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A Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) program called Team Care assisted more than 750
families who have children with life-threatening illnesses as they
traveled through Orlando International Airport (MCO) during the past
year.
Such
customer service is part of TSA's practice of assisting people with
disabilities during the security screening process – similar to the
enhanced support TSA extends to traveling wounded veterans and their
families.
Team Care is staffed by Transportation Security Officers who receive
specialized training. In 2009, TSA Team Care employees from MCO attended
the Give Kids the World (GKTW) Angel Orientation at the GKTW Village in
Kissimmee where they gained familiarity with the disability-related
needs of families who have a child with a life-threatening illness. Team
Care's efforts were recognized by Mitch Goldberg, Vice President of
Give Kids the World.
"It can be intimidating and overwhelming for any inexperienced
traveler to navigate through an international airport," said Goldberg.
"For families of children with sensitive and life-threatening illnesses,
it is an incredible relief to be personally greeted and escorted by the
compassionate TSA team ... it truly bookends the beginning and ending
of a perfect vacation. Thank you TSA for your gracious hospitality to
the families of Give Kids the World."
Many TSA employees volunteer and actively support their local
communities when they are off duty. TSA Orlando volunteers have
collected more than 1,200 pounds of food for Second Harvest Food Bank,
collected and distributed toys for Toys for Tots, taught economics for
the Junior Achievement Program, and assisted athletes in Disney's 2010
Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games. Many of these volunteers
teamed up with Customs and Border Protection for its on-going Explorers
program. Their mission is to help young adults – ages 14 to 20 – by
teaching positive character traits, career development, and leadership
skills so they can make ethical choices to achieve their full potential
in life. In addition, TSA volunteers have hosted a Mentoring Day at the
airport for Orange County Public Schools.
"Many TSA employees around the nation, including those in Orlando,
are individually contributing off-duty time to their communities," said
Federal Security Director John Daly Jr. "The Team Care initiative,
started in Orlando last year, demonstrates TSA's commitment to the
community and to homeland security. I am confident that through the work
of the Team Care officers at the airport, and through the community
volunteer work of our employees, TSA Orlando will continue to stand
side-by-side with the community and lend a helping hand to those in
need."
Read more:
Alert: The Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant
The Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant program is available
to veterans and service members who have been rated eligible for the
Specially Adapted Housing section 2101 (a) (SAH) or the Special Home
Adaptation section 2101(b) (SHA) grant on a one time basis.
The TRA Grant is intended to assist an eligible veteran or
service member adapt a family member’s home to meet the veteran’s or
service members special needs.
Veterans and service members eligible for a TRA grant may use up to
$14,000 of the maximum grant amount for a section 2101(a) SAH grant or
up to $2,000 of the maximum amount for a section 2101(b) SHA grant.
VA Home Renovation Grants
SAH/SHA/HISA
VA
home renovation grants are available to defray the costs of adapting a
disabled veteran's home to allow for greater mobility and access. Do to
a recent change in the law, veterans are now eligible to receive a special
adaptive home modification grant of $10,000 or $50,000, depending on
their level of disability that can be used one to three times (up to the
limit of the available grant. .
The VA has several types of home modification programs. The first is the Specially Adapted Housing(SAH) grant program. The SAH grant is available for constructing an adaptive home or modifying an existing home. The maximum allowable SAH grant amount is currently limited to $50,000. Eligibility
for an SAH grant requires that the veteran must have been awarded
service-connected disability compensation for certain disorders that the
VA has rated as permanent and total. These disabilities include the loss, or loss of use, of both legs that precludes locomotion without the assistance of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair or; blindness in both eyes with only light perception, plus the loss, or loss of use, of one leg or; the loss, or loss of use, of one leg together with
either the residuals of an organic disease or injury, or the loss, or
loss of use, of one arm which adversely affects the individual’s balance
or propulsion so as to require the use of braces, crutches, canes, or a
wheelchair or, the loss, or loss of use, of both arms so as to preclude use of the arms at or above the elbow.
The second type of VA home modification program is the Special Home Adaptation (SAH) grant. The SHA grant is available to assist veterans in modifying an existing home to meet their adaptive needs. The maximum allowable SHA grant is $10,000. Similar
to the SAH grant eligibility requirements, the SHA grant requires that
the veterans have a service-connected disability that entitles
him or her to compensation for permanent and total disability due to
blindness in both eyes with visual acuity of 5/200 or less or; the anatomical loss, or loss of use, of both hands or arms extremities below the elbow.
The third type of VA home modification program is the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant. HISA
grants are available to veterans with service-connected disabilities,
or veterans with disabilities not related to their military service. These
grants provide assistance for any home improvement necessary for the
continuation of treatment, or for purposes of allowing access to the
home or modifying a bathroom. Eligibility requires a
medical determination that improvements and structural alterations are
necessary or appropriate for effective and economical treatment of the
veteran’s disability. A veteran may receive a HISA grant concurrently with either a SHA or SAH grant. The maximum HISA grant amounts are $4,100 for service-connected veterans and $1,200 for non service-connected veterans.
The VA imposes strict procedures during the grant process. Applicants for VA home modification grants must file a completed VA Form 26-4555, Veterans Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant, with their local VA regional office for SAH and SHA grants, or VA Form 10-0103, Veterans Application for Assistance in Acquiring Home Improvement and Structural Alterations, with their local VA medical center. Both forms must be filed prior to the start of construction. Once
a grant has been approved, the VA will work closely throughout the
entire process with contractors and architects to design, construct and
modify homes that meet the individuals’ housing accessibility needs. The VA may also inspect an existing home or construction plans for a new home before approving a home modification grant.
Specialty Adapted Housing Grants Applications
Revised ADA Regulations Implementing Title II and Title III
Here is a
few very useful links of funding sources that can help you how to get loans or grants for
your next home renovation:
The federal and state governments
offer funding for providing
accessibility after a natural disaster or man-made catastrophic event
such as Hurricane Katrina or 9/11. Details on designated disaster areas
can be located at:
Church/Religious Organizations
Many churches and religious organizations make funds available for catastrophic medical assistance.
Community Development Block Grants
Many cities and towns make grant funds available through the local department of community development.
Home Modification Services
Home adaptations and modifications of special needs may be coordinated
through government programs or home modification service organizations
such as Rebuilding Together (local chapters across the US).
Insurance
Some private insurance will pay for durable medical equipment. Check your policy for coverage details.
Medicare does not pay for ramps. However, Medicare has paid for the
shower and lift products in certain situations. To find out more
information on whether Medicare will help to cover the expense of a
home modification (except ramps) ordered by a physician, call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit their website at www.medicare.gov .Medicaid waivers in some states, state child health insurance programs
(CHIP), private health insurance, workers' compensation and long-term
care insurance benefits may cover the ramps, showers and lifts. The
social service department of your hospital may be able to direct you to
the special discretionary funds through private charities or endowments
in your area.
We advise you to:
Ask your attending physician to provide a
prescription or document of medical necessity for a ramp, shower or
lift product and submit a copy with your insurance claim.
USDA Rural Development
Home Repair Loan and Grant Program (Section 504).
For very low-income families who own homes in need of repair, the Home
Repair Loan and Grant Program offers loans and grants for renovation.
The Home Repair Program also provides funds to make a home accessible
to someone with disabilities.
Homeowners 62 years and older are eligible for home improvement
grants. Other low income families and individuals receive loans at a 1%
interest rate directly from HCFP.
Application
forms:
Modular wheelchair ramps, Portable wheelchair ramps,
Threshold Ramps, Wheelchairs, Sales, Installation, Rental, and Services
