Community Partners' Perspectives on Partnering With an Academic Research Team to Promote Disability-inclusive Fitness...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Disability Studies
• Community Engagement

Background:

• Community fitness programs are vital for public health, yet lack tailored options for people with disabilities (PWD).
• Limited staff training exists for inclusive practices in general fitness settings for PWD.
• This study reviewed an existing partnership addressing these gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess community partners' experiences with a collaborative initiative.
• To evaluate a fitness program for individuals with multiple sclerosis.
• To promote the inclusion of PWD in community fitness programs.

Main Methods:

• Conducted semi-structured interviews with six community partners.
• Partners had a formal relationship with an academic institution for at least two years.
• Interview data were transcribed and thematically analyzed.

Main Results:

• Pre-partnership experiences influenced partner engagement.
• Effective communication and planning for shared benefits were crucial for initiation.
• Partners identified challenges and success factors during program activities.
• Evaluation facilitated assessment and enhancement of the partnership and its objectives.

Conclusions:

• Academic-community partnerships are effective for fostering inclusion of PWD.
• Insights gained can inform the development of future inclusive initiatives.
• Collaboration is key to overcoming barriers in community fitness for vulnerable populations.