Accessible Programs
The Recreation & Athletic Centre was built at a time when the prevailing attitude was that disabled bodies were fragile and persons with disabilities couldn't possibly take part in sport and physical activity, and the design of the building reflects this. Fortunately, through the persistence of disability activists and countless participants, attitudes and opportunities have shifted and continue to shift. At TMU, we have made steady progress to address physical, attitudinal and other systemic barriers, but there is admittedly work still to do.
While the Recreation & Athletics Centre (RAC) and the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC) include the accessible options in terms of facilities and amenities listed below, most important to understand is that, wherever physical or systemic barriers persist, our team of professionals is ready and eager to adapt our programs and services to serve you.
Accessible Pool Lift
The RAC pool is equipped with an accessible pool lift. To learn more, please contact our Aquatics staff at aquatics@torontomu.ca.
Accessible Strength & Cardio Circuit
Designed for all abilities, and especially focused on accessible and beginner-friendly options, each piece of equipment in our accessible strength and cardio circuit operates on the same basic premise: Follow the on-equipment guides to position your body, select your weight and grab the cable. Padded seats pivot out of the way at a touch of the yellow lever to quickly transition to standing or wheelchair exercises.
Inclusion in sport and physical activity matters
While always a work-in-progress, our programs and services are designed to ensure we're not "just another gym", but rather a thoughtful place where we actively work to build inclusion.
We know that sport spaces and communities have a long history of being unwelcoming to and unsafe for many equity-deserving groups, and we know we have work still to do to address physical, social and attitudinal barriers.
If you don't see what you are looking and hoping for above, or if you have any questions or concerns about any of our programs or facilities, please connect directly with any of our program leaders or contact our Director, Recreation, Equity & Active Wellbeing, Andrew Pettit, at andrew.pettit@torontomu.ca or 416-979-5000 x557132.
Aren't all programs supposed to be inclusive?
That's the aim - absolutely! But we know that providing dedicated programs specifically designed to address the very real barriers faced by many community members can make a huge difference. Providing a greater sense of safety, support and a chance for meaningful community connections, our equity-focused programs are important on their own, and also enable further participation in all of our programs.
Special thanks to the Toronto Metro Students' Union (external link) for their advocacy in making our spaces and programs more inclusive.