Serving The Needs Of Blinded Veterans

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Serving The Needs Of Blinded Veterans (NAPSA)—Since 1945, a unique organization of American veterans has been workingto create a brighter future for one another. Chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1958, the organization repre- sents the interests of blinded veterans before the legislative and executive branches of government at both the federal andlocal levels. Knownas BVA,the Blinded Veterans Association has field service offices throughout the country that provide advice, information and aid to blinded veterans and their families. Field service representatives— BVA National President Larry Belote, second from left, testifies before the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. rehabilitation opportunities, training and employment. Theyalso represent them in the Departmentof Veterans Affairs (VA) claims process andoffer emotional support. There is no charge for any service provided by the organization and all legally blinded veterans are eligible for assistance regardless of when they lost their vision, during their service or afterward. Membership is not a prerequisite for any service, including the it had been working for many years, is legislation that authorizes the hiring of 385 new Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists at VA medical centers that do not already have a specialist on staff. Still another landmark achievement for BVA occurred in late January, when VA Secretary R. James Nicholson announced that VA would be reorganizing its vision rehabilitation services to provide eye care to veterans with visual impairments ranging from 20/70 to total blindness. Under the new plan, basic lowvision services will be available at dren of blinded veterans to apply for college scholarship funds. For blinded veterans whodecide to join the organization, the BVA Auxiliary offers their family members and friends emotional sup- the 21 Veterans Integrated Service Networks will offer intermediate and advanced low-vision services to help veterans who are in theearliest stages of blindness. The reorganization may affect more than 1 all of whom are blinded veterans themselves—serve as role models and link veterans with services, opportunity for spouses and chil- port, camaraderie, caregiver train- ing and additional opportunities. Oneof the organization’s most recent achievements, one for which all VA eye clinics. In addition, all of million veterans. To learn more, visit the Web site at www.bva.org or call (800) 669-7079.