Finding an Accessible Fitness Center
You know you should be more active. You would like to find a usable fitness center or health club, but it seems like an overwhelming task. On the other hand, isn’t your health worth the hassle?
Your rights
• Like other public places, fitness centers must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires them to provide equal access for people with disabilities, including accessible parking, entrances, restrooms, paths of travel, signage, etc.
• Fitness centers cannot deny services or membership to people with disabilities. Neither can they require anything from you that they do not require of all members, such as a doctor’s permission to be there.
• You have a right to ask fitness centers to remove barriers and make changes to improve accessibility. The ADA law can only be enforced if you bring accessibility problems to the attention of the fitness center’s staff and owners. Often they are not aware that barriers exist or they may not think there is a problem because no one has ever told them.
What to ask a fitness center
• Call ahead to ask about accessibility (see "Fitness Center Accessibility Checklist,” right). If it sounds promising, request a tour of the facility.
• While touring a facility, see if there are any barriers that will make it harder or impossible for you to do the exercises you want to do. If you see problems, tell the person who is taking you around and see if they have solutions already.
• What does membership cost? If it is too expensive, ask about scholarships, sliding-scale options or other financial assistance. YMCAs or public community fitness centers are more likely to have these policies.
• Ask whether the facility will allow you to bring a companion to assist you at no cost.
• Ask for a guest pass for a small daily fee or no cost so you can try out the facility a few times
Getting changes made
• Asking fitness centers to make changes to improve access may feel uncomfortable, but approach it with the attitude that you are helping these centers expand their potential membership base (including the growing population of aging baby-boomers). While fitness centers may not be required to make the changes you want, you may be able to convince them that improvements are in their best interest.
• When you first visit a facility, discuss any barriers you find with the staff person showing you around. If you want to request a change, make sure you address it to the appropriate staff person. While simple changes might be handled by center staff, larger changes may require that you talk to the manager or owner. Ask about the best way to contact that person.
• Be familiar with what the ADA requires, or know where to find more information.
• Know your resources, including where to find information on accessible equipment. Be prepared to make recommendations, and have this information ready to share with the facility’s staff.
• Suggest simple, low-cost solutions as well as bigger, high-cost solutions. For example, asking a staff member to assist you with transferring to a piece of equipment is cheaper than buying a machine with removable seats to accommodate a wheelchair. You will need to teach the staff about your abilities and limitations and work together with them to meet your needs.
• Shortly after you speak with center staff, send a letter that describes in detail the changes you need or want. Also mention the possible benefits to the facility of improving accessibility, and include related helpful resources.
• Be willing to file a complaint. If your request comes under the ADA requirements, you may file a formal, legal complaint with the United States Department of Justice (http://www.ada.gov/)
Reference: http://sci.washington.edu/info/newsletters/articles/09_fall_fitness_centers.asp
