Monday 22nd May 2006
As part of the IFI’s ongoing commitment to improving the accessibility of fitness equipment to disabled people, the Stage Two IFI Equipment Standards were published in March 2006. These Standards raise the bar in terms of inclusive fitness provision and have been produced in conjunction with industry experts, user and supplier feedback, and desktop research. During this research, direct feedback from IFI facilities has proved invaluable and helped ensure that we keep disabled people and their needs at the centre of the development process.
The Stage Two IFI Equipment Standards, which come into full effect from 1 October 2007, will replace the Stage One IFI Equipment Standards as the benchmark that all IFI accredited items must achieve in order to receive IFI accredited status. The Standards have been published this year to ensure as great a lead in time as possible for Equipment Suppliers to meet these new Standards and ensure a smooth transition between the new and existing Stage One and Stage Two IFI Equipment Standards.
Since the Stage One IFI Equipment Standards came into effect in April 2004, over 150 items of fitness equipment from 20 different Equipment Suppliers have successfully been accredited against Stage One Standards. Any IFI accredited products currently accredited under Stage One Standards will no longer be accredited if they do not achieve compliance with IFI Stage Two Equipment Standards by 30 September 2007.
The key development areas that the Stage Two IFI Equipment Standards focus upon include seat width, step on heights, ease of making adjustments and the use of colour contrasts. More concentrated attention has also been spent investigating console design with a number of console testing days held throughout the Country to provide feedback from a range of people with sensory and physical impairments. In addition, there is more definitive, quantitative and precise guidelines which should help reduce subjectivity as to the interpretation of these Standards.
A full copy of Stage Two IFI Equipment Standards can be downloaded from the IFI website at www.inclusivefitness.org/inclusive-fitness-initiative/inclusive-fitness-equipment/equipment-standards/. These Standards now include the Part 4 - Console Section, which was not previously available. If you require these Standards in an alternative format please contact the IFI office.
If you would like further information about the IFI accreditation process or are interested in having your items of fitness equipment accredited, please contact Andrea Kiernan at the IFI office.
