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Physical activity for women with disabilities

• More information on physical activity for women with disabilities

A disability may make it harder to stay active, but it shouldn't stop you. In most cases, people with disabilities can improve their flexibility, mobility, and coordination by becoming physically active. Even though you have a disability, you should still aim to meet the physical activity goals listed in Types of physical activity.

Talk to your health care provider about your personal needs. For more information, visit our Illnesses and disabilities section.

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More information on physical activity for women with disabilities

Explore other publications and websites

• 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans — This publication is the government’s official guide for Americans to use to get healthy. It discusses the recommended amount of physical activity that adults and children should do weekly and how this will benefit their health.
  http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/default.aspx
• A Health Handbook for Women With Disabilities (Copyright © Hesperian Foundation) — This comprehensive health book for women with disabilities features chapters on understanding and taking care of your body, growing older with a disability, abuse, violence, self-defense, and much more.
  http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download_wwd.php
• Disability Related Sports and Recreation Links (Copyright © Disabled Sports USA) — This page has links to many organizations for people with disabilities that want to get active.
  http://www.dsusa.org/links-drsr-links.html
• Easter Seals Camping and Recreation (Copyright © Easter Seals) — Use this website to search for an Easter Seals chapter near you that helps provides recreation and camping services for people living with autism and other disabilities.
  http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ntl_camping_and_recreation
• Exercise/Fitness: Exercise Guidelines for People With Disabilities (Copyright © NCPAD) — This publication provides some general exercise guidelines for people with disabilities.
  http://www.ncpad.org/exercise/fact_sheet.php?sheet=15
• How to Get Involved in Sports (Copyright © Disabled Sports USA) — This web page has information about sports accessibility options and organizations for disabled individuals looking to get involved in sports.
  http://www.dsusa.org/about-getinvolvedsports.html
• Recreation: A Great Way to Be Active (Copyright © NC Office on Disability and Health) — This publication provides ideas about ways to be active beyond just going to the gym and lifting weights. It talks about gardening, walking the dog, flying a kite, and other ways to have fun and stay active.
  http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~ncodh/pdfs/recbeactive.pdf

Connect with other organizations

• American Association on Health and Disability
  http://www.aahd.us/
• Disability.gov
  http://www.disability.gov/
• Disabled Sports USA
  http://www.dsusa.org/
• Dwarf Athletic Association of America
  http://www.daaa.org/
• National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
  http://www.ncpad.org
• Special Olympics
  http://www.specialolympics.org/

Content last updated June 17, 2008.

Resources last updated June 17, 2008.

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