Fitness facilities are sometimes fearful about addressing accessibility and ADA-related issues. Here are a few ideas and resources that can be helpful in this process.

• Assess how environmental barriers can be removed and accessible features can be incorporated into all areas of your facility, including doors and entryways, restrooms and locker rooms, signage and adaptive equipment. Please see NCPAD's "Before and After Fitness Center Makeover" at http://www.ncpad.org/get/fitnessCenter/index.html.
• Go beyond the minimum requirements of the law to incorporate principles of universal design to make your facility accessible to more people. According to Ron Mace, founder and former program director of The Center for Universal Design, "Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design."
• Provide equipment that offers features for users of varying degrees of ability, including sensory and physical abilities.
• Interact with people with disabilities as you would any other members, taking into account individual needs and utilizing the many exercise options that may be available.

Useful Information

• A disability may or may not be observable or apparent. It can affect mobility, vision, speech, hearing, or even cognition and is not necessarily an indicator of poor health. If a person does not choose to disclose his or her disability that is his or her right. You may wish to include a section on your new member form that offers the opportunity for all new members to identify specific program or facility accommodations that may be desired.
• In addition to adaptive exercise equipment, some mainstream equipment can accommodate a wide range of ability levels. Ask your vendor for information or contact NCHPAD for additional resources.
• When building or modifying an existing facility, visit http://www.access-board.gov or call (800) USA-ABLE to receive valuable information on fitness center design specifications that accommodate individuals with disabilities.
• There are many tax incentives available to facilities that make accommodations for people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act; visit http://www.adata.org or call (800) 949-4232.