The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will award $8 million in adaptive sport grants to aid disabled veterans.
Funding will be distributed to national governing bodies that prepare high-level athletes for Paralympic competition, as well as recipients with experience managing large-scale adaptive sports programs, according to a recent press release.
Funding will also be given to veterans’ service organizations, city and regional municipalities and community groups that provide a wide range of adaptive sports opportunities.
Recipients may use funds for planning, developing, managing and implementing sports programs, the release said. Rehabilitation, health and wellness and community reintegration for service members will also be supported.
“Adaptive sports help veterans heal both physically and emotionally,” Robert A. McDonald, secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), said in the release. “We are proud to partner with organizations nationwide to provide these rehabilitative opportunities for America’s veterans.”
The VA will distribute the grants to 89 national, regional and community programs serving all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Approximately 10,000 veterans and service members are expected to benefit, the release said.
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