Operation PAVE: Paving Access for Veterans Employment

OPERATION: PAVE, Paralyzed Veterans of America's vocational rehabilitation program, supports America’s paralyzed veterans in their search for good jobs and meaningful careers while helping employers strengthen their workforce with hard-working, gifted employees.  This program offers vocationally oriented services to veterans with disabilities, especially those veterans with spinal cord injuries/dysfunction.

Nearly 85 percent of America’s 44,000 paralyzed veterans are unemployed. Research and clinical studies have shown that providing an individual with a vocational focus is critical to their successful transition to living with paralysis. Access to education and career opportunities is essential to boost quality of life, reduce chronic health issues and improve the financial stability of veterans and their families.

Traditional vocational rehabilitation models have been ineffective in preparing our nation’s paralyzed and disabled veterans to reenter the workforce and remain there.

That’s why Paralyzed Veterans’ is working to overcome the vocational challenges that face veterans living with spinal cord injuries, and all persons with disabilities, at our six vocational rehabilitation centers located across the country. At each, PAVE counselors work hand-in-hand with the veteran, medical staff, Paralyzed Veterans’ national service officers and physical therapists to:

• Explore career options early on in a paralyzed veteran’s medical rehabilitation
• Assist veterans to find the appropriate educational opportunities, job training, skill improvements, etc.
• Connect veterans to a network of hiring employers

Currently led by a graduate of the program, the vocational rehabilitation program has been a great success since its inception in 2007. OPERATION: PAVE has served more than 850 veterans and has placed almost 150 at an average salary of about $42,000. Paralyzed Veterans’ goal is to expand PAVE nationwide, eventually establishing offices at all 24 VA Spinal Cord Injury Centers and opening a new office every year.

Operation PAVE: Paving Access for Veterans Employment Through New VOW Act Provisions 

PAVE-ing the Way at Hampton University 

How we can help 

Vocational Rehabilitaton Offices located nationwide 

Video: New Beginnings for Injured Veterans 

Veterans assisted by Vocational Rehabilitation Programs

Vocational Rehabilitation: Partnering to Help Veterans

Become an Operation: PAVE Sponsor

To find out more about the Vocational Rehabilitation Services program, contact our Veterans Benefits Department:
Voice: 800-424-8200
TTY: 800-795-4327
info@pva.org