The Philadelphia Phillies and The Arc of Philadelphia Join Forces to Promote Inclusion
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) August 26, 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 Citizens Bank Park 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 August 27, children served by The Arc of Philadelphia will participate in a PLAY Campaign event with trainers and players from the Philadelphia Phillies.
“We, at The Arc of Philadelphia, are thrilled to have this opportunity to participate in an inclusive event with our beloved Phillies. 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 Tanya Regli, Executive Director of The Arc of Philadelphia.
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.
NOTE: A Phillies-issued media credential is required to enter the PLAY event. Media members needing credentials can contact Jon Joaquin at (215) 218-5634 or jjoaquin(at)phillies(dot)com.
The Arc advocates for and serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of nearly 700 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.
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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