Promotion, Dissemination, and Practical Application of Results and Findings in the Field of Physical Activity for Persons with Disabilities
@_nafapa
2024-2026 NAFAPA Board Members
President (2024-2026)
Ontario Tech University
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Dr. Lloyd’s research focuses on motor development, physical activity, play, and health in children with disabilities. She also works closely with Special Olympics to understand how participation impacts health.
President Elect (2026-2028)
Oregon State University
andrew.pitchford@oregonstate.edu
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Dr. Pitchford’s research focuses on the intersections of physical activity, physical fitness, motor behavior, and health of individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan. He works to systematically examine health disparities and then identify, design, and evaluate targeted interventions for health promotion.
Past President (2022-2024)
Old Dominion University
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Dr. Haegele's primary research interests center on exploring how disabled individuals experience physical activity participation, including within school-based physical education contexts. In addition to his role with NAFAPA, he is the editor-in-chief for Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly.
Secretary
Oregon State University
franziska.loetzner@oregonstate.edu
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Dr. Loetzner's research focuses on inclusive health and fitness through Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in adapted sport and adapted physical activity. She collaborates with Special Olympics International Research and Evaluation on enhancing sport-based fitness initiatives.
Treasurer
University of Alabama at Birmingham
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Dr. Malone's research focuses on adults with physical disabilities, with a particular emphasis on promoting physical activity and exposure to greenspace.
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Treasurer
Memorial University of Newfoundland
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​Dr. Pushkarenko’s research explores the intersection of inclusion and physical literacy development across all ages, abilities, and contexts. A federally funded researcher in Canada, he focuses on stakeholder perspectives and lived experiences to deepen understanding and inform the design of programs that enhance accessibility and promote meaningful engagement in physical activity.
Member-at-Large
University of Delaware
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Cora's research is dedicated to advancing inclusive, equitable, and innovative health interventions and assessments. Her dissertation addresses the critical need to enhance data quality through accessible physical activity and sedentary behavior assessment tools and techniques for adults with intellectual disability.
Member-at-Large
University of Toronto
jennadeanna.smith@mail.utoronto.ca
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Jenna's research is focused on enhancing the skills and practices of physical activity professionals in community-based settings, with the goal of fostering greater inclusion for individuals of all abilities.
Member-at-Large
University of Georgia
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Edward's research interest focuses on people with physical impairments who use wheelchairs and their motivation, lived experiences, and benefits of participating in wheelchair sports.
Member-at-Large
University of Illinois
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Paul's research focuses on the lived-experiences of youth with disabilities in different physical education and physical activity settings and the use of evidence-based practices in such spaces.
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