Sports Programs
VA’s National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events (or simply VA Adaptive Sports & Arts) delivers direct patient care to veterans through formalized adaptive sports medicine and provides the largest coordinated therapeutic arts events to optimize independence, elevate community engagement, and enhance their quality of life. With essential support from Veterans Service Organizations, sponsors, and volunteers, the office administers six in-person events, a grant program, and a monthly training stipend program for thousands of veterans across America.
National Veterans Wheelchair Games
With 20+ competitions and Paralympic sports, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games inspires and empowers veterans to challenge daily obstacles and live healthy and independent lives through sports and recreation. VA and Paralyzed Veterans of America co-present the annual event, which serves veterans with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, limb loss, stroke, and other neurological disorders. It is the largest annual wheelchair sports rehabilitation event in the United States for veterans.
National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic
The National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic provides an adaptive golf and rehabilitation program for veterans with visual impairments, traumatic brain injuries, limb loss, spinal cord injuries, and other qualifying disabilities. This program engages and invigorates veterans to directly improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The week-long adaptive golf program is co-presented annually by VA and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) with Iowa City VA Health Care System as the host VA facility. The event is held in Riverside, Iowa, and introduces Veterans to a variety of other adaptive recreational sports and wellness activities.
National Veterans Golden Age Games
The National Veterans Golden Age Games offers veterans ages 55 and older an opportunity to compete in sports and learn new skills through exhibitions. Through its “Fitness for Life” motto, the event demonstrates the value that sports, wellness, and fitness encourages veterans to live an active and healthy lifestyle. The National Veterans Golden Age Games are held annually and are a qualifying event for the National Senior Games.
National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is a culmination of creative arts competitions held at VA facilities across the country. The festival showcases veteran artistry and the therapeutic benefits of art, music, dance, drama, and creative writing. VA and the American Legion Auxiliary co-present the yearly festival, which features a stage performance, writing exhibition, and gallery-style showcase of artwork.
National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic
The National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic helps veterans with disabilities overcome obstacles and challenge perceived limitations. Headlined with adaptive skiing and snowboarding, the clinic serves veterans with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, limb loss, visual impairments, and neurological conditions. VA and DAV co-present the clinic with local host VA Western Colorado Health Care System.
National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic
The National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic introduces adaptive sports to newly injured veterans with limb loss, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, visual impairments, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and other qualifying conditions. With its hands-on instruction in surfing, sailing, kayaking, cycling, and adaptive fitness, the clinic complements the therapy veterans receive at VA rehabilitation programs. This opportunity helps them to discover new ways to gain motivation, improve independence, and achieve a healthier lifestyle. It is held annually in San Diego, CA and hosted by VA San Diego Healthcare System.
Adaptive Sports Grant Programs
VA awards grants to qualifying organizations to plan, develop, manage, and implement adaptive sports programs, provide training, and other opportunities for 13,000+ veterans and members of the Armed Forces. With the use of these grants. VA is helping community organizations encourage healthy and active lifestyles through sports and equine therapy. Activities include Paralympic sports, equine activities, and many modern options of adaptive sports.
VA provides a monthly stipend to emerging and elite veteran athletes with disabilities who are actively training in a Paralympic or Olympic sport. Eligibility includes meeting the standard established by the sport governing body or being selected as a member of the National or Olympic Team in a qualifying sport.
