FITNESS FACILITY ACCESSIBLITY IN THETWIN CITIES METROPOLITAN AREA

Hannah Y. Stoelzle, OTSOctober 26, 2012

Introduction

In 2005, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report indicated there were 54 million Americans with a disability. (Center Disease Control (CDC), 2007)

Statistics expected to rise with aging population - baby boomers. (CDC, 2007)

Disability & Exercise

Individuals with disabilities have higher rates of chronic conditions: Diabetes Hypertension Obesity Depression

(United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2000)

12.8% of individuals without a disability reported being physically inactive during the week compared to 25.6% of individuals with a disability (CDC, 2007)

Americans with Disability Act (ADA)

Signed into law in 1990

Regulated by Department of Justice

Five Sections in ADA Title III: Public accommodations

Disability Rights Movement made disabilities visible to the public.

Previous Research

Occupational Therapy

American Occupational

Therapy Association (AOTA)

Encourages practitioners advocate for individuals with disabilities need for accessibility.

OT Code of Ethics and Standards encourages that practitioners eliminate health disparities.

Practitioner ADA Knowledge

Redick et al. (2000) found that OT practitioners have little knowledge on Title III standards, which results in practitioners failing to educate consumers and business owners on ADA standards.

Lack of education of ADA standards may negatively impacts community independence among special populations.

Method

1. Approval from St. Catherine University Institutional Review Board

2. Identified Metropolitan Twin Cities Area

3. Defined fitness facility

4. Located all eligible fitness facilities

5. Randomly selected 50 eligible fitness facilities

6. Sent each eligible facility a participation letter and IRB form

7. Made follow-up phone calls

8. Drove to willing participants

9. Completed the AIMFREE

Twin Cities Metropolitan Area

(United States Census Bureau, 2000)

Instrument

Accessibility Instrument Measuring Fitness and

Recreation Environment Professional Version

(AIMFREE)

12 Domains

Section A: Access RoutesSection B: EquipmentSection C: Information

Section D: Locker Rooms & ShowersSection E: Hot Tubs, Whirlpools, Sauna

Section F: ElevatorsSection G: Bathrooms

Section I: Professional Support/TrainingSection L: Swimming Pool

Section M: ParkingSection N: Telephones

Section O: Water Fountains 

(National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, 2012)

Participants

Participated: 20 Declined: 17 No Response: 21 Closed: 9

TOTAL: 67

Participated

Declined

No Response

Closed

Demographics

Twin Cities Metropolitan Anoka County: 1 Carver County: 2 Dakota County: 8 Hennepin County: 3 Ramsey County: 4 Scott County: 2 Washington County: 0

Demographics

18 facilities were in strip-malls or industrial parks

2 facilities were free standing that provided large square footage.

15 facilities were open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with limited staffing.

The 24 hour facilities provided emergency necklaces for members to wear that linked to local emergency services.

Building TypesOperating Hours &

Supervision

Results

Water Fountains

Parking

Professional Support

Elevators

Locker Rooms

Equipment

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Figure 1. Degree of accessibility compliance by AIMFREE category

Discussion

All previous studies found that none of the facilities were 100% ADA compliant. (Cardinal & Spaziani, 2003; Figoni et al., 1998, Pike et al., 2008; & Johnson et al., 2012)

Western Oregon had low compliance of route accessibility. (Cardinal & Spaziani, 2003)

North Texas Area had higher compliance of water fountains at 70.2%. (Pike et al., 2008)

Western Wisconsin had low compliance in facility staff participation in education conferences related to fitness accessibility. (Johnson et al., 2012)

Similarities

Discussion

Kansas City had a lower compliance of water fountains at 15%. (Figoni et al., 1998)

North Texas Area had low compliance of bathroom accessibility. (Pike et al., 2008)

Kansas City study found entrance areas to be of higher compliance. (Figoni et al., 1998)

Western Oregon and Kansas City had high compliance of accessibility to telephones. (Cardinal & Spaziani, 2003; Figoni et al., 1998)

Differences

Limitations

1. Small sample size Due to time constraints

2. Single evaluator Data only collected in female bathrooms and locker rooms

3. Owners self-report Employee training and information answers dependent on

accuracy and honesty of fitness facility owners or managers

4. Facility size Larger facilities provide more space, may provide more

opportunities for accessibility

Future Research

Structural Recommendations

Educational Recommendations

Conclusion

Study found that Twin Cities Metropolitan Area fitness facilities were not 100% ADA compliant.

Need for future research to identify structural and educational barriers inhibiting individuals with disabilities from physical activity opportunities.

Fitness facility owners can implement low cost changes to promote an inclusive exercise environment for all populations

Occupational therapists have a role in educating clients and advocating for their needs related to public accessibility.

MOTA

Karen Sames, MBA, OTR/L, FAOTA

Kristi Haertl, PhD, OTR/L

Marquell Johnson, PhD

Thank You!

Questions?

References

Cardinal, B.J., & Spaziani, M.D. (2003). ADA compliance and the accessibility of physical activity facilities in western Oregon. American Journal of Health Promotion, 17, 197 – 201.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2007). Physical activity among adults with a disability – United States, 2005. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 56, 1021 -1024.

Cardinal, B.J., & Spaziani M.D. (2003). ADA compliance and the accessibility of physical activity facilities in western Oregon. American Journal of Health Promotion, 17(3), 197-201.

Figoni, S.F., McCain, L., Bell, A.A., Degnan, J.M., Norbury, N.E., & Rettele, R.R. (1998). Accessibility of physical fitness facilities in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, 3(3), 66-78.

Johnson. M., Stoelzle, H., Finco, K., Foss, S., & Carstens, K. (2012). ADA compliance of fitness facilities in western Wisconsin. Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation.

References

National Center on Physical Activity and Disability. (2012). Accessibility Instrument Measuring Fitness and Recreation Environment Professional Version (AIMFREE). Retrieved from http://www.ncpad.org/yourwrites/fact_sheet.php?sheet=481

Pike, H., Walker, J., Collins, J., & Hodges, J. (2008). An investigation of ADA compliance of aquatic facilities in the north Texas area. American Journal of Health Promotion, 23, 139 – 146.

Redick, A.G., McClain, L., & Brown, C. (2000). Consumer empowerment through occupational therapy: The Americans With Disabilities Act Title III. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 54, 207-213.

United States Census Bureau. (2000). State and County QuickFacts. In U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 20, 2011, from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html.

United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2000). Healthy People 2010. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office.