Community Partnership Program

Our Community Partnership Programs offer agencies serving persons with disabilities the opportunity to bring their clients out to enjoy an introductory sailing experience. Our events are designed to provide a "first experience" of sailing and highly regarded as a safe, fun and therapeutic experience for children and adults with mobility and learning disabilities.

A typical Community Partner event:

• provides opportunity for 10 - 20 clients to sail either in our accessible Sonar or Martin 16s
• will last about 3 hours, commencing at 10:00AM or 2:00PM daily
• welcomes family members to participate
• includes facilities for a BBQ or picnic lunch (prepared by Community Partner Agency)
• Fee: $20 per disabled participant; optional $45 User Fee for Glenmore Sailing Club clubhouse. A maximum of 1 aid or support worker sails for free with the client. An additional $10 (DSA Staff discretionary) per support worker is charged beyond that.

To ensure that our Community Partner events are both safe and fun, here is what the Community Partner and DSA-Alberta are each responsible for.

DSA will:

• be responsible for providing a safe environment for participants to experience sailing and enjoy a social outdoor experience.
• provide the boats, safety equipment and staff necessary to ensure safety on the docks and while sailing
• provide Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs)
• provide trained Sailing Companions to accompany clients while sailing.
• provide a Hoyer Lift on the dock for assisted transfers
• provide the Glenmore Sailing Club clubhouse for food preparation (barbeque) and in-door activities (optional for fee of $45)
• not guarantee that any or all participants will sail, as weather is unpredictable.
• DSAA staff will have the final authority regarding how your event is conducted.

Community Partner will:

• be responsible for the medical, physical and emotional safety of their clients
• provide staff, attendants, parents and volunteers aware of the specific needs of their clients, and accompany them where necessary for their safety and well-being.
• ensure all of their participants (or guardians), volunteers and support staff have completed and signed a Release and Assumption of Liability and a Medical Information and Release.
• ensure participants, where necessary, have 'J' cushions or other special seating and necessary personal aids
• ensure all participants have adequate clothing for all weather conditions, including a jacket, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.
• Coordinate with DSAA staff to plan lunch and entertainment, and provide food for your clients, staff and volunteers.
• support the DSA-Alberta'staff in controlling critical, safety-related behaviours including: wearing life-jackets when on the dock and while sailing; limiting access to docks to those embarking or disembarking sailboats; and not allowing wading or swimming in the Reservoir. To assure safety, DSA staff may request that any or all of your clients and/or volunteers remain on land.

Outreach / Inreach Programs

DSA-Alberta will work with anyone, anywhere in Alberta's towns, cities and recreational lakes to offer special events or establish permanent community sailing programs for children and adults with disabilities. Each season, our Outreach Programs partner with local sailing clubs and agencies serving the disabled to bring boats and trained staff to lakes across Alberta. Or, when appropriate, DSA Alberta's Inreach Program will assist groups or individual participants to travel to Calgary to participate in our Glenmore Reservoir programs. Financial assistance is available to support Outreach / Inreach events.

For additional information, contact the Business Manager.

“ The staff at DSA is very good. They provide a fun activity to those who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. Being on the water is very calming and peaceful.” - Lynne, Calgary Community Living Assoc.

“ Sailing provides such a sense of freedom for our son. He couldn't stop talking about it when he was finished.” - Parent of a participant

“ The fact that our son could sail on his own made him feel the same as everyone else. The staff were great, providing him with a sense of safety and security. He was so proud!” - Parent of a participant