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 22-05

WHEREAS, it is well documented that aging is the single best predictor of visual impairment and blindness, AND

WHEREAS, the veteran population is aging rapidly and experiencing a dramatic increase in the incidence of severe visual impairment and blindness, AND

WHEREAS, the Department of Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Health, recognizing the need for comprehensive policy and programmatic recommendations to address the projected increase in demand for vision rehabilitation services, appointed the Visual Impairment Advisory Board (VIAB), AND

WHEREAS, the VIAB is a field based Board with broad representation from all elements of the Veterans Health Administration, and the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), AND

WHEREAS, the VIAB has prepared a draft comprehensive document proposing VA establish a full continuum of Eye Care (Vision Rehabilitation Services), AND

WHEREAS, the proposed full Continuum of Vision Rehabilitation Care would require VA to dramatically expand its capacity to provide Vision Rehabilitation Services across the spectrum from basic low vision through total blindness, AND

WHEREAS, the proposal would also require inclusion of access and outcomes into Network and Facility managers Performance Measures, 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 support the adoption and implementation of the policies recommended in the Continuum of Care Document, AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that the BVA urge the National Leadership Board and USH to embrace this document and requires its recommendations be included in all Veterans Integrated Service Network's Strategic Plans.

RESOLUTION 23-05

PRIVATE tc  \l 1 ""

PRIVATE Resolution-Training for low vision & Blinded VA Employeestc  \l 1 "Resolution-Training for low vision & Blinded VA Employees"

WHEREAS, blind and visually impaired VA employees, including blinded veterans, many of whom work directly with blinded veterans, need yearly training in access software such as JAWS in order to be proficient in using access software in their jobs, AND

WHEREAS, such training cannot be effectively provided at local stations, AND

WHEREAS, each year there is an Information Technology Conference (ITC) where such specialized training can be provided, AND

WHEREAS, local facilities often lack funds to send blind and visually impaired employees to the ITC training, AND

WHEREAS, lack of funding is a disincentive for employees to attend needed training, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Miami Beach, Florida on this 20^th day of August, 2005 support the funding for annual specialized training at the ITC for blind and visually impaired employees, AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that the BVA strongly urge and encourage the Department of Veterans Affairs to support the annual ITC training of blind employees by providing centralized funding as a reasonable accommodation. This would relieve local facilities of financial burden and ensure availability of funds for employees to attend training.

Resolutions 24-05 through 27-05 >