Creating Opportunity Through Innovation

 As an avid sailor, Tono found his world upended when his disability made it impossible for him to continue sailing on standard vessels. Frustrated by the lack of accessibility but determined to return to the water, he and his wife, Tiaa, began searching for a solution that would bridge the gap between his passion and his physical needs.

Through this search, they discovered a systemic barrier: countless individuals with disabilities were being excluded from the sport simply because traditional sailboats were never designed with them in mind.

Their search eventually led them to the Access Dinghy (known now as Hansa Sailing), a revolutionary adaptive sailboat design from Australia. Engineered to be virtually un-capsizable and featuring joystick-style steering, it allowed individuals with even severe physical disabilities to sail with complete independence.

Realizing this was the key they had been looking for, and inspired by the possibilities, Tono and Tiaa decided to purchase one, taking the first step in their journey to bring adaptive sailing to others.

During a dinner event hosted by Prudential Financial, Tono shared their vision for an adaptive sailing program with a close friend who held senior leadership positions at the company.

Inspired by the idea and its potential to transform lives, Prudential Financial stepped forward to sponsor the acquisition of four adaptive sailboats, making it possible for the program to launch.

Joined by their good friend Paul Coward, a Jersey Shore Sailing Hall of Fame honoree, they founded Sailability New Jersey, an independent branch of Sailability World, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of disabled and disadvantaged members of the community through the activity of sailing, regardless of physical, cognitive, or sensory ability.