Accommodation of Wheelchair-reliant Individuals by Community Fitness Facilities

Background: Adhering to the recommended healthy physical activity guidelines can be difficult for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), stroke or other paralytic conditions. Ordinary community structures such as curbs, stairs and narrow passageways can present as major obstacles for individuals who are reliant on wheelchairs. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 mandates that public facilities, including community fitness centers, should be accessible to everyone.

Study Design: Analysis of compliance of the ADA and accommodation of wheelchair-reliant individuals.

Objectives: To determine the level of compliance with ADA and the degree of accommodation of wheelchair-reliant individuals.

Setting: Community fitness centers in the Hattiesburg, Mississippi metropolitan area.

Methods: Ten fitness centers consented to unfettered access for evaluation of ADA compliance and accommodation of wheelchair-reliant individuals using an 82-item checklist.

Results: All surveyed facilities were found to be partially compliant, with none of the facilities being 100% compliant. The areas of least compliance were access to and free movement around exercise equipment and full access to restrooms. Beyond ADA accessibility, only 20% of the participating facilities provided suitable adaptive equipment, and no facilities employed staff trained for the special needs of those with paralytic conditions.

Conclusion: Beyond mandated physical accessibility, accommodation of individuals who are reliant on wheelchairs because of SCI or other paralytic conditions was found to be lacking. It remains important for health-care professionals and other advocacy groups to stress the need for inclusion and accommodation of individuals with disabilities to community fitness facilities allowing wellness needs to be met.