Presentation Abstract

Beyond the Checked Box: Are Wheelchair Users Really Included? Perspectives on Improving Access, Inclusion, Participation, and Adherence to Physical Activity with Wheelchair Users

Addressing the gaps of how we can improve physical activity with wheelchair users must prioritize the creation of hybrid studies to accelerate existing research and intentionally shift the focus on implementations and solutions.  

The population of diverse and intersectional wheelchair users is asking for broader health prescriptions that include physical activity. Discussion on how general providers can and should prescribe physical activity to wheelchair users and how an active lifestyle will benefit a wheelchair user’s overall health has been proven repeatedly. However, health promotion is not the usual focus. It is often overlooked in ignorance due to the medical community’s focus on the medical model and habits of wanting to “fix” and/or “cure” disability. A shift in the research and medical communities understanding that wheelchair users are able to participate in physical activity and exercise programs when biases about wheelchair user’s existence are removed and intentional inclusion is prioritized. 

Breaking free of professional silos and changing the ways researchers/medical professionals think about their work should be prioritized. Traditional discussions have centered on conventional approaches. Including representation of diverse and intersectional wheelchair users in the research design would accelerate success. Discussion and examples of delivering systems of inclusive activity that include methods grounded in people-focused, multidisciplinary approaches in order to create 21st century solutions to medical model challenges will be provided. 

About Ms. Korb

Karin Korb currently works with Lakeshore Foundation as their policy and public affairs coordinator. She holds an undergraduate degree in public administration from Kean University and a masters of sports management from Georgia State University. Ms. Korb is deeply passionate about inclusion of persons with disabilities at every level of life and is herself a chair user as a result of a high school gymnastics accident. She is a two-time Paralympian and has served on the coveted USOPC Athletes Advisory Council for the past 8 years representing seven sports (tennis, table tennis, shooting, archery, equestrian, powerlifting, and canoe/kayak). She has created national and global initiatives for women and girls with disability in sport and has acted as a convener to intersectional groups who are passionate about participation in life. She is a certified life coach with the International Coaches Federation and offers a highly diverse level of experience having worked with local, national, and international clients of varying organizations to create ongoing opportunities with persons with disability. Most recently, her efforts in sports diplomacy have taken her to Trinidad and Tobago, Germany, Colombia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania. Ms. Korb has also worked for the Lakeshore Foundation’s Lima Fox Trot Military program since its inception in 2006. She has worked on behalf of the International Tennis Federation’s Global Development Initiative, 1Team Global Action, NBC Universal Sports, both the United Nations International Sport and Social Impact Summit and Women’s Initiatives, and most recently, Champions for America’s Future. Her career in both advocacy and policy has spanned over two decades and she always has her eyes on the pulse of humanity and how she can best represent the vision and mission of inclusivity and equity. 

Ms. Korb did not disclose any conflicts of interest for this workshop.