REPORT OF BVA 60TH NATIONAL CONVENTION BYLAWS AND RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE

Resolutions 1-05 through 3-05
Resolutions 4-05 through 6-05
Resolutions 7-05 through 10-05
Resolutions 11-05 through 13-05
Resolutions 14-05 through 17-05
Resolutions 18-05 through 21-05
Resolutions 22-05 through 23-05
Resolutions 24-05 through 27-05
Resolutions 28-05 through 29-05
Resolutions 30-05 through 32-05
Resolutions 33-05 through 35-05
Resolutions 36-05 through 38-05
Resolutions 39-05 through 41-05
Resolutions 42-05 through 43-05
Resolutions 44-05 through 45-05

RESOLUTION 30-05

Training of Eye Care Professionals in Blind and Low 

WHEREAS, there is a national shortage of Optometrist and Ophthalmologist educated and trained in the field of blind and low vision, AND

WHEREAS, a continuum if blind and low vision care requires eye care professionals trained in blind and low vision, AND

WHEREAS, the provision of local blind and low vision services are essential to meet the needs of the vast majority of blind and low vision veterans who cannot attend a VA BRC for whatever reason, or who are waiting for admission to a BRC, AND

WHEREAS, the VA currently has no comprehensive plan to provide training for VA eye care professionals in the provision of blind and low vision services, THEREFORE BE IT 

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association, in convention assembled in Miami Beach, Florida on this 20^th day of August, 2005, urges the BVA meet with top management of the VA, Ophthalmology, Optometry and the Director of BRS to encourage the development of a plan of action to train eye care professionals in blind and low vision, AND FURTHER BE IT 

RESOLVED, that the BVA be a full partner and as such be included as a member of a team planning and enacting such training.

COMMENT: This Resolution attempts to alleviate the existing shortage of Eye Care Professionals trained in Blind and Low Vision within the VA.

RESOLUTION 31-05

Outsourcing of Vision Rehabilitation Services in the Community

WHEREAS, there are long waits for access to services for blinded veterans at residential blind rehabilitation centers (BRCs) and many veterans cannot attend a BRC, AND

WHEREAS, BVA feels some of these veterans waiting could have their needs wholly or in part met in the local community rather than in a residential BRC, AND

WHEREAS, there is a growing number of veterans unable to attend a BRC and who still require services, AND

WHEREAS, the Blind Rehabilitation Service has focused on BRC training in the past with inadequate planning and program development to meet the needs of the majority of blinded veterans who never attend a BRC, AND

WHEREAS, the BVA feels it is time for BRS to develop a strategic plan to provide local services with funding to meet the needs of blinded veterans unable to attend a BRC, THEREFORE BE IT 

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled, in Miami Beach, Florida on this 20^th day of August, 2005, strongly urge BRS to immediately develop a strategic action plan using clinical indicators to identify veterans that need to go to a BRC and those that would be better served to provide local services in the community as this will provide needed guidelines to the field staff, AND FURTHER BE IT 

RESOLVED, that the BVA convey to BRS and the Congress that the intent is to “leave no blinded veterans behind” which has a top priority within the BVA organization.

COMMENT: Urges BRS to develop a plan and field guidelines for providing local services for blinded veterans that do not attend a BRC.

RESOLUTION 32-05

VIST and BROS Alignment at Blind Rehabilitation Centers 

WHEREAS, at VA blind rehabilitation centers (BRCs) the VIST Coordinator and Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) are aligned under the BRC chief, AND

WHEREAS, the VIST Coordinator and BROS need to be able to independently serve veterans without the BRC Chief exercising undo influence or placing undue restrictions upon the provision of local services to veterans, AND

WHEREAS, the BRC Chief should not be in a position to deny the provision of prosthetics such as daily living aids and optical devices to blinded veterans who choose to not attend a BRC, or do not need to attend the BRC, when such devices have been properly prescribed by an eye care professional, AND

WHEREAS, the BRC Chief having supervisory control over the local VIST Coordinator and BROS may tend to stifle the development of local services to veterans in the community and may give the appearance of an apparent conflict of interest, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association, in convention assembled in Miami Beach, Florida on this 20^th day of August, 2005, will meet with the management of the VA and the Director of BRS to make them aware of the BVA's concern regarding these issues and encourage changes that will align the VIST Coordinator and BROS under local management other than the BRC Chief to enable the VIST Coordinator and BROS to act in the best interest of the blinded veterans independent of undue influence. 

COMMENT: This Resolution will assist in alleviating the perception that needed services and issuance of prosthetics may be denied or delayed by a BRC Chief in an attempt to persuade a veteran to enter the BRC.

(First 32 Resolutions considered as a block)

Resolutions 33-05 through 35-05 >