Blinded Business Leader Honored by U.S. Sailing Association

Urban Miyares Recieves Prestigious Award

November 19, 2006 (Newport, Rhode Island) -- Urban Miyares, president of the San Diego-based Disabled Businesspersons Association (dba) and director of the National Disabled Veterans Business Resource Center, and blinded Vietnam veteran, was honored by The U.S. Sailing Association, at its Annual Meeting (Nov. 14-19, 2006) in Newport, Rhode Island, as recipient of the 2006 Gay S. Lynn Memorial Trophy for his years of contribution to sailors with disabilities and advancing the sport of sailing.

"Urban Miyares has moved far beyond his disabilities," said Hugh Elliot, Secretary of US SAILING's Council on Sailors with Disabilities.  "More important than his own personal achievements, he has made it possible for others to achieve the same accomplishments by helping them to understand that, while a disability may make life complicated, it does not in any way prohibit dreams and success in the able-bodied world."

Miyares is co-founder of the charitable, San Diego-based, "Challenged America" recreational rehabilitation, adaptive-sailing program which was launched by disabled veterans in 1978.   Recognized as a pioneer in the adaptive sailing field as a therapeutic activity, Urban and the "Challenged America" program have introduced sailing to thousands, including those having the most severe and catastrophic of disabilities.  As co-founder and director of the all-volunteer "Challenged America" program, he directs the program to introduce the sailing experience, as a rehabilitation activity, to kids and adults with disabilities, their loved ones, and professionals in recreational rehabilitation and sports therapy, who come to San Diego from around the world.  Sailors with disabilities from "Challenged America" are seen frequently on San Diego bay and in sailing venues around the world, to include offshore racing events such as the San Diego to Ensenada and Newport to Ensenada races, and the Transpacific ("Transpac") Yacht Race, from Los Angeles to Honolulu.

U,.S. Sailing Association's Gay S. Lynn Memorial Trophy recognizes outstanding service by a volunteer, professional or organization, over a significant period of time, to advance the sport of sailing for people with disabilities.   The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the governing body for sailing and sailboat racing in the United States, and is headquartered in Portsmouth, RI, (www.ussailing.org).

A long time resident of San Diego and well-known business leader, Urban Miyares helps disabled veterans and others with disabilities in their rehabilitation towards back-to-work activities through self-employment. He is the past recipient of the INC. Magazine "Entrepreneur Of The Year" Award, SBA's "National Veteran Small Business Advocate of the Year", "National Disabled Veteran Of The Year", and honored by former President George H. Bush with the "Presidential Point Of Light" Award, and by former President Bill Clinton for his business accomplishments.

For more information or to contact Urban Miyares about "Challenged America" and how you can support this charitable rehabilitation program, email Port@ChallengedAmerica.org, call (619) 594-8805, or write DBA -- "Challenged America", Interwork Institute/SDSU, 3590 Camino del Rio North, San Diego, CA 92108-1716.

Contact:
Urban Miyares
DBA - CHALLENGED AMERICA
San Diego State University - Interwork Institute

3590 Camino del Rio North
San Diego, CA 92108-1716
Office:  (619) 594-8805
Email:   Port@ChallengedAmerica.org or Urban@DisabledBusiness.com