Microsoft, VA Bring Xbox Adaptive Controller to Veterans

Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are partnering to provide the Xbox Adaptive Controller to veterans across the United States.

“Gaming with a traditional controller can be difficult for people with limited mobility, and for veterans, that can mean the loss of connection to community and an activity that was a significant part of their lives during service,” a Microsoft representative told me. “The partnership will provide controllers and services to veterans at 22 VA rehabilitation centers across the United States as part of therapeutic and rehabilitative activities aimed at challenging muscle activation and hand-eye coordination, and greater participation in social and recreational activities.”

Microsoft’s award-winning Xbox Adaptive Controller is designed to help people with limited mobility enjoy video games. It is used with an Xbox One video game console, so Microsoft is donating Xbox Adaptive Controllers, game consoles, games, and other adaptive gaming equipment to the VA as part of the partnership. The VA will use the equipment as part of therapeutic and rehabilitative activities aimed at challenging muscle activation and hand-eye coordination, and greater participation in social and recreational activities, Microsoft says.

“This partnership is another step toward achieving VA’s strategic goals of providing excellent customer experiences and business transformation,” VA Secretary Robert Wilkie says. “VA remains committed to offering solutions for veterans’ daily life challenges.”

The initial Microsoft contribution will be distributed to 22 VA facilities and will also be available for veterans to use at events hosted by VA’s Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events, such as the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.