Paralympic star launches disability fitness app

July 30, 2021 

With less than a month to the start of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, British world champion Para-powerlifter, Ali Jawad, has launched an innovative disability fitness app to make all sport and fitness venues and equipment accessible to all. "Up to 15% of the world’s population identify themselves as disabled, yet many face barriers when it comes to identifying accessible and welcoming places to exercise,” he stated.

Jawad developed the new app, AccesserCise Fitness after research from UK charity for disabled people in sport and activity, Activity Alliance, showed that 90% of people with impairments felt that they are currently underserved in the app fitness market. They also noted that 70% of disabled people are motivated to be more active. The charity recently urged the government to make the disabled community a priority in the pandemic recovery for the sports sector, pointing out the impact the pandemic had on the wellbeing and fitness of disabled people in the UK 

Reportedly the first of its kind worldwide to fill a “gaping hole” in the disability fitness market, the app has an exercise library specifically designed for each impairment. It also features a hub that allows venues to be directly rated on their accessibility by members of the disabled community.

The hope is that this new programm will force social change by putting pressure on Governments to change legislation to benefit disabled people, whilst helping to support local fitness services which promote their accessibility credentials. 

AccesserCise Fitness looks to provide a solution to this global problem, with a view to increase connectivity across the disabled fitness community. Its features include: 

• A library of exercise tips and advice for those with impairments 
• A social hub to comment on, like, love and share workouts 
• Groups for like-minded individuals to share, love and like their workout journey 
• A ‘Verified Gyms’ function that offers an up-to-date directory of exercise facilities rated accessible by the disabled community 
• A calendar to schedule and plan workouts, set reminders and track training over time 

“We aim to revolutionise access to sports and fitness facilities via an inclusive, one-stop-shop for people with impairments that aims to connect them with the fitness community like never before and continue to grow the equality of exercise in the build-up to this year’s Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and beyond,” says Jawad. “We want to help transform the lives of people across all abilities and the only way to achieve that is to put them first.”

The app will initially be available in the UK before expanding to the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is downloadable via both the Apple Store and Google Play.