November is the time to reflect upon and thank those that have served in the United States armed forces. IPAT would like to show our appreciation by identifying assistive technology or adaptive equipment sources that specifically help Veterans who became disabled as a result of military service.

The Specially Adapted Housing Program offers grants to assist Veterans with disabilities in building, remodeling, or purchasing an adapted home. For more information about these grants, call 1-800-827-1000 or visit Home Loans.

• Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant – designed to provide a barrier-free living environment to Veterans with specific service-connected disabilities for the construction or modification of a home to meet their adaptive needs.
• Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant – used to increase the mobility of an eligible Veteran throughout their residence.
• Temporary Residence Assistance (TRA) grant – used to adapt a family members home for SAH/SHA eligible Veterans who are or will be temporarily residing in that home.

The Automobile and Special Adaptive Equipment grant is available to purchase a new or used automobile, or adapt a vehicle to accommodate the needs of a Veteran with certain disabilities. The grant is paid directly to the seller of the automobile, and the Veteran is eligible for this grant only once in their lifetime.

The Computer/Electronics Accommodations Program (CAP) works with qualified Veterans to help identify, evaluate, and select the appropriate modification or assistive technology to help them do their job, or seek employment. The CAP website identifies AT devices within each disability category deemed eligible for CAP services, to include: Blind/Low Vision; Cognitive; Communication; Deaf/Hard of Hearing; and Dexterity. Within each, the disability and possible device solutions are explained. For some of the less familiar assistive technology devices, a video link is provided. 

When a Veterans abilities have changed due to military service, look to assistive technology to promote independence, employment and self-worth. AT options to increase abilities are being developed all the time, don’t forget to ask about them. If you are a Veteran with an assistive technology success story, I would love to hear it.