Blinded Veterans Association thanks Congresswoman Luria,
applauds House passage of H.R. 3504
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Name: Chester Curtis
Phone: 202-371-8880 ext. 316
Email: ccurtis@uzv.be8.myftpupload.com
Website: http://uzv.be8.myftpupload.com
(ALEXANDRIA, VA, July 25, 2019) – The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) thanks Congresswoman Elaine Luria for her amendment to H.R. 3504, the Ryan Kules Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act, expanding the number of veterans eligible to receive VA-administered Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grants to include blinded veterans. These grants fund important housing renovations such as ramps, handrails, grab bars, and sliding doors.
Congresswoman Luria’s amendment will ensure blinded veterans receive the housing accommodations they need to live independently.
Currently, only blinded veterans who have lost the use of one or both legs are eligible for VA-administered SAH grants. As a result, VA turns away blinded veterans who need assistance for the sole reason that they can use their legs.
Congresswoman Luria’s amendment would correct this by changing the criteria for SAH grant eligibility to ensure that blinded veterans get the housing adaptations they need.
The Blinded Veterans Association is pleased by House passage of this amended legislation. BVA President Tom Zampieri said: “The Blinded Veterans Association is pleased that Congresswoman Luria introduced this amendment ensuring blinded veterans are now eligible to receive the support they need, and we thank the House of Representatives for including this amendment in the legislation they passed earlier this week. We BVA members must work to get the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to approve the House version of this bill!”
The Blinded Veterans Association is the only congressionally chartered Veteran Service Organization serving veterans with vision loss. We provide opportunities for Blind Rehabilitation Service providers and Blinded Veterans an opportunity to view and try out the latest adaptive technology and tools. The organization has successfully advocated for their needs since WWII. For more information about BVA and its services, call toll-free 800-669-7079 or visit bva.org.
