Special Olympics and IHRSA partner to promote inclusivity within the fitness industry

The ongoing commitment to inclusion of Global Health & Fitness Association, IHRSA, has seen the association partner with Special Olympics to build awareness and increase inclusive fitness opportunities to support people with intellectual disabilities.

As part of this partnership, Special Olympics and IHRSA will disseminate the IHRSA Inclusive Fitness Toolkit to Special Olympics Programs, educate Special Olympics Program staff on how to partner with local fitness centres, and foster connections between IHRSA members and local Special Olympics Programs. Ultimately, this partnership will increase opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to engage in physical activity by increasing access and inclusion in fitness centres globally.

The mission of IHRSA is to grow, promote, and protect the health and fitness industry, and to provide its members with the benefits that will help them be more successful. IHRSA and its members—health and fitness clubs, gyms, studios, sports and aquatic facilities, and industry partners—are dedicated to making the world healthier through regular exercise.

Liz Clark, IHRSA president and Chief Executive notes "partnering with Special Olympics is a positive step for the global health and fitness industry. This collaborative relationship will help ensure that IHRSA advocates to key government officials around the world about the importance and benefits of inclusive programs for those with disabilities. In addition, our partnership will help IHRSA provide gyms, studios, and supplier partners with resources and information about best practices to support their own inclusion and community engagement programs.”

Annemarie Hill, senior vice president, global health operations at Special Olympics adds “Special Olympics is excited to partner with IHRSA to promote the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities within the fitness industry.

“People with intellectual disabilities deserve every opportunity to engage in physical activity and improve their health and fitness. This partnership will help achieve this by preparing fitness professionals and leaders to meet the fitness needs of people with intellectual disabilities globally.”

The IHRSA Foundation’s mission is to promote health through exercise by expanding education and resources, research and engagement. Jointly with the American Council on Exercise, the IHRSA Foundation was awarded a 2020 Special Olympics Inclusive Health Innovation Grant. The project focused on supporting and facilitating the inclusion of people with ID in fitness and sport and resulted in the following resources:

1. Strategies to Expand Inclusion of People with Intellectual Disabilities in the Fitness Community

• Shares key findings from a survey of 306 Special Olympics athletes regarding attitudes and perspectives on gym use.

• Provides a list of strategies gyms can take to meet the needs of people with ID based upon survey research.

• Explains the role of health and fitness centres in promoting inclusive fitness.

2. SMASH IT! An Inclusive Small Group Training Program Template

• Developed by staff at the UNESCO Chair in Inclusive Sport, Fitness, Recreation, and PE, this template provides eight weeks or 24 sessions of programming that is appropriate for people with and without disabilities.

Special Olympics and IHRSA encourage fitness professionals to read the aforementioned available resources, incorporate them into their gym’s practices, and to reach out to fitness@specialolympics.org to learn more about how gyms can promote inclusive fitness principles.

Special Olympics and IHRSA are excited to engage in their next partner activation at IHRSA 2023 in San Diego, CA, 20th–22nd March. Special Olympics Fitness will discuss no-cost strategies that fitness professionals can use to promote inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in their gyms.

Access SMASH IT! An Inclusive Small Group Training Program Template here  

Image. Cover of IHRSA Inclusive Fitness Toolkit