Western New York Adaptive Water Sports achieved chapter status in 2007 under Disabled Sports USA – a national organization promoting and advocating sports for individuals with disabilities. Disabled Sports USA brings WNY Adaptive Water Sports, as a chapter, many advantages including education, a national presence, insurance, and grant opportunities. In fulfillment of the requirements for chapter-hood WNY Adaptive Water Sports is a 501(c)(3) organization, includes a board of 20 people of which 10 are disabled, and encourages active involvement by the disabled community in the organization. In addition, WNY Adaptive Water Sports is a d/b/a of the Great Lakes Water Sports Institute.

From the very beginning WNY Adaptive Water Sports has looked for a permanent home to build a state-of-the-art facility that meets the standards of comparable programs across the country. At first WNY Adaptive Water Sports remained mobile in order to best meet the needs of the disabled community. After many public hearings and much advocating the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. installed excellent wheelchair accessible docks and allowed WNY Adaptive Water Sports to install a lift to safely transfer disabled individuals into sailboats. Today WNY Adaptive Water Sports continues their campaign to build a facility that will promote recreation on Buffalo’s waterfront that can be shared by both the disabled and able-bodied community.