Better health = better lives for people with disabilities

For people with disabilities, a good health and nutrition program can have life-changing results: more energy, increased knowledge, more confidence and self-esteem, and fewer serious health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. This innovative, easy-to-implement curriculum is the perfect way to help adults build healthy lifestyles—and as a bonus, help communities reduce the high costs of common health problems.

A research-based, field-tested program that's already made a dramatic difference in the lives of participants with disabilities, this proven curriculum shows professionals how to conduct up to 59 one-hour sessions that help people make the best choices about health, exercise, and nutrition. Through lively discussions and activities, adults with a wide range of disabilities will

• increase their commitment to exercise and good nutrition by learning the benefits of physical activity, exercise, and healthy food choices
  
  
• develop clear exercise and nutrition goals and stick to them
  
  
• master the practical aspects of an exercise routine, including dressing appropriately, using proper breathing techniques, and doing cool-down exercises
  
  
• learn how their medications may affect their body, physical activity, and eating habits
  
  
• monitor their heart rate and blood pressure during exercise
  
  
• identify foods that make up a well-balanced diet
  
  
• locate places to exercise and use equipment safely
  
  
• improve their self-advocacy and self-esteem so they can make good choices and stay healthy
  
  
• create a group exercise video they can use at home once the program is over
  
  
• and much more

This single resource includes everything professionals need to run successful health education sessions: complete instructions on running the program, adaptable instructor scripts for each lesson, weekly newsletter templates for participants that summarize key points, extensive appendices on assessment and Universal Design strategies, and all the participant handouts and worksheets on a convenient CD-ROM for easy printing.

With this engaging, hands-on curriculum, people with disabilities will have the motivation and skills they need to improve and maintain their health—and fewer health problems translate into saved time, money, and staffing resources for whole communities.

I. Introduction to the Curriculum

Introduction

II. Health Education Curriculum

Unit 1. Physical Activity and Nutrition: Making Healthy Choices

Lesson 1: What Is Health?

Lesson 2: What Is Physical Activity?

Lesson 3: Things to Do Before I Exercise

Lesson 4: Exercise Is Good

Lesson 5: What Do Different Exercises Do for My Body?

Lesson 6: Good Nutrition

Lesson 7: How Much Energy Does It Take?

Lesson 8: Healthy Choices/Self-Advocacy

Unit 2: Changing Lifestyle: What Are the Things I Do?

Lesson 9: What Do I Think of Me?

Lesson 10: What Is My Heart Rate?

Lesson 11: What Is My Blood Pressure?

Lesson 12: What Exercises Do I Like in My Community?

Lesson 13: What Are Good and Bad Influences?

Lesson 14: Am I Drinking Enough Water?

Lesson 15: What Foods Do I Like to Eat?

Lesson 16: How About My Medications and Exercise?

Unit 3: Making Lifestyle Changes: Setting Goals

Lesson 17: Things to Remember When Exercising

Lesson 18: Community Fitness Center Visit: Using Exercise Machines Safely

Lesson 19: How to Breathe When We Exercise

Lesson 20: Why Do We Clean Equipment?

Lesson 21: Nutrients We Need

Lesson 22: Exercise Plans: Becoming More Active

Lesson 23: Nutrition Plan: Making a Menu

Unit 4: Lifestyle Changes: Doing My Program

Lesson 24: Wants and Needs

Lesson 25: What Is Good Pain and Bad Pain?

Lesson 26: How Does Sleep Affect Physical Activity?

Lesson 27: Negotiation and Compromise

Lesson 28: Can I Exercise If I Feel Sick?

Lesson 29: Am I Meeting My Goals?

Lesson 30: Rewarding Myself

Unit 5: New Lifestyle: Keeping My Program Going

Lesson 31: Restructuring My Environment

Lesson 32: Getting Back on Track

Lesson 33: Creating an Exercise Video

Lesson 34: Reviewing Our Goals to Stay Connected

Lesson 35: Putting It All Together

Lesson 36: Finishing Touches on Our Video

Lesson 37: Graduation Party

Appendix A: Promoting Lifelong Learning

Appendix B: Glossary

Appendix C: FABS Workout

Appendix D: Testing Procedures Manual