The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 remains the most compelling and influential law supporting the rights of people with disabilities. Twenty years later, however, plenty of work remains in getting the fitness industry to reach a similar standard of accessibility as office buildings and public facilities.

Although there are no data on the usage of fitness facilities by people with disabilities, the typical response by many owners/managers is that people who use a wheelchair or live in a group home, rarely, if ever, want to join their facilities. They're not sure why, but one of the more common expressions is, "They go to rehab or 'special rec' programs where their needs can be better met." On the flip side, many people with disabilities have told me that they don't go to fitness centers because their perception, which is many cases is true, is that they aren't very friendly places for someone who has a disability.

To read this month's Director's Column, go to http://www.ncpad.org/800/4183/Director~s~Column~January~~2010~~~The~Next~Frontier~of~
the~ADA~~Fitness~Facilities.