Carl Blake Releases Statement on Nomination to VA’S AIR Committee
WASHINGTON, March 9, 2022 — West Point graduate, leading veterans advocate, and Paralyzed Veterans of America Executive Director Carl Blake today released the following statement on his nomination to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission – an independent, bipartisan group nominated by the President and approved by the Senate to […]
PVA Executive Director Carl Blake Nominated to Department of Veterans Affairs’ Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission
WASHINGTON, D.C., (March 9, 2022) — Paralyzed Veterans of America National President Charles Brown today released the following statement on President Biden’s announcement of his intention to nominate PVA Executive Director Carl Blake to serve on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission – an independent, bipartisan group established by the […]
Letter to President Biden Regarding Accessible Transportation
February 24, 2022 The Honorable Joseph R. Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington DC 200050 Dear President Biden: Congratulations on signing the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) into law. We thank you for your tireless efforts to deliver this promise to the American people. In addition to providing generational investments […]
Petition to Department of Transportation on Air Travel for Passengers With Disabilities
Paralyzed Veterans of America and Democracy Forward submit petition to the Department of Transportation to implement improved air travel processes for people with disabilities, then release joint statement Washington, D.C. (Feb. 15, 2022) — Paralyzed Veterans of America petitioned the Department of Transportation today to initiate rulemaking authority that would implement improved standards and requirements […]
Handcycling Avatar Launches in Virtual Cycling Platform
Paralyzed Veterans of America teamed up with RGT Cycling and Echelon Racing League to launch a new handcycling avatar in RGT’s virtual cycling platform. The avatar is the first ever designed to represent paracyclists in a virtual platform. WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to be more inclusive and recognize cyclists of all abilities, Paralyzed […]
Prominent Veterans Organizations Issue Budget Recommendations for VA
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (Feb. 7, 2022) – Leading veterans service organizations (VSOs) – DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), and the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) – today released The Independent Budget Recommendations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) FY 2023 and FY 2024. The report serves as a roadmap to […]
Paralyzed Veterans of America releases statement on the passing of decorated WWII veteran/disability rights champion Senator Bob Dole
WASHINGTON (Dec. 5, 2021)— Paralyzed Veterans of America National President Charles Brown today released the following statement on the passing of long-time public servant and PVA supporter Senator Bob Dole: “PVA joins the nation in mourning the passing of Senator Bob Dole and extends our heartfelt prayers to Senator Elizabeth Dole and the entire Dole Family. Prior to becoming one of America’s longest-serving U.S. Senators, […]
I was dropped on a jetway. Airlines make it dangerous for people with disabilities to fly. (USA Today Op-ed)
In our highly mobile society, air travel is unquestionably the fastest way to get to our destination, but it is ill-equipped for millions of people with disabilities, particularly wheelchair users. Air travel is a broken system in need of attention, as the recent death of disability rights activist Engracia Figueroa illustrates. Figueroa’s careless mistreatment at […]
Air travel inhumane and dangerous for many people with disabilities 35 years after law mandated accessibility
As the busiest travel season of the year kicks off, Paralyzed Veterans of America calls on public to join their fight for change WASHINGTON (November 17, 2021) – This year’s holiday travel season marks the 35th anniversary of the Air Carrier Access Act, which legally began the move toward accessible air travel, and Paralyzed […]
Weis Markets Announces $450,000 Donation to Paralyzed Veterans of America
Donation was generated through six-week in-store fundraising campaign Sunbury, PA (November 12, 2021) — Weis Markets today announced it has donated $450,000 to Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)— the nation’s only nonprofit organization dedicated solely to supporting veterans with spinal cord injuries, disorders, and diseases, like MS and ALS, and all people with disabilities. Officials […]
Paralyzed Veterans of America releases statement on the passing of disability rights advocate Engracia Figueroa following carelessness and mistreatment by airline
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Oname ThompsonOnameT@pva.org Mobile: (703) 864-5980 WASHINGTON (Nov. 8, 2021) — Paralyzed Veterans of America National President Charles Brown today released the following statement on the passing of Engracia Figueroa, a disability activist who passed after an airline damaged her custom wheelchair: “Our heart goes out to Engracia Figueroa’s family and […]
Statement on the attack outside the Kabul Airport in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON (Aug. 26, 2021) — Paralyzed Veterans of America Executive Director Carl Blake today released the following statement on the attack outside the Kabul Airport in Afghanistan: “The tragic events in Afghanistan today are a reminder of the need to support our men and women who have served and sacrificed over the last 20 years […]
Wheelchair Games celebrates 40th anniversary with hybrid sports event
Founded in 1981 to help paralyzed and disabled veterans improve their health and wellbeing, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games is celebrating its 40th anniversary this week in New York City. Events kicked off on August 7 and will run through August 14. The Wheelchair Games are co-presented each year by Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Department of Veterans Affairs and is the largest annual rehabilitation wheelchair […]
PVA Elects U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Charles Brown as its New National President
Photo: The PVA Executive Committee elects Charles Brown as the New National President during the 2021 Convention in Las Vegas. The health and safety of all PVA members and staff remain a top priority. As such, all members of PVA’s 2021 Executive Committee (seen here) were vaccinated at the time this photo was taken. WASHINGTON, […]
PVA celebrates 75-year legacy by inviting all Americans to Honor the Spot and keep accessible parking spaces open for the people who need them
PVA celebrates 75-year legacy by inviting all Americans to Honor the Spot and keep accessible parking spaces open for the people who need them Yearlong anniversary celebration kicks off with a campaign addressing the innocent acts people commit every day that hurt those with disabilities, and a special letter from President Biden WASHINGTON, D.C. (May […]