Anchors Away defines a person with a disability as anyone who does not have equal access or the "ability" to utilize the same recreational resources that are available to able bodied members of the community. Anchors Away uses adapted recreation to educate people with disabilities, their families, and the community about available equipment, techniques, options and resources while concentrating on marine science, local history, ecology, boating safety and basic seamanship. Participants benefit by increased knowledge, independence, confidence, self-esteem, social interaction, teamwork skills, mobility and self-reliance.

Since 1994, Anchors Away has sustained steady growth while serving hundreds of people with disabilities and their families. We promote participation and integration of persons with disabilities by using water sports activities such as boating, sailing, fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing, and waterskiing. We operate in the harbor, area waterways, lakes, bays, and sounds in a fleet consisting of donated boats modified to reduce barriers and accommodate most types of disabilities. We offer equal access to recreation statewide through training clinics, distribution of equipment, shared resources and community education. While we mainly focus on activities that involve water, we work closely with other organizations that promote forms of adaptive recreation like basketball, golf, track, tennis, horseback riding, and cycling. Our staff and volunteers are thoroughly trained in the latest disability issues, adaptive equipment, techniques and safety. We incorporate successful disabled members of the community as peer counselors to assist families newly confronted with a disability.

We are very proud of the opportunities we have provided, the barriers we have eliminated, and the changes that have been made in the lives of the people we served. With your help we will be able to continue to improve the quality of life for those with disabilities.