This is the second of a five-part series on GRAIDs: Guidelines, Recommendations, Adaptations, Including Disability. Join us as we move through the five domains to ensure your fitness center is welcoming and accessible to everyone. Read part one here.
Domain: Instruction - Techniques used to enhance learning for fitness center staff, an individual with a disability, their family members or caregivers.
Examples: Webinars, lunch and learns, seminars, in-service trainings or certificate programs.
Note: Please keep appropriate and accessible alternate formats for all worksheets and handouts.
One of the top barriers to participation in physical activity for individuals with a disability is negative attitudes of people – like fitness center staff – towards disability. It’s very important to ensure that individuals with a disability feel welcomed and included in your facility.
The instruction domain can be important for two main reasons:
1. Instruction can apply to trainings delivered to your staff. There are lots of trainings available that can help equip your staff to better engage members with a disability. Here are some basics that we recommend:
- All staff in a facility should be required to take disability education training.
- Staff in specialized positions should take trainings or certifications specific to their area of expertise.
- For example, a fitness instructor becoming a Inclusive Fitness Specialist through ACSM or taking other adapted fitness certificates.
2. Instruction can also apply to the accessibility of the content you provide to your members and staff. If you host fitness classes, lunch and learns, nutrition demos or similar events, ensure that the information is delivered in an accessible manner. Here’s what we recommend:
- Offer large print or braille handouts, provide an interpreter if requested and make sure voices are amplified with a microphone.
- In a fitness class, make sure your instructors provide seated and standing exercise options and use inclusive terminology so that everyone feels welcome.
Inclusion Solutions:
- Seek out training around disability for all staff.
- Ensure fitness staff are trained on inclusive fitness.
- Enlist the help of individuals with a disability to evaluate your inclusive instructions.
- Provide opportunities for members to request accommodations.
Resources:
Discover Inclusive Events
Get the Facts
Discover Accessible Fitness
