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RESOLUTION 1-05
RESOLVED, that the National President shall send letters of appreciation to those organizations and individuals contributing to the success of the 60th National Convention, as well as to those other individuals and organizations assisting and supporting the BVA during the past year.
RESOLUTION 2-05
WHEREAS, the Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) approach to service delivery was established in 1967 to provide much needed outreach services to blinded veterans, AND
WHEREAS, because of staffing and funding problems, these services have not been provided to all eligible blinded veterans, or in equal proportions, AND
WHEREAS, the VIS Team Coordinator is the TEAM member responsible for initiating aggressive outreach activities and the timely delivery of comprehensive services, AND
WHEREAS, in several stations, VIS Team Coordinators have other responsibilities in addition to the VIS Teams, thus precluding the provision of needed services to all eligible veterans, ANDWHEREAS, the quality and quantity of services are directly dependent upon the amount of time that the Coordinator has to devote to this assignment and upon that person's knowledge and motivation to provide the needed services, AND
WHEREAS, in some stations these services have been even further eroded by decisions made by supervisors regarding the selection, placement and changing of Coordinators, AND
WHEREAS, it is understood that direct funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office has been provided to such programs as: alcohol abuse, drug abuse, day treatment centers, spinal cord injury centers, etc., AND
WHEREAS, more efficient and timely services could be provided to eligible blinded veterans if a similar approach was taken to the funding of Full-Time Coordinators for VIS Teams, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association, in convention assembled in Miami Beach, Florida on this 20th day of August, 2005, hereby strongly urges the Department of Veterans Affairs to take prompt, positive action to provide funding for Full-Time Coordinators of all remaining VIS Teams presently not so funded in the Department of Veterans Affairs system, AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Director of Blind Rehabilitation Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Headquarters, should concur in the selection, placement and assignment of staff personnel filling the positions of VIS Team Coordinators.
RESOLUTION 3-05
WHEREAS, visual impairments are the third most prevalent factor in limiting the activities of individuals, AND
WHEREAS, the prevalence of visual impairments of those aged 65 and over is eight times the rate for those under 65, and 50% of all visually-impaired persons in the United States are over the age of 65, AND
WHEREAS, 70-80% of individuals over age 65 currently classified as legally blind can be helped to perform daily living functions by low vision or vision rehabilitation services, AND
WHEREAS, financial resources are often a key factor in receiving such assistance, AND
WHEREAS, under current law, vision rehabilitation services and aids for the blind are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association, in Convention Assembled in Miami Beach, Florida on this 20th day of August 2005, supports coverage under Medicare and Medicaid programs of vision aids for visually-impaired persons eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.
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