Northville, MI (Law Firm Newswire) May 05, 2022 – Recently the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs (OPA) issued a press release regarding its new Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology (SAHT). The Department of Veterans Affairs stated that these grants are available for the fiscal year 2022. The grant aims to address the nearly 4.2 million veterans with service-connected illnesses and injuries. Many of these veterans require housing assistance to live independently.1
After discharge, many veterans face the harrowing realities of adapting to civilian life. While many establish a fulfilling future, others experience significant difficulties; others experience challenges that make reintegration exceedingly challenging. Medical advances have saved a more substantial number of service members than previous generations; however, many return home with profound disabilities that require changes to their activities of daily living.
Through 38 CFR § 36.4412, the Secretary makes grants available to develop new assistive technologies for specially adapted housing. These grants address and remedy the fundamental challenges many disabled veterans experience daily. The VA encourages technology developers, organizations, and researchers to apply for the grant to develop technologies that will enhance the livability of Veterans’ homes. Thus far, the grants have resulted in new products, including:
An AI-mobile scanner and reader, allowing visually impaired users to read text.
A robotic overbed table for wheelchairs, recliners, and beds, allowing users to control remotes and switches from the bed.
Smart guidance provides a safer bathroom environment.
Further, the grant allows servicemembers with specific permanent and total service-connected disabilities the funds to help purchase items to accommodate their disabilities. Generally, the grants assist with home modifications and assistive technologies. Some common home modifications and assistive technologies include:
Alert signalers: These devices work to address the concerns of many service members with hearing loss. The item will detect fire, smoke, or visitors at the door and alert the user using lights, vibrations, and deafening sounds.
Extended door peepholes: A wider peephole allows users with hearing loss to identify anyone approaching their door.
Flooring modifications: Some individuals with hearing loss rely on vibrations to detect stimuli in their environment. Changing the flooring depth may allow these users to identify beats better.
Motion sensing lights: Dimmer lights can reduce common migraine triggers that many with head injuries experience.
Gripping tools: Cuffs and grasping orthoses can reduce the discomfort for those who suffer from lower-body injuries and amputations.
These technologies can help the hundreds of thousands of service members who require modifications to their homes. It addresses those suffering from hearing loss, vision impairments, migraines, post-traumatic stress disorder, spinal cord injuries, and amputations.
Those interested in learning how these recent changes may impact their military benefits should reach out to an experienced veterans’ benefits lawyer for immediate assistance. Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC, is a Michigan-based veteran benefit law firm that concentrates only on service-connected disability claims. The firm can be reached through its website at https://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/.
Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC
41700 West Six Mile Road, Suite 101
Northville, MI 48168
Toll Free Phone: 800.693.4800
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