Creating and Fostering Inclusive Wellness and Recreation Programs for Individuals with Disabilities

Achieving health equity in people with disabilities requires a multi-stage approach that includes person-centered referral to wellness programs and services (e.g., exercise and recreation venues, mindfulness classes, diabetes management programs, etc.), empowering people with disabilities to become self-managers of their own health and ensuring that community-based programs and services are inclusive and accessible. Join this session to learn about a three-stage model for addressing health and wellness needs across the home and community settings that is currently being used in a large federally funded center in the US. Additionally, this session will address barriers people with disabilities encounter regarding community wellness programs and services, how communities can improve access, and ways to advocate for community inclusion in various types of wellness programs and services. Participants will have an opportunity to ask the speakers questions following the presentation.