 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Barth Riley, PhD, James Rimmer, PhD, Edward Wang, PhD, and Amy Rauworth, MS. Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1640 West Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL 60608
Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a series of survey instruments measuring fitness and recreation accessibility, collectively referred to as AIMFREE (Accessibility Instruments Measuring Fitness and Recreation Environments). General domains of assessment included the built environment, equipment, programs, policies, and professional knowledge, training and behavior. Consumer and professional versions of the instruments were developed. Methods: Fitness centers/swimming pools (n=37) were assessed in ten regions across the U.S. by persons with physical disabilities (n=76) and fitness professionals (n=55). Rasch analysis was used to assess the psychometric properties of the instruments. Results: Professional versions of the Bathroom, Elevator, Exercise Equipment, Information, Policies, Professional Support and Training and Swimming Pool subscales evidenced adequate to good fit to the Rasch model (Infit MNSQ 0.98-1.10; Outfit MNSQ 0.91-1.09) and adequate to good facility separation (0.67-0.87). Average scores for the hot tub/whirlpool and telephone accessibility were lowest among the professional subscales, whereas Bathroom, Elevator, Shower and Water Fountain scales evidenced the highest average accessibility scores. Similar results were obtained for the consumer version of the instruments, though facility separation tended to be lower. Discussion: The AIMFREE instruments generally demonstrated adequate to good fit to the Rasch model with several of the subscales demonstrating good to excellent separation of facility accessibility.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Disability, Access
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.