Creating and applying guidelines and criteria to disability inclusion in physical activity, nutrition, and obesity initiatives and policies

Given the mounting evidence of health disparities among people with disabilities, , there is increased need for disability inclusion guidance for health program planners and policymakers. With a literature review and the advice of a national expert panel, nine guidelines and associated criteria were developed for physical activity, nutrition, and obesity policies and program initiatives of state community transformation efforts. The purpose of these guidelines and criteria is to guide and assess the inclusion of people with disabilities in programs and policies in these areas. Following development of these guidelines, a review of CDC state grantee program initiatives using the guidelines established a baseline of disability inclusion and the basis for the development of a toolkit to help grantees with disability inclusion. This session will present the development of the guidelines and criteria, the current use of the guidelines, the development of an explanatory toolkit, and further steps.