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U-FIT Program Wins Outstanding Adapted PE/PA Program Award

RESTON, VA, April 20, 2016 — The U-FIT Program, a physical activity program for children with disabilities provided through the Department of Exercise & Sport Science at the University of Utah, was honored with the Outstanding Adapted Physical Education/Physical Activity Program Award by SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators. The award, which recognizes programs that focus on improving the physical activity of individuals with disabilities through education, sport and community activities, was presented at the Claudine Sherrill Adapted PE & PA Awards Breakfast during the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo in Minneapolis. U-FIT is a family-centered program designed to build friendships, increase self-esteem, and improve motor skills and levels of physical fitness while ultimately having fun in a nurturing environment. The key to the success of the U-FIT Program is through family involvement of those who participate. They encourage inclusion by inviting siblings to come participate, and also offer parent fitness classes and a parent education program while their children are participating. “Whenever there is a child with a disability in a family, it impacts every family member in a variety of ways,” says Dr. Hester Henderson, U-FIT Program Director. “U-FIT provides the child with the disability and their siblings the opportunity to come spend time with a university student for two hours a week doing activities such as swimming, dance, art, and games and activities in the gym. Parents are also provided with a fitness program so that they can be physically active, or they can just take the time to relax. That two-hour respite means the world to them.”The program started with 15 children in February, 2000 and has grown to include more than 140 children from ages 3 to 22. U-FIT began as an activity program in the gymnasium and has expanded to include an aquatics program, an art program, and a dance program.

About SHAPE AmericaSHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators is the nation’s largest membership organization of health and physical education professionals. Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education, and our National Standards for K-12 Physical Education serve as the foundation for well-designed physical education programs across the country. We provide programs, resources and advocacy to support health and physical educators at every level, from preschool to university graduate programs.

SHAPE America has 50 state affiliates and is a founding partner of national initiatives such as the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, Let’s Move! Active Schools and the Jump Rope For Heart/Hoops For Heart programs. “50 Million Strong by 2029” is our commitment to empower all children to lead healthy and active lives through health and physical education programs. For more information, visit http://www.shapeamerica.org.

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