The Department of Veterans Affairs is awarding $15.9 million in grants so veterans living with disabilities can participate in adaptive sports, recreational activities and equine therapy.

Ninety-one national, regional and community-based programs in all 50 states; Washington, D.C.; Guam; and Puerto Rico are receiving money from the VA’s Adaptive Sports Grant Program.

“These grants give veterans life-changing opportunities to participate in adaptive sports in the communities where they live all across the country,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “We know adaptive sports and recreational activities can be transformational for veterans living with disabilities, improving their overall physical and mental health and also giving them important community with fellow heroes who served.”

Adaptive sports include competitive or recreational sports and activities customized to the needs of each participating veteran. They include Paralympic sports, archery, cycling, skiing, hunting, rock climbing and skydiving.

DAV is partnering with the VA on two adaptive sports projects: the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic and the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. Those programs do not receive grants for funding and are supported by DAV, its chapters and departments; sponsors; and individual donors. The next winter sports clinic is March 30–April 5, and the next golf clinic is Sept. 7–12.

Over the last nine years, the VA has granted over $119 million through the Adaptive Sports Grant Program. A complete list of grant recipients is available at va.gov/adaptivesports.