Paralyzed Veterans Fights to Increase Access on Multiple Fronts

Americans often associate our military service members with words like “freedom,” “liberty” and “independence.” After all, that’s what they’re fighting for—here and abroad.

Here at home, Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) fights for veterans who have suffered catastrophic injury, to help them maintain their independence and dignity, through a wide array of programs, two of which work to ensure access—to services and to the built environment.

Paralyzed Veterans’ advocacy program works to maintain the rights and benefits these groups and laws have provided. Issues this department tackles include the Americans with Disabilities Act, fair housing laws, Social Security, access to polls and public transportation and employment rights, says Maureen McCloskey, national advocacy director.

“Most people don't know that many Paralyzed Veterans’ members are also eligible for Social Security benefits, and we are fighting right now to protect those benefits from debates around the [federal] deficit,” McCloskey says. “A program from last year’s health bill that provides voluntary employer-based insurance to people who need assistance with daily living is also under attack. Paralyzed Veterans knows that even a minimal regular stipend can mean the difference between being able to stay independent or having to move to an institutional setting.”

Paralyzed Veterans also works to help veterans’ caregivers, such as spouses or other family members. “Their greatest request is for respite—just a break from time to time,” McCloskey says. VA provides that service to many veterans in a medical facility, but caregivers would prefer to have that assistance in the home. Paralyzed Veterans is working with Congress and the respite care community to develop in-home services through state programs.

In addition, as part of its commitment to ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Paralyzed Veterans’ architecture program evaluates public and private buildings—from stadiums to public monuments to civic centers—to make sure individuals with disabilities can enjoy access to sports, entertainment and educational events as they wish. Last year, members of the architecture staff reviewed and submitted formal comments on the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for accessible design.

And, as a member of the committee that writes the revisions to the accessibility section of building codes, Paralyzed Veterans’ architects “advocate for the strongest accessibility criteria,” says Mark Lichter, AIA, director of architecture.

The building code criteria, ANSI A117.1 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, is revised every five years, and a new version was published recently. “We look to the very near future when the new five-year revision cycle begins and we can again begin advocating for the most stringent accessibility standards,” Lichter says.

Story by Julie Britt