Washington, D.C.– Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today congratulated the University of Arizona’s Disability Resource Center on its newly announced $500,000 funding stream to continue and enhance its ongoing project to assist injured and disabled veterans seeking higher educational opportunities. The money comes from the Department of Education and supports a program begun in 2008 when Rep. Grijalva arranged startup funding.

The University has the largest adaptive athletic program in the country and a nationally recognized rehabilitation faculty. The Resource Center supports reintegration and academic success for veterans with disabilities and documents its work through empirical studies designed to be replicated elsewhere in the country.

“Making sure veterans have the assistance and resources they need to succeed, whether in pursuit of a degree or professional training, is an absolutely essential public service, and I’m proud to have supported this program from the beginning,” Grijalva said. “Reintegration is not always an easy challenge for wounded veterans, and the University has been doing wonderful work in making that transition possible for hundreds of Southern Arizonans each year. This kind of program can and should be replicated elsewhere so that veterans across the country are able to go to school and integrate fully into civilian life if they so choose.”

The program has received Congressionally directed funding for the past three years. The Veterans Education and Transition Services office, which is staffed and managed by veteran students, assists approximately 500 student veterans on campus each year.

For more information, contact Amanda Kraus at the University at (520) 626-0940.