Access Inclusive Recreation

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Last Updated: Oct 27, 2025, 01:03 PM

Access Inclusive Recreation participant uses the fitness equipment

What is Access Inclusive Recreation (AIR)? 

Recreational Sports and Services celebrates diversity and community by offering inclusive recreational facilities, programs, and services to all SIU students and members of the Student Recreation Center.

Access Inclusive Recreation (AIR) is designed to provide support to whomever wishes to utilize the facility, programs, and services offered by Recreational Sports and Services. We recognize and respect that some individuals require additional support to overcome barriers that impact access and/or inclusion. Be it a physical disability or an emotional/psychological situation, the aim of AIR is to clear the path for ALL to gain access to the wide variety of options for inclusion in all facets of our programs and services.

There is a fee for this service: 

  • 30 min session
    • SIU Student = $10
    • RSS Member = $10
  • 60 min session
    • SIU Student = $15
    • RSS Member = $15

View Referral Information

Fill Out Referral Form

Read Participant Testimonials

AIR Referrals

Participation in the AIR program begins with a referral

Individuals can refer themselves or may be referred by another source such as a faculty/staff person, a counselor, a Resident Advisor, etc.

  • Why might a referral be made?

    • You are a student who would like to use the facility but due to a disability you are not able to independently access the fitness equipment that you would like to use.
    • You are a student who has the desire to come to the facility but have anxiety with unfamiliar settings/scenarios and would like support from a companion to reduce the anxiety barrier.
    • You are a student who is experiencing depression and/or isolation and have been recommended to the Student Recreation Center as a means to gain a sense of inclusion and find community through engaging in healthy activities.

  • Referral Forms

    To apply to the AIR program, fill out the Online referral form.

    For details on eligibility, referrals, and fees, please contact:

    Sydney Devine
    618-453-1275
    Sydney.Devine@siu.edu

  • Upon Receipt

    An AIR staff will contact the referred person to set up an intake meeting. This meeting can take place at the Student Recreation Center or at another campus location of choice. The intake meeting is an opportunity to discuss goals, interests, and challenges. An individualized plan can then be made.

    Once the referral meeting has occurred and the plan is determined, participants will then be eligible to meet two (2) more times with an AIR staff to implement the plan. Be it developing a personalized workout and learning how to access the equipment, or attending a group fitness class of choice, or joining an intramural sports team. AIR staff will provide the level of support needed to ensure access and inclusion.

    If, after the initial intake and the 2 follow-up sessions, you wish to continue meeting one-on-one with the AIR staff for personalized fitness assistance, you would need to purchase AIR Fitness Partner Sessions.  Students without a documented disability are unable to take advantage of this service and should instead hire a personal trainer.

"I have been a client of the AIR Program since mid-November of last year. The AIR Program has helped me improve a lot in many areas. For instance I am able bend my legs more, making it easier for mobility purpose. It has helped me improve in my physical strength. I have also been able to enhance my progress in completing my work out. The Total Resistance Exercises are the main type of exercises I partake in and it has become easier to do these type of exercises. I would recommend the AIR Program because it has helped me overcome and improve in my functionality."
AIR Participant
"I have participated in the program for 6.5 years. The AIR program has given me a means by which to exercise, while providing adaptive accessibility. Since my surgery it has allowed me to maintain my functional capacity. The specific goals I have set for myself is to be able to do a complete cardiovascular workout on the hand bike each day that I work out. According to American College of Sports Medicine guidelines, a full cardiovascular workout should be between 20-30 minutes per day. Since returning to AIR after my surgery, I have worked up to 30 minutes twice a week on the hand bike. I would recommend the AIR program to others."
AIR Participant
"I been personal training under the direction of Barbara Tyler for about 15 years. Training in the AIR program has helped me have a healthier body. The goals I have made for my exercise plan are gaining strength in my heart and body mobility. I recommend the AIR program to others because it will help them to have a healthier body as well."
AIR Participant