RESOLUTION 41-07

Resolution: Continuum of Vision Rehabilitation Care

WHEREAS, VA has committed to providing a continuum of care for all visually impaired veterans, AND

WHEREAS, BVA supports this expanded services model, AND

WHEREAS, BVA feels that existing Visual Impairment Service Coordinators should focus on providing services to blinded veterans, AND

WHEREAS, BVA feels that requiring VIST coordinators to manage the cases of non-legally blind veterans will negatively impact their ability to provide adequate time to blinded veterans, AND

WHEREAS, there is a lack of capacity in the BRS program model for VIST Coordinators to assume these expanded responsibilities, 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 top management to explore a partnership between VA Blind Rehabilitation Service (BRS) and VA Social Work Service. The goal is to develop a comprehensive model in which the two departments of VA would work together to ensure a comprehensive continuum of vision rehabilitation services across VA in which Social Work Service would be responsible for case management of visually impaired veterans who are not legally blind and VA BRS would focus on services to the legally blind.

RESOLUTION 42-07

Resolution: Cell Phone Accessibility
WHEREAS, Section 255 of the Communications Act requires telecommunications service providers and manufacturers to ensure that their products and services are accessible to people with disabilities, AND

WHEREAS, generally, there are very few phones with meaningful access features, AND

WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) handles Section 255 complaints and has not been very responsive when complaints have been filed, AND

WHEREAS, BVA expects an accessible phone that provides features like comprehensive audio output of information on the screen, displays that can be adjusted to make them more readable with limited vision, and keys and controls that are identifiable by touch, AND

WHEREAS, BVA believes that manuals should be in accessible format with descriptions of images and graphics, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, include this issue in the legislative package and work with the appropriate committees in Congress to bring about corrective action by the FCC.

RESOLUTION 43-07

Resolution: Transportation

WHEREAS, VHA is currently authorized to provide transportation to VA appointments for veterans confined to a wheelchair and for those who require transportation by ambulance, AND

WHEREAS, blinded veterans have significant problems obtaining transportation to VA appointments, AND

WHEREAS, the disability of blindness causes barriers in mobility similar to those for individuals in wheelchairs, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, request that Congress include blindness as a justification for VA to authorize transportation to VA appointments when appropriate.

RESOLUTION 44-07

Resolution: Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology

WHEREAS, the recently established Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) is a consortium of more than 100 national, regional, and community-based organizations committed to promoting dramatically expanded access for people with disabilities to state-of-the-art telecommunications and video programming technologies and services, AND

WHEREAS, the principal objective of COAT is to affect positive policy change to ensure that people with disabilities, especially those with sensory disabilities such as vision and hearing loss, can be full beneficiaries of the telecommunications and video programming revolution, AND

WHEREAS, COAT, which is made up of AFB, ACB, and other blind organizations and associations, is going to be working on several key objectives with both Congress and various federal regulatory agencies that control these technologies, AND

WHEREAS, BVA strongly supports the objectives of COAT that include:

1. Accessible User Interfaces—All devices with the capacity to receive or display television or other video programming must be designed to allow non-visual and other alternative control of all device features.

2. Video Description—The mandate on broadcasters and others to provide at least a minimal amount of description accompanying their television programming, overturned by a wrongly-decided Federal Court of Appeals ruling, must be restored, and the Federal Communications Commission must also promulgate regulations to guarantee appropriate descriptive access to emergency information

3. Equipment Availability—The existing Universal Service Fund should be tapped to provide equipment that meets the unique and profoundly undermet needs of people with deafness-blindness.

4. Internet-Based Telecommunications—Every effort must be made to ensure that the current requirements of law mandating access to traditional telecommunications equipment and services (such as cell phones and standard office telephone systems) are strengthened and fully extended to newer telecommunications technologies that use the Internet, such as voice over Internet protocol (VOIP). THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, partner with the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology to support the achievements of the above objectives by adding this project to the BVA legislative package.

RESOLUTION 45-07

Resolution: Auto Grant

WHEREAS, VA provides a one-time auto grant to eligible veterans, AND

WHEREAS, such vehicles become unserviceable after years of use, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico on this 18th day of August, 2007, request that VA change the auto grant authorization from once in a lifetime to every 10 years, AND

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that BVA add this to the legislative package and advocate for such with Congress and VA.

RESOLUTION 46-07

Resolution: Auto Grant and Adaptive Housing

WHEREAS, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) provides certificates of eligibility for auto grants and special adaptive housing, AND

WHEREAS, eligibility for such benefits is established at the time of rating, AND

WHEREAS, VBA now requires an eligible veteran to submit an additional application for the auto grant and special adaptive housing grants although eligibility has been established at the time of rating, AND

WHEREAS, this causes unnecessary reapplications and delays in receiving auto grants and special adaptive housing grants, AND

WHEREAS, OIF/OEF veterans do not need additional aggravation and unnecessary delays in obtaining benefits, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico on this 18th day of August, 2007, make as part of the agenda to have the VA Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) automatically provide certificates of eligibility for auto grants and special adaptive housing at the time of the rating decision, AND

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that such certificates of eligibility be mailed to the veteran at the same time as the notification of rating is mailed.

RESOLUTION 47-07

Resolution: Provision of Eye Exams and Eyeglasses to Nonservice-Connected Veterans

WHEREAS, when a nonservice-connected veteran is determined by the primary care provider to require an eye exam to determine the probability that the issuance of eyeglasses will permit the said veteran to receive medical care without risk, AND

WHEREAS, VHA currently has established guidelines provided by Prosthetics Service regarding the provision of eyeglasses, AND

WHEREAS, the guidelines are not consistently interpreted due to lack of clarity regarding the issuance of eyeglasses to nonservice-connected veterans, resulting in confusion and a lack of conformity in policy, AND

WHEREAS, the nonservice-connected veteran that is duly enrolled and vested is placed at unnecessary risk by the inability to participate in their own medical care by being unable to read their medication labels or insulin syringe measure indicators, AND

WHEREAS, BVA strongly feels that any nonservice-connected veteran, determined by their primary care provider to require an eye exam and/or the issuance of eyeglasses, should be granted such an eye exam and should be issued the appropriate eyeglasses if such is required in order for the veteran to participate in his/her own medical care, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, request that VHA provide written clarification to VA field staff, including eye care professionals and primary care providers, regarding eye exams and the provision of eyeglasses for nonservice-connected veterans when said veterans must participate in their own medical care and treatment, AND

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that BVA request written clarification as to whether a local facility can deny a nonservice-connected veteran an eye exam and the provision of eyeglasses as appropriate when the primary care provider has determined that such an exam is required to ensure that the veteran safely participate in his/her own medical care.

RESOLUTION 48-07

Resolution: Provision of Hearing Exams and Hearing Aids to Nonservice-Connected veterans

WHEREAS, the VHA currently has established guidelines regarding who is authorized hearing exams and aids, AND

WHEREAS, the guidelines are not consistently interpreted due to lack of clarity regarding the issuance of such items to nonservice-connected veterans, resulting in confusion and a lack of conformity in policy, AND

WHEREAS, when a nonservice-connected veteran is determined by the primary care provider to require a hearing exam to determine the probability that the issuance of hearing aids will permit the said veteran to participate in their own medical care without risk, AND

WHEREAS, the nonservice-connected veteran that is duly enrolled and vested is placed at unnecessary risk by the inability to participate in their own medical care by being unable to communicate with and understand their medical providers, AND

WHEREAS, some VA facilities’ Audiology Departments have included language instructing primary care providers that nonservice-connected veterans not be authorized a hearing exam, AND

WHEREAS, BVA strongly feels that nonservice-connected veterans that have been determined by their primary care provider to require a hearing exam and/or the issuance of hearing aids should be authorized a hearing exam and should be issued the appropriate hearing aids to enable participation in their own medical care, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, request that VHA provide written clarification to VA field staff, including audiologists and primary care providers, regarding hearing exams and the provision of hearing aids if such is required for veterans to participate in their own medical care and treatment. AND

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that BVA request written clarification as to whether a local facility can deny a nonservice-connected veteran a hearing exam and the provision of hearing aids as appropriate when the primary care provider has determined that such an exam is required to ensure that the veteran safely participate in his/her own medical care and communicate effectively with the primary care provider.

RESOLUTION 49-07

WHEREAS, a study conducted by a medical professional and a data researcher has provided evidence that a large population of visually impaired Native Americans residing on a variety of reservations do not have access to VA medical care, AND

WHEREAS, the members of this identified group are veterans entitled to be enrolled and vested in a VA Medical Center care program, AND

WHEREAS, these visually impaired veterans have not been afforded the opportunity to receive medical care in a VA facility; attend a VA facility for rehabilitation training, or receive equipment or prosthetics for which they are eligible and qualified, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico on this 18th day of August, 2007, recommend and strongly urge Congress to enact legislation that will result in the identification, location, and education of the Native American veteran population that is eligible for medical care and benefits from VA, AND

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that Congress be strongly urged to establish oversight to ensure that all visually impaired Native American Veterans indeed receive the VA medical care and all other benefits for which they are so richly eligible.

RESOLUTION 50-07

Resolution Rationale and Background: For far too many years, BVA members of the panhandle area of Florida have not received the same services and benefits as their counterparts throughout the remainder of the state. Prior to 1996, there was at least a part-time VIST Coordinator at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Pensacola. In 1995, BVA obtained, through Congress, funding for 22 new full-time VIST Coordinator positions. Subsequently, John Olson was appointed as the full- time VIST Coordinator at the Biloxi VA Medical Center. Shortly thereafter, the individual holding the part-time VIST Coordinator position in Pensacola was transferred to other duties, even after he had been serving the specialized needs of blinded veterans from Panama City to Pensacola.

WHEREAS, a VIST Coordinator currently arrives at the Outpatient Clinic in Pensacola from Biloxi, Mississippi, only one day per month in his attempt to serve the needs of the blinded veterans of the panhandle of Florida, which is totally inadequate for the coordination of the VIST Program and other services blinded veterans need and deserve, AND

WHEREAS, the VIST Coordinator is stationed in Biloxi and is responsible for serving the blinded veterans of Southern Mississippi, parts of Alabama, and all of the panhandle of Florida, AND

WHEREAS, of the approximately 320 blinded veterans for which the VIST Coordinator is responsible in the aforementioned catchment area, more than one-third of them reside in the panhandle of Florida, AND

WHEREAS, according to several reports, the panhandle has the largest concentration of veterans in the country, AND

WHEREAS, it has been demonstrated throughout the rest of Florida that, where full-time VIST Coordinators are in place, there is almost immediate improvement in the services provided and that through VIST Coordinator outreach a significant increase occurs in the number of blinded veterans eligible for VIST services, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association, in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on the 18th day of August, 2007, request that VA take the necessary steps to establish a full-time VIST Coordinator position at the new Outpatient Clinic scheduled to open in April 2008, AND

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that VA attempt to provide more adequate VIST services to the blinded veterans of the panhandle of Florida for the time being while the new clinic is still under construction.

RESOLUTION 51-07

WHEREAS, fundamental to the comprehensive rehabilitation of veterans who are severely visually impaired or blind is the development of wholesome and healthy attitudes about blindness, the acquisition of adaptive skills to overcome the handicap of blindness, and reintegration into the family and community, AND

WHEREAS, the VA VIST Coordinator is at the hub of identifying, offering, and coordinating these services to America’s severely visually impaired and blinded veterans, AND

WHEREAS, the VA Medical Center in Asheville, North Carolina, has currently identified more than 200 severely visually impaired and blinded veterans that are in need of services from the VIST Coordinator, AND

WHEREAS, the VA Medical Center in Asheville, North Carolina, has only a part-time VIST Coordinator, under the Chief of Social Services, that can offer approximately 20 hours per week to the severely visually impaired and blinded veterans, AND

WHEREAS, it is estimated that the Asheville VIST roll will increase to 450 (based on estimated and rate of identification) within the next 5 years, AND

WHEREAS, America’s visually impaired and blinded veterans have earned the right to have access to the highest quality of blind rehabilitation services available, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association, in convention assembled in Albuquerque New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, request that the VA Medical Center in Asheville, North Carolina, create a full-time VIST Coordinator position and that said position be filled with the best qualified applicant, AND

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the full-time VIST Coordinator position be provided the organizational freedom to coordinate with all of the Asheville VA Medical Center Departments and Department Chiefs in order to provide the best service possible to the severely visually impaired and blinded veterans.

RESOLUTION 52-07

WHEREAS, the Blinded Veterans Association has more than 10,000 members, AND

WHEREAS, there are an estimated 167,000 blind and visually impaired veterans in the United States who are not affiliated with BVA, AND

WHEREAS, the number of blind and visually impaired veterans is increasing due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and to the aging veteran population, AND

WHEREAS, veterans who are blind or visually impaired utilize VA services, AND

WHEREAS, such veterans receive correspondence only in standard print that includes but is not limited to information about benefits, upcoming appointments, and surgical preparation and treatment instructions, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Blinded Veterans Association in convention assembled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this 18th day of August, 2007, collaborate with other organizations serving blind and visually impaired veterans and communicate with the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Honorable R. James Nicholson, and insist that he direct VA agencies, hospitals, and facilities to provide all information and correspondence in accessible formats, including but not limited to large print, Braille, cassette tapes, computer diskettes or e-mail to veterans who are blind or visually impaired.

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