The Academy has been developed with access for all in mind. Whilst being the training base of choice for the Team GBR Paralympic squad the same facilities are open to all disabled sailors.

The site and building is fully accessible to wheelchair users with a lift at either end of the building

All changing facilities are fully accessible whilst a special needs changing area caters for those needing additional assistance

All signage around the building is tactile and subtitled in Braille and there is a portable induction loop for use within the building

Extra wide pontoon fingers were installed to ease wheelchair access and hydraulic hoists are situated on a number of the pontoons

Chesil Sailability

Chesil Sailability is inspired by the 2012 Paralympic Games, and based at the Paralympic sailing venue on Portland. It is a local group who are passionate about going sailing, regardless of disabilities.  Chesil Sailability is passionate about helping everyone involved, sailors with disabilities and volunteers, to achieve their aspirations at any level of sailing.  Through Chesil Sailability, people with disabilities can experience taster sails right through to competitive racing.  For more information about Chesil Sailability, please visit http://chesilsailability.org.uk/join-us-to-sail/

“I love training in Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour as they offer a wide range of sailing conditions. The Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy is 
an unbeatable venue for disabled sailors with new, purpose-built, facilities. For example, there are disabled access hoists on the pontoons, providing the safest access to tidal waters for people with disabilities anywhere in the UK. I don’t know of any other sailing venue where the needs of sailors of all abilities are so well catered for.”

Helena Lucas MBE, Paralympic Gold Medalist