CP Connect: Adaptive Fitness, Recreation and Sports

Adaptive fitness, recreation and sports programs are a great way to build strength, endurance, and cardiovascular health while also making friends and having fun. Join us to learn more with experts Tom Moran, PhD, C.A.P.E from James Madison University and Gavin Colquitt, EdD, CAPE, CSCS, Executive Director of the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness to discuss a variety of models of fitness and adaptive recreation and sports programs, how to get involved, how to know what type of program might be a good fit for your child or yourself, and how to advocate for your needs. 

Gavin Colquitt, PhD, CAPE, CSCS

Dr. Gavin Colquitt is Executive Director of the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness (AppWell) and Professor in the Beaver College of Health Sciences at Appalachian State University. A national leader in disability health, Dr. Colquitt’s work centers on interdisciplinary, community-engaged models of care and wellness for children and adults with disabilities. He is a founding co-lead of the Growing Well Developmental Clinic, an integrated care model serving families in western North Carolina through early childhood screenings and coordinated support.
Prior to joining App State, Dr. Colquitt served as Executive Director of the Center for Rehabilitation and Independent Living and Professor of Kinesiology at Georgia Southern University, where he launched numerous adaptive sport and recreation programs and directed NIH- and state-funded projects focused on inclusive health. He began his career as an adapted physical educator in public schools, grounding his work in the lived experiences of children with disabilities and their families.
Dr. Colquitt is a Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and Fellow of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM), where he has served on and chaired national committees. His translational research and leadership have led to over 80 conference presentations, 30 peer-reviewed publications, and multiple federally funded initiatives advancing equity in disability health across education, research, and clinical practice.

Thomas E. Moran, Ph.D., CAPE

Dr. Tom Moran is professor in the Department of Kinesiology at James Madison University, a nationally certified adapted physical educator, and an individual with lived experience of cerebral palsy. As executive director of Empowerment3—the Center for Physical Activity and Wellness for Underserved—Dr. Moran leads initiatives that educate, equip, and empower individuals, families, professionals, and communities. Empowerment3 delivers physical activity and nutrition mentorship interventions, supports career readiness, and fosters social connection in K-12, community, and university settings. Dr. Moran also co-directs the E3 Training Academy, funded by the U.S. Department of Education to prepare graduate scholars in adapted physical education/activity, special education, and applied behavior analysis. Additionally, he chairs the Adapted Sports and Recreation Committee and the Special Interest Group within the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM).
Dr. Moran specializes in adapted physical education/activity and kinesiology for individuals with disabilities. His research centers on three key areas: (1) enhancing the physical and emotional health of underserved populations—including people with disabilities, at-risk youth, and veterans—through school and community-based mentorships; (2) strengthening professional attitudes and self-efficacy to better serve these groups; and (3) training professionals in inclusive pedagogy using an interdisciplinary, Ability First approach. Dr. Moran has authored numerous manuscripts and delivered over 200 professional presentations.