2014 MDF Annual Conference: Staying Physically Fit

Government & Nonprofit Organizations

  • The Inclusive Fitness Coalition
    The Inclusive Fitness Coalition is an expanded group of organizations and individuals representing a cross-section of the disability rights, sports, health/fitness and civil rights communities.

  • National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD)
    NCHPAD is positioned to effect change in health promotion/obesity management among people with disabilities through its existing 15-year history of providing advocacy, services and programs to numerous organizations and people throughout the country. The primary focus of the Center’s approach is to collaborate with the nation’s leading health advocacy and disability organizations in linking them to the hundreds of program initiatives ongoing across the nation, and using this framework to build inclusion and integration into these existing programs.

  • "Sit and Be Fit" with Mary Ann Wilson
    Sit and Be Fit is a non-profit organization that produces America's award winning television exercise series, Sit and Be Fit. Each chair exercise program is carefully researched and designed by host Mary Ann Wilson, RN and a team of physical therapists, doctors, and exercise specialists. Sit and Be Fit has been broadcast since 1987 on PBS stations to over 86 million U.S. households annually, and is recognized by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) as a "Best Practice" program in health promotion and aging. 

  • Achilles International
    Their mission is to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics in order to promote personal achievement, enhance self-esteem, and lower barriers to living a fulfilling life. They seem to have chapters throughout the world.

  • American Association of Adapted Sports Programs
    AAASP's mission is to develop and support a standardized structure for school-based athletic competition to improve the well being of students with physical disabilities.

  • American Youth Soccer Organization
    The VIP (Very Important Player) Program provides a quality soccer experience for children and adults whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams, supported by trained volunteers. Their VIP Program provides a team experience where players learn soccer while having fun.

  • The Arthritis Foundation
    This organization has made warm water exercise programs part of their mission. These pools may not have other accessible features such as lifts or adaptive swimming aids. You’ll also notice on their website they offer tai chi and exercise programs.

  • Blaze Sports America
    BlazeSports America’s mission is to change the lives of children and adults with physical disabilities through sport.

  • Challenged Athletes Foundation
    It is the mission of the Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) to provide opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. CAF believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. Currently they serve two regions: Northeast and Northern California.

  • Move United
    Providing adaptive sports opportunities for people with disabilities to develop independence, confidence and fitness through sports.

  • USA Paralympics
    Paralympics connects communities and organizations that provide sports and recreation opportunities for people with physical and visual disabilities, with an emphasis on youth, injured service members and veterans. It’s about putting people and resources together – all across America. The goal: expand Paralympic programs into 250 cities across the U.S. An additional webpage provides a list of organizations with a similar mission: http://findaclub.usparalympics.org/resources.aspx

  • Wheelchair & Ambulatory Sports
    The mission of Wheelchair and Ambulatory Sports, USA is to provide multi-sport and recreation opportunities for individuals with a disability by facilitating, advocating, and developing a national community-based outreach program, providing resources and education, conducting regional and national competitions, and providing access to international competitions in conjunction with the International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation.

  • American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
    Teacher certification to become a certified Inclusive Fitness instructor

  • HelpGuide.org
    Chair Exercises & Limited Mobility Fitness

  • International Association for Yoga Therapy (IAYT)
    IAYT supports research and education in yoga and serves as a professional organization for yoga teachers and yoga therapists worldwide. Their mission is to establish yoga as a recognized and respected therapy. Use the search feature to find a yoga therapist in your community.

Companies Involved in Adaptive Exercise

  • Zumba Gold
    Active older adults who are looking for a modified Zumba® class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower-intensity.

  • Get Fit Where You Sit
    Chair yoga video and teacher training

  • Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness
    An exercise program for active, older adults.

  • Sports Abilities
    This organization claims to be the premier resource for people with disabilities to find recreational, advocacy, support, and adaptive sporting activities in the nation. They have calendars for every state and 25 different activities ranging from Team Sports to Social Gatherings. They believe that having one online location for people to visit to see all that is happening will help increase program participation, promote awareness, and help improve people's lives.