Creating an accessible fitness or wellness facility by Blythe Hiss, MS, and Amy E. Rauworth, MS, RCEP

By 2030, about one of every five Americans and one of every four Canadians will be 65 years of age or older.11,26 As our population ages, the incidence of chronic disease and disability will increase, creating an emerging priority that must be addressed by wellness, fitness and health professionals.12,13,17,23

Numerous studies have reported the benefits of increased physical activity and fitness in reducing cardiovascular and other health risk factors associated with chronic disease and disability.3,4,7,9 According to the Healthy People 2010 report from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, however, 56% of adults with disabilities do not engage in any leisure-time physical activity, compared to 36% of adults without disabilities.22 An estimated 52 million Americans with disabilities and/or activity limitations are not only at greater risk of developing serious health conditions linked to a sedentary lifestyle (such as diabetes,