Virtual Reality Sailing Simulation for People with Physical Disabilities: Learn to Sail

Participation in sailing is regarded as having positive outcomes on quality of life (Recio, et al., 2013). The same outcomes apply to people with physical disabilities; however, evidence-based research on sailing as a recreational therapy intervention is limited (Autry & Anderson, in press). Due to various constraints, low participation rates of people with physical disabilities in sailing programs is one reason for such paucity in research. Use of virtual reality sailing simulation (VRSS) to teach people with disabilities how to sail is one way to overcome those constraints. The purpose of this paper is to provide a Brief Report of the results of a research study focusing on participant knowledge and skills of sailing. Seven participants with physical disabilities completed an 11-week VRSS Learn to Sail program, passed the sailing standards, and reported the program contributed to their perceived abilities to learn how to sail and aspirations to sail on water.