The History of Sailability

Sailability originated in Great Britain. In the 1980's the Royal Yachting Association formed the Seamanship Foundation, while at the same time a number of individual Sailability groups had formed the embryo of a national organization for disabled sailors.

As a result RYA Sailability was formed. Today the organization is the leading national charity for disabled sailing in the UK with over 15,000 sailors benefiting from its activities. RYA Sailability is considered to be the most active sailing organization for people with disabilities in the world, there being 200 clubs in the UK.

In 1991 Sailability was introduced to Australia, where there are currently over fifty groups covering every State and Territory, catering to a population of 20 million. Since then, an eager group of Sailability volunteers have successfully taken Sailability around the world.

Sailability World Inc. operates in numerous countries throughout the world, through activities at 350 local Sailability clubs.

Sailability operates under various names in Australia, France, Greece, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, and USA. New memberships are also currently being negotiated with in Philippines, Pakistan, Thailand, and Switzerland.

Sailability hopes to make a difference to the lives of people with disabilities who desperately seek a better life and can be the impetus to educate the community.

Sailability’s philosophy of full inclusion of all people, regardless of ability, provides an exceptional opportunity to break down barriers between the disadvantaged, those with a disability and general community, ensuring changes of attitudes and reduction in fear.

Sailability activities cover a broad spectrum, ranging from recreation, therapeutic and competitive activities, from grass-root, entry level through to elite World Championships and Paralympics training.