Summary: The Paralyzed Veterans of America honored the American Institute of Architecture Students September 16 with its Access Through Architecture Award, recognizing the AIAS Freedom by Design™ Program. The PVA award honors and promotes leadership, innovation, and action by recognizing members of the design community who are advancing the cause of universal accessibility.

"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,” said PVA Director of Architecture Carol Peredo Lopez, AIA. “We at Paralyzed Veterans are proud to have gotten to know this great program and are grateful to the AIAS 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"

Freedom by Design focuses the talents of architecture students to improve radically the lives of people in their communities through modest design and construction solutions. Modifications to the homes of low-income elderly and disabled individuals by addressing their struggles with everyday tasks such as bathing, ascending stairs and opening doors improves the safety, comfort, and dignity of the homes’ occupants.

Through numerous AIAS chapters, Freedom by Design teaches students how to resolve accessibility issues while providing them with the real-world experience of working with a client, mentorship from a local architect and constructor, and an understanding of the practical impact of architecture and design.

AIAS extends an open invitation to AIA members to get involved. The AIAS is seeking mentors and supporters to help expand this award-winning program and help them better the lives of those in need.