Free Segways for Veterans

posted on Aug 01 by Lauren in the Disability News category

Giving free Segways to Veterans is a program run by DRAFT (Disability Rights Advocates for Veterans). Through the program, they have awarded more than 250 Segways to Veterans who were severely injured while serving our nation in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The program earned the Secretary of the Army’s Public Service Award.

DRAFT represents people with disabilities who refuse to be defined by their disability and whose passionate enthusiasm for participating in life’s activities is supported by universal design and new and emerging technologies. DRAFT provides advocacy and education services as an advocate for the adoption of Universally Designed Technology Solutions. DRAFT believes they are the only sustainable approach for continued improvement in the quality of life issues affecting people with disabilities and senior citizens. DRAFT has no employees and does not engage outside firms to solicit donations.

All overhead costs associated with their operation are paid by members of our Advisory Board and Board of Directors. 100% of donations benefit programs like Segs4Vets. DRAFT is a public charity and was awarded the Independent Charity Seal of Excellence that is sustained and administered by volunteers that believe that when those serving our nation are sent in harms way and suffer serious injury and permanent disability they must have every resource and tool available to them that allows them to fulfill dreams and live the highest quality of life possible.

The first Segway was presented in September, 2005 to three recipients who were injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The program was conceived by the President of the Armed Forces Benefits Association. In August, 2006, Segs4Vets became the only program to receive a blanket waiver allowing them to make a donation in excess of $1,000 to active duty military personnel. In 2006, Segs4Vets set up training and assessment programs at military medical centers that provided rehab for OEF and OIF severely injured.

The ceremonies for presentation are held twice a year at various military bases. The program awarded 16 segways through 2006 and has grown through collaborative efforts of the Navy’s Severely Injured Marines and Sailors has awarded more than 420 Segways as of November, 2009. Candidates for Segs4Vets have sustained injuries which have resulted in the amputation of one or both legs, traumatic burns, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury and other neurological injuries and disorders. Segs4Vets provides successful candidates with a universally designed mobility device, not yet available through their present benefit package which does not draw attention to their disability while providing a more healthful psychological and physiological quality of life.

Once a veteran has been awarded a Segway, they can apply for a Segvator, a lift one installs off the back of their vehicle. To operate, it just needs guided onto the platform, push a button and it lifts so you can transport the Segway. It takes less than 30 seconds to properly hitch and unhitch the Segway from the Segvator.

http://www.draft.org/Segs4Vets.aspx