Moving Towards Inclusivity: A Call for Increased Speed and Intensity in Making Fitness Facilities Accessible for People with Visual Impairments

Abstract

Despite the well-established evidence supporting the benefits of physical activity on health and well-being, many adults in the United Kingdom (UK) and worldwide remain insufficiently active. One in four working age adults in the UK do not reach the government recommended physical activity targets of at least 150 min of moderate intensity or combined with 75 min of vigorous intensity activity per week (NHS Digital, 2019). People living with disabilities are twice as likely to be inactive compared to the general population, placing this group at greater risk of poor health outcomes (Reiner et al., 2013; Rimmer & Marques, 2012). Of those with disabilities, people with visual impairments (i.e., a reduction in visual acuity or visual field loss which cannot be corrected using standard eyeglasses or lenses) rank among the least physically active, with activity rates comparable to individuals with physical disabilities affecting gross motor skills such as cerebral palsy (Longmuir & Bar-Or, 2000). Fitness facilities such as gyms and leisure centers provide a range of services designed to improve physical health. In the UK there is an extensive network of approximately 7,200 fitness facilities, with over 85% of the population living within 2 miles of their closest venue (Leisure Database Company, 2022). These facilities are often the first point of contact for the general population wishing to increase rates of physical activity; however, venues remain largely inaccessible for people with visual impairments, who describe being refused membership due to health and safety concerns or because of the requirement to pay for a personal trainer to facilitate every session (Phoenix et al., 2015). Structural and interior design has a major effect on the ability of people with visual impairments to participate in activities. A recent scoping review of the accessibility of public buildings found most studies identified issues relating to mobility and vision, particularly with regard to parking, routes to entrances, and pathways inside the building (Carlsson et al., 2022). Designing facilities that are inclusive for the whole population requires consideration across the entire service user journey. A recent investigation from Thomas Pocklington Trust, a national sight loss charity in the UK, found that many people with visual impairments have difficulties completing basic tasks associated with popular gym equipment such as treadmills,