Health and Disability Learning Community

NACCHO's Health and Disability Project is proud to sponsor the Health and Disability Learning Community. The learning community has been designed to encourage information sharing among a wide range of audiences, including health departments, people with disabilities, disability organizations, academic institutions, and NACCHO.

Members of the learning community have access to online collaboration space for discussions, and to upload and download resources and tools. Community members also share and learn by participating in conference calls and webinars.

If you are looking to share, collaborate, and learn about tools, best practices, and resources, consider joining our learning community. There are two available modules, one focused on emergency planning and preparedness and one focused on obesity and physical activity. Join one or both of our modules.

Module 1 of the learning community focuses on ways to enhance emergency planning and preparedness activities that engage and include people with disabilities. Topics include making emergency plans (including personal plans), shelter accessibility, emergency communication, and more.

Module 1 has almost 50 members from local and state health departments, non-profits, and other government agencies. The learning community has engaged in dialogue through a conference call, use of an online sharing website, and has had the opportunity to participate in two extraordinary webinars:

• "Get Real" Using NFPA's Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with Disabilities, Presented by Allan Fraser
  
  View the Recording
  Download the CART Transcript
  
  
• Emergency Registries: An Objective Analysis Tool, Presented by June Issacon Kailes and Alexandra Enders
  
  View the Recording
  Download the CART Transcript

More webinars will be coming soon! For more information, or to join, please contact the Health and Disability Project at disability@naccho.org. You can also download and share our flyer with your colleagues and partners who may be interested in joining this module of the learning community.

Module 2 of the learning community focuses on obesity and physical activity for people with disabilities. Topics may include understanding and measuring causes of obesity, the disproportionate impact of the obesity epidemic on people with disabilities, and discussing accessible and inclusive nutrition and physical activity programs.

Module 2 has over 100 members representing 37 states and the District of Columbia. Members in this group represent local and state health departments, universities, hospitals, national and local non-profits, and many different departments of parks and recreation.

Module 2 is co-hosting its first webinar with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities on October 18, 2011:

• Inclusive Nutrition and Physical Activity Programs, Presented by NCPAD, Register now!
  Healthy eating and physical activity are important aspects of all peoples' lives, including people with disabilities.  This webinar will feature the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD), a resource center dedicated to providing physical activity and nutrition programs that acknowledge and address the individual needs of every person. NCPAD will share their program successes and offer ideas for inclusive programs at the community and local level.  Join the webinar for an engaging discussion on including people with disabilities in your health promotion efforts.

More webinars will follow this one! For more information and to join the Obesity and Physical Activity module of the Learning Community, e-mail the Health and Disability Project at disability@naccho.org. You can also download and share our flyer with your colleagues and partners who may be interested in joining this module of the learning community.