Using a Fitness Center Does Not Have to be an Exercise in Frustration: Tips for People with Mobility and Visual Disabilities
3.3 Equipment Barriers and Solutions
| Barriers | Solutions | |
| Simple/Low cost | Involved / High cost | |
| Display and/or controls on the equipment is not accessible | Put tactile labels on or near the controls on the machine. (You can create your own tactile labels by using a piece of duct tape or Braille labels made from contact paper and a Braille writer.) | Purchase equipment with tactile displays and/or audible (sound) output |
| Unable to locate pin and make other adjustments to equipment | Place high-contrast and tactile labels on the adjustment parts (e.g., colored, textured tape on the weight adjustment pin) | Purchase equipment with colors that contrast (e.g., a bright color against a dark background on the adjustment features, such as the weight amount or seat height and labels that are raised |
| Some parts of the equipment stick out and endanger users | Place high contrast tape or add padding to parts that stick out | Purchase equipment without parts that stick out (or that have padding) |
| Directions for how to use the equipment is not accessible (e.g., it may be hung on the wall or be in small print) | Type the instructions in large print (at least 18 point font) and attach them to the equipment with a cord or chain so that a user can hold them in thier hand to read | Provide instructions at a level that can be read easily by wheelchair users, and in audio format. (Audio files could be available at the center or be posted on a website to be downloaded ahead of time |
An input console has tactile indicators to help users program exercise bicycles, steppers, treadmills, etc. The display uses large print.
A weight adjustment pin that is large, flat, round, and yellow
A weight pin grip is large and open. The weight number labels are large, raised, and yellow (high contrast)
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