Office on Disability

I Can Do It - You Can Do It

Inaugurates and Celebrates the National Initiative on Physical Fitness for Children and Youth with Disabilities

May 26, 2004
1:30 - 4 PM
HHH BuildingWashington, D.C.

In collaboration with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and fifty-four organizations that serve people with disabilities

Participating Organizations

American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreationand Dance, American Association for Active Lifestyles and Fitness, American Association of People with Disabilities, American Association on Health and Disability, American College of Sports Medicine, American Council of the Blind, American Network of Community Options and Resources, American Physical Therapy Association, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, American Therapeutic Recreation Association, Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Bowling Proprietors of America, Council for Exceptional Children of the National Education Association, Diabetes and Wellness Foundation, Disabled AmericanVeterans, Disabled Sports USA, Easter Seals, Exceptional Parent, FamilyVoices/National Office, Kevin Saunders Health and Fitness Tour of America, Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health, National Alliance for Accessible Golf, National Alliance for Hispanic Health Centers for Providers, National Association for the Deaf, National Association of State Directors of Special Education, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research, National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (University of Illinois at Chicago), National Consortium for African American Children, National Consortium of PhysicalEducation and Recreation for the Disabled, National Council on Disability, National Council on Independent Living, National Industries for Severely Handicapped, National Mental Health Association, National Recreation and Parks Association, National Spinal Cord Injury Association, National Wheelchair SportsFund, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Partners for Youth with Disabilities, Inc. of Boston, Rehabilitation Services Administration of the US Department of Education, Shake-a-Leg of Miami, Show Me Aquatics and Fitness, Spina Bifida Associationof America, The Arc of the United States, U.S. Association of Blind Athletes, United Cerebral Palsy Association, United States Golf Association, Veterans Administration Medical Centers, Young America Bowling Alliance

Thanks to the following exhibitors: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, American Dietetic Association, American Physical Therapy Association, American Therapeutic Recreation Association, Bowling Coaching USA and Partners, Disabled Sports USA, Paralyzed Veterans of America, The Hope Network, Mark Wellman, Tom Whittaker National Association for Recreation Equality, President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Ronald McDonald House Charities, USA Table Tennis, U.S. Golf Association and Partners

1:30 - 2:30 PM

Pledge of Allegiance Led by the Children of CT Reed Elementary School

The National Anthem Led by John Register, United States Paralympics

Welcome Margaret J. Giannini, MD, FAAP, Director, Office on Disability, DHHS

Remarks
U.S. Secretary of DHHS Tommy Thompson
U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, MD
Judy Woodruff, CNN Anchor
Captain David Rozelle, U.S. Army

Presentation of PCPFS Award
Presenters: Melissa Johnson, Executive Director & Pamela Danberg, Board Member, President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
Recipients: Andrew Houghton, Mentor and Manuela Hoyos, Mentee, Shake-a-Leg Miami

Presentation of Special Award
Presenter: Acting Assistant Secretary for Health Cristina Beato, MD

Musical Presentation Benny Mardones

Introduction to Activities and Acknowledgment of Contributors: Kirk Bauer, Disabled Sports USA

Closing Remarks: Dr. Margaret J. Giannini

2:30 - 4 PM

Visit the Activities and Exhibits

The National Initiative on Physical Fitness for Children and Youth with Disabilities

The Goal: To improve the health of the six million American children who have disabilities by encouraging increased physical activity and healthy nutritional behaviors-a major priority of Secretary Thompson, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Who Benefits from the Program? Children and youth with all types of disabilities. It will be an on-going program of significance in all 50 states and outlying areas.

How the Program Works: Collaborating disability-based national organizations across the country will link physically fit mentors (who may or may not have a disability) with children who are disabled. The mentors provide training and guidance to help the children become and stay physically active (by accumulating minutes of daily activity for the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award and, with continued encouragement, by striving for the bronze, silver, and gold medals).

This is a program of national significance that will impact every community throughout the United States. The national strategy is to establish in each community effective mentor-mentee programs that will reach all children on a long-range, sustaining basis. This endeavor supports the objectives on physical fitness of Healthy People 2010 and the President's New Freedom Initiative for people with disabilities.

Where to Find More Information: Call the Office on Disability at 202-401-5844 , e-mail michael.marge@hhs.gov, or write to the Office on Disability, Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, Room 637D, Washington, D.C. 20201

Last revised: May 28, 2004

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