Welcome to Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario!
The Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario (DSAO) is a non-profit charitable organization founded, organized and run by people with disabilities.
Let's go sailing!
- Join as a member - it all starts with your membership. Come on aboard!
- Volunteer to support - be part of a successful team making a difference in your community, and have fun in the process!
- Donate now! Empower, enable our community, make a difference!
Our programs and services are uniquely attuned to the needs and desires of our participants, and made possible by donors like you. You can help make sailing accessible by clicking on the Canada Helps logo above and donating through the Canada Helps charity to DSAO. A receipt will be issued from the processing organization CanadaHelps.org. DSAO's Canadian Charitable Registration Number is: 869006429 RR0001
DSAO mission
- To provide sailing opportunities for Ontarians regardless of ability or age.
- To provide unique, enjoyable experiences for its participants which include opportunities for social, recreational, rehabilitative and competitive activities.
- To build confidence and self-esteem for people with disabilities, and enhance their independence.
- To facilitate the integration of disabled and able-bodied recreation and competition.
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Hoist the Sails Campaign: Our Goal is $4180 ($1900 raised to date)
The Disabled Sailing Martin16's can be seen sailing around the Toronto Inner Harbour 7 days a week all day all summer. The sails need to have a rotation that is replenished every few years. It takes $2090 to equip one Martin16 sailboat with a suit of sails. Bring smiles and joy to members of your community!
Here is how to help
- Donate.
- Personally contact 10 friends or family, provide them with the link to this page and ask them to donate.
- Invite friends on Facebook, provide them with the link to this page and ask them to donate.
Click here to donate via CanadaHelps. A tax receipt will be issued automatically.
Rear Seat Campaign: Our Goal is $700
We got one! Two more wanted!
We got one rear seat, it has been about a week, and now everyone wants 2 more because they absolutely love it!
DSAO would like to help the volunteers and staff be more comfortable when going out sailing. Currently volunteers and staff sit on a plank of starboard at the rear of the boat. The new boats (since 2013) come with this rear seat, the manufacturer of the Martin16 has created a retrofit seat that can be added to older boats (prior to 2013) so that there can be comfort and stability when companion sailing.
Here is how to help
- Donate.
- Personally contact 10 friends or family, provide them with the link to this page and ask them to donate.
- Invite friends on Facebook, provide them with the link to this page and ask them to donate.
Click here to donate via CanadaHelps. A tax receipt will be issued automatically.
Safety Equipment: Our Goal is $1532 ($1260 raised to date)
Only $272.00 needed to reach our goal!
Day-to-day items are things that have a shorter lifespan in DSAO program delivery, such as:
- Trailer jacks: two of the sailboat trailers have seized trailer jacks which need to be replaced, they are $136 ea. for a 2500 lb trailer jack, Princess Auto. Total need: $272.
- VHF radios: every year some get damaged or dropped in the water. It is an annual cost to replace radios. Standard Horizon floating hand held VHF HX290S - $180 ea, need 5, total need: $900
Can you help?
- Donate.
- Personally contact 10 friends or family, provide them with the link to this page and ask them to donate.
- Invite friends on Facebook, provide them with the link to this page and ask them to donate.
Click here to donate via CanadaHelps. A tax receipt will be issued automatically.
Assistive Equipment - Slings: Our Goal is $3,132 ($205 raised to date)
Many of our sailors are able to get in and out of the boat with minimal assistance. However, if this is not possible, sailors can be transferred using a sling and hoist. DSAO has recently had donated by Rotary Toronto three battery powered lifts and davits.
A sling is placed under the person, the straps attached to a battery-powered lift which raises the person out of the wheelchair. The lift is attached to a pivoting davit which allows us to move the sailor above the seat in the boat and safely lower him or her into position. The same procedure is done in reverse for getting back into the wheelchair. This is a very safe transfer method which requires no manual lifting. This type of lift is a newer design, compact, safe and much more comfortable for the disabled sailors. It is becoming a new standard in many disabled sailing programs.
This new lift system requires a different type of sling - this is the item that the sailor is transferred in. Each sling is $348 and we require a total 6 slings for a total of $3132.00. These slings are much more comfortable for the disabled sailors and will improve the ease and be more time efficient.
Can you help?
- Donate.
- Personally contact 10 friends or family, provide them with the link to this page and ask them to donate.
- Invite friends on Facebook, provide them with the link to this page and ask them to donate.
Click here to donate via CanadaHelps. A tax receipt will be issued automatically.
GA-OH Bags for DSAO
Thinking about shopping, want to do good for the environment and especially support DSAO? GA-OH Bags offers a collection of unique bags made from recycled sail material. Any GA-OH bag is made from sails that were on a sailboat and felt the wind, spray and water! GA-OH is Natalie Tessier, she believes in contributing to the improvement of our society by returning a portion of its profits to environmental and societal causes. Use code ISUPPORTDSAO, and 10% of your purchase goes towards the Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario (DSAO). Happy shopping!
