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Access denied: the shortage of digitized fitness resources for people with disabilities.

Catherine S M StrattonShevali KadakiaJoseph K BalikuddembeMark PetersonAbderrazak HajjiouiRory CooperBo-Young HongUma PandiyanLaura Paulina Muñoz-VelascoJames JosephAndrei V KrassioukovDeo Rishi TripathiYetsa A Tuakli-Wosornu
Published in: Disability and rehabilitation (2020)
Using the search terms, "home exercise," "home-based exercise," "exercise no equipment," "workout no equipment," "exercise at home," or "at-home exercise," 700 videos ordered by relevance included 28 (4%) that were inclusive of participants with disabilities. Unfortunately, most digital fitness resources are therefore inaccessible to PWD. The global pause the pandemic has induced may be the right moment to construct a comprehensive, indexed digital library of home-based fitness video content for the disabled. There is a further need for more nuanced understandings of accessibility as technological advancements continue.Implications for RehabilitationPhysical activity is incredibly important to the quality of life and health of all people.Physical activity levels, however, remain lower among persons with disabilities.Access to disability-friendly resources remains a challenge and worsened by the circumstances of COVID-19 due to an apparent lack of digital fitness resources for persons with disabilities.A broader and comprehensive definition of accessibility must recognize digital advances and access to physical activity for persons with disabilities must feature digital resources.
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