Veterans Administration Makes Additional Funding Available for Adaptive Technology

Tampa, FL (Law Firm Newswire) February 24, 2022 – For veterans living with one or more disabilities, navigating the challenges of everyday life can be difficult. Despite the existence of assistive technology that can improve the overall quality of life for those experiencing disability, these devices are very costly and often beyond the financial reach of many disabled veterans. As new technology is developed, however, the costs often come down. This is what is motivating the VA to offer research grants for technology companies to develop new assistive technology that may be able to help disabled veterans overcome the challenges they face.

Recently, the VA announced that it intends to issue special grants termed Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology grants. The purpose of these grants is to incentive technology companies to develop new assistive devices that the VA can then place in veterans’ homes. The grants range in amount but max out at $200,000. Since the inception of the program back in 2016, the VA has awarded 22 Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology grants. Some of the products developed as a result of this program include:

Readers and scanners powered by artificial intelligence that help the visually impaired read text without assistance from others;

A customized bathroom module that allows disabled veterans to more safely live on their own; and

A robotic over-the-bed table that can be mounted on beds, reclining chairs and wheelchairs which allows users to independently store and access mobile devices using accessible switches or a remote control.

In addition to the Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology grants, the VA also awards grants to disabled veterans to help pay for assistive technology. These Specially Adapted Housing Grants help disabled veterans with certain service-connected disabilities to buy or modify a home to meet their needs so that they can live more independently.

To qualify for a Specially Adapted Housing Grants, a service member must 1.) own their own home or plan on purchasing a home, and 2.) have a qualifying service-connected disability. Some of the service-connected disabilities that qualify for Specially Adapted Housing Grants include:

Loss of one or more limbs;

Blindness in both eyes;

Certain types of burn injuries;

The loss of a foot or leg after September 11, 2001, requiring a service member to use a crutch, wheelchair or cane.

Florida veterans’ benefits lawyer, David W. Magann, explains, “The federal government provides an extensive list of benefits to those who served their country; however, many of these benefits are poorly advertised, making them virtually unknown amongst the veteran community. The Specially Adapted Housing Grants program is a good example of a VA benefit that many service members are unaware of. However, receiving a Specially Adapted Housing Grant can make an incredible difference in the life of a disabled veteran.”

Attorney David Magann is a Florida Veterans’ benefits lawyer with extensive experience helping veterans, service members, and their family members obtain the benefits they are entitled to. Attorney Magann also helps veterans deal with the unique legal issues they face after leaving the service. As a proud Marine Corps veteran, Attorney Magann has overcome many of those issues himself and takes pride in helping fellow veterans. Attorney Magann handles social security disability, estate planning, veterans’ law and personal injury law out of his Brandon and Tampa offices. He can be reached at http://www.tampaveteranslawyer.com/.

Learn more at http://www.tampaveteranslawyer.com/ David W. Magann, P.A. Main Office: 156 West Robertson Street Brandon, FL 33511 Call: (813) 657-9175 Tampa Office: 18715 N Dale Mabry Hwy Lutz, FL 33548