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Exercise and Disability

It is estimated that around 1 in 10 of the UK population has a disability, and yet disabled people are seriously under-represented in fitness and gym facilities.  This course has been developed as part of the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI), which aims to make fitness facilities more accessible to disabled people, both in terms of the physical environment and the skills and attitudes of their staff. 

This course will provide you with confidence and expertise in writing and delivering safe, effective and fun exercise programmes for a range of people with the disabilities including Down's syndrome, Asperger's syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, limbless/amputation, visual impairment and hearing impairment. 

 

Learn to

  • Identify current legislation (Disability Discrimination Act, Equality Act) and the obligations they place on facilities to provide access for disabled people.
  • Identify barriers to exercise for disabled people, including physical and environmental barriers, as well as society’s attitudes to disabled people.
  • Understand the implications for exercise of a range of disabilities/impairments, including hearing and visual impairments, spinal injuries, amputation, cerebral palsy and learning difficulties.
  • Programme and supervise safe, enjoyable and effective exercise programmes for disabled people with the above conditions/impairments.

Prerequisites

  • Over 16 years of age
  • Level 2 Fitness Instructor (Gym, Exercise to Music or Aqua Training), Level 3 Personal Trainer, Yoga or Pilates Instructors.
  • A minimum of three months teaching experience is strongly recommended.
     

Format

  • 2 days face to face course plus 1 day assessment
  • Mix of theory and practical sessions
  • Course hours 9am – 5pm (depending on venue)

Assessment

  • Worksheets
  • Case study and verbal assessment - you will be required to bring a client who has one of the disabilities covered on the course for your assessment. If the client has a medical condition it may prevent the assessment taking place.

Certification

  • Level 3 CYQ Programming and Supervising Exercise with Disabled Clients

REPs

Course price

Price: £449

Payment methods

You can pay for YMCAfit courses in the following ways:

  • Credit/debit card by telephone on 020 7343 1850 (option 1)
  • In person at our offices during the hours 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday
  • Cheques or postal orders by post. Please make these payable to ‘YMCA Fitness Industry Training’
  • Purchase order/invoice
  • By fax on 0843 221 1548

Download application form

Note: postal bookings can only be confirmed once we have received the payment and a completed application form, which is signed and dated. Please do not send cash through the post.