Project soar operated by access of wilmington: an adaptive sports program for veterans and active service members with disabilities

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration awarded $308,867.40 to Adaptive Sports Connection under the VA Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces (CFDA 64.034) on September 30, 2025, for the period ending September 30, 2026. Project SOAR, operated by Access of Wilmington and based in Ohio, will deliver an adaptive sports program designed to serve veterans and active service members with disabilities through instruction, participation, and competition in adaptive sports activities.

The grant funds the planning, development, management, and implementation of adaptive sports programming, which may include instruction and training for coaches and program administrators, athlete assessment and classification, sport-specific training techniques, provision of sports equipment and supplies, program evaluation, and other operational activities. The one-year project supports the VA's objective to expand adaptive sports opportunities that address the physical and mental health needs of disabled veterans and service members, contributing to a national program that has obligated $166.5 million across 1,099 awards since 2011.