Promotion, Dissemination, and Practical Application of Results and Findings in the Field of Physical Activity for Persons with Disabilities
@nafapaorg
May 2026 Issue #19
NAFAPA News
Allison Tsuchida | University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Hawaii Happenings | Registration | Call for Session Moderators
Meghann Lloyd | Ontario Tech University
NAFAPA Position Descriptions and Election Process
Early Development Series: Pitching on Paper, Jumping into the Job Market, & Dodging the Desk Reject
Paul Warner and Edward Ramirez
NAFAPA ELECTIONS 2026
The NAFAPA election process has changed! Election results will still be announced at the business meeting at the 2026 NAFAPA conference. However, NAFAPA elections will be held online, prior to the conference. This will streamline the election process and enable members to seek board positions regardless of their ability to attend the conference.
Self-nominations for NAFAPA Board positions are due June 15, 2026
Please keep reading to learn more about these changes, view key dates and nomination information, and learn about the roles and responsibilities of the open NAFAPA Board positions.
Message from our NAFAPA 2026 Symposium Host
Aloha!
We look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 NAFAPA Biannual Conference in Honolulu, Hawai’i, this summer! Set in one of the world’s most beautiful locations, this year’s conference will bring together scholars, practitioners, and students from across the world, including the South Pacific, North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe, to share innovative research and advance the field of adapted physical activity.
NAFAPA 2026 will offer a unique blend of scholarship and meaningful cultural connection. In addition to engaging presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to experience the rich traditions and natural beauty of Hawai‘i through field trips and cultural activities.
The summer conference comes at a critical time to honor culture, diversity, and inclusion. Our conference theme, E Ola Koa Kākou i Kekahi i Kekahi, let us all thrive by supporting each other, encourages us to rise with the tide and navigate the waves together.
Don’t miss out on our exciting program that features learning from our keynote speaker, the one and only––Dr. Samuel Hodge. In addition to professional presentations, NAFAPA 2026 will also feature interactive building sessions, scheduled trips to the lo’i (taro patch), beautiful hikes to Manoa Falls or Makapuu Lighthouse, and our special dinners to celebrate culture as well as excellence and leadership in the field.
This conference will inspire and provide lasting memories. If you haven’t done so already, register now so you don’t miss out on this opportunity! Please continue to check our website for updates and important travel related information: NAFAPA 2026 Conference Website.
“A hui hou!” (Until we meet again),
Alli
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HAWAII HAPPENINGS
ALL INCLUDED WITH YOUR CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
KEYNOTE
The 2026 conference will feature keynote speaker Dr. Samuel Hodge, with programming developed alongside a Native Hawaiian team under the theme, E Ola KoaKākou i Kekahi i Kekahi, let us all thrive by supporting each other.
Additional speakers will highlight cultural diversity and Hawaiʻi‑based initiatives while showcasing accessible physical activity opportunities.
CULTRUAL PROGRAMMING
Attendees will enjoy cultural field trips, including a Native Hawaiian sustainability farm visit and inclusive land‑based activities in an ADA‑compliant garden, along with optional hikes to Mānoa Falls or a nearby lighthouse. Evening events include group dinners with hula performances and an awards dinner with a hula lesson. More info to come!
These amazing cultural experiences are included in NAFAPA 2026 registration, with the option to add a guest for an additional fee. Two meals per day are also included with registration.
2026 NAFAPA Conference
Dates: July 28-31, 2026
Location: University of Hawai’i at Mãnoa
Address: 2465 Campus Road, Honolulu, HI 96822
NAFAPA’s biannual meeting is an important event to share cutting-edge research and emerging trends in adapted physical activity. It offers participants opportunities for rich dialogue, the development of collaborative initiatives, and constructive feedback on their work. The conference harnesses the expertise of NAFAPA's diverse membership while welcoming new voices and perspectives into the organization. Students gain unparalleled opportunities to present their work, connect with leading scholars, and build professional networks that support their future careers.
We hope to see you there!
SESSION MODERATORS NEEDED
We are looking for NAFAPA Members to moderate oral sessions and building sessions.
We are also in need of senior scholars to moderate student work in progress sessions.
Fill out this form and we will be in touch.
Your service and time would be greatly appreciated! Mahalo!
NAFAPA ELECTIONS WILL BE ONLINE, PRIOR TO CONFERENCE IN HAWAII
Dear NAFAPA members,
For the 2026 election cycle, the Board has decided to move our elections online, in compliance with our bylaws and common practice for organizations today. While we understand that momentum peaks during the conference and members are energized to get involved, we want to ensure that the opportunity to be involved is open to all our members, especially this year with the distance and cost of attending our bi-annual conference in Hawaii.
In this newsletter you will find descriptions of the positions that are up for election (President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, Representative to Affiliate Organization [IFAPA], and four Members at Large). All positions, with the exception of Treasurer, are two-year terms. The Treasurer position is a four-year term.
If you are interested in any of the positions listed, please continue reading to see the descriptions of each position and learn about the self-nomination process.
We hope membership will encourage their trainees, regardless of whether they will attend the conference in Hawaii, to consider serving on the board as a Member at Large.
We are asking our members to self-nominate for these positions by email to NAFAPA.boardofdirectors@gmail.com by June 15, 2026.
Voting will occur online from July 10-20, 2026, and the new board will be notified of their positions before the conference in Hawaii. Election results will be announced publicly at the NAFAPA Business meeting. I look forward to working with the new Board, and I hope to see you in Hawaii!
Cheers,
Meghann
NAFAPA Board Position Descriptions
President Elect
The President-Elect is elected for six-year period (two-year terms as President-Elect, President, and Past President). They assist the President with NAFAPA business while preparing for their term as president. The President-Elect supports the president in forming committees, planning for the future of NAFAPA, and facilitating elections for the next NAFAPA board.
Treasurer
The treasurer is responsible for keeping financial records, tracking membership and conference registration, and maintaining and filing 501(c)(3) paperwork. The treasurer provides financial updates at NAFAPA Board meetings and the NAFAPA business meeting.
Secretary
The NAFAPA Secretary coordinates communications, logs meeting minutes, and maintains records for NAFAPA. This includes overseeing email and social media accounts, analyzing membership trends, and evaluating public outreach. The Secretary works closely with the NAFAPA Board, Members at Large, and conference hosting committees to ensure timely and consistent messaging about NAFAPA activities.
Representative to Affiliate Organization
The Representative to Affiliate Organizations is the formal liaison for NAFAPA and affiliated organizations (i.e., IFAPA). The position strengthens collaboration, communication, and engagement between NAFAPA and external bodies, while ensuring that NAFAPA is represented at key affiliate and professional meetings.
Members at Large (4)
Members at Large support the NAFAPA Board with student engagement and communications. Over the past two years, members at large helped NAFAPA rebrand with an emphasis on accessible content. We developed a webinar series to provide professional development to students and professionals. In addition, Members at Large work closely with the President and Secretary to complete these tasks.
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Webmaster
This role is responsible for website management and plays a critical role in maintaining NAFAPA’ s online presence. Some responsibilities include formatting the website, providing content updates, integrating newsletters into the website, promoting upcoming events, and ensuring the webpage is mobile accessible. Previous Web design experience is preferred for this position.
Newsletter Editor(s)
The newsletter editors brainstorm content, connect with potential authors, and format the newsletter. The editors create text-only copies that are attached to the website and distributed to members, too. Newsletter editors should be proficient in using PDF-related software (Adobe or Canva).
Pictured are the current 2024-2026 board members
Election Process
Important Dates:
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Self-Nomination Due: June 15, 2026
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Online Voting Begins: July 10, 2026
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Online Voting Ends: July 20, 2026
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New Board Members Notified: July 24, 2026
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New Board Announced: July 31, 2026
Open Positions:
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President-Elect
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Treasurer
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Secretary
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Representative to Affiliate Organization (IFAPA)
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Member at Large (four positions)
We hope membership will encourage trainees, regardless of whether they will attend the conference in Hawaii, to consider serving on the board as a Member at Large.
Self-Nomination Process:
Self-nominations should include: Name, affiliation (North American University or Organization), position for nomination, and up to 200 words outlining your interest and skills/experience for the position. We are asking our members to self-nominate for these positions by email to NAFAPA.boardofdirectors@gmail.com by June 15, 2026.
Early Career Development Series Released Online
Were you unable to attend?
All sessions are now published online!
Combined key takeaways include:
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Be yourself, but still be professional
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Seek mentorship early
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Utilize your network
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You and your work can and will find a home
Watch Pitching on Paper Here
Fellowship and PhD deadlines come quickly, and participants learned practical strategies for writing strong one‑page statements for fellowships, PhD programs, and postdoc applications.
Dr. Emily Bremer
Dr. Meghann Lloyd
Dr. Sam Logan
Watch Jumping into the Job Market Here
We explored academic and industry jobs with a panel of professionals who had served on search committees, written interview questions, or been recently hired, offering insights on how to land the job you want.
Dr. Megan MacDonald
Dr. JK Yun
Dr. Nancy Spencer
Dr. Lindsey Nowland
Watch Dodging the Desk Reject Here
Learn what drives early manuscript decisions from a panel of executive editors, associate editors, and journal board members, gaining insight into what journals look for when a submission first arrives.
Dr. Justin Haegele
Dr. Margaret Turk
Dr. Samuel Hodge
Farewell from Your Editors
As our time as NAFAPA members at large comes to an end, we would like to thank the NAFAPA community for the opportunity to serve as newsletter editors over the past two years. In addition to editing the newsletter, we especially valued supporting the NAFAPA rebrand, developing the early career webinar series, learning from the NAFAPA board, and connecting with NAFAPA members. These have been rewarding experiences that provided us with key insight into what it takes to run a successful international organization like NAFAPA.
We would like to especially thank Meghann, Franzi, Cora, and Jenna, who participated in many meetings and brainstorming sessions. Their ideas, innovation, tech-savviness, attention to detail, and supportive feedback helped develop a unified message for NAFAPA communications over the past couple of years. We would also like to thank the rest of the NAFAPA board for their mentorship and efforts responding to (most of) our messages requesting content, proofreading, or panel service. As we reflect on our time as editors, we leave feeling proud with our contributions to the NAFAPA newsletter and communications, yet excited to see how the newsletter develops with new editors.
Thank you for reading over the past two years!
Warm Regards,
Paul & Eddie
Edward Ramirez is a PhD student at the University of Georgia. His research focuses on on people with physical impairments who use wheelchairs and their motivation, lived experiences, and benefits of participating in wheelchair sports.
Paul Warner is a PhD student at the University of Illinois. His 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.
