Whether you are a highly qualified instructor or simply someone who wants to share skills, you might feel daunted at first by the task of working with somebody with an obvious disability. One experienced instructor suggests 'Start by thinking of how you would teach a left-handed person to tie a bowline. If you are right-handed, it will require some thought and many contortions!'

Some may say that being paralysed, missing an arm, or having visual impairment is rather different from being simply left-handed. But the point is to start somewhere and allow the rest to follow.

Focus on the Sport not the Disability
Like everybody else, sailors with disabilities want to improve their sailing skills. Understanding the needs of trainees is an essential part of teaching. (see Chapter 10 - Disability Awareness). As always, good communication is the key. It is important to discuss the aims of the training session and ask how these may be modified to suit the needs of the sailors concerned.

Allow Time.
The most likely modification to a training programme involving people with disabilities is allowing more time for such things as:

• Putting on protective clothing
  Transferring into an out of boats
• Orientating to the boat and the equipment
• Planning for efficient use of personal resources
• Making minor adjustments to the boat or rigging
• Repeating and reinforcing all steps for people with learning difficulties.

Use Experienced Coaches To emphasise sailing rather than disability, obtain the services of experienced and qualified sailing coaches. We are moving into an age of litigation where qualifications are important. However, to provide support for practice sessions, there will always be a place for the experienced sailor without formal qualifications.

Follow Existing Training Programmes
Most national sailing authorities have programes which give structure and purpose to training. These may require some modification but should otherwise form an excellent base for training sailors with disabilities.

Endorsing Certificates
Many countries issue sailing certificates to award achievement. In the UK, these certificates are issued as a matter of course to sailors with disabilities, although some may be endorsed e.g.

'Cannot personally carry out capsize drill but is able to direct a novice crew to right the boat.'(Physically disabled sailor) 'Requires sighted look out when at sea.'(Visually impaired sailor)

'May require some able-bodied assistance in severe weather.'(Physically disabled sailor)

We strongly recommend that instructors refer to the manual of ISAF Training and Development Committee which includes a comprehensive section on training sailors with disabilities.