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The Power of Nature Tweet Chat #OutdoorWalks

Join the conversation on August 15th at 1pm CST about expanding outdoor opportunities to support every community deserving safe, accessible, and FUN outdoor spaces to be active.  Use the hashtag #OutdoorWalks and be sure to follow all of the co-hosts: @americawalks @NCHPAD @ChildrenNature @NRPA_News @RailstoTrails @SafeRoutesNow.

Voice of the Consumer Is Recruiting Study Participants

The Human Engineering Research Laboratories and the University of Pittsburgh would like to know about the assistive devices you use and your opinion about devices that may be available in the future.  If you are someone who uses one or more assistive devices for mobility, such as a cane, walker, manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, scooter, or lower extremity prosthesis, consider completing the online questionnaire and be entered into a drawing to wn $100 upon completion.

To complete the survey, please click here.

New “Disability in America” Map Series

The “Disability in America” maps are based on demographic data collected through the American Community Survey and cover disability rates, rates of particular types of disabilities, and other status of people with disabilities such as poverty and employment. They were created as part of the University of Montana's RTC: Rural's Geography and Rural Disability project and have implications for organizations and agencies working on disability topics nationwide.

Registration for the 2017 National Walking Summit in St. Paul, Minnesota

America Walks is excited to promote the many benefits that come from walking and walkable communities.  The organization wanted to explore and share work being done to expand the power of walking, including how the walking movement can be change agents in issues related to economics, equity, climate change, and more.  Learn how America Walks is tackling these challenges at the 2017 National Walking Summit with a new article, "The Positive Power of Walking."

To find out more information or register for the conference, please click here.

NCHPAD and California SNAP-Ed Collaborate on Webinar

NCHPAD collaborated with California Department of Public Health Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Branch on a webinar titled, "Including Individuals with Disabilities in SNAP-Ed Programming."  This webinar educated viewers on disability awareness, etiquette, and how to include individuals with disability in their local programs.

To review the slideset and recording from this webinar, please click here.

#HealthiestSchools Campaign

Launching August 8, America's #HealthiestSchools is a nationwide campaign that believes every child deserves a healthy school.  We're asking users to sign a pledge confirming their agreement with this belief.  Every day, 95 percent of school-aged kids and teens attend school.  Aside from home it's the place where kids spend most of their time.  Healthy students learn better.  Studies show that they perform better on tests, get better grades, attend school more often and behave better in class.  Join the campaign today! www.healthiestschools.org

NRPA 2017 Annual Conference

The 2017 NRPA Annual Conference, the biggest professional development event for the field, is coming to New Orleans September 26-28.  Visit NCHPAD at booth 2945 in the expo hall!  Also, be on the lookout for a special annoucement about, "Parks for Inclusion". http://www.nrpa.org/conference2017/

Reaching People with Disabilities Through Healthy Communities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with its partner, the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD), on a project called Reaching People with Disabilities through Healthy Communities. Through this project, five states and 10 local communities are working together to build healthy communities specifically designed to include people with disabilities and make sure they have opportunities for healthy eating, physical activity, and social participation.  Learn more here.

USA Wheelchair Rugby

USA Wheelchair Rugby, currently ranked number two in the world, will be traveling to Asuncion, Paraguay, September 2-10th to compete at the IWRF 2017 Americas Championships.  This zonal competition will host seven teams in the Americas; Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, USA.  The top two finishers will secure an automatic qualification for World Championships taking place in Sydney, Australia in August of 2018.  Matches begin on September 5th with finals taking place on September 9th, all of which will be livestreamed.  Stay up to date on all the action with match recaps and updates at www.usawr.org or follow the team on Instagram (@usawr), Twitter (@usawchrugby) and Facebook (USA Wheelchair Rugby).