TECHNICAL

Are we doing enough to bring disabled people to gyms?

and welcoming environments to ensure that disabled people can participate in physical activity in gyms that are located conveniently for their lifestyle.

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The IFI Mark is managed by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) and is an accreditation which provides disabled people with the assurance that the service provision at these facilities are inclusive and accessible to meet their individual needs.

Inclusive Fitness addresses inclusion as a whole to encourage a cultural change within IFI Mark facilities and is not just about physical access. There are five areas that encompass the inclusive experience and are assessed to achieve the accreditation:

Fitness equipment

The IFI Mark assessment supports continuous improvement of leisure provision; to deliver high quality inclusive services and accessible fitness so that disabled people can more easily access physical activity.

Accessible facilities

development Sports

Now funded by the Department of Health, the IFI continues to change perceptions and influence venue accessibility for everyone. However, the project has shifted to focus more on promoting the health benefits of regular physical activity to encourage more disabled people to choose an active lifestyle and bridge the gap of inactivity. But even with accessible leisure provision, if disabled people aren’t choosing physical activity as a lifestyle choice, it could be because the industry isn’t doing their best at selling it to them.

The value of staff training and workforce development in becoming an inclusive facility should never be underestimated. If staff attitude and the culture of the facility is not inclusive, this will prevent many users from using or getting much further than the front door of a facility.

The IFI therefore offer two levels of staff training to support staff - customer service training and YMCA – Exercise and Disability REPs level 3 to make disabled people feel welcome and confident to take part in physical activity.

For more information on the IFI please visit: www.efds.co.uk/inclusive_fitness

22 The REPs Journal 2014;30(suummer):22 training Staff engagement

Marketing and

he Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) has over the last 10 years grown to have a national coverage of over 400 IFI Mark gym facilities. The IFI leads the way in providing accessible