News>VA paralympic program officials launch website for disabled veterans
Photos
Members of the Air Force wheelchair basketball team compete May 18, 2011, at the 2011 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo. One of the highlights of the new Veterans Affairs paralympic program website is the "Success Stories" page, which features disabled veterans and their stories of how participating in adaptive sports has positively impacted their lives. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
8/18/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Department of Veterans Affairs officials have launched a Paralympic Program website as part of the VA's ongoing commitment to support the rehabilitation and recovery of disabled veterans through participation in adaptive sports.
"Adaptive sports participation among disabled veterans has many proven benefits such as increased independence, reduced dependency on pain and depression medication and stress reduction," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "Providing resources for disabled veterans to participate or compete in adaptive sports supports the holistic wellness of veterans, which is a key component of VA's veteran-centric care."
One of the highlights of the new website is the "Success Stories" page, which features disabled veterans and their stories of how participating in adaptive sports has positively impacted their lives. Veterans who participate in adaptive sports at any level, as well as Paralympic competitors, are encouraged to submit their stories and share their challenges and triumphs with the entire veteran community.
The site also provides users with a comprehensive overview of the benefits of disabled veterans participating in adaptive sports, sports by disability, training allowances, the VA Paralympic Grant Program, and resources for caregivers and VA clinical personnel.
Another resource is the "Sports Club Finder" feature, a searchable database developed by U.S. Paralympics specialists that connects disabled veterans with local sports programs throughout the country.
"We are excited about the launch of this new website and all that it offers to the disabled veteran community," said Christopher J. Nowak, the national director of the VA Paralympic Program. "It is full of information disabled veterans, their caregivers, VA clinical personnel and veterans service organizations will find useful. It also highlights our partnership with U.S. Paralympics and contains information on our mission to sustain participation in adaptive sports among disabled veterans in local community-based sports programs."
8/20/2011 7:14:30 PM ET I apauld this administration efforts to push forward the rights of the disabled and to enforce those rights. I see a lot of effort and news stories on private industry but what about the government itself who is to be a model employer. Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is over a decade behind the times with civilian and veteran disabled rights. The model needs to be fixed to lead a good example for the private industry. Let it suffice to say if you investigate you see the problems and perhaps eliminate the 120 day details that last years to prevent the competitive announcement being made while detailing civilians to a created unheard of GS 303-03 security guards to prevent veterans from having positions and keep civilian from having permanant positions.
