Disabled Veterans Associated Programs for Handicap Van Funding

posted on Mar 30 by in the Advocacy, Disability News, Veterans category

saluting soldier wrapped in flag

If you are a Disabled Veteran who has been injured either during service or has a non-service related injury and you are trying to receive funding for adaptive equipment such as a handicap van or to convert an existing vehicle into a wheelchair accessible van, here are some resources that may be able to assist you in your process of finding grants or basic funding for adaptive equipment.

Driver Rehabilitation (Driver Rehab)
Driver Rehabilitation is a program that can help Disabled Veterans learn to drive again. The ADED recommends an evaluation for adapted driving. If you undergo driving rehabilitation, you can be eligible to get a prescription for wheelchair van conversions and adaptive vehicle modifications that best fit your needs.  Veterans can then take this vehicle prescription and more easily apply for a grant through other sources, or it can be used with the wheelchair van company to know which hand controls or mobility equipment is needed.  Through the driver rehabilitation program, a disabled veteran’s vehicle can also be fitted with a variety of adaptive equipment from strategically placed mirrors, to digital steering devices for amputees.  http://www.disabledveterans.org/2010/04/28/secret-key-vocational-rehabilitation/

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR&E, Chapter 31, Voc-Rehab)
Vocational Rehabilitation for Disabled Veterans and Employment (VR&E) Program, sometimes referred to as Chapter 31 or Voc-Rehab, helps disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities and employment handicaps prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. If you are needing adaptive equipment to re-enter the work force they may be able to help you with vehicle funding. For veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, Vocational Rehab (VR&E) offers services to improve Disabled Veteran’s ability to live as independently as possible. http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/

Paralyzed Veterans of America – Veterans Benefits Department
Veterans with a spinal cord injury, as well as other veterans needing assistance with understanding their VA benefits, entitlements, medical care and other benefits, often rely on Paralyzed Veterans of America’s (PVA) Veterans Benefits Department (VBD). The VBD staff can assist you with program understanding and advocacy towards getting funding for adaptive equipment. www.pva.org

4 Comments

Fred W. Sutton, posted this comment on Apr 14th, 2011

I am a non service connected Veteran. I bougt a Braun Entravan it the last month. I started with the VA back in Janurary of 2010 to obtain some help. I couldn”t get any answer from any one in the New Oreans Regional offices after sending the form they had given me in Shreveport VA. I tried one more time to contact a person in New Orleans that she had talked to. He had told me that they didn”t get anything from me. But they had I later fine out. One day I was able to reach a woman that was trying to get me off the line saying she had other veterans waiting on her. Then she told me that I was sure not elgible for any thing if I was not injured during war time.

I then went on and cashed a lot of my retiment, being 70 years old is hard to do. And still have more years of payments.

I was wondering if their might be anything I could do to recover some of those savings through the PVA which I have been a member for many years. I am a T4 Para. and have always had to pay out of my pocket for 4 equiped vans since 1980.

Thanks,

Fred Sutton

DELBERT SMITH, posted this comment on Apr 14th, 2011

I HAVE MULTIPLE MYELOMA BONE CANCER ALONG WITH SEVERA SUCCESSFUL SPINAL SURGERIES SINCE 1986.THEY HAVE TAKEN THEIR TOLL. I AM NOW IN AN ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR AND HAVE LEGS THAT ARE PARALYZED AND I CANNOT STAND OR WALK. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT MY WIFE OF 47 YEARS ABD A DISABLED SON CANNOT GET ME INTO A VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT ME TO IMPORTANT APPOINTMENTS AND TREATMENTS. I FEEL THAT A FULL SIZE HANDICAP VAN WOULD HELP US TREMENDOUSLY. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. DELBERT SMITH

Snow, posted this comment on Apr 15th, 2011

Fred, I would talk to someone at pva.org right away! They would be able to answer that question better and can also do advocacy for you if you wind up with a complicated process. I am not sure if anything can be done about the van already purchased but yes even *non* related service injuries can still qualify you. You can also talk to VA Voc Rehab as well but I highly recommend you talk to someone at the PVA and if something can be fixed under the circumstances, let them help you deal with the VA. I hope this helps.

Damone, posted this comment on Apr 15th, 2011

I have a nonrelated military service spinal cord injury which happened in 1996, I am a 35-year-old male who is living life as a quadriplegic at the level of C4-C5 who has never owned my own wheelchair accessible transportation. I have occasionally rented wheelchair accessible vans before but due to the limited amount of vans and day-to-day prices this private dealer has and me being on a fixed income as well is an inconvenience when I really need transportation. Today April 15, 2011 which is my brother’s funeral that I wasn’t able to make it to due to no wheelcair accesable transportation… So with a heavy heart I am writing this message. I also have an opportunity through a community activists to speak to high school students about the awareness of spinal cord injuries, I have missed meetings on disabilities where I feel I can make a diffrence and I missed important doctor’s appointments to improve my health. The city that I live in there is very little or no resources at all including wheelchair accessible transportation so if I can get any information on how to get started with getting some help to own my own transportation I would greatly appreciate it so if you would e-mail me to help me to get started once again I would appreciate it.

Thank you,

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