Disabled Veterans National Foundation Recognized for Supporting New Technologies for Veterans
Washington, DC (PRWEB) June 02, 2015 -- The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (http://www.dvnf.org), a nonprofit veterans service organization that provides critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom, was recently recognized by the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) for supporting their ongoing work.
DVNF gave a grant of $50,000 to HERL so they could purchase a new lathe. HERL researches and develops new adaptive technologies for veterans and individuals with disabilities, and this equipment is crucial to their work.
The new CNC lathe will benefit veterans in many ways. HERL now has a CNC lathe on which to train veterans in their AIM and ELeVATE programs, maximizing their likelihood of success for employment or attaining a college degree. The accessibility modifications that HERL is making to the lathe will make it useable by veterans from a wheelchair, and will set an example for employers and educators across the country, opening more doors.
In addition, the CNC lathe expands HERL's capabilities to prototype new technologies to provide full-inclusion and maximum mobility for veterans with severe disabilities.
“DVNF's support for HERL helps to make it possible for HERL to assist veterans and all people with disabilities to maximize their potential,” said Dr. Rory Cooper, Director of HERL. “DVNF provides essential resources for HERL to remain at the forefront of creating new technologies, making exciting discoveries, and for providing cutting edge education. The combination of DVNF and HERL helps to transform the lives of veterans and people with disabilities to create a brighter future where everyone contributes and is recognized.”
DVNF CEO, Joseph VanFonda (USMC SgtMaj Ret.), stated that this initiative was too important not to support.
“In my twenty-seven years as a Marine, I saw countless men and women with devastating injuries,” VanFonda said. “Without the groundbreaking research and development of groups like HERL, the quality of life of amputee veterans and veterans with other physical limitations would be much, much worse. DVNF is proud to do lend its support to HERL for their continued success for the benefit of our veterans.”
In addition to the grant to HERL, DVNF also gave Dr. Cooper its first annual Resilience Award, which is intended to recognize outstanding work on behalf of veterans.
About DVNF:
The Disabled Veterans National Foundation exists to provide critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom.
We achieve this mission by:
- Offering direct financial support to veteran organizations that address the unique needs of veterans, and whose missions align with that of DVNF.
- Providing supplemental assistance to homeless and low-income veterans through the Health & Comfort program and various empowerment resources.
- Providing an online resource database that allows veterans to navigate the complex process of seeking benefits that they are entitled to as a result of their military service, as well as additional resources they need.
- Serving as a thought leader on critical policy issues within the veteran community, and educating the public accordingly.
Doug Walker, Disabled Veterans National Foundation, http://www.dvnf.org, +1 202-737-0522, [email protected]
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