News and Information

Paralyzed Veterans of America honors the AIAS Freedom by Design Program


The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) held its annual Americana Gala, September 16, 2009 in Washington, DC. AIAS was honored with the Access Through Architecture Award for its community service program, Freedom by Design™ (FBD). The Access Through Architecture Award honors and promotes leadership, innovation and action in the architectural and design communities in advancing accessibility.

The annual event celebrates leaders and organizations that work towards a better world for paralyzed veterans and their families and pays tribute to the work the PVA has done since its inception in 1946. Approximately 300 guests attended this year's inspirational event to honor all of the award winners. The ceremony brought attention to PVA programs that improve the quality of life for veterans with disabilities while highlighting people or organizations who have continued to serve our nation's paralyzed veterans. Awards were also given to U.S. Representative Chet Edwards, former Deputy U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon Mansfield, Invacare CEO Mal Mixon and the U.S. Paralympics. Presenters included the U.S. National Security Advisor General James Jones, former U.S. Senator Max Cleland, U.S. Paralympian Carlos Leon and PVA National Architecture Director Carol Peredo Lopez.

"The Freedom by Design program is a true example of how making a home more accessible can make the greatest difference in a person's life. We at Paralyzed Veterans are proud to have gotten to know this great Program and are grateful to them, and all their chapter leaders and participants for helping to make a very important difference in a person's life, and planting the seeds to make the entire nation more accessible. " - Carol Peredo Lopez, AIA

For more information on the Americana Gala or the PVA, please visit www.pva.org.

To learn more about Freedom by Design and how you can get involved please visit www.aias.org/freedom.

The PVA American Gala 2009 Honorees are:

Access Through Architecture Award
American Institute of Architecture Students

Freedom by Design™ Program

Sports and Recreation Award
The U.S. Paralympics

Outstanding Service to Veterans Award
The Honorable Gordon H. Mansfield

Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Congressional Award
The Honorable Chet Edwards

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. House of Representatives Corporate Leadership Award
Mal Mixon

CEO Invacare Corporation