RESOLUTION 21-07

WHEREAS, VA has agreed to provide to BVA Field Service Representatives access to its electronic medical records at VA Medical Centers, AND

WHEREAS, currently this access is only available if the Field Service Representative goes to the medical center, AND

WHEREAS, this is an inefficient system, wasting the time of the Field Service Representative by requiring unnecessary trips to the medical center, AND

WHEREAS, this is especially difficult since the Field Service Representatives are not always located close to a medical center, NOW THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, work with VA to allow BVA Field Service Representatives to access needed medical information via remote access technology.

RESOLUTION 22-07

Resolution: Clerical support for VIST Programs

WHEREAS, most VIST Coordinators across the country have no clerical support, AND

WHEREAS, this causes these program managers to spend a significant amount of time doing clerical and administrative duties, AND

WHEREAS, the implementation of the full continuum of Vision Rehabilitation Services will clearly result in an increased workload for VIST Coordinators, AND

WHEREAS, with the increased workload imposed by the Continuum of Vision Rehab services and the requirement to enter an increased amount of information into the National BRS database, AND

WHEREAS, BVA feels this time would be better spent performing clinical duties and direct patient care, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, requests VA to authorize the provision of at least .5 FTEE GS 4/5 clerical support for all full time GS-12 VIST Coordinators with a caseload of 300 or more blinded veterans and 1.0 FTEE for programs having both a full time VIST Coordinator with a minimum of 300 caseload and a GS-12 Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS), AND

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that VISN Directors be required to provide funding to local facilities to support these positions, AND

FINALLY BE IT RESOLVED, that the VIST and BROS Handbooks and documents pertaining to VIST and BROS contain language supporting the intent that such support is to be provided.

 RESOLUTION 23-07

Resolution: BRC Staffing of Nurses

WHEREAS, an increasing number of veterans have complex medical issues, AND

WHEREAS, it is felt that many veterans with special needs cannot participate in residential blind rehabilitation due to lack of adequate staffing at BRCs, particularly nursing staff, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, the Blinded Veterans Association, in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, partner with BRS to encourage VA to review the staffing levels of nurses at residential Blind Rehabilitation Centers to determine the correct number of nurses needed at each site and to ensure that corrective action be taken at those sites found to be lacking adequate staffing levels, AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that this be made a national priority for BVA to ensure that corrective action be taken by VA if a review reveals that inadequate staffing does exist, AND

FINALLY BE IT RESOLVED, that this issue be placed on the agenda of the BVA/BRS Strategic Work Group and presented in the annual testimony to Congress.

RESOLUTION 24-07

Resolution: CAT Training

WHEREAS, there is currently a lack of standardization in the BRC computer training programs across the country in both curriculum and staff qualifications to teach veterans to use a computer, AND

WHEREAS, this leads to inconsistent teaching methods and outcomes, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, The Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, that VACO BRS, in partnership with BVA, work together to bring about corrective action, AND

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that the BVA/BRS Strategic Work Group be used for the purpose of such problem solving, AND FINALLY BE IT

RESOLVED, that the use of subject matter expert consultants from outside VA be explored as a viable resource in the problem solving and training process to help analyze and develop national standards, and to provide training for VA staff providing computer instruction.

RESOLUTION 25-07

Resolution: Establish a national trust fund to compensate veterans for service-connected illnesses caused by asbestos exposure.

WHEREAS, asbestos use in the military was prevalent during and after World War II, AND

WHEREAS, veterans who served in the military before the mid-1970s continue to be diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases due to long latency periods from exposure to the first symptoms of diseases, AND

WHEREAS, recent data reflects that claims from individuals exposed to asbestos in military service and ship yard construction accounted for 26 percent of all mesothelioma cases, 16 percent of all other lung cancer cases and 13 percent of all disabling lung diseases, AND

WHEREAS, the Department of Veterans Affairs continues to receive claims from veterans for illnesses related to asbestos exposure however, less than one third of known VA asbestos claimants receive service connected compensation for their asbestos diseases, AND

WHEREAS, the Department of Veterans Affairs acknowledges that 50 percent of veterans with asbestosis will eventually develop lung cancer, approximately 17 percent will develop mesothelioma and approximately 10 percent will develop gastrointestinal and urogenital cancers, AND

WHEREAS, all veterans with significant asbestosis will develop cor pulmonale and those who do not die from cancer often die from heart failure secondary to cor pulmonale, AND

WHEREAS, veterans have limited avenues to seek compensation for service connected illnesses caused by mesothilioma and asbestosis resulting from asbestos exposure and, further, the existing tort system is cumbersome and time consuming with varying recoveries that often depend on the locality where the claim is filed, AND

WHEREAS, replacing the existing tort system with a national trust fund that would pay veterans, their families and others suffering from asbestos related illnesses – a fund that does not replace, offset or alter current benefits available to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs compensation system – would be beneficial to veterans, AND

WHEREAS, a National Trust fund would be an additional avenue of recovery for veterans and their families and provide them prompt, fair and certain payment for asbestos related diseases, NOW THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico on this 18th day of August, 2007, supports passage of legislation which establishes a national trust fund to replace the existing tort system for compensating veterans, their families and others suffering from mesothilioma and asbestosis resulting from exposure to asbestos, BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, the national trust fund will fairly compensate veterans suffering from asbestos related illnesses, and as appropriate, their dependents and survivors, AND

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that veterans will be compensated through the national trust fund on a no-fault basis thereby ending the vagaries and lengthy delays of the current tort/bankrupt system, AND

FINALLY BE IT RESOLVED, that the National trust fund established to compensate asbestos victims shall not replace, offset or diminish current benefits available to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs compensation system.

The intent of this resolution is to support the creation of a national trust fund to pay the claims of veterans and their dependents suffering from asbestos- related illnesses without altering the current benefits available through the VA compensation system.

RESOLUTION 26-07

Resolution: Training of eye care professionals in blind and low vision

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

WHEREAS, a continuum of 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, 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 Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, meet with top management of 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 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 VA.

RESOLUTION 27-07

Resolution: 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 not to attend a BRC, or do not need to attend the one, 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 Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, will meet with the management of VA and the Director of BRS to make them aware of the BVA’s concern regarding these issues. BVA will encourage changes that will align the VIST Coordinator and BROS under local management, in addition to the BRC Chief, in order to enable the VIST Coordinator and BROS to act in the best interest of 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.

RESOLUTION 28-07

WHEREAS, U.S. military operations in Afghanistan (OEF) and Iraq (OIF) have resulted in numerous casualties, AND

WHEREAS, DoD does not have a centralized system in place to track eye casualties, AND

WHEREAS, an unknown number of service members have been blinded in these operations, AND

WHEREAS, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs are committed to assuring a “Seamless Transition” from DoD to VA, AND

WHEREAS, service members blinded in OEF & OIF are not being identified to VA by DoD in a timely manner, AND

WHEREAS, these severely injured and blinded service members are not receiving the information and support from VA designed to facilitate acceptance of and adjustment to loss of vision, AND

WHEREAS, the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), the only federally chartered Veterans Service Organization (VSO) exclusively dedicated to assisting blinded veterans and their families, is not being effectively utilized by DoD and VA to facilitate said “Seamless Transition,” THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, urge DoD and VA to develop a more effective method of identifying severely visually impaired and blinded service members returning from OEF and OIF, ensuring that these severely disabled service members receive the most appropriate information and support available, AND

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association be notified and directly involved in the “Seamless Transition” process.

RESOLUTION 29-07

WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States adopted legislation providing a “Free Mailing Privilege” for the blind and physically handicapped, AND

WHEREAS, the U.S. Postal Service has rendered decisions prohibiting the Blinded Veterans Association’s use of the Free Matter For the Blind mailing privilege to mail National Convention pre-registration packages, AND

WHEREAS, this prohibition has resulted in unreasonable increased costs AND

WHEREAS, the BVA believes the Postal Service has too narrowly interpreted the intent of Congress regarding the use of the “Free Matter” mailing privilege, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, join with other organizations of and for the blind to petition Congress to clarify Congressional intent with respect to the Free Matter Mailing privilege, AND

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, if necessary, that Congress seek an amendment to the U. S. Postal Service Regulations relaxing the Postal Service’s interpretation of the “Free Matter” privilege, particularly with respect to “Advertising”.

RESOLUTION 30-07

WHEREAS, the Blinded Veterans Association supports expansion of Medicare to include Vision Rehabilitation Services as covered services under Medicare, AND

WHEREAS, BVA strongly supports Vision Rehabilitation Specialists (Orientation & Mobility Specialists, Rehabilitation Teachers, and Low-Vision Therapists) being authorized for reimbursement under Medicare, AND

WHEREAS, legislation has been approved to establish a pilot Project to test the feasibility of including Vision Rehabilitation Services and Specialists as covered services and professionals under Medicare, AND

WHEREAS, the legislation requires that Vision Rehabilitation Specialists be Certified by the Academy for Certification of Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP), AND

WHEREAS, VA does not currently require certification of its Blind Rehabilitation Specialists, AND

WHEREAS, legislation adopted in the 108th Congress approved Blind Rehabilitation Specialists to be employed under Hybrid Title 38, AND

WHEREAS, the new designation of Hybrid Title 38 will enable VA BRS to develop new hiring qualification standards for Blind Rehabilitation Specialists, AND

WHEREAS, VA employs a large number of Vision Rehabilitation Specialists, AND

WHEREAS, BVA strongly supports employing the most highly qualified professionals to provide comprehensive vision rehab services to America’s visually impaired and blinded veterans, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, urge VA to require certification through the Academy (ADVREP) as a condition of employment, AND

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that VA provide a suitable time period for new, uncertified employees to obtain certification.

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