In this episode, we chat with Allison Solomon, Executive Director of Disability Support Services (DSS) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She joined UAB in 2002 as a Disability Specialist, later serving as Director of DSS for more than a decade before stepping into her current role in 2022. Since 2015, she has also served as UAB’s ADA Compliance Officer.

With more than 20 years of experience in higher education disability services, Allison is actively engaged in initiatives both across campus and beyond. She joins us to share the impactful work happening at UAB and to explore how other universities can strengthen accessibility and better support students with disabilities.

A full episode transcript is available below or on Buzzsprout.

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To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at [email protected], call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Byron Lai. Dr. Lai is an Assistant Professor in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics Division of Rehabilitation Medicine. He has 10 years of experience in exercise research for people with disabilities. From 2014 to 2021, Byron joined Dr. James Rimmer under the UAB School of Health Professions Research Collaborative, where he completed his PhD and two postdocs. His research interests shifted toward a focus on utilizing telehealth and innovative technology to improve the health and function of a variety of different disability groups.
Byron’s research interests focus on incorporating technology to provide enjoyable and accessible, evidence-based exercise programs for people with disabilities. Particular areas of interest include active video gaming, wearable monitoring devices, and therapeutic exercise with music.

A full episode transcript is available in the episode details or on our website!

Get notified about new episodes by subscribing on your favorite streaming apps, or follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn to stay updated with new episode announcements. 

To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at [email protected], call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.

In this episode, part of our Healthy Holidays series, we talk about staying active and exploring adaptive exercises during the holiday season with NCHPAD Exercise Physiologist John Reams. With more than 20 years of experience in exercise science, clinical exercise physiology, research, and nutrition, John is a familiar face through his work in NCHPAD’s MENTOR program and his many appearances on our YouTube channel.

A full episode transcript is available in the episode details or on our website!

Get notified about new episodes by subscribing on your favorite streaming apps, or follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn to stay updated with new episode announcements. 

To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at [email protected], call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.

In this episode, part of our Healthy Holidays series, we discuss healthy nutrition habits during the holiday season with Emily McAllister, NCHPAD Registered Dietitian. Emily gives great tips and advice for healthy habits around the holiday meals. This includes healthy eating, swaps to try for recipes, and not making food the focus of the holiday festivities. 

A full episode transcript is available in the episode details or on our website!

Get notified about new episodes by subscribing on your favorite streaming apps, or follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn to stay updated with new episode announcements. 

To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at [email protected], call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.

In this episode, we explore mindfulness and pain management with Dr. Christiane Wolf, an internationally recognized expert in mindfulness and Insight meditation. For over a decade, Dr. Wolf served as the lead consultant and teacher trainer for the National Mindfulness Facilitator Training at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She is the author of Outsmart Your Pain: Mindfulness and Self-Compassion to Help You Leave Chronic Pain Behind and co-author of the bestselling A Clinician’s Guide to Teaching Mindfulness.

A full episode transcript is available in the episode details or on our website!

Get notified about new episodes by subscribing on your favorite streaming apps, or follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn to stay updated with new episode announcements. 

To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at [email protected], call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.

In this episode, we talk with Lynn Wilmot and Dan Dieffenbach of YMCA360, the digital platform for YMCA. On October 6, NCHPAD and YMCA360 announced a partnership to integrate NCHPAD's fitness and wellness videos into the YMCA360 platform for YMCA members. We invited Lynn and Dan to discuss this exciting new collaboration and provide a deeper understanding of their work and what to expect. 

The official press release can be found here: https://www.nchpad.org/resources/ymca-360-and-nchpad-announce-partnership/

A full episode transcript is available in the episode details or on our website!

Get notified about new episodes by subscribing on your favorite streaming apps, or follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn to stay updated with new episode announcements. 

To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at [email protected], call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Sherri Huff about why unstructured movement time matters and the importance of recess as part of our Mission: ME series to prioritize active and healthy kids at home and at school. 

Dr. Sherri Huff has been an educator for over 30 years in the fields of health and physical education. She is the district wellness coordinator for the Birmingham City Schools in Birmingham, Alabama, supporting physical activity, physical education, and daily recess for all students. 

A full episode transcript is available in the episode details or on our website!

Get notified about new episodes by subscribing on your favorite streaming apps, or follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn to stay updated with new episode announcements. 

To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at [email protected], call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.

In this episode, we’re joined by NCHPAD Program Manager Penny Edwards to discuss why weaving movement and wellness into the school day is so important for kids. With a background as an Exercise Physiologist, Penny now leads efforts to ensure NCHPAD leverages its strengths, expertise, and partnerships to deliver programs, resources, trainings, and community partnerships nationwide.

A full episode transcript is available in the episode details or on our website!

Get notified about new episodes by subscribing on your favorite streaming apps, or follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn to stay updated with new episode announcements. 

To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at [email protected], call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.

In this episode, we chat with Jennifer Dobson, founder of The Rolling Pumpkin Patch in Bessemer, Alabama. The Rolling Pumpkin Patch was created to allow families to experience the fun of a good fall pumpkin patch without accessibility barriers. Since opening in 2021, it has welcomed thousands of visitors and grown to offer a variety of adaptive activities, ensuring that everyone can join in the fun.

A full episode transcript is available in the episode details or on our website!

Get notified about new episodes by subscribing on your favorite streaming apps, or follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn to stay updated with new episode announcements. 

To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at [email protected], call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.

In this episode, we’re joined by Patrick Parkes and Nick Taylor from USA Boccia. Both are boccia athletes as well as members of the organization’s board of directors. They share valuable perspectives on the sport and its unique adaptability for athletes of all abilities. Patrick Parkes has been playing boccia since 2016 and has won numerous National medals and is a former U.S. National Team athlete who competed in the BC2 division of Boccia from 2016 to 2020. He represented the United States at both Americas Regional and World Open competitions. Nick Taylor has an extensive history playing wheelchair tennis at all levels and started playing boccia around 2018. In that time, he's played for the U.S. National Team and won several national titles. To learn more about boccia, visit https://usaboccia.org/. 

A full episode transcript is available in the episode details or on our website!

Get notified about new episodes by subscribing on your favorite streaming apps, or follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn to stay updated with new episode announcements. 

To learn more about NCHPAD or would like to access our free resources, programs and partnership opportunities, email us at [email protected], call us at 866-866-8896, or check out our website at nchpad.org.