SportsAbilities Adaptive Sports and Disability Resources

Program Overview

VA National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events Office Mission Statement

 

The mission of the VA National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events Office is to motivate, encourage and sustain participation and competition in adaptive sports among disabled Veterans and members of the Armed Forces through partnerships with VA clinical personnel as well as national and community-based adaptive sports programs. The Office achieves this mission by providing information and resources to disabled Veterans, their support networks and those in the adaptive sports community.

 

Overview

The Program Office was established under Section 703 of PL 110-389 (Title VII-Assistance to United States Paralympic Integrated Adaptive Sports Program) as the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events. The Program Office works with VA staff, U.S. Paralympics and community-based adaptive sports programs across the country to encourage disabled Veterans to redefine themselves by participating and /or competing in adaptive sports.

 

The Program Office also provides a monthly assistance allowance to Veterans training in their respective sports as authorized by the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008. Through the program, VA will pay a monthly allowance to a Veteran with a service-related or non-service-related disability if he or she meets the qualifying military standard for a particular sport.

 

In addition, the Program Office provides grants to U.S. Paralympics member organizations, Paralympic Sports Clubs and Veteran and military organizations nationwide to enhance and expand local community-based adaptive sports programs.

 

To learn more, contact us at vacoadaptiveSP@va.gov.