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In order to completely accommodate all persons with disabilities and ensure safety; facility, space and environment should be considered. Facility AccessibilityThe Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 established basic civil rights for people with disabilities, especially in the areas of employment and public accommodation. If you are serving people with MS, every effort should be made to assure that access and safety are assessed. Ramps, wider doorways, accessible bathrooms and other accommodations mean that those with disabilities using mobility equipment such as walkers, scooters or wheelchairs can take advantage of your services. Accessibility is very important not only to provide access to individuals with varying mobility difficulties, but also to minimize the risk of injury to all individuals within the facility. In addition to the accessibility of a facility, be sure to think about the location of a class within the facility, the distance from the parking lot to the destination of a room, location to restrooms in relation to work-out location, and the temperature of the facility. Within a specific space or class, teachers should be mindful of the location restrooms, drinking fountains, chairs, phones, alarms, etc in order to direct students immediately should they be needed.
Additional ResourcesFor a quick guide to assess accessibility and usability for people with MS click on the handout, Accessibility Checklist for Exercise Facilities. For further information, consult the Americans with Disabilities Act website at www.ada.gov |
