Session in Washington, D.C.!
Update to Members
Click here to download a pdf copy of the October, 2007 Member Newsletter that updates IFC Members on the coalition's activities and how it plans to close the gap associated with the lack of access to fitness centers and other recreational venues for people with disabilities.
ACSM and NCPAD Specialty Certification
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is pleased to announce a collaboration with the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) to offer a specialty certification. This certification is an industry-first for professionals working in the health and fitness field, specifically to assist in fully including individuals with disabilities into various exercise environments, including health club, outdoor and home-based settings.
For more information, go to http://incfit.org/node/137
Inclusive Play for ALL Children: The Opportunities are Boundless!
Amy Rauworth recently had the opportunity to attend the grand opening of the Can-Do Playground on July 11, 2007 in Wilmington, Delaware as a representative of the Inclusive Fitness Coalition (IFC). This Boundless® playground, like many others, is a place where children of all abilities can join in the fun. A Boundless® playground celebrates the principles of universal design while addressing the developmental needs of children.
To read more about the Can-Do playground, Boundless Playgrounds, and the importance of inclusive play for ALL children, go to Amy's article at http://www.ncpad.org/fitt/fact_sheet.php?sheet=545
Successful Launch!
The Inclusive Fitness Coalition was launched with powerful momentum before a capacity crowd at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on January 24th. Pictured here at the launch are the co-chairs of the coalition, James H. Rimmer of the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability and the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Recreational Technologies and Exercise Physiology Benefiting Individuals With Disabilities and James R. Whitehead of the American College of Sports Medicine.
Speakers represented a wide range of sectors and included:
- Congressman Zach Wamp (TN3) - Chair of the House Fitness Caucus
- Margaret Giannini, MD, FAAP - Director of the Office on Disability (Health and Human Services)
- Tammy Duckworth, PhD - Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs
- John Mason, Jr. - Wheelchair athlete
- Kester Edwards - Special Olympics employee, former board member and medalist
- Terri Rozaieski - Former Paralympic fencer, former Ms. Wheelchair America
- Amy Jaffe Barzach - Executive Director/co-founder of Boundless Playgrounds
- Neal Pire - Fitness industry consultant and long-time trainer
- Gary Patti - Owner of Parisi Sports Clubs
- Larry Labiak - Disability Policy Officer for Chicago Parks and Recreation