The Inclusive Fitness Initiative Emma Peachey Project Manager

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The Inclusive Fitness InitiativeEmma
Peachey Project Manager
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Background

• Participation rates by disabled people
• 8.8 versus 21 overall
• Health inequalities experienced by disabled
  people
• Why a project for the fitness industry?
• Barriers to participation

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What Is The IFI?

• Disabled people given the opportunity to exercise
  alongside non-disabled people - inclusion
• 8 year programme 2001 to 2009
• Over 10million funding (SE, NSF, partners)
• 380 public and private sector facilities
• Holistic proactive solution

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The Inclusive Fitness Model

• Access Communication Developments
• Inclusive Fitness Equipment
• Staff Training 3 Levels
• Inclusive Marketing
• Inclusive Activators
• Complementary Physical Activity

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Changing Industry Culture

• 380 IFI facilities across England, 1 in Northern
  Ireland
• Stimulated change in the public and private
  sectors
• Research and development into fitness equipment
  accessibility Stage 2 IFI Standards
• Disability equity training - 5000 front of house
  staff
• Exercise with disabled people qualification -
  2000 fitness instructors
• Impact globally

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Impact on Participation

• 11 new inductions per month are by disabled
  people
• 175 visits per month are by disabled people

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Participation Rates

• In a 12 month period
• 250,000 separate visits by disabled people
• 15,000 new inductions 100 per facility
• 95 state they will continue to use the facility
• 92 will recommend the facility to others

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The Challenges

• Part M compliance ? DDA compliance
• Achieving inclusive facilities, not just
  accessible ones
• Fitness industry training standards are low

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Bigger Challenges

• The image of the industry
• Attitudes towards disabled people
• Participation rates generally
• Awareness of the benefits
• Monitoring anything in this area!

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Funding

• IFI has limited opportunities available now
  through national sports foundation programme
• Sites commit to provide accessible facilities and
  equipment
• IFI provides support through action plan, staff
  training, marketing and inclusive activator
  support
• Currently seeking funding to secure the future of
  the IFI 1000 sites targeted by 2012

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Getting Involved

• Fitness facilities in England can obtain support
  through NSF to work towards becoming accredited
• Timescales limited Jan 09 last start date
• Available elsewhere in UK on fee-paying basis
  -funding being sought

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?

• Any
• Questions?

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Contact Details

• The Inclusive Fitness Initiative
• 4 Park Square, Newton Chambers Road, Chapeltown,
  Sheffield, S35 2PH
• 0114 257 2062
• emma_at_inclusivefitness.org
• www.inclusivefitness.org