Mission

SAWs Virginia builds custom designed wheelchair ramps for indigent persons with long-term ambulatory disabilities to more easily access medical services and improve the safety of their home. A simple ramp can restore their freedom, independence and dignity allowing them to reconnect with their community and age-in-place. Additionally, SAWs Virginia works to transform the lives of those trapped inside their homes and provide a transformational experience for those who serve them.

What We Do

SAWs Virginia is the only nonprofit in the Commonwealth solely dedicated to providing safe access to the homes of the impoverished. Ramps are designed and built for persons with a long-term, ambulatory disability regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

Clients must be at or below 60% of the Average Median Income (AMI) of their specific county of resi-dence. Medical debt is considered and vets and first responders are given priority. The intake process measures quality of life before and six weeks after installation. Our referring partners include a wide variety of nonprofits (i.e., Habitat for Humanity), social service agencies, transport companies and healthcare providers.

Our ramp design system is unique compared to traditional construction as its characteristics make it adaptable, removable and reusable. The ramps are built with standard components so the frames for ramps and platforms are usually interchangeable. About 75% of the material from a salvaged ramp can be recycled into components for new projects.

SAWs VA currently serves the George Washington Regional Planning District 16, which includes Fred-ericksburg City, Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties though applications are be-ginning to be received far beyond this area.