Health Matters for People With Developmental Disabilities: Creating a Sustainable Health Promotion Program

Adults with developmental disabilities are at significant risk for health problems. Effective health promotion can improve outcomes -- and that's why adult day and residential agencies, schools, and other organizations need this invaluable program development guide. An urgent call to action and a start-to-finish framework for health promotion, this book shows administrators and service providers how to increase supports for health education, exercise and nutrition by implementing their own successful program. With practical guidance on every stage of program development, readers will discover how to effectively communicate the key points of a health promotion program; win the support of senior management and direct support staff; manage practical aspects like budgeting, gathering resources, and recruiting staff; use Universal Design to develop a program that welcomes people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities; motivate program participants with creative activities and strategies; ensure lasting improvements in health behaviors; and evaluate the program's outcomes and identify areas for improvement. To help them implement their own health promotion program, readers will get practical planning tools, including a "getting started" checklist, a sample Program Timeline and budget, lists of Internet and community resources, and assessment tools for determining their participants' needs, their current resources, and the success of their program. The ideal complement to the proven Health Matters (ISBN 978-155766-999-5) health education curriculum, this highly accessible program development guide will help service providers ensure better health¿and better lives¿for adults with a wide range of disabilities.

Beth Marks, RN, Ph.D., is Research Assistant Professor, Department of Disability and Human Development, and Associate Director for Research in the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities (RRTCADD), University of Illinois at Chicago.
Jasmina Sisirak, M.P.H., is Associate Project Director, Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, and coordinates several health promotion projects in the RRTCADD.
Tamar Heller, Ph.D., is Professor and Head, Department of Disability and Human Development, and Director of the RRTCADD and the Institute on Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago.