CONFERENCE/WORKSHOP CALENDAR

This installment of the adapted physical education section of the PELINKS4U website features: An overview and brief summary of some invaluable web sites in our field which are principally associated with disability sports programs and information; a huge resource for practitioners in the field needing more information for their programs; and A brief introduction and update regarding the Adapted PE National Standards; big newsÖmore user friendly certification application procedures and two new options (grandfather type) for becoming certified, for people who have already served extensively in the field; these will only be available from 2001-2005, so do not delay in getting this credential while you can! Chris Stopka Adapted Section Editor

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	Carol Huettig
	Cindy Piletic
	Kristi Roth
	Chris Stopka

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The World Congress & Exposition on Disabilities (WCD) The WCD is intended to educate, inform and provide a useful exchange of ideas for persons with disabilities and special health care needs and for those involved in their care and development. The Dwarf Athletic Association of America (DAAA) The Dwarf Athletic Association of America (DAAA) was formed in 1985 to develop, promote, and provide quality amateur-level athletic opportunities for athletes who are dwarfs in the United States. Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA) As a U.S. Olympic Committee and International Sports Organization for the Disabled member, DS/USA sanctions and conducts competitions and training programs for athletes who are orthopedically impaired. National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA), formerly the United States Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association (USCPAA) The National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) is the National Governing Body for competitive sports for individuals with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries and survivors of stroke. NDSA was originally formed as the United Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association (USCPAA) in 1987. Special Olympics Special Olympics is an international program of year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than one million children and adults with mental retardation. United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) United States Association of Blind Athletes(USABA) is a non-profit amateur sport organization that provides sport opportunities at the state, regional, national, and international levels for individuals who are legally blind.  USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF) The goal of the USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF) is to provide deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adults with opportunities to compete with their peers, as well as the larger society of athletes. Wheelchair Sports, USA Wheelchair Sports, USA , founded in 1956 as the National Wheelchair Athletic Association, changed its name in 1994 to better reflect the organization's mission and goals. From the beginning, this organization has been directed and developed by wheelchair athletes and wheelchair sports enthusiasts, individuals with firsthand understanding of the values of participation. North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) North American Riding for the Handicapped Associati on (NARHA) promotes and supports therapeutic horseback riding programs throughout the United States and Canada. The Coaches Forum The Coaches Forum's Mission is to provide a forum for athletics coaches, athletes, and administrators worldwide to communicate and share information across disability groups. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) encourages persons with disabilities to engage in regular physical activity. BlazeNet The central message of the BlazeNet Program is the enhancement of health and fitness of young people with physical disabilities. Wheelchair football The world's most inclusive sport! Anyone can play! Wheelchair football is an extremely fun and adaptable sport. For more information about this exciting sport and the Annual Blister Bowl held in Santa Barbara, California. Team Bowling Team Bowling is played on a basketball court and is suitable for large groups of people with some using wheelchairs and competing safely and effectively. The Lakeshore Foundation SuperSports Program The Lakeshore Foundation SuperSports Program exists to provide sports and recreation opportunities for children with physical disabilities. Many other organizations can be identified by selecting links within these websites. www.Palaestra.com, a journal in the field, provides and maintains an updated and very comprehensive list of these sites and many others. TWUís Project INSPIRE, and many other excellent resource sites can be reached by these links. Our field is brimming with information! HAPPY SURFING!

APENS! What is it? Whatís the purpose? How can I be certified? New certification options you wonít want to miss!   a. ìAPENSî refers to the Adapted Physical Education National Standards.   b. The purpose of the Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) Project is to ensure that physical education instruction for students with disabilities is provided by qualified physical education instructors. To achieve this end, the project has developed national standards for the profession and a national certification examination to measure knowledge of these standards.  c. New information, beginning this year, the examination and certification application has been divided into a 2-part process. Part One (Examination Application) is now a shorter application requesting the basic information necessary to sit for the examination. Part Two (Certification Application) consists of the remainder of the application process, which is necessary in order to receive certification after passing the examination. Dividing the application process makes it both easier and quicker for individuals to complete the process necessary to take the examination. Individuals may wait until receiving their examination results before submitting Part Two, or submit both Part One and Part Two together, prior to the examination, if desired. Application materials for the June 1, 2002 examination must be received prior to April 15, 2002 to be processed for that year. Applications received after the April 15th deadline will only be processed for the following year's examination. For additional examination opportunities and deadlines visit the Common Questions Page of the website. Also beginning this year, there are two additional options for individuals who want a non-examination option to become a Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE) or do not meet our current examination and certification criteria.   -- One of these options is for General Physical Educators and the other; -- Professionals in Higher Education, Agencies, and/or Organizations.  These individuals can apply to become a Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE) without taking the examination IF they meet the alternative criteria described in Section #2 of each of the applications. Both of these options will only be available from 2001-2005.   If you have any questions concerning the various applications or eligibility criteria, please contact the APENS toll free message phone at 1-888-APENS-EXam (1-888-273-6739) or email us at apens@twu.edu. Be sure to leave a detailed message, which includes a phone number and the best time to return your call.