Ali Jawad PLY

Sportsperson and COO of the Accessercise App
Accessercise App

Award category:

Sports, Health and Wellbeing

After retiring from a remarkable 16-year sporting career, where I had the honour of competing in four Paralympics and winning every major medal available, including a prestigious medal at the Rio Paralympics, I co-founded Accessercise. Accessercise is the world’s first comprehensive fitness app specifically designed for the disability community, empowering disabled users to exercise independently while challenging the fitness industry to become more accessible and inclusive.

In the past 18 months, Accessercise has achieved significant milestones: winning numerous industry awards, securing major partnerships, and preparing for expansion into other countries. Our vision is to become the largest fitness app for disabled people worldwide.

What truly drives me is the pursuit of unprecedented challenges, as they are the bedrock of innovation. Alongside my work with Accessercise, I am also pursuing a PhD focused on anti-doping and integrity issues in para sport, furthering my commitment to advancing the field in every possible way.

The driving force for meaningful change is fundamentally being perceived as mad by others, I call this informed madness.

Q&A

Ali Jawad PLY
Success isn’t about being the smartest person in the room; it’s about being the one who is most adaptable to unexpected change.
The Accessercise app has had a transformative impact on the disabled community since its launch. As the world’s first comprehensive fitness app specifically designed for individuals with disabilities, Accessercise addresses a critical gap in the fitness industry. By offering tailored resources and fostering a supportive community, the app has significantly enhanced the fitness and overall well-being of disabled users. One of the most profound impacts of Accessercise is its empowerment of disabled individuals to take control of their fitness journeys. The app’s unique impairment-specific exercise library allows users to access bespoke exercise videos that cater to their specific needs. These videos, demonstrated by individuals with similar disabilities, provide practical guidance and inspiration. Users can create personalised training sessions, filter exercises based on various criteria, and schedule workouts, making fitness accessible and manageable. This level of customisation ensures that users can work towards their fitness goals at their own pace, boosting their confidence and autonomy. The social hub within Accessercise has also played a vital role in building a sense of community among disabled individuals. By enabling users to share their progress, join groups for specific support, and engage with others on similar fitness journeys, the app fosters a supportive and motivational environment. This peer-to-peer interaction is invaluable, as it encourages users to stay committed to their fitness routines and celebrates their achievements, no matter how small. The sense of belonging and mutual support within the community enhances users’ mental well-being and provides a platform for sharing experiences and advice. Moreover, the explore section of the app has empowered users to rate the accessibility of local gyms and fitness facilities. This feature not only helps users find accessible venues but also encourages gyms to improve their facilities and services for disabled individuals. The feedback loop created by this feature ensures that accessibility becomes a priority for fitness centres, promoting inclusivity within the fitness industry. Accessercise’s impact extends beyond individual users to healthcare and PT professionals. The app serves as an educational resource, helping practitioners understand how to adapt exercises for various impairments. This knowledge enhances the quality of care provided to disabled patients, facilitates the creation of effective rehab programs, and supports patients in continuing their exercises at home, thereby reducing hospital visits and promoting long-term health. In summary, the Accessercise app has made significant strides in improving the fitness and well-being of the disabled community. There are 71,000 fitness apps globally available and the app is the first one in the world to cater for the 1.2B disabled global population, something we are super proud off.
The ultimate goal is Accessercise becoming the most accessible fitness app ever expanding in as much countries as possible. We will continue to strive to have an accessible and inclusive fitness industry.
Watching sport, podcasts, food, movies, and physical challenges
I love what I do currently do. Self development makes me happy
A world where everyone gets an opportunity to showcase their abilities
Accessibility, work opportunities, better access to exercise.

Areas of expertise

Accessibility, Business, Health and wellbeing, Sport, Television, radio, podcast

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