Idée acf4253:

Enabling Sailing and More

Affichée le novembre 17, 2009

• Auteur : Michael Van Dusen
• Organisation: Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario
• Endroit : Queen's Quay, Toronto, Ontario
• Catégorie : Favorisez le bien-être
• Coût : À gros budget (50 000 $ à 250 000 $)

For more than 10 years the Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario (DSAO) has been providing affordable sailing for recreation and competitive purposes as well as sailing instruction and other recreation activities on Toronto's waterfront for more than 60,000 people in Greater Toronto with mobility impairments. Members and guests come to the club from Toronto, Hamilton, London, Barrie, Oshawa and Peterborough. In this time the DSAO has grown to be the largest DSA in Canada with more than 125 members, 200 guest sailors, 200 volunteers and more than 2000 sailings in the summer of 2009. This means that people book a two hour period for sailing and on their return the boat is turned over to another person for a two hour sailing. During good sailing weather the boats are in constant use from morning until just before sundown.

Aside from the numbers, there are qualitative indications of success. One sign is the whoops of glee of new sailors when they first take the helm of a sailboat and know that they control the wind and direction. DSAO builds confidence, self-esteem, independence and feelings of empowerment. It combines social, recreational and rehabilitative experiences. DSAO also promotes integration by involving persons with disabilities in the sailing community, which is largely made up of able-bodied people. The organization was created by, is organized by, and operated in conjunction with people with disabilities. This means that there are also opportunities to learn strategic and management skills for those who wish to stand for election to the Board.

In addition, DSAO hosted an international Regatta, Mobility Cup 2009 in late August and early September, attracting 70 sailors from across Canada and the United States for a five day regatta. For the first time in the history of Mobility Cup, in the 2.4 metre Class of boat, able bodied and disabled sailors competed with on another. Other classes of boats competing were the Martin 16 and Accessible Dinghies.

The DSAO has plans to expand and has run a number of successful sailing days in Peterborough Ontario over the past three years. However the limited number of Martin 16s and the need to trailer them back and forth to Toronto has retarded expansion.

The Martin 16 is the backbone of the fleet. This boat was specially designed for people with mobility impairments. It is virtually untippable: has all lines for sail trim coming to the centre cockpit: a joystick for steering and can be sailed with special sip n puff technologies by those who have no motion below their neck by breathing out and in through a straw that connects to a set of switches that control steering and sail trim.

The newest Martin 16 is seven years old. With the constant use, the wear and tear on the boats means that they are frequently out of service for repairs of one kind or another. This disrupts the sailing operation and restricts access. If we operate boats that have some mechanical difficulties but are otherwise sailable, the experience is often less fun than it would be with a boat that was in good repair.

If the AVIVA Community Fund supported DSAO we would direct the funds to 1)buying and rigging up to five Martin 16 sailboats (approximately $25k/apiece.) and retiring one or two of the boats. maximum total $125,000 2) buying up to four autohelms and sip n puff technologies (approximately $8k/apiece) to enable people with strength limits or who are paralyzed below the neck to sail. maximum.total $32,000 3) expanding the program to full seasonal operations in Peterborough with at least two dedicated boats. 4) repairing/upgrading the remaining fleet of 4 boats (after retirements) including sails and lines. (approximately $2,500/boat) total $10,000 5) purchasing a rubber "coach" boat and motor for the Peterborough operation. (approximately $15,000) 6) Hiring and training up to four new staff to offer more hours of sailing and to provide staffing in Peterborough (approximately $32,000 for the season) 7) Providing operational equipment and support (facility rental in Peterborough, hoyer lifts for Peterborough, trailer, life vests, web site updates, local Peterborough phone and web access ) approximately $20,000)

The maximum total of this request is $234k.

• 

  Enabling Sailing and More
  The Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario supports accessible sailing for people with mobility impairments. If we win the AVIVA grant, the funds would be used to expand the program geographically and in time. We enable sailing and much more.
  novembre 18, 2009 @ 12:08

  
  

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Seuls les 1000 commentaires les plus récents sont affichés.

• Meister

  This is such a great cause! This program is truly magical, to be able to allow people to leave their wheel chairs on the dock and get into a boat which they can sail by themselves is remarkable. And...its all Canadian technology!! Even those paralyzed form the neck down can sail these boats with mouth controls - simply awesome!!
  novembre 18, 2009 @ 1:17 EST

  
  

• Meister

  This is such a great cause! This program is truly magical, to be able to allow people to leave their wheel chairs on the dock and get into a boat which they can sail by themselves is remarkable. And...its all Canadian technology!! Even those paralyzed form the neck down can sail these boats with mouth controls - simply awesome!!
  novembre 18, 2009 @ 1:18 EST

  
  

• Rick Watters

  As a sailor with a disability, I am in full support of this proposal and encourage others to vote for this very worthwhile cause. The DSAO is an organization that empowers people with disabilities by promoting active living and community involvement. Freedom, independence, empowerment and fun are all terms we commonly hear from our members. Sailing is a sport for some and recreation for others but all agree that there's nothing like the feeling of being out on the water with our wheelchairs back at the dock and knowing that we are safe and in control, with thanks to the specialized boats and equipment.
  novembre 18, 2009 @ 2:30 EST

  
  

• Han Tacoma

  It is as a consequence of the birth of DSAO that I was able to return to sailing. I had no idea that sailing was still a possibility for me after my accident and 10 years later there is no turning back. I have made new friends and will keep on sailing for a long time. I think we should copyright the phrase "I leave my wheelchair at the dock and feel the freedom of being on the water" or anything similar, it has become a motto for all of us in the disabled sailing community.
  novembre 18, 2009 @ 3:16 EST

  
  

• DJdaddymack

  I would like to put in a posative vote please Rod Mack
  novembre 19, 2009 @ 6:35 EST

  
  

• grevans

  Disabilities come in all forms and health reports indicate that 1 in 5 Canadians will suffer from a short or long term disability in their lifetime. Community based activities like DSAO are a great way to enable those with disabilities to participate in activities through the integration of technology, learning opportunities and the support of community. I support this cause by voting and hope that you will too!
  novembre 22, 2009 @ 2:04 EST

  
  

• David C.

  During 2009 at the DSOA sailing regatta at Ashbridge's Bay Yacht Club I saw so much joy in the faces of the participants in disabled sailing. They were inspiring to all of the volunteers who helped them reach for their goals. By supporting this idea, you can help provide more individuals with this opportunity, whether they are participating for recreation or competition.
  novembre 22, 2009 @ 4:48 EST

  
  

• guddi

  I have been involved with the sailing club since 2000. I was injured in a motor vehicle accident as a passenger 17 years ago. The freedom sailing has given me to be able to leave my wheelchair at the docks and sail away into the wind and forget all that has happened is beyond any ones imagenation. I played field hockey at the National level for India, and now I can sail with a boat designed for disabled sailors is just another sport for me that I so much enjoy.
  novembre 22, 2009 @ 10:57 EST

  
  

• Jay

  10 years ago, I did not know sailing was an activity I could do. I imagined sailing, at that time, was a luxury afforded to the well-heeled able bodied people. Then I discovered the existence of DSAO during a visit to the People In Motion exhibition. I still remember the day I went to the club house at Queen's Quay inquiring the possibility of sailing for me. It was a light-rainy day, I met Drew, a volunteer, at the club house. He assured me that I could sail without any problem and offered to take me out for a sail if I didn't mind getting a bit wet. Naturally, I took the offer and suddenly that possibility became reality. I was sailing!! If you ever saw a row of empty wheel chairs sitting on dock without any sight of the owners, then you can well imagine an equal number of people out somewhere on the harbour sailing and having the time of their life. I am also a great supporter of the outreach program the club offers to the community. I was once a receiver of this typ
  novembre 28, 2009 @ 2:52 EST