1. GUIDELINES FOR INCLUSION IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND RECREATION PROGRAMS.
Presented by:
Sandra Ondracka
Frank Jeney
Josh Leeman

2. AGENDA How do you define “disability”? Health Benefits/Recommendations
Barriers and Misconceptions
Physical Activity Accommodations
Resources

3. Complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
The AODA can into effect in 2005
Ontario is the first jurisdiction in the world to enact legislation with goals and an associated timeframe for implementation.
Ontario is the first jurisdiction to make accessibility reporting the law
Performance of accessibility audits in private/non-profit organizations

4. Definition of “Disability”….
As defined in section 2 of the AODA:
Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness, includes:
* diabetes * epilepsy * brain injury
* any degree of paralysis *amputation
* lack of coordination * blindness
* visual impediment * deafness or hearing
impairment * muteness or speech impediment
* physical reliance on a guide dog/animal or
on a wheelchair or remedial device

5. Definition of “Disability”….
b) a condition of mental impairment or developmental disability
c) learning disability
d) a mental disorder or
e) an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the workplace Safety and Insurance Act.

6. Health and Activity Statistics
1 in 7 people in Ontario has a disability *
People with disabilities are 3x more likely to have heart disease, stroke, cancer **
Nearly 50% do not get aerobic activity **
Higher likelihood of being obese **
* Ministry of Economic Development, Employment & Infrastructure
** Centre for Disease Control and Prevention(2014)

7. Health Benefits Prevention of health disorders Reduced risk of obesity
Reduced risk of injury, back problems
Strengthen muscle, bones, CV system
Reduced levels of stress and anxiety
Increase in mental performance
Improved self image/self esteem
Overall improved quality of life (Canadian Fitness, Lifestyle Research & Review)

8. Physical Activity Recommendations

9. Barriers to Participation
Attitudinal
Knowledge/Awareness
Communications/Technology
Organizational/Systemic
Architectural/Physical
* Ministry of Economic Development, Employment & Infrastructure

10. Misconceptions
People with disabilities are inferior and their lives are very different.
We need to feel sorry for people with disabilities
We need to be careful when talking and interacting with a person with disability, because they are easily offended if you use the wrong words
It is difficult to serve and accommodate customers with disabilities
* Ministry of Economic Development, Employment & Infrastructure

11. Acknowledgments
Principal Investigator was James Rimmer, Ph.D. (University of Alabama at Birmingham)
Kraus, L.E., Jans, L. (2014) Implementation manual for guidelines for disability inclusion in physical activity, nutrition, and obesity programs and policies. Centre on Disability at the Public Health \Institutue, Oakland, CA.

12. Purpose of the Guidelines
Provide guidance on the inclusion of persons with disabilities to “planners” of program initiatives and polices in the area pf physical activity/nutrition/obesity.
Broad based to allow implementation at local, state and national levels.
Can be incorporated at all stages – planning, implementation and evaluation.

13. Guideline #1
“Program objectives should explicitly state that the program/facility serves people with a wide range of different disabilities.”
Provides program guidance to staff, the public and funding agencies.
Provides a clear message that steps have been taken to be inclusive to all people.

14. Guideline #2
“ Involve people with disabilities in the development, implementation and evaluation of programs/services/facilities.”
There are specific needs known only to people with various disabilities that may be unknown to planners.
People with disabilities will provide perspective on how to overcome some of the physical and social barriers.

15. Guideline #3
“Programs should be accessible to people with disabilities in program design, communication and physical environment.”
Social Accessibility…
develop a sense of belonging by valuing feelings and opinions.
provide the supports and equipment they need to be successful
treat all people with respect and dignity

16. Guideline #3 continued
Behavioral Accessibility … attitudes about people with disabilities can affect self esteem, motivation and participation
Programs not only provides inclusive opportunities, but also promotes positive attitudes about people with disabilities
Program staff should be trained in disability awareness and customer service. ie) “people first language”

17. Guideline #3 continued
Programmatic Accessibility… some program alterations/staff training will need more planning than others
Alterations should be done to try and maintain the goal of the program
Integrated approach will allow all participants to work at their own level
Flexibility in program design will allow for broader program accessibility

18. Guideline #3 continued
Communication Accessibility – different communication methods must be understood and available
Provide details on program accessibility upon registration and how to request accommodation services
Provide an accessible means to register and to ask questions about a program
Websites/online registration/mobile communications should have accommodations for persons with visual impairments

19. Guideline #3 continued
Physical Accessibility… determine access to your facility/program/service
clear, flat and slip resistant path
entrance door is wide enough and not to heavy to open or actuators present
pathways to room clear and easy to navigate
accessible bathroom
provide adaptable program equipment
access to public transit

20. Guideline #4
“Programs should address individual needs of participants with disabilities through accommodations that are specifically tailored to those needs.”
a process should be in place to allow people with a disability to make a request for accommodation
staff should be trained for providing modifications
auxiliary aids should be made available – equipment, materials or personal services

21. Guideline #5
“Programs should use a variety of accessible methods to outreach and promote the programs to people with disabilities.”
marketing of programs should be designed in a variety of formats so that many people with disabilities can access them.
show inclusive images with persons with disabilities in your materials
website and social media are key tools!

22. Guideline #6
“Programs should address potential resources implications of inclusion.”
inclusion is a continuous process and requires investment of time and resources
examine your programs for the necessary capital costs (facility additions/upgrades) and ongoing costs (staff, training, equipment, additional services)

23. Guideline #7
“Programs/services should be affordable to people with disabilities and their families and caregivers.”
program cost has been identified as a barrier in determining participation in activity programs(Rimmer et al., 2004)
some people with disabilities may have a fixed income or have other associated expenses
provide a discounted fee structure or alternative funding options

24. Guideline #8
“Programs should implement process evaluation that includes feedback from persons with disabilities, family members, caregivers, and a process for making changes based on this feedback.”
Process evaluation focuses on accountability, quality and monitoring of your initiatives.
Participants, caregivers, staff & stakeholders
Use the results to make changes

25. Guideline #9
“Programs/services should include outcome evaluation, using multiple disability appropriate measures.”
Outcome evaluations establish whether or not the programs have produced the intended results
Measurements and collection of data should be pre-determined
Most outcome date will be collected from the program participants

26. What have we have done in Lancer Recreation?
Intramural Programs
Fitness
Aquatics/Pool
Instructional Programs
Summer Camps
Special Events

27. Intramurals Education – Captains Meetings
Sports Programs – Inclusive nature of rules and guidelines
Staff and participant leadership
Philosophy of Program

28. Fitness Centre/Programs/Services
Classes with specific alternative actions
Specialise in special populations
Orientations for those with impaired needs
Distinct walkways for ease of use and navigation.

29. Forge Fitness Centre
Walkways

30. Pool/Aquatics Programs
Instructional Programs that we offer – Private Lessons
Pool Lift
Equipment available
Staff Training and leadership

31. Summer Camps Right To Play Partnership with HK
Staff training and leadership model
Encouraging participation and confidence building

32. Instructional Programs
Implement a participant ‘Health Screening’ process upon registration
Instructors need to be trained and prepared
Provide accommodations in access/equipment and facility space

33. Instructional Considerations
Hearing Loss
Vision Loss
Identify yourself
Speak directly to person
Ask permission to touch
Offer assistance
Be precise and concise in instruction/direction
Identify landmarks in location to orient person to the environment around them
Say good bye
Attract the person’s attention before speaking
Area should be well lighted – clear sight lines
Look and speak directly to the person
Be aware of the use of assistive devices
Minimize background noise
Sign language services

34. Instructional Consideration
Speech Disability
Physical Disability
Don’t assume the person has an intellectual disability
If you don’t understand, ask person to repeat
Be patient – don’t interrupt
Ask questions that require a ‘yes’ or ‘no’
Physical disabilities vary and require different levels and types of assistance
Don’t touch assistive devices unless given permission
Tell participant about accessible features in the facility
Remove obstacles/clear pathways

35. Instructional Considerations
Intellectual/Developmental
Mental Health disabilities
Don’t assume what the participant can or cannot do
Use clear and concise instruction
Provide one piece of information at a time
Confirm understanding between you and participant
Speak directly to participant
Not always aware unless you are told
Be aware of some of the challenges …
* anxiety
* phobias
* memory
* social skills

36. Resources
Centre on Disability at the Public Health Institute
Active Living Alliance
Health Canada
Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology
National centre on Health, Physial Activity and Disability www. nchpad.org

37. Duracell: Trust Your Power –
Conclusion
Duracell: Trust Your Power –
NFL's Patrick Willis…:

38. Thank you! Sandra Ondracka ondrack@uwindsor.ca Frank Jeney
Josh Leeman