APA Checklist Overview

The Accessible Physical Activity (APA) Checklist will help organizations provide clear information about their physical activity programs.

A child with a disability playing baseball

Image Description: A child with a disability playing baseball. Running to a base with two adults cheering them on while running next to them. A baseball diamond is in the background.

This checklist is for any organization that offers physical activity or sport programming. It was created as an easy resource for your organization to use either as a starting place or an audit. You can make sure that your physical activity and sport programming descriptions include the information families and people with disabilities need.

We currently have an English version of the checklist, and are working on the French version. Discover them by pressing either button below!

APA Checklist (English)APA Checklist (French)

About the APA Checklist

Why is this Checklist Important?

Families of children and youth with disabilities report that it is difficult to find information about accessible physical activity programs. In some cases, this becomes a barrier to physical activity participation. Providing clear information about your programs, staff, and facilities can remove these barriers and improve participation.

We took existing research and consulted with families of children and youth with disabilities. We developed a checklist of important information organizations should share about their physical activity programs.

Behind the Scenes

The research team adopted a systematic approach for the development, implementation and evaluation of the checklist. These steps are outlined in the figure below.

Step 1

Conducted a study among parents of children with disabilities to identify their information needs.

Step 2

Conducted a scoping review to identify evidence to inform the checklist.

Step 3

Develop a draft checklist.

Step 4

Consulted with sport and physical activity organizations.

Step 5

Consulted with parents of children with disabilities.

Step 6

Develop a final checklist based on the research and consultations.