The Oakland Athletics and The Arc of Alameda County Join Forces to Promote Inclusion National Health and Wellness Event to Include Children With Disabilities
Alameda, California (PRWEB) July 21, 2014 -- The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society’s (PBATS) PLAY (Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth) Campaign is scheduled to make a stop at O.co Coliseum to promote the importance of children living a healthy and active lifestyle.
In 2014, the PLAY campaign became the first program in professional sports to include children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) through a partnership with The Arc. On July 22, more than 20 children served by The Arc of Alameda County, will participate in an event with Nick Paparesta, the A’s Head Trainer.
"Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities are part of the fabric of our community. We want the community to see what they can do, rather than cannot. PBATS is offering them a chance to learn new skills and shine in the Oakland Coliseum with professional baseball players and trainers! Everyone needs a fan, so thank you, PBATS and the Oakland Athletics for becoming fans of our children as we are fans of yours,” said Ron Luter, President and CEO for The Arc of Alameda County.
The PLAY Campaign, conducted at all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums each season, is a public awareness campaign of PBATS. The campaign is designed to help combat childhood obesity and promote a healthy and active lifestyle by promoting fun activities and good decision making. Originally developed in 2004, PLAY is now the longest running health campaign in professional sports directed specifically at young people. The events are typically two hours in length and include stations hosted by experts from across the United States. This year, for the first time, children with I/DD from chapters of The Arc will participate alongside children without disabilities at these events.
“While we have come a long way in including people with disabilities in the sports world, too often those opportunities are segregated. Kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities are capable of and deserve to be included alongside kids without disabilities in recreational activities – and PBATS is the first professional sports organization to formally recognize this and take action. We appreciate the care that the trainers and stadium staff are taking to make these events inclusive,” said Peter V. Berns, CEO of The Arc.
NOTE: An Athletics-issued media credential is required to enter the PLAY event. Media members needing credentials can contact Zak Basch at (510) 563-2236 or zbasch(at)athletics(dot)com.
Editor’s Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.
Sarah Bal, The Arc of the United States, +1 (202) 600-3494, [email protected]
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