Physical Activity and Disabilities

$33 Million Investment is Foundation’s Largest Investment in Community-Based Solutions to Prevent Childhood Obesity

The National Center on Accessibility focuses on accessibility as it relates to recreation, parks and tourism. The site provides numerous publications and resources related to accessibility of outdoor spaces including trails, beaches, golf courses, playground, etc.

The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) promotes the substantial health benefits that can be gained from participating in regular physical activity. This site provides information and resources that can enable people with disabilities to become as physically active as they choose to be.

This guide provides information on disability awareness, communication aids, alternate formats, inclusive materials, and media relations.

The Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP) objectively documents the actual conditions in outdoor, natural environments. The UTAP is a tool that land managers, agencies and individuals can utilize to learn about, monitor, improve and use any outdoor path of travel.

The Center for Universal Design is a national research, information and technical assistance center that evaluates, develops and promotes universal design in housing, public and commercial facilities, and related products. The Center provides publications that address all areas of universal design and barrier removal.

This federal agency, also known as the Architectural Transportation and Barriers Compliance Board, provides technical assistance, training, and research on accessible design. The Access Board develops and disseminates Accessibility Guidelines and Standards, which are minimum guidelines for standards issued under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This non-profit organization is committed to advancing the role of design in expanding opportunity and enhancing experience for people of all ages and abilities. The site contains numerous resources and publications in all areas of accessibility and universal design.

The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) promotes physical activity among people with disabilities. This site provides extensive information and resources including fact sheets and monographs; a searchable database containing references, programs and facilities, adaptive equipment, and organizations; and exercise modules allowing people with disabilities to customize a fitness program.

This analysis describes physical activity levels and factors associated with physical activity in an ethnically diverse sample of rural older adults with diabetes.About half (52.5%) of the participants stated that they had engaged in physical activity in the past year. Among those, 42.5% stated that they had no days with at least 30 minutes of continuous physical activity in the prior week, while 21.5% reported daily physical activity.Physical activity in this ethnically diverse sample of rural elders with diabetes is limited. Effort must be invested to increase physical activity in these groups.