The Xbox Adaptive Controller was developed in order to help those with disabilities enjoy games using various input methods aside from the traditional controller, and now Microsoft has revealed a collaboration with the US Department of Veterans Affairs to enhance opportunities for therapy, education, and recreation for veterans, introducing the controller into select VA rehabilitation centers around the US.
This partnership was formalised on April 18 and aims to use the controller to challenge muscle activation and hand-eye coordination via a number of activities. This is coming to 22 VA medical centers across the US, and Microsoft is donating consoles, games, and other adaptive gaming equipment on top of that, with VA staff helping veterans engage with the equipment and providing feedback.
"This partnership is another step toward achieving VA's strategic goals of providing excellent customer experiences and business transformation," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. "VA remains committed to offering solutions for Veterans' daily life challenges."
"We owe so much to the service and sacrifice of our Veterans, and as a company, we are committed to supporting them," said Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. "Our Xbox Adaptive Controller was designed to make gaming more accessible to millions of people worldwide, and we're partnering with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to bring the device to Veterans with limited mobility, connecting them to the games they love and the people they want to play with."
Aside from these 22 VA facilities the controllers and other equipment will be available to use at other events hosted by the VA's Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events, like the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.