» Accessibility


Everyone Can Break a Sweat


How to attract new regulars and make a difference for people with disabilities


BY ALLANAH JOHNSTON


of community? Whatever the reason, the major-


W


ity of your clients don’t likely need to worry about accessing the front door. But for some people, front door


18 Fitness Business Canada Winter 2019


hat brings people to your fitness centre? Is it the equipment? Their physical therapy exercises? A sense


accessibility is their first concern. Rehabilitation and fitness are cru-


cial aspects for the lives of people with physical disabilities. Exercise is impor- tant to everyone, but for people with spinal cord injuries, fending off cardio- vascular disease, obesity and health complications that can result from in- activity is critical. Finding a fitness facility that is physically accessible can be a


significant challenge. For example, stairs, the lack of a washroom grab bar and narrow corridors between equip- ment are all common barriers. In Canada, 22 percent of adults–or


one in five– live with a disability, ac- cording to Statistics Canada. Over the next 12 years, real spend-


ing by people with disabilities is antici- pated to grow at three times the rate of the overall population. This will repre- sent 21 percent of the total consumer market or $316 billion annually. Thus, creating a universally accessi-


ble facility is good for your community and also a good business strategy. But it can be difficult for the aver- age business owner to evaluate the


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