Wellness Matters Programs – Inclusive First Aid/CPR/AED Program
Project Dates
2020 – Present
About
About 65% of Americans receive CPR certification; however, only about 18% maintain the certification. The statistics are even less for certification for individuals with disabilities. Twenty-six percent of Americans are living with a disability. These statistics demonstrate the need for individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and family members to have the opportunity to become certified. This program was developed to address this need and is open to the disability community including adults with I/DD, caregivers, and family members. The ability to identify and respond to various health issues, provide proper First Aid and how to perform CPR/AED are integral components of health and wellness. The Inclusive First Aid/CPR/AED class offers opportunities for participants to learn these lifesaving skills. Participants learn how to assess the scene for safety, provide appropriate CPR/AED and First Aid based on the assessment, how to address choking, and other health-related, injury-related, and environmental- related situations. Curriculum is culturally relevant, tailored to the disability community, and participants receive American Heart Association (AHA) certification upon completion. Each session consists of two 3 hours classes (Class #1- First Aid; Class # 2- CPR/AED) and participants must attend both classes to receive certification. Classes are offered at the Center for Disability Studies at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa regularly throughout the year and when requested.
Program Director
Partners
Hawaii Autism Foundation
Special Parent Information Network (SPIN)