This page is meant to allow website visitors, fitness and sport industry professionals and the broader community of donors and supporters, to understand what Flex for Access does and why and what makes our story unique. We’re excited to work with all of you, and hope our story resonates with your work!

About Flex for Access

Flex for Access’ vision is to help societal perception of physical disability, evolve. And to allow all individuals regardless of limitations, fitness level and interest, the ability to be engaged in exercise and sport.

Jess’ goal was to allow people from different parts of the City of Toronto, and the world to join the conversation in understanding what Cerebral Palsy (CP) is, and how spasticity, which is tightness of the muscles, affects individuals with CP which is where the organization retains the name Flex for Access Inc., from. Most importantly, is not just developing an understanding of CP, and other physical disabilities, but recognizing fitness and sport as central to their management and one’s quality of life and lifestyle.

Non-Profit Organization Mandate:

Through maximizing awareness and education – Flex for Access is a Non-Profit Organization which develops opportunities for Adaptive Fitness and Sport for people with physical disabilities within mainstream fitness and sport settings. The organization creates awareness of the importance of physical literacy and fitness and sport as a means of disability management, and thus builds professional capacity to create these opportunities in partnership with professionals and educators and creates actionable opportunities for adaptive fitness and sport.

How Flex for Access works as a Non-Profit Organization and where the funding is allocated to:

Flex for Access operates as a Non-Profit Organization that liaises with other sport and fitness organizations, academic institutions, associations, fitness facilities and sport companies. The funding raised by Flex for Access is disbursed to the fitness/ rec facilities, universities and colleges, and sports’-based companies through a comprehensive application process. Funding is awarded to qualifying organizations and facilities that provide adaptive fitness programs, sessions, classes, sports programs, and adaptive exercise equipment.

What distinguishes Flex for Access from others within the sector?

Flex for Access is a unique Non-Profit Organization because it creates both opportunities for adaptive fitness as well as sport. Most Charities and Non- Profit Organizations within the disability or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) space, focus on infrastructural accessibility and at times sport; with the topic or opportunity for sport being Paralympic, predominantly paediatric recreation, or team focused. The opportunity to engage with fitness for an individual with a physical disability, within a mainstream gym is not readily available. Other factors which make Flex for Access unique is the founder’s lived experience with adaptive fitness, and its collaborative efforts to work with mainstream industry professionals and the broader community.