Why bother to attract persons with disabilities to your Fitness
Center? You may have considered it but weren’t sure where
to begin or whether it would be worth making accommodations. Here
are
some issues
to consider that may affect your long term planning.
-
One in five Mainers
is estimated to have a disability. That’s
20% of your potential client base.
-
Although seniors have the highest
disability rates, the majority of Americans with disabilities are
of working age.
-
As the baby boomer population ages and life expectancy
continues to increase, the number of people with disabilities will
grow.
-
Baby boomers are living longer, working past retirement age, thereby
increasing their spending power.
-
With the use of increased technology
and research about rehabilitation, Mainers are becoming better
informed consumers who understand that fitness
facilities can be useful for their rehabilitation.
-
With a physician
referral, rehabilitation at fitness centers can be reimbursable through
worker’s compensation or short-term disability.
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Disability is fundamental
in the human experience. People can become disabled at any point
in their lives. The definition of disability is
very broad.
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Americans with disabilities is the single largest minority
group in the country.
-
The most common causes of disability are back
problems, heart disease, arthritis, and asthma.
-
Native Americans
have the highest disability rate of all racial groups.
-
People who
reside in rural areas tend to have higher disability rates.
