Throughout 2008 and 2009, the IFI will be delivering a programme of seminars and educational events, providing additional support to the fitness and leisure sector in ensuring that not only can facilities be made accessible to disabled people, but that the principles of inclusion impact upon all business practices.
The IFI has long been regarded as a source of advice to the fitness industry in terms of inclusive provision and through its various projects and funding streams has supported 183 facilities to date to achieve accreditation through the scheme. The IFI’s seminar programme will ensure that the industry at large will have an even greater opportunity to understand not only how they can make their buildings and facilities accessible but also how inclusion can be incorporated into all business practices.
Simon Withey, Managing Director at Cybex UK, commented on Cybex’s involvement,
“Cybex have been long time supporters of the IFI and have had a longstanding and continued commitment to developing products that enable gyms to offer truly inclusive equipment provision. Our support of the IFI’s seminar programme enables us to be a part of a comprehensive package of advice which will help the industry to embrace all sectors of the community.”
The first seminars, ‘Realising the Commercial Potential of Offering an Inclusive Provision’ will take place during May, with the focus being upon creating an inclusive marketing strategy and harnessing the commercial potential of the disability market.
Venues and dates are now confirmed as:
14th May, Westway Sports Centre, London
21st May, Wolverhampton Swimming and Fitness Centre
28th May, Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheffield
Brian Carlin, Chief Executive, ASPIRE National Training Centre will provide an insight into the creation of an inclusive business model that makes commercial sense. Janet Andelin and colleagues from the Department of Health’s Health Trainer Programme will focus on how the fitness industry needs to change in order to target people who are currently disenfranchised from fitness activities, particularly in the context of an ageing population. Chris Easton, the IFI’s Marketing Manager, will also talk about the key components of an inclusive marketing strategy and how targeting disabled people need not be viewed as onerous in terms of either human or financial resource.
All seminars delivered by the IFI will also include a case study from a disabled user of an IFI accredited fitness suite, highlighting not only the issues faced by disabled people, but also the solutions that facilities have devised to overcome them.
Future events will address issues such as the installation of inclusive fitness equipment and the development of an inclusive workforce.
To ensure that as many people as possible are able to attend, the IFI and Cybex have come together in order to subsidise delegates’ fees enabling places to be offered for only £50.00 per delegate. As a consequence places are strictly limited.
IFI accredited facilities and facilities working towards accreditation - click here to download a registration form
External organisations and individuals - click here to download a registration form 
