Conference helps people with disabilities enjoy water recreation safely
The first International Adapted Aquatics Conference is co-sponsored by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, April 2, 2012— The first conference focused on water safety research, strategies, technology and information as it applies to those with physical and developmental disabilities, is set for April 30 and May 1, at the International Swimming Hall of Fame, One Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33316. The International Adapted Aquatics Conference is co-sponsored by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) and the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) in partnership with USA Swimming Foundation and the U.S. Swim School Association.
“Every person, of every ability, should have the best possible experience while he or she is in the water,” said Kim Burgess of Ft. Lauderdale, executive director of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. “The research and information presented at this conference will advance drowning prevention efforts nationwide for people with disabilities. The more qualified the teacher is, the safer the student is going to be in his or her care.” She adds that adapted aquatics professionals will also benefit from networking opportunities.
Adapted aquatics focuses on pool entry and exit skills and swim skill development. Leaders in the field of adapted aquatics will present at the conference that runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Conference keynote speaker Monica Lepore is a professor at West Chester University in West Chester, Pa. and the lead author of Adapted Aquatics Programming: A Professional Guide. Lepore, a Certified Adapted Physical Educator, teaches Health and Physical Education teachers how to include children with disabilities into physical education and after school sports and aquatics classes and programs. Lepore developed the Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities Minor Program, which the university implemented in 2006. Lepore received numerous honors and awards for her work, including the International Swimming Hall of Fame Adapted Aquatics Award in 2001 and a Meritorious Award from the Aquatic Council of the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation in 2005.
To register for the conference, visit www.regonline.com/NDPAadaptedaquatics. For more information about speakers and the agenda, visit www.NDPA.org.
Drowning is among the top ten leading causes of unintentional death for all ages nationally and a leading cause of death for children ages 1-4. Between 1999 and 2009 more than 3,500 U.S. lives were lost each year due to unintentional drowning.
Please visit NDPA.org and PoolSafely.gov for aquatic safety tips, informational videos, water safety education, water safety links and children’s games and activities.
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bev@payton.com
215-357-5075
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance is a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2004. NDPA members are dedicated to preventing drowning for all age groups in all bodies of water through public education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. The public is invited to join by visiting NDPA.org.
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