Where to Begin?
Considering marketing your fitness center to persons with disabilities,
but unsure whether you can accommodate all needs within your program?
How do you adapt your program to fit the needs of someone who uses a
wheelchair? Do you need to provide special training to your staff? There
is plenty of information available for you when thinking of expanding
your program to people with disabilities. It’s just a matter of
finding it.
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There are phenomenal fitness programs available that can give you
a framework for setting up your own fitness program. One example that
offers fitness information specifically for people in wheelchairs is:
http://www.wheelchairnet.org/WCN_ProdServ/DOCS/TeamRehab/RR_95/9502art4.pdf
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The Health Models for People with Disabilities page of the University
of Illinois at Chicago offers specific workout programs for persons
with disabilities:
http://www.ahs.uic.edu/ahs/php/?sitename=dhd
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A High-intensity Weight Training program for persons with disabilities
is offered by the United Cerebral Palsy organization:
http://www.ucp.org/ucp_channeldoc.cfm/1/15/11500/11500-11500/4124
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Not every fitness facility may meet the needs of every individual
who comes in the door. Being able to refer that person to an appropriate
setting is very helpful. Check out the Recreation link (http://www.accessmaine.org/living_recreation.htm)
on this site to see a variety of programs for people with disabilities
that are already available in Maine.
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Speak with your colleagues at other facilities to see how they are
handling the same issues. You may be able to collaborate. Consider developing
a listserv or an informal network to share solutions to common needs.
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Your new clients with disabilities will tell you about the accommodations
that they may need. However, if you want to learn more about certain
conditions or disabilities, go to the Library section of this website
to find useful links in the Diagnosis Directory section. If a client
or clinician uses terms unfamiliar to you, try the Glossary found in
the Library section of this website.
Staff Training
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