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Inclusive fitness: United we stand
Too many health clubs fail to adequately cater for disabled people – but there’s a small handful of operators that are leading by example. Kath Hudson asks them about their approach
Brian Carlin,
Chief executive,
Aspire
Aspire’s vision is to create a world where spinal cord injured people live as equals in society, free from environmental, social and economic prejudice. The ‘purple pound’, as it’s known, is worth £84bn in disposable income, but the fitness industry largely ignores this market and discriminates against it when it comes to employment.
Our health club has an IFI-approved gym, a 25m swimming pool complete with full ramp access, and a dance studio where, of the 51 classes offered, half are inclusive. Twenty seven per cent of our members have disabilities, but they account for 36 per cent of the total usage. Independently funded, we’ve proved this is a business model that works.
One of our USPs is that 60 per cent of our fitness team are also disabled. This is so important in conveying a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, as a common problem is the unintentional prejudice of health and fitness staff.
We export our ethos through our InstructAbility training course, which trains disabled people to be fitness instructors – staff training is a great place to start. Aspire also encourages fitness operators to sign up to the Two Ticks Positive scheme, which guarantees an interview to anyone who has the necessary qualifications and experience, even if they declare that they have a disability.
"60 per cent of our fitness team are disabled. It’s so important, as a common problem is the unintentional prejudice of fitness staff"
Ben Quilter,
Disability and inclusion manager,
GLL
As a retired Paralympian who started to experience sight loss at the age of 12, I know that a lot of the time disabled people just want to blend in and be given the confidence to interact with the leisure facility in the same way as everyone else. At GLL, we believe our staff training should focus on developing understanding to help bring about this aim, and make everyone aware of individuals’ needs.
GLL bases inclusive sessions on demand and need. For example, in some partnerships we run inclusive drop-in gym sessions, with a fitness instructor on-hand to provide additional support. The aim of these sessions is to give people with disabilities an introduction to the facility, make them familiar with the settings and surroundings, and give them the confidence to come independently.
We also have community sports managers who work in an outreach capacity, getting to know groups, schools and organisations to establish what needs they have and how we can meet their requests. A popular activity is swimming lessons, and we’re currently working on an aquatics programme to create a pathway for disabled people.
Sophia Warner,
Founder,
Traibal Series
Tribal Series launched last year, with the backing of Sportsworld, to provide the first mass-participation disability sports events dedicated to the UK’s disabled population. The inaugural event, a Para Tri, took place last August and four more are planned for this year: a Para Run/Push (fun run/wheelchair race), a Para Swim and two Para Tris. We’re aiming for 5,000 participants across the four events, and each year we hope to add more – and more varied – events to the calendar.
There simply aren’t enough opportunities out there for disabled people who want to take part in sport just for fun. While event operators are great at letting disabled people get involved, the cut-off times and equipment restrictions create unintentional barriers. Our series has no cut-off times and participants can use flippers, floats, electric and day wheelchairs, adapted cycles and other aids where needed.
Tribal Series is fundamentally about getting out there, getting active and having fun. We encourage participants to compete against themselves – everyone has a chip timer, so they know what they have to beat next time. It’s the first series that allows the UK’s disabled community to come together, compete and have fun on a dedicated playing field.
We hope health clubs will encourage their members to use our events as inspiring goals to work towards, and we’d love to work in partnership with a health club chain to drive sports participation among disabled people.
In addition, our relays allow disabled and non-disabled teams to face the challenge together, as long as there’s at least one person with a disability per team. This is a really great way to encourage integration and camaraderie between health and fitness club members.
"Our relays allow disabled and non-disabled teams
to face the
challenge together "
John Harling,
Facility manager,
Portway Lifestyle Centre
The Portway Lifestyle Centre, run by Sandwell Leisure Trust, is a purpose-built leisure facility that opened in September 2013 and that incorporates a GP practice. During the planning phase we consulted with local disability groups, individuals with disabilities and a planning team on the design, access and activities, to ensure we were best supporting users with disabilities. As a result, we’ve just received a top-level accreditation from the IFI (Inclusive Fitness Initiative).
Facilities include a 115-station gym with a wide range of adapted equipment; a fully accessible, and very popular, 10m climbing wall; a 10m hydrotherapy pool; and a speciality sensory room.
We use different signs, colours, surface textures and technology to support users in getting around the centre as independently as possible. There are hearing induction loop systems, braille signs and a Wayfinding audible navigation tool, as well as easy access ramps and walkways with tactile paving and handrails.
The centre is also a Changing Places facility, so it has a changing bench and hoist. Added to this, all the staff have received disability awareness training to provide the best customer service.
During 2014/15, we received more than 45,000 disabled visits. This has been achieved by offering free weekday access to disability groups and individuals with a pass. We’ve also partnered with Sandwell Visually Impaired, and run a buddy system with volunteers providing sighted support. Additionally, we work closely with the disability development officer at Adult Services.
"We use different signs, colours, surface textures and technology to support users in getting around the centre independently"
Vicki Bainsfair,
Health and wellbeing manager,
YMCA, Romford
Being inclusive is part of our mission to transform the communities in which we work, enabling more young people to belong, contribute and thrive.
We worked with the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) to make our facility accessible, and now 25 per cent of our machines are accessible and IFI-accredited, while 12 of our 100 group exercise classes are specifically designed for those people with additional needs.
Many of our frontline staff have been trained to a level that gives them an understanding of how to interact with people with additional needs, and they’re willing to go that extra mile to assist. Our fitness staff also have additional qualifications to deliver sessions directly to those with additional or specific needs, such as stroke rehabilitation, cancer referral and GP referral.
Operators shouldn’t shy away from being inclusive. Speak to the clients you’re trying to reach and don’t be frightened of getting it wrong. Doing nothing is worse than using the wrong language or signage.
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