Word was soon getting out across the country concerning the success and need for such a program. Similar programs began to develop in British Columbia and the Maritimes. When Independence Afloat was designed, the primary objective was to teach persons with a disability the fundamentals of sailing and then to encourage the graduates to carry on into established clubs around Toronto. This theory has worked to a certain extent, but clearly the biggest obstacle to the success of sailing opportunities for persons with a disability is a lack of physical access to the sites. A few graduates attended the OSA sailing seminar to secure their instructor's certificate and ended up teaching a few years at the school.
Independence is unfortunately no longer running.
It's final year of operation was in 1996. Lack of funding was the primary reason that the school could no longer operate. A number of success stories can be told due to the creation of Independence Afloat. At the end of the day, that is what sailing is all about.