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"To empower people with vision loss to realize their full potential, and to shape the community's vision of that potential.”
Our programs and services are designed to empower our clients to move beyond limitations.
WKYC TV Channel 3's reporter Mike O'Mara set sail with the blind crew of Cleveland Sight Center's "Coqui," a 26 foot Pearson sailboat. Access the Channel 3 News video clip and online story about our Sailing Program.
Blind Sailors Compete Against the Odds in World Championship
The Blind Sailing World Championships, a competition that has been running since 1992, were held in New Zealand this month. Sailors who are blind and visually impaired work with sighted crew aboard the vessels. Access the CNN.com story.
BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED SAILING PROGRAM
Cleveland Sight Center's sailing program for people who are blind or visually impaired started in 1995 and focuses on teaching clients who have never sailed how to do so, while also offering clients who already enjoy sailing an opportunity to continue. The program is about much more than sailing on a boat. With the assistance of sighted volunteers, participants use mobility and communication skills to navigate and control the boat, working together in a team and social setting with others facing the challenges of vision loss. Sailors have said the experience has changed their lives, and one client stated that sailing has “saved her life!”
The sailing program includes people with all levels of sailing and nautical experience, from first time ever on a boat to “old salts of the sea.” Sailors who are blind or visually impaired take part in all aspects of crewing a sailboat including operating the sails, tiller, engine and marine radio. Sailors and volunteers are assigned to teams of six people including two sighted volunteers and up to four sailors. Each team goes out once a week throughout the extended summer season which goes from late May to early October. No sailing experience is necessary to participate in the program, and all ages are welcome to join.
Cleveland Sight Center's sailboats are Pearson 26 foot cabin sloops. Safety is emphasized in every aspect of the program. All sailors wear a life jacket, and each boat is equipped with a marine radio, all required safety equipment and an outboard motor for auxiliary power. Sighted volunteers (skippers and mates) have basic to advanced sailing experience and are knowledgeable of all safety procedures.
This program is made possible through a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft, donations, and nominal fees.
The 2010 season begins with a training session in March. For more information about how you can become a member or a volunteer in the Sailing Program, please contact Greg McGrath in the Recreation Department at 216-791-8118, ext. 4592. Email Blind & Visually Impaired Sailing Program
Skipper’s Invitational Sailing Excursion
Sailors who are blind or visually impaired along with their sighted skippers and fellow crew members recently embarked on our sailing program’s first-ever Skipper’s Invitational excursion.
Access Channel 5’s coverage of this event
Access details regarding this excursion
Access information about our sailing program
