Recruitment is one of the biggest challenges that I have noticed regarding physical activity programs for people with disabilities. I experienced this first hand several years ago, when I was developing adaptive sports and exercise programs for students with disabilities at Kent State University. I remember I was very excited for the opportunity to provide such programs to students with disabilities, and also to have have students try activities that they did not think they could do, or that they knew existed.

With the help of the fitness coordinator and student disability services, I was able to set up a variety of adaptive programs - chair aerobics, yoga, aquatics, archery, rock climbing, skiing and an introduction to wheelchair basketball. I assumed that once these activities were available, students would be lining up to join. The truth was, hardly any of the students voluntarily signed up for any of the programs, and the rest had to be encouraged.

Some students are simply not interested in these types of activities, but others, I believe, just had a lack of knowledge - not knowing these programs exist, and not knowing that they can participate in sports and exercise activities even if they do have a physical disability. Also, sports and exercise are generally introduced early to children. But due to the competitive nature of sports, children with disabilities often don't get to reap the benefits of physical activity at all, or are exposed to them much later in their lives.

Temple University in Philadelphia, PA has one of the most creative programming ideas that I've come across. It's called the Workout Buddy Program, and is one of many available from their Adaptive Recreation Department. The goal of the Workout Buddy Program is to provide an opportunity for students with disabilities to experience various sports and exercise activities. Students with disabilities who want to participate are partnered up with a fellow student/volunteer, and they participate together in whatever activity they choose - tandem walking/jogging, handcycling, aquatics, weight traning, cardiovascular conditioning, etc.

Since many individuals with disabilities are not aware of adaptive sports/recreation programs, there needs to be introductory programs that expose young individuals with disabilities to various physical activities. This group also needs to learn about how exercise and sports can benefit them physically and emotionally, and understand that participating in physical activity improves their health and wellbeing. Universities and colleges in particular should be providing such programs for their students since the setting is ideal for fostering new experiences and self-growth.

What other ways can colleges and universities encourage students with disabilities to join sports, exercise, or recreation programs? Also, should there be more focus on attitudinal change from the nondisabled student population?

This week, we highlight promising physical activity programs for school children, as well as adults with disabilities:

Conflict resolution, physical activity drive playground program  (Source:  The Meadville Tribune)  Description of the Peaceful Playground program, designed to increase physical activity and decrease bullying during recess.

Disabilities are no hurdle to exercise (Source:  Delaware Online)  Examples of successful physical activity programs for adults with disabilities. 

Do you have experience with similar programs in your community?  Share your tips for success!

Fitness center participant at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting older.  Thank goodness it’s not just me!  It is estimated that by 2030, one out of every 5 Americans will be 65 years of age or older.  As Baby Boomers age, society needs to change to accommodate demands of this growing percentage.  So, what are we doing to meet the physical activity needs of this aging population and how are we making available opportunities known?

Not only is aging inevitable, but chronic disease, disability, mobility limitations, and other physical impairments increase as we age.  Fun, huh?  With the significant buying power of the Baby Boomers and the physical changes they face, the setting is primed for the development and marketing of accessible and inclusive programs, services, and facilities.

You may already have accessible and inclusive programs, services, and features, but how many people know about those?  People with disabilities are often unaware of physical activity opportunities in their area despite their existence.  The problem then, is marketing.  How are people going to know about what is available if nobody reaches out to them, particularly if a prior experience in a fitness setting was less than positive (which certainly wouldn’t encourage me to seek more out)?

Here are some tips:

• Remember that disabilities come in a variety of forms:  sensory (visual, hearing), cognitive, and physical.  Consider as many types as possible when creating your marketing materials and strategies.

• Provide materials in various formats such as large print, Braille, electronic, and pictogram OR know how to get them upon request.

• Make sure your website and online materials are accessible (i.e. can be read by screen readers for visual impairments).

• Include images of people with various abilities, conditions, impairments, and body types in your materials.  There has been a lot of attention on including all races and both sexes - expand that to people of all abilities too!

• Actively reach out.  Post flyers or distribute brochures in community centers, independent living centers, physical therapy clinics and accessible housing common areas.  Find an opportunity to attend a meeting to talk about your program.

• Build relationships with healthcare providers and encourage them to share information about your facilities and programs with patients, whether personally or in waiting areas.  Once an individual leaves acute therapy or rehabilitation, community level fitness tends to be absent because people don’t know where to go next.  Tell them!

• Highlight specific accommodations in your facility, like a pool lift or upper body ergometer.  Make features stand out in your materials by using universal symbols of accessibility  and highlight them on your tours. Even if one person doesn’t need a particular feature, chances are they know someone who does!

• On your membership form, ask if there is any need for accommodations.  Often people do not identify as having a “disability” yet could use some sort of accommodation to use the facility to the fullest.

Older adults and individuals with disabilities are a growing population with money to spend and health needs to address. By reaching out, you are not only increasing your membership base, but are also helping to fill a significant need in their lives. 

For more information on marketing to individuals with disabilities, go to

§         http://www.ncpad.org/fitt/fact_sheet.php?sheet=666

§         http://www.ncpad.org/fitt/fact_sheet.php?sheet=468

“So, what are you doing to meet the physical activity needs of this population and how are you making these opportunities known?”