Adaptive Sailing Program

About the Program

Category: Parks and Recreation (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

Often, people with disabilities, terminal illness, or financial instability are overlooked in many communities. Providing these individuals with a recreational activity to bring them into the community environment can help them excel in society. In 2006, Collier County Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Freedom Waters Foundation launched a fully inclusive, accessible sailing program in Collier County, Florida. The purpose of this adaptive sailing program is to serve children, adults, and senior citizens, with special needs, (physical or financial), or terminal illness by teaching them how to sail independently. The adaptive sailing program allows those with disabilities to participate on an equal playing field with their friends and families, allowing families to recreate together in a very special way. Since the program’s inception, many of the participants have gone on to compete in local and regional regattas, where participants are assessed on their ability not their disability.