WED-014 - Advancing Disability Inclusion in Health Education and Promotion
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM PST
Location: Plaza Foyer, Plaza Level
Area of Responsibility: Area V: Advocacy Keywords: Advocacy@@@Health Equity@@@Physical Disabilities, Subcompetencies: 3.2 Deliver health education and promotion interventions., 1.2.2 Establish collaborative relationships and agreements that facilitate access to data. Research or Practice: Practice
Program Manager I, Expert Information Specialist National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Upon completion of this session, participants will report increased confidence in applying disability-inclusive practices within their health promotion work.
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to draft at least one actionable step for advancing disability inclusion in their own professional or community health education content.
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to assess existing health education materials and implement at least two disability-inclusive strategies to improve equitable access for people with disabilities.
Brief Abstract Summary: During this presentation, attendees will increase their confidence in applying disability-inclusive practices within their health promotion work. Attendees will also be able to draft at least one actionable step for advancing disability inclusion in their own professional or community health education context.
Detailed abstract description: People with disabilities (PWD) represent one of the largest and most diverse populations worldwide but remain disproportionately excluded from health promotion and education efforts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 70 million, or one in four, adults in the United States and roughly 15% of the global population report having a disability. This statistic makes people PWD the largest minority group, both in the United States and globally, as well as one of the most unique populations because, unlike racial, ethnic, and other minority groups, this is the only group that anyone can become a member of at any time. The National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) aims to accelerate disability inclusion by fostering communities that provide PWD equal access to and opportunities for healthy living through health promotion activities like resource development, training, and programs that promote equitable access to health, wellness, and physical activity. Aligned with SOPHE’s 2026 conference theme, Local Roots, Global Impact: Transforming Health through Education, this session will highlight NCHPAD’s community-driven approach to embedding accessibility into health education practices. Through collaborative initiatives and strategic partnerships, we demonstrate how locally tailored strategies—such as inclusive curriculum design, accessible communication tools, and training for health educators—address systemic barriers and empower PWD to engage fully in health-promoting behaviors. By centering disability within health education, NCHPAD underscores the transformative potential of education to create equitable, sustainable, and universally accessible pathways to health.
