This program was transferred to ACL in January 2019 from the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition (PCSFN) and has been modified to focus on K-12 students. A formal agreement is not required for schools to participate.
We know that healthy and fit students are better learners who are more likely to thrive in school and in life. We also know that many children do not get enough exercise or have healthy eating habits. Unfortunately, this is particularly true for children with disabilities.
The “I Can Do It!” (ICDI) program was created to tackle this issue. The program helps schools offer an integrated program of physical education, physical activity, and training in good nutritional behaviors to students with disabilities in grades K-12. Although some children may participate in the program on an individual basis, ICDI prioritizes an inclusive, integrated approach in which children with and without disabilities play and participate in physical education together.
In communities across the country, educators, health care providers, and families are working to help children with disabilities grow into healthy, well-educated adults. An individualized program of physical activity and nutritional training is critical to that effort, and ICDI is intended to help schools meet that need.
The resources below will help schools get started, and more materials will be posted in the coming months.
Program Manual
The ICDI Program manual explains the program in detail and provides with practical steps to initiate and sustain it for all students with disabilities.
Program Manual Appendices:
- The PALA+ Log is a tool to help participants track the time they spend on physical activity, as they work toward achieving the President's Active Lifestyle Award.
- Certificates recognizing the achievement can be downloaded at no cost. In addition, the National Fitness Foundation offers award and recognition items that can be purchased.
- The Goal Setting Worksheet is completed by the student and his or her mentor.
- Templates to make it simple for program leaders to:
- Issue a proclamation to announce the school's participation in the program
- Invite guests and the media to an end-of-year recognition ceremony
- Request transportation resources for program activities