The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Apr. 9 the availability of $16 million in grants to support national, regional, and community-based organizations that provide adaptive sports programs for veterans and service members with disabilities.
These adaptive sports programs are designed to help veterans improve their independence, well-being, and quality of life through recreational and competitive activities such as archery, skiing, cycling, wheelchair softball, hunting, and fishing. The aim is to offer rehabilitation opportunities while encouraging an active lifestyle.
Since the Adaptive Sports Grant Program began, the VA has awarded over $160 million to expand access to these programs across the country. "Adaptive sports can be life-changing for disabled Veterans, improving strength and facilitating healing while building resilience through competition, camaraderie and achievement," said VA Secretary Doug Collins. "These grants will create vital access to local adaptive sports programs to help Veterans stay active, engaged and connected with their communities and fellow Veterans."
Organizations interested in applying have until May 13 to submit their applications. More information about eligibility requirements can be found at https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/360391.
According to the department's announcement, this grant program is one part of broader efforts by the current administration aimed at improving services for veterans. Other recent initiatives include enrolling more than 100,000 new veterans in VA health care this year; opening 34 new health care facilities since January last year; reducing the backlog of pending benefits claims by 67%; increasing direct care appointments by over four percent from fiscal year 2024; offering more than two million after-hours appointments; and permanently housing nearly 52,000 homeless veterans last fiscal year.
