| One of the most effective ways of getting started is to organise a day when people with disabilities can come and try various types of sailing. The day could be regarded as either an enjoyable, isolated experience or the start of a whole new pastime - good reasons for careful planning, promotion and publicity.
Planning
Like all new activities, every effort should be made to ensure that the first experience is a good one:
- Have at least one disabled person on your planning committee
- Involve the members and council of the sailing club
- Start planning as early as possible; make an action timetable
- Choose the date with care to avoid other major events at the club or in the area
- Avoid extremes of weather
- Persuade people to make their boats available
- Check facilities at the club
- Arrange transport to and from the venue
- Organise catering
- Consider additional activities for those waiting to sail
- Develop a plan for alternative activities if the weather is bad
- Enlist a team of competent helpers
- Know who will make decisions on the day, particularly in relation to safety and weather.
Promotion
To reach as many people with disabilities as possible, contact:
- Local organisations for disabled sports and other activities
- Local rehabilitation centres
- Local councils (see Chapter 12 - Useful Contacts).
Publicity
To promote disabled sailing and report on the activity, contact:
- Local newspapers
- Local television and radio
- Disability newsletters.
Advance Information
Make sure that everyone knows:
- What to expect from the day, the programme, club facilities, catering etc.
- How to reach the venue
- To bring spare clothing
- Likely expenses during the day.
Funding
Most 'Have-a-try' days can be put on at almost no cost. But often it's possible to obtain grants from local government or sponsorship from local companies. Funding can be closely linked to promotion, and publicity can be arranged for the day. You may need to charge the participants.
Boats
Almost any craft will do provided it is:
- Reasonably stable
- Designed with a good sized, uncluttered cockpit
- Sensible for the sailing conditions at the venue.
- It's a good idea to have a range of boats available and to offer a choice of sailing activities (see also Chapter 6 - Adapting Boats).
Volunteers
A team of well briefed, competent and enthusiastic boat owners and helpers is essential for a successful day. Be sure that they:
- Know what is expected of them in terms of time and activity
- Know how best to help (see Chapter 5 - Access to Boats, and Chapter 10 - Disability Awareness).
- Are competent for their allotted tasks
- Can be identified as volunteers with badge, T-shirt etc.; see Chapter 2 - Ideas for Potential Helpers.
Club Facilities
It is not essential to have perfect, accessible facilities before you host a 'Have-a-try' day. Much can be done with temporary ramps, rented portable toilets, tents and clear signposting. It is important however, to check that the following can be made accessible for wheelchair users and those with walking difficulties, visual impairment etc.
- Jetties and foreshores (beaches)
- Toilets
- Change rooms
- Refreshment areas (see Chapter 7 - Access in Clubs).
Extra Equipment
It's a good idea to have:
- Chairs in areas where people may have to wait
- Wheelchairs available for people who do not normally use them but may have difficulty with distances, slippery surfaces or rough terrain
- Cushions for protection, comfort and stability. (Avoid using wheelchair cushions which should be kept dry.)
Clothing
Be sure that you have an adequate supply of:
- Buoyancy aids/lifejackets
- Water/windproof clothing. (Unclaimed club lost property is a good source!)
Safety & First Aid
People with disabilities are no more likely to need first aid or medical attention than anyone else. But with extra people at the club, it is sensible to check that you have adequate first aid and rescue facilities.
Insurance
Obligations vary from country to country, but organisers usually have third party and public liability cover. It may be possible to extend existing club policies for the day. The fact that the activity will involve people with disabilities should not affect the cover offered under a standard club policy.
Follow-up Information. It's useful to prepare an information sheet for people to take away with them. Include details such as:
- names and telephone numbers
- Places to sail
- Types of sailing
- Cost of sailing
- A brochure on the national organisation for disabled sailing
- Potential fun and friendships (see Chapter 1 - Ideas for Potential Sailors).
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