Paralyzed Veterans of America
Encyclopedia
The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) is a veterans' service organization in the United States of America
, founded in 1946. The organization holds 34 chapters and 61 National Service Offices in the United States. It is based in Washington, D.C.
The group holds a congressional charter
under Title 36 of the United States Code
.
s 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
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, founded in 1946. The organization holds 34 chapters and 61 National Service Offices in the United States. It is based in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
The group holds a congressional charter
Congressional charter
A congressional charter is a law passed by the United States Congress that states the mission, authority and activities of a group. Congress issued federal charters from 1791 until 1992 under Title 36 of the United States Code....
under Title 36 of the United States Code
Title 36 of the United States Code
Title 36 of the United States Code outlines the role of Patriotic Societies and Observances in the United States Code.*Subtitle I—Patriotic and National Observances and Ceremonies*Subtitle II—Patriotic and National Organizations...
.
Mission
It describes itself as having "developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs of our members — veteranVeteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
s of the [United States] armed forces
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
who have experienced spinal cord injury
Spinal cord injury
A spinal cord injury refers to any injury to the spinal cord that is caused by trauma instead of disease. Depending on where the spinal cord and nerve roots are damaged, the symptoms can vary widely, from pain to paralysis to incontinence...
or dysfunction." It is also involved with promoting and protecting the civil rights of the disabled
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
.