The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently awarded $7.5 million to the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) for its member organizations, paralympic sports clubs, and veterans and military organizations to start and provide community-based, recreation and sport activities for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.
“The grant builds upon [the] VA’s commitment to provide adaptive sporting opportunities for veterans in communities nationwide,” said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki.
In 2010, the VA awarded $7.5 million to the USOC to begin the program.
Public Law 110-389 authorized the VA to award grants to the USOC to plan, manage, and implement an adaptive sports program. The law also authorized the VA to establish an Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events, which works with the USOC to provide adaptive sports for disabled veterans and manages the VA’s existing National Rehabilitation Special Events. The VA’s special events office also provides VA clinicians with information, tools, and resources to help them promote the benefits of adaptive sports to disabled veterans and service members.
For additional information on VA adaptive sports and special events, visit www.va.gov/adaptivesports/. Disabled veterans can locate adaptive sporting events in their communities by visiting http://usparalympics.org/
