Ask an Expert – March 2021 – How to Make Sport for Life More Accessible

Donna Jodhan, a woman with short dark hair and glasses, sits at a table with a laptop in front of her.

Before you say no or turn thumbs down on these suggestions; consider these thoughts.

You can definitely increase your revenue and reduce both your internal and external costs and here’s how.

Take it from me! I have been an accessibility awareness consultant and advisor since 1998 and I continue to help companies to increase their revenues, reduce their costs, and reach hidden consumer markets!

Now that it appears that we are going to be living with the Covid virus for a long time, we need to ensure that our social events not just adhere to the restrictions of such things as social distancing, but also to ensure that accessibility continues to be a part of these events.

So much of society is under the wrong impression when it comes to realizing that sport for life is something that has a very niche and unique market just waiting to be discovered.

Today I am referring to the growing number of seniors and persons with disabilities who continue to seek ways to be fit and stay fit.

So with this in mind, here are a few tips to kick start a very exciting adventure for you:

  • Design fitness centres with enough space to accommodate clients with walkers, wheelchairs, and canes.
  • Make sure that you have enough space between your pieces of equipment.
  • Ensure that your staff is well trained to be able to communicate effectively with seniors and persons with disabilities. Just remember that one size does not fit all. That is, you need to be creative in coming up with suggestions and solutions as each client has a unique requirement.
  • Try to find ways to customize training programs. Look for the common denominator.
  • Remember now, sport for life does not only include outdoor activities. It also include your fitness centre.
  • When considering outdoor activities, do your research to see what kind of sport is being sought after by seniors and persons with disabilities in your area.
  • Do not limit your potential. There are several activities that can be adapted to suit seniors and persons with special needs. Ball oriented activities are just examples.

I hope that these suggestions are a good start for you.


To contact me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca!
I’m Donna J. Jodhan (sight-loss coach and accessibility advisor)

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