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80 years of impact through the Power of PVA!

In early 1946, a group of veterans returned from the battlefield to a grateful nation, but also to a world unprepared for their needs. Unable to access their homes, navigate public transportation, or fully participate in society, they faced barriers at every turn. Refusing to be limited by their injuries, they met and with the courage, conviction, and grit that embodies the heart of service together they changed the course of disability rights in America forever. Paralyzed Veterans of America was born from that meeting.

Today, 80 years later, PVA remains member-led and mission driven, and that same spirit of determination and lived experience continues to guide everything PVA does. With more than 70 offices in 33 Chapters nationwide, PVA now proudly serves hundreds of thousands of veterans with spinal cord injuries and diseases, like MS and ALS, as well as their families across the U.S., including Puerto Rico. Its reach also extends far beyond the veteran population, making its mark on the greater disability community.

A Timeline Of Our History

Our latest PSA, Power of PVA, showcases how PVA’s impact is infinite and can be seen everywhere: through care, opportunity, advocacy, community, and partnership.

A man in a wheelchair, a man with glasses holding a baby, and a smiling woman sit together at a table, looking at a brochure in a bright, modern room.