Hope and Strengths within Adaptive Sailing

James AndersonChristine Easterbrook

• Social Model of Disability

• History of Adaptive Sailing

• Types of Boats and Equipment

• Hope and Strengths Perspective

• Experience Disabled Sailing Windsor

Outline

Perception: What do you see?

Social Model of Disability

• Impairment as a medical condition (physical or mental) that leads to a “disability”.

• Disability is the interaction b/w a person living with impairment and their environment.

• Disability is a social construct.– People are not disabled.– Society makes people disabled.

(Oliver, 1992)

Why Sail?

History of Adaptive Sailing

• Organized Canadian adaptive sailing began in British Columbia.

• The Disabled Sailing Association of BC was founded in 1989.

• The first Mobility Cup was 1991.

• The Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario was formed in 1999 to host the Mobility Cup.

(DSA, 2014; DSAO, 2014)

Martin 16

• Two person boat, but can easily be sailed independently.

• Most commonly used adaptive sailing boat.

• Can be equipped with the Windlass and Sip & Puff for individuals with very limited mobility.

Martin 16

Windlass and Sip & Puff

• Sip & Puff enables a person to sail the Martin 16 by sipping and puffing on straws.– Used by people with severe

mobility limitations.

• Windlass enables a person to control sails with joystick.

Windlass and Sip & Puff

Sonar

• Sonar is a 23ft keelboat.– 3-6 person capacity

• Initially designed for able-bodied sailors.

• Premier boat for sailors with disabilities.– Used national and

international racing events.

Access Liberty

Hoyer Lift

Hope and Strengths Perspective

(Jacobs, 2008; Paraschak, 2013; Saleebey, 1996; Snyder, 2002)

• Each individual has inherent strengths.

• Support from community and access to resources can enhance strengths and assist an individual in achieving his/her goals.

• These goals can contribute back to a “broader community of relevance” or and organization’s vision.

• “Hope in” a shared future.

• Opportunities to enhance strengths and set goals.

• Freedom and independence.

• Shaping and being shaped by interactions with others.

• Sense of community.

• Empowerment

Hope and Strengths within Adaptive Sailing

Hope and Strengths Perspective

Adaptive sailing programs are like an orchestra. Each individual has a part to play and together we make music.

Experience Disabled Sailing Windsor

• Started in 2012.

• Hosted by the LaSalle Mariners’ Yacht Club.

• Supported by the Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario and a myriad of volunteers.

• Runs for one weekend in mid-September.

• Enables community members of Windsor-Essex to experience sailing.

Experience Disabled Sailing Windsor

Experience Disabled Sailing Windsor

Experience Disabled Sailing Windsor

Experience Disabled Sailing Windsor

Experience Disabled Sailing Windsor

Experience Disabled Sailing Windsor

Experience Disabled Sailing Windsor

Experience Disabled Sailing Windsor

Experience Disabled Sailing Windsor

Experience Disabled Sailing Windsor

• Planning 4th year of outreach weekend• Vision for Experience Disable Sailing Windsor– Acquiring a Martin 16– Starting a DSAO Chapter

• Looking for support• For more info contact Dave: 519-966-6358• www.disabledsailing.on.ca

Hope in a Shared Future