Information Specialist
- Phone : 205 313 7400
- E-mail : chrism@lakeshore.org
In 2016 Chris joined the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) as an Information Specialist, focusing on the Public Health sector. Specifically, his work addresses the inclusion of people with disabilities in healthy community initiatives and other areas such as worksite wellness and physical activity and healthy eating venues and programs, health equity for people with disabilities. Prior to joining NCHPAD, Chris worked for the North Carolina Office on Disability and Health (NCODH) for almost 16 years. His work with NCODH aimed to increase the capacity of public health and health promotion programs to include people with disabilities through mentorship, partnerships and adapted interventions. More specifically, he mentored initiatives focused on healthy community design, access to care, and emergency preparedness. A significant portion of his work involved the development of Removing Barriers, a community training model created to increase accessibility of health promotion environmentsparticularly fitness, medical and dental---through partnerships with the disability community. This also led to an opportunity to work with NCHPAD as part of a national work group to create the ACSM Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer credential. To support health promotion within disability agencies, Chris and his colleagues implemented adapted programming such as worksite wellness for adults with intellectual disabilities.Chris graduated from East Carolina University with degree in Therapeutic Recreation and has briefly held an International Sports Science Association Certified Fitness Trainer (CFT) certification. He has served on various advisory boards of disability and public health organizations and has extensive knowledge of accessibility and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.