BACKGROUND Community-based fitness programs can support public health by providing access to physical activity opportunities for a vulnerable population with significant barriers. Unfortunately, programs specifically designed for people with disabilities (PWD) and staff training to promote inclusion for PWD in general population programs is limited. The current study aimed to review an on-going partnership that had formed to address this need. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess community partners' experiences with a community-academic partnership designed to implement a fitness program for people with multiple sclerosis and also to promote inclusion for PWD in community-based fitness programming. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six community partners who had been engaged in a formal partnership with the academic institution for 2 or more years to understand partners' experiences and perspectives about the partnership. Interviews were audio/video recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically. RESULTS Participants described their experiences as falling into four main areas. Pre-partnership experiences (or lack thereof) shaped participants views on entering into academic partnerships. Communication and planning for mutual benefit were key to getting the partnership started. Partners identified challenges and factors for success while they were in the thick of partnership activities. Finally, evaluation allowed for assessment and improvement of the partnership itself and its ultimate goals. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that academic-community partnerships can be ideal for promoting inclusion for PWD and highlight insights that can be used in the development of future partnerships.

中文翻译：

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社区合作伙伴对与学术研究团队合作促进残疾人包容性健身计划的看法。

背景技术基于社区的健身计划可以通过为具有重大障碍的弱势群体提供体育活动机会来支持公共健康。不幸的是，专门为残疾人 (PWD) 设计的计划以及促进将残疾人纳入普通人群计划的员工培训是有限的。当前的研究旨在审查为满足这一需求而建立的持续伙伴关系。目的 本研究的目的是评估社区合作伙伴在社区-学术伙伴关系方面的经验，该伙伴关系旨在为多发性硬化症患者实施健身计划，并促进将残疾人纳入基于社区的健身计划。方法对六位与学术机构建立正式合作关系两年或两年以上的社区合作伙伴进行半结构化访谈，了解合作伙伴对合作关系的经验和看法。采访内容被录音/视频记录、逐字转录并按主题进行分析。结果 参与者将他们的经历描述为分为四个主要领域。合作前的经历（或缺乏）影响了参与者对建立学术伙伴关系的看法。互惠互利的沟通和规划是建立伙伴关系的关键。合作伙伴在参与合作活动时确定了挑战和成功因素。最后，评估可以评估和改进伙伴关系本身及其最终目标。结论 研究结果表明，学术界与社区的伙伴关系对于促进残疾人的包容性是理想的，并强调了可用于发展未来伙伴关系的见解。