CDS
Healthy Lifestyles Class
The Center for disability services offers a healthy lifestyles class for individuals with developmental disabilities four times throughout the year. The class is taught by WMU students under the supervision of CDS staff and faculty.
The class meets for 12 weeks, 3 times a week for a 1 ½ hour sessions. The classes are often held at the Unified Clinics but can also meet at other community 
locations.The curriculum was created by The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The curriculum uses several strategies including choice, self determination, self-efficacy, self-advocacy, rights and responsibility. The facilitators concentrate on providing participants with the skills and attitudes necessary to become life long learners. The curriculum stresses the maximum involvement of individuals in the planning and implementation of exercise and nutrition goals, and health promotion.
How do I Join?
The class is available to any adult individual with a developmental disability who lives in Kalamazoo County. You can contact Dawn Robarge at
269-387-7009 to receive the registration information or simply print them from this website.
Dawn Robarge
CDS
1000 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008
email dawn.robarge@wmich.edu
Required Forms
Healthy Lifestyles Questionnaire
Personal Authorization - Photo Release
Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
Research Consent
Healthy Lifestyles Curriculum
Module 1
What is health?
What is physical activity?
Things to do before I exercise
Exercise is good
What do different exercises do for my body?
Good nutrition
How much energy does it take?
Healthy choices/self-advocacyModule 2
What do I think of me?
What is my heart rate?
What is my blood pressure?
What exercises do I like in my community?
What are good and bad influences?
Am I drinking enough water?
What foods do I like to eat?
How do my medications make me feel when I exercise?Module 3
Things to remember for exercising
Community Fitness Center visit
How to breathe when I exercise
Nutrients we need
Becoming more active
Nutrition plansModule 4
Wants and Needs
What is good pain and bad pain?
How does sleep affect physical activity?
Negotiation and Compromise
Can I exercise if I feel sick?
Can I exercise if I feel sick?
Am I meeting my goals?Module 5
Restructuring my environment
Staying on Track
Putting it all together
Graduation party
