Aims PERC Staff Strive to Make Fitness Accessible to Everyone

The Physical Education, Recreation & Fitness Department at Aims is staffed by a team who believe fitness and mobility are for everyone. In addition to leading physical education classes, department staff also manage the Physical Education and Recreation Center, aka The PERC. Whether you’re taking classes, earning a degree or certificates or want to work out at The PERC, accessibility is top of mind for staff at Aims.

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that protects people with disabilities, including requiring accommodations for public spaces and for college students to gain equal access to their education. Making classes and spaces accessible at Aims means intentionally designing instructional materials, classrooms and other areas to allow anyone of any ability level to access their education to the fullest extent possible. Having these supports in place also benefits the broader community by allowing access to people while injured or when living with a chronic injury or other condition.

The PERC is designed to be accessible to everybody, with an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and supported. “We want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to make sure we are accessible to everyone who comes in the door,” says Nikki Smiley, Director of the Physical Education, Recreation & Fitness Department. Smiley says she and her team work continuously to improve our spaces to meet the highest standards of accessibility.

Director of Student Accessibility Services Dana Jones is impressed with the dedication of Smiley and her team, noting that they prioritized purchasing accessible equipment from the start. “Accessibility is in the forefront of their minds rather than an afterthought,” she says. “I think they truly believe that physical fitness is part of a wellness program and they believe everyone should be able to access it.” 

Here are some of the accessible features at the PERC:

• Entrance and building access: There are standard ADA doors at the entry to the PERC and an elevator to travel between floors. The lobby has a lower-level counter at the front desk for people using different types of adaptable equipment. 
• Locker rooms: All three locker rooms (men’s, single-use and women’s) have accessible showers, low sinks, an accessible changing stall and lower locker placement.
• Weight room: Wide spaces between benches and equipment where a wheelchair or walker could navigate to grab free weights. 

For hands-on help with using and adapting equipment, all Aims students can work with personal trainers for free at the PERC. 

A sign-up form allows you to list any needed supports and accommodations. 

“If you show up, we will have someone there to help you,” says Smiley.

Dr. Teresa Cribelli, (she/her), Belonging, Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (BaJEDI) Program Manager, has some tips for how to make spaces like the PERC, Aims events and classrooms accessible for students and visitors with autism.

1. Create a sensory-friendly environment “Provide workout space options and classes with low noise and dimmed lighting.”
2. Use clear communication tools “Offer visual aids to explain equipment use and provide written directions for workouts and multi-step instructions, especially in spaces with background noise.”
3. Recognize autistic communication styles “Communicate using direct language rather than figurative language. Also recognize that autistic people may not make eye contact. They are not being disrespectful; eye contact can be difficult from a sensory perspective.”

Fort Lupton Campus

Fort Lupton has an outdoor fitness area and looped path. The south side of the outdoor path is paved and leads to accessible equipment.

Windsor Campus

The Windsor gym at the Public Safety Institute is a smaller facility primarily used for the public safety degree and certificate programs based there. Trainers are on staff to support anyone who needs help using the equipment.

Students

If you have a documented disability and need accommodations for a class at the PERC, contact the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Office at accommodations@aims.edu or (970) 339-6565.

If you don’t have a documented disability and still need support after a surgery or injury, the DAS office and PERC team will work with you to either obtain documentation or provide solutions to allow you to complete a class or use PERC facilities.

Faculty and Staff

Aims faculty and staff who wish to request accommodations at the PERC can contact Human Resources Director George Bielinski at george.bielinski@aims.edu.