Our Mission

In 1946, the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) was formed by World War II spinal cord injured (SCI) veterans and became a national organization through the unification of several independent organizations of paralyzed veterans throughout the United States of America. In August 1971, PVA received its Congressional Charter as a National Veterans Organization.

In 1947, a small group of paralyzed veterans living in the local area formed the New England Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America (NEPVA). NEPVA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization that represents the interests and concerns of paralyzed veterans and other individuals with disabilities throughout the New England area. The organization currently has over 1,000 members and continues to grow.

The organization's primary focus is veterans' issues, notably quality healthcare for veterans with spinal cord injuries and dysfunction (SCI/D) such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). NEPVA is interested in all issues affecting the lives of persons with disabilities. NEPVA routinely works with other community civic groups and agencies and has always been a strong advocate for accessibility to all aspects of life that are available to the general population.

The key objectives of the New England Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America are:

1. To promote medical research to cure spinal cord dysfunction and other related problems.


2. To advocate for and monitor the delivery of high quality and appropriate health care services and access to those services.


3. To assist in identifying and securing veterans' benefits for spinal cord injured and diseased veterans and others, as appropriate.


4. To educate society on the attitudinal, physical and legal barriers which confront persons with disabilities and to influence the removal of those barriers.


5. To provide information to and opportunities for health promotion, recreation, employment, services and camaraderie for spinal cord injured and diseased veterans and others, as appropriate.


6. To seek the support of other groups and individuals who share our objectives.


7. To take those actions necessary to restore spinal cord injured or diseased veterans' bodies or life potentials, as closely as is humanly possible, to those of Americans not suffering spinal cord dysfunction.

For more information about NEPVA, please contact us at 508-660-1181 or by email at NEPVA.