FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        

September 29, 2014             

 VA Announces Awardees of Grants that Support Disabled Veterans in Adaptive Sports

Approximately 10,000 Veterans and Servicemembers Expected to Benefit

 WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald today announced the award of approximately $8 million in grants to provide adaptive sports opportunities for disabled Veterans and disabled Servicemembers of the Armed Forces.  Adaptive sports are those sports that have been created or modified for persons with disabilities.

 “Partnering with national, regional, and community-based non-profit organizations allows VA to provide rehabilitative adaptive sports opportunities to our disabled Veterans and Service members all across the country,” said Secretary McDonald.  “Disabled Veterans who participate in adaptive sports improve their health and quality of life, make new friendships and discover that physical rehabilitation healing comes in many forms and can also be great fun.”

The new program provides grants to eligible entities to plan, develop, manage and implement programs to provide adaptive sports activities for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces. Funding may be used for such things as training, program development, recreation therapists, coaches, sports equipment, supplies, program evaluation and other activities related to program implementation and operation.

The grants will be distributed to 69 national, regional and community programs serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and American Samoa. Approximately 10,000 Veterans and Servicemembers are expected to benefit.

Information about the awardees and details of the program may be found at www.va.gov/adaptivesports.

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