Paralyzed Veterans of America

The Paralyzed Veterans of America is a veterans' service organization in the United States of America, founded in 1946. The organization holds 34 chapters and 69 National Service Offices in the United States and Puerto Rico. It is based in Washington, D.C.

The group holds a congressional charter under Title 36 of the United States Code.

Paralyzed Veterans of America describes itself as having "developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs of our members—veterans of the [United States] armed forces who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction". It is also involved with promoting and protecting the civil rights of the disabled.

Paralyzed Veterans of America says it delivers holistic recovery and transition for severely disabled veterans through integrative programs and services that fulfill all needs. These programs and services include veterans benefits and PAVE program (Paving Access for Veterans Employment), medical services and health policy, research and education, architecture, government advocacy and legislation, and sports and recreation. In 2017, the organization celebrated the passing of legislation that enables the VA to provide fertility counseling and treatment. The services will be available January 19, 2017 through September 30, 2018 and Paralyzed Veterans worked hard to achieve that success for its members. The organization's professional staff is augmented by local chapters and at-large membership activities, corporate relations, and public/media engagement.

While the organization's programs and services particularly target veterans with spinal cord injuries and diseases, it also offers services to able-bodied, ill, wounded, and injured veterans as well as to dependents, survivors, and caregivers to the global disability community. All support is offered free of charge to veterans and families and without government funding. Programs are funded by the support of individual donors and corporate sponsors.

The organization received a Gold Star rating from GuideStar based on organizational mission, impact, financial data, and commitment to transparency in accordance with GAAP. PVA received a rating of zero out of four possible stars from Charity Navigator, based primarily on the fact that the organization spends less than one-third of its expenses on the programs and services it delivers, and more than two-thirds on fundraising and administration.

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