REPORT REVEALS CONCERNS FOR DISABLED USERS

By DeeDee Doke

A new report from ukactive about disabled people’s experiences of gyms, swimming pools, fitness and leisure centres reveals a number of concerns and key influencing factors that affect usage and perceptions of accessibility.

Part of Everyone Can, which is an ongoing agenda led by ukactive and supported by Sport England to set a collaborative tone for inclusivity across the sector, the report is based on the results of the most comprehensive survey of disabled people to date. Data and market research company Savanta conducted the poll of 1,555 UK adults aged 18+ about their experiences of gyms, swimming pools, fitness and leisure centres. Those surveyed had disabilities or long-term health conditions and were polled online.

One in five people in the UK are disabled, and 81% of disabled adults have indicated that they want to do more physical activity. This aim supports gyms and leisure centres with “a huge commercial opportunity as the economic value of the ‘purple pound’ is £249bn per year”, ukactive said in a press statement. (The ‘purple pound’ refers to the spending power of disabled households.)

Key findings and recommendations include:

50% of gym users agreed ‘most centres provide a good range of equipment that I can use’, while only 28% of non-users agreed.

“Communication should be utilised in the digital space to improve accessibility and combat perceived barriers, including online virtual tours,” the report said.

One in five respondents said that staff offering assistance or practical support would encourage them to attend the facility more often. The report recommends taster sessions and regular check-ins following inductions.

35% feel too self-conscious to ask for extra information and support from gym, fitness and leisure centre staff Customer service should be a focus, offering support which extends from initial induction. A fifth of survey respondents either feel worried they would be the only one with a disability or feel they did not see many other individuals with a disability in the facility. Everyone Can recommends improved representation in marketing imagery and the workforce. Cited as a “shining example” is the Gym Group’s Inclusive Traineeship, which supports disabled people to get a qualification in fitness and physical activity, and the EmployAbility programme, supporting the leisure industry to get more disabled people in employment.