Advancing qualified exercise professionals' abilities to work with persons with disabilities: Developing a disability-specific competency-based framework using a co-production approach

Abstract

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) face many barriers to full and effective participation in exercise. Support from qualified exercise professionals (QEPs) can alleviate some of the barriers to exercise often experienced by PWDs. However, many QEPs may not receive formal, standardized training about exercise for PWDs, and many QEPs do not feel equipped to provide safe, welcoming, and inclusive exercise experiences for PWDs. Implementing a disability-specific competency-based framework for QEPs is a first step to increase QEPs’ abilities to facilitate PWDs’ quality exercise experiences. Accordingly, the overarching objective of this dissertation was to co-produce a disability-specific competency-based framework for QEPs in Canada. A co-production approach was adopted in all four studies to collaborate with relevant partners from the outset. Studies 1 and 2 aimed to identify what disability-specific abilities are required of QEPs. An environmental scan of exercise provider training materials from community-based exercise programs (CBEPs) for PWDs in Canada was performed to identify the competency elements delivered in training materials at onboarding. A scoping review of disability-specific learning opportunities for QEPs was performed to identify competency elements delivered to QEPs and identify modes of delivery. Findings from these studies highlight the emphasis on knowledge provision, compared to skills development and attitudes training, in existing training content. Findings in Study 2 also identified the scarce inclusion of PWDs in the creation of training content. Using semi-structured interviews, Study 3 explored the lived experiences of PWDs when working with QEPs. Findings identified PWDs’ needs, preferences and expectations when working with QEPs. Findings from all three studies informed the co-production of a draft disability-specific competency-based framework in Study 4. The aim of Study 4 was to concede on a draft disability-specific competency-based framework for QEPs using a consensus-based approach. A framework structure, including scope and purpose statement, were outcomes of Study 4. The results of this dissertation have far-reaching implications including guiding future disability-specific curriculum development for QEPs, and advancing QEPs’ abilities to work with PWDs in a way that supports quality experiences in exercise.