Accessibility of Fitness Facilities for Persons with Physical Disabilities Using Wheelchairs

This study was conducted to evaluate the accessibility of fitness facilities in Topeka, Kansas, using the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). ADAAG identifies the specifics of architectural accessibility mandated by Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Eight facilities were evaluated using an 83-item checklist adapted from Figoni et al. (1998). Most facilities had at least one barrier in each area surveyed. Only one facility was close to meeting the accessibility standards in the areas of restrooms and access to exercise equipment. Noncompliance with ADAAG can create significant barriers for wheelchair users and limit engagement in physical activity. Research increasingly shows the importance of physical activity for this population in preventing secondary conditions, such as deconditioning and depression.