The stated purpose of this action was to "enable both organizations to expand and strengthen their arts education programs to better serve children, families and all people with disabilities around the world."

VSA/VW call for art program offers an exhibition opportunity for emerging visual artists with disabilities in the U.S. ages 16–25, including $60,000 in cash awards (among the largest in the nation) with a $20,000 grand prize.

[6] VSA founder Jean Kennedy Smith co-authored a book with George Plimpton entitled Chronicles of Courage: Very Special Artists which was published by Random House in April 1993.

Those with disabilities have included deaf singer/songwriter Mandy Harvey, painter Chuck Close, sculptor Mark Di Suvero, theatrical director Jack Hofsiss, musician Tony Meléndez, actor and director Howie Seago, glass artist Dale Chihuly, violinist Itzhak Perlman and many others.

Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin wrote and published a sequel to her novel Deaf Child Crossing, entitled Nobody's Perfect, which was produced on stage at the Kennedy Center in partnership with VSA arts in October 2007.

With that change, the organization has regularly looked at its own identity to ensure it is consistent with current attitudes and language used by the disability community.