Community fitness programs: what is available for children and youth with motor disabilities and what do parents want?

BACKGROUND

Physical activity is recognized as a rehabilitation approach for individuals with motor disabilities.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether community fitness programs were accommodating children and youth with motor disabilities, and to understand family perspectives on important outcomes related to fitness programs.

DESIGN

Telephone survey and qualitative interviews.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS: Representatives of 61 fitness programs/facilities and 13 parents of children with motor disabilities.

METHODS

Telephone survey (facilities) and qualitative interviews (parents).

RESULTS

24.6% of programs reported lack of wheelchair accessibility. Only 9.8% of programs and facilities required their staff to have training to support individuals with disabilities. Parents discussed barriers, including lack of staff support and challenges with finding information about community programs. Parents focused on the social benefits of fitness programs.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Additional efforts toward reducing access barriers are needed. Parents' focus on social outcomes has direct implications on the design and evaluation of fitness programs.