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Johnson MJ, Stoelzle HY, Finco KL, et al. ADA Compliance and Accessibility of Fitness Facilities in Western Wisconsin. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil. 2012;18(4):340-53doi: 10.1310/sci1804-340.
Johnson, M. J., Stoelzle, H. Y., Finco, K. L., Foss, S. E., & Carstens, K. (2012). ADA Compliance and Accessibility of Fitness Facilities in Western Wisconsin. Topics in spinal cord injury rehabilitation, 18(4), 340-53. https://doi.org/10.1310/sci1804-340
Johnson, Marquell J, et al. "ADA Compliance and Accessibility of Fitness Facilities in Western Wisconsin." Topics in spinal cord injury rehabilitation vol. 18,4 (2012): 340-53. doi: https://doi.org/10.1310/sci1804-340
Johnson MJ, Stoelzle HY, Finco KL, Foss SE, Carstens K. ADA Compliance and Accessibility of Fitness Facilities in Western Wisconsin. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil. 2012;18(4):340-53. doi: 10.1310/sci1804-340. PMID: 23459713; PMCID: PMC3584791.
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Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil. 2012;18(4):340-53. doi: 10.1310/sci1804-340.

ADA Compliance and Accessibility of Fitness Facilities in Western Wisconsin.

Topics in spinal cord injury rehabilitation

Marquell J Johnson, Hannah Y Stoelzle, Kristi L Finco, Sadie E Foss, Katie Carstens

Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

PMID: 23459713 PMCID: PMC3584791 DOI: 10.1310/sci1804-340

Abstract

PURPOSE: The study expands the research on fitness facility accessibility by determining how compliant fitness facilities in rural western Wisconsin were with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Comparisons were made with 4 other studies that were conducted in different geographical regions. The study also examined fitness professionals' disability knowledge and awareness.

METHOD: An ADA fitness facility compliance instrument and a fitness professional disability awareness survey were used. Direct observation and physical measurements were taken during on-site visits to 16 of 36 eligible fitness facilities in rural western Wisconsin. Ten fitness professionals from participating facilities completed an online survey. Frequencies were used to analyze the results.

RESULTS: None of the participating facilities were in 100% compliance with ADA. Customer service desk (84%) and path of travel throughout the facility (72%) were the highest compliance areas. Telephone (6%) and locker rooms (32%) were the lowest compliance areas. No fitness professional was trained in wheelchair transfers and very few had received training in providing services to individuals with disabilities.

CONCLUSION: Fitness facility accessibility remains a concern nationally. Continued efforts need to be made to raise the awareness of ADA compliance among fitness professionals across the United States, especially in rural areas where fitness facility availability is limited.

Keywords: Americans with Disabilities Act; accessibility; disability; environmental barriers; fitness facility

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