Blinded Veterans Association

Veterans service and volunteer veteran service programsthe bva veteran service program consists of 83 veteran service officers and volunteer service officers including 82 legally blind veterans providing services throughout the united states and puerto rico. 3 advocacy veteran officers are located at the national headquarters in alexandria, va. Bva has developed a national network comprised of 58 cross-accredited service officers located throughout various state and county departments of veterans services offering free services to blinded veterans and their families. Veteran service officers assist blinded veterans and their families throughout the entire life cycle of blindness. They provide critical services such as expert assistance and representation within the veteran's benefits administration (vba) claims processes, assistance, and oversight during the veteran's health administration (vha) blind rehabilitation services processes and provide resources and assistance in obtaining community based services. They help blinded veterans bring focus and direction to their lives, providing inspiration and encouragement. From year to year, the bva veteran service program is responsible for on average 240 claim approvals totaling on average $6,600,000 in bva administered compensation, pension, and specialized grant benefits to clients. In addition, the bva veterans service program conducts annual comprehensive veterans care review assessments of the va's blind rehabilitation services. Bva's blind rehabilitation quality assurance coordinator meets with va medical center staff and veterans creating a comprehensive picture of the current status of each blind rehabilitation center (brc) or visual impairment services outpatient rehabilitation (visor) program. This unique partnership allows bva to share best practices across va stations and increases collaboration with va's blind rehabilitation services. The bva blind rehabilitation quality assurance coordinator is uniquely positioned as an organizational outreach ambassador offering educational sessions and one-on-one benefits analysis for newly blinded veterans and their families.bva's veteran service officers also support volunteer offices in vha medical centers, community based outpatient clinics, and vba regional offices nationwide. Volunteer veteran service officers are blinded veterans serving as peer counselors providing opportunities for blinded veterans to help and serve one another. They provide information on programs and services, encourage blinded veterans to enter rehabilitation programs, provide camaraderie and serve as mentors demonstrating equipment and aids used by the blind. They reinforce the work of the veteran service officers by lifting fellow veterans from the discouragement and frustration they often face.bva volunteers are active in their communities and good sources of information about local programs and services. This fiscal year alone, bva had 60 representatives and deputy representatives and 28 volunteers donating over 3,500 hours in 36 va facilities.team bva programbva established the team bva program in 2006 as an effort to bridge the gap between iraq and afghanistan era blinded veterans and previous generations. The program continued to evolve and encompass increasing era specific groups of blinded veterans, until ultimately serving all blinded veterans regardless of era. During this fiscal year alone, the program conducted 155 events focused on empowering hundreds of blinded veterans, their family members, supporters, and volunteers.in an effort to increase membership involvement at the national level, the team bva program began offering travel and accommodation scholarships for newly identified blinded veterans and their family members to attend bva's national convention. To date, this program has successfully inspired dozens to return to the annual convention and participate at their own expense, now serving in leadership roles for bva and other veteran organizations.in cooperation with our organizational partners, the team bva program has successfully sponsored blinded veteran participation in the california international marathon, blind appalachian trail expedition, project gemini program, major rob soltes memorial golf tournament, as well as dozens of hunting, skiing, fishing, kayaking, sailing and various other adaptive sport programs.

Advocacybva's congressional charter designates it as the organizational advocate for all blinded veterans before the executive and legislative branches of government. Bva's national president, board members, and national staff present annual testimony before the house and senate committees on veterans affairs in an effort to share information and concerns on specialized programs and services offered by the department of veterans affairs to visually impaired and blinded veterans. They also meet periodically with members of congress, their key staff, the department of defense, the white house, and department of veterans affairs officials to inform and educate them regarding the unique and specific needs of blinded and visually impaired veterans across our nation. Bva's educational efforts seek to enhance the specialized rehabilitation programs provided by the department of veterans affairs that assist blinded veterans in the acceptance of and adjustment to vision loss, while helping them acquire the adaptive skills necessary to successfully reintegrate into their families and communities.bva collaborates and partners with recognized industry leaders in advocating for continued and expanded research initiatives, educational and awareness campaigns, benefits, enhanced service delivery, and adequate accommodations relevant to its stakeholder community.membership bva serves as a membership driven organization. Membership constitutes affiliation in the national organization as well as in a local regional group. Any blinded or visually impaired veterans can benefit from the services bva provides regardless of membership status. Bva provides local advocacy and support through the 36 regional groups. These local groups foster opportunities to meet new people facing similar challenges, to establish friendships, and to gain a voice at the annual convention.bva life membership dues are deposited into a life membership fund, which is managed by a board of trustees appointed by the national president. The dues are invested, and the annual earnings (interest and dividends) are apportioned to the regional group based on the number of life members in each group. Bva national headquarters does not benefit financially from the life membership dues, simply managing and administering the fund with the assistance of the board of trustees and an external portfolio manager. It is a board-designated fund.