Ability Alliance's ExploreAbility Program creates and supports events and programming that provide meaningful employment and volunteer opportunities for those living with disability while promoting inclusive activity, learning, and adventure!
Living with ability challenges and interested in compensated volunteer opportunities? Have an event and need some amazing volunteers? Contact us for more information about our ExploreAbility Program!
July 2023
Want to sponsor Ability Pride? Net proceeds will benefit our ExploreAbility Program that will help staff events and our 2023 partner, Equipment Connections for Children.
Friday, July 7, 2023: B'more Gives Happy Hour (no registration)
Calling all ability advocates (of drinking age...haha). Join the Ability Alliance at Central Bar & Restaurant on Friday, July 7, 2023 from 5-9 for an accessible happy hour. Come cheers to Ability Pride!!
Saturday, July 8, 2023: Accessible Sailing (no-cost, registration below)
Ability Pride is proud to partner with the Downtown Sailing Center's Access-ability program to bring you an open house sailing event for anyone with a disability. Sailors are welcome to come to the Downtown Sailing Center (DSC) to be coached and supported by a tireless group of volunteers, friends and family. Check in starts at 9:45 am, and sailing time is from 10:00am until 12:00pm.
Three options for sailing are offered:
Three options for sailing are offered:
- single- or double-handing a Hansa Access 303 dinghy, with sailing instruction and racing available
- Instruction for learning to sail aboard a Sonar 23 (with skipper and crew aboard)
- "Therapeutic Recreation"; a skipper and crew will take you for a sail around the harbor on a Freedom 20
- Hansa Access 303 Dinghy- (pictured at top of page) a one- to two-person sailboat specifically designed for people with limited mobility or require trunk support. They are easy to sail, perfect for learning and can be sailed solo, or with a family member or friend. You will receive coaching assistance on the water from a power boat, with the option to participate in racing.
- Sonar 23 keelboat-this boat is easily adapted and boasts a roomy cockpit for comfort. You will sail with a skipper and 1 crew, and we encourage you to haul a line or two and take a turn at the helm!
- Freedom 20 keelboat-this is a keelboat which can comfortably fit up to 3 people plus a skipper and crew. You will sail with a skipper and 1 crew, and we encourage you to take a turn at the helm!
Sunday, July 9, 2023: Picnic and Stroll-n-Roll (no-cost, registration below)
Come join ECFC and Ability Alliance as we celebrate Ability Pride with a BIG DAY OUT picnic and stroll-n-roll at Patterson Park Central Pavilion on Sunday, July 9, 2023 from 10-2. We’ll be grilling some classic goodies and walking through the park to show our pride! We’ll have resource gift bags and ability pride swag to hand out!
Parking is on the street surrounding the park, but you can pull up to the pavilion for drop off and pickup. We'll send out a map via email.
This is a free event. Registration is required.
Parking is on the street surrounding the park, but you can pull up to the pavilion for drop off and pickup. We'll send out a map via email.
- 10 am: pick up your ability pride flag at the pavilion and hit the park for the stroll-n-roll.
- 11:30: we’ll be firing up the grill at the central pavilion.
- Inclusive picnic games and resource bags!
This is a free event. Registration is required.