National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability

10/14/2025

Halloween for All Tip #2
Hosting a Halloween event? Let's make sure everyone can join the fun!
Here are a few ways to keep accessibility in mind for your guests:

- Accessible Treat Stations: Make the candy quest easy and fun! Ensure clear, wide paths to and through treat areas. Place treats at reachable heights (think lap level), and consider having pre-filled goody bags for easy, stress-free grabbing.
- Empower Your Team: Take time to train staff and volunteers on disability awareness. Post helpers along the route who are ready to assist guests with navigation or any other needs.
- Clear Information: Share information about accessible parking, entrances, and quiet zones on your event map and website before the festival.

10/09/2025

Halloween for All Tip #1! If you’re hosting a trunk or treat, ensure the space is flat, well-lit, and easy to navigate. Create sensory-friendly zones with quiet areas, no flashing lights or loud music, and easy access from the main route. Use clear signage, visual schedules, and offer verbal instructions or ASL if available. Let’s make Halloween fun and accessible for all kids!

10/07/2025

We're so excited for this partnership!

10/06/2025

Wellness doesn’t have to be complicated! Weave small, meaningful “micro-moments” into your daily routines. Adding new healthy habits like hydration pauses, gratitude moments and mindful cues and more can add up to lasting well-being. Check out our blog with more information:

https://www.nchpad.org/resources/supporting-wellness-in-everyday-routines/

Wellness doesn’t have to be activities we must add to the calendar or add to our calendar. Try these tips for better wellness from our team!

10/03/2025

Episode 15 of our podcast is now available! In this episode as part of our Mission: ME series, we talk with Dr. Sherri Huff to explore why unstructured movement time is essential and why recess and movement plays such a critical role in raising active, healthy kids at home and at school. The episode is available in the link below (along with a transcript) and on all major streaming platforms.

https://www.nchpad.org/resources/podcast-episode-15-recess-refuels-learning-with-dr-sherri-huff/

Why unstructured movement time is essential and why recess and movement plays such a critical role in raising active, healthy kids at home and at school!

10/01/2025

Looking for a fun, kid-friendly way to introduce mindfulness? Check out our downloadable zine packed with bite-sized practices and prompts that kids can use at home or in the classroom. Great for helping children manage stress, build focus and boost emotional awareness.

https://www.nchpad.org/resources/mindfulness-for-kids-a-printable-zine-for-home-and-classroom-use/

For kids of all ages, mindfulness can help build emotional awareness, reduce stress, support focus and increase empathy. Mindfulness might sound like a big concept, but at its core, it’s simply paying…

09/29/2025

Helping kids understand their hunger, fullness and energy cues can set them up for healthier habits and more confidence. NCHPAD Registered Dietitian Emily McAllister has some helpful tips and suggestions that can be found in our latest article:

https://www.nchpad.org/resources/teaching-kids-to-listen-to-their-bodies-hunger-fullness-and-energy-signals/

Helping children recognize internal cues – like hunger, fullness, fatigue or overstimulation – lays the foundation for healthy lifelong habits.

09/26/2025

NCHPAD is excited to partner with YMCA 360 to bring adaptive fitness and wellness content to its platform for YMCA members and instructors. Learn more about the partnership in the press release here:

https://www.nchpad.org/resources/ymca-360-and-nchpad-announce-partnership/

Wichita, Kansas — Empowering individuals with disabilities to lead active, healthy lifestyles is the focus of a partnership announced today between YMCA 360, the digital platform for YMCAs…

09/24/2025

Are you a healthcare provider? Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) are searching for healthcare providers to join a virtual focus group to discuss your experiences and needs regarding service dogs in healthcare settings. Participation will help researchers better understand this topic and compensation will be provided for those that participate in the focus group. If you're interested, please fill out this brief form to determine your eligibility. For more information about the study, visit the page to learn more.

https://uab.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_51GjrcwcvYPCRmu

09/22/2025

Keeping kids active boosts their health, focus and well-being. The “Create Your Own Space Adventure” activity provides a fun and imaginative way to get kids moving and thinking in short bursts, both at school and at home.

https://www.nchpad.org/resources/free-download-a-fun-movement-break-to-keep-kids-active-and-focused/

Keeping kids active throughout the day is essential for their physical health, emotional well-being and ability to focus. The Create Your Own Space Adventure movement activity is a fun and creative…

09/19/2025

Episode 14 of our podcast is now available! In this episode, we’re joined by NCHPAD Program Manager Penny Edwards to discuss why adding movement and wellness routines into the school day is so important for kids. The episode is available in the link below (along with a transcript) and on all major streaming platforms.

https://www.nchpad.org/resources/episode-14-building-wellness-into-the-school-day-with-penny-edwards/

In this episode, we talk with NCHPAD Program Manager Penny Edwards about why adding movement and wellness into the school day is so important.

09/17/2025

Small movements can make a big impact! Whether it’s a kitchen dance party, a quick game of Simon Says before homework or stretching together while dinner cooks, being active can be a fun family activity!

Learn how to weave movement into your family life in fun, natural ways in our latest guide!

https://www.nchpad.org/resources/making-movement-a-family-thing-without-calling-it-exercise/

When we shift the focus from “exercise” to simple, joyful movement, it becomes less about meeting a standard and more about feeling good together.