BL IN D

ERANS ASS OC VET I ED

N IO AT

SIN C E 1945

If you are a blind or visually impaired

veteran, if you are a relative or friend, or if you just want to get involved, write or give us a call. We are the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), an organization established specifically to promote the welfare of blinded veterans. We are here to help veterans and their families meet the challenges of blindness.

We Know...
# Approximately 160,000 blind or visually impaired veterans now live in the United States. # Some 10 percent of the evacuated wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan have suffered serious eye injuries. # More than 6,000 veterans become blind or visually impaired every year as age-related diseases like macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy affect their lives.

We Help By...
# Searching out and identifying blinded veterans who need services. # Assessing their overall needs and linking them to appropriate benefits, services, training and job opportunities. # Serving as role models to blinded veterans. BVA leaders and the general membership know exactly what blinded veterans are going through because they are also blinded veterans. They have already faced and learned to deal with the problems blinded veterans encounter. # Acting as advocates for blinded veterans in both the public and private sectors. # Keeping abreast of the latest developments in legislation, benefits and technology and making blinded veterans aware of them. # Monitoring progress and problems of blinded veterans while determining any additional help they may need. # Providing encouragement and emotional support.

We Offer...
A Field Service Program # BVA Field Representatives actively seek out blinded veterans who are in need of services. They encourage blinded veterans to take charge of their lives. They help them obtain the practical tools needed to do just that. # Field Service Representatives live and work in the communities they serve. They know what is available on both a local and national level. They know whom to call, what to say and how to cut through the red tape. Their expertise is invaluable. Much of their insight has been gained first-hand as a result of their own personal experiences with blindness.

A Volunteer Service Program # Blinded veteran volunteers work out of offices located in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers and Outpatient Clinics. They help fellow veterans and family members get the assistance they need to cope with blindness. # Volunteers talk one-on-one with individual blinded veterans, or listen and share ideas in groups. They provide information on programs and services, encouraging the recently blinded to participate in programs such as VA Residential Blind Rehabilitation. Volunteers also demonstrate both equipment and aids used by the blind. # Some BVA volunteers work as National Service Officers with special authority to represent blinded veterans in the formal VA claims process. Volunteers are active in their communities and are good sources of information about local programs and services.

A Public Awareness Program

# Blinded veterans can lead full and productive lives. Blindness is not an end to life but an obstacle that can be overcome with proper rehabilitation and training. Making the public aware of these facts and programs is an ongoing task for BVA. Each year BVA employees, regional grops and individual members participate in educational forums, expositions and White Cane Day activities nationwide. # Information is disseminated to the public through newspaper releases, radio public service announcements and personal visits. BVAs large-print membership brochure reaches out to blinded veterans throughout the country.

# The BVA Bulletin is the primary method of keeping blinded veterans and their families informed. The Bulletin contains information on legislation affecting blinded veterans; VA programs; stories by and about blinded veterans; the latest products, aids or medical technology; and news about BVA activities. The Bulletin is sent free of charge to all known blinded veterans, even if they are not members of the Association, and to professionals working with the blind. It features large print, audio and email versions. The Bulletin can also be accessed on the BVA website.

A National Advocacy Program # In early March every year, BVA leaders are invited to Capitol Hill to prepare and present comprehensive legislative priorities to a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs. Any proposed legislation affecting blinded veterans is closely monitored. The organization also works with other government agencies such as VA and the Department of Labor to improve current programs and develop new ones beneficial to blinded veterans.

The Kathern F. Gruber Scholarship Program # Annual scholarships are available to the dependent children and/or spouses of blinded veterans interested in furthering their education. The blinded veteran need not be a member of the Association, nor does his or her blindness have to be service connected for the dependent to be considered for a Gruber scholarship. # The scholarship program, initiated by BVA in 1984, is named for a 20th century pioneer in the field of blind rehabilitation. Kathern Kay Gruber was instrumental in the launching in 1948 of VAs first-ever residential Blind Rehabilitation Center. So deep was her impact on blinded veterans in making them feel valued and respected that BVA affectionately saluted her as the BVA sweetheart during the organizations annual conventions. # The Gruber scholarship awards are for a single academic year of study but recipients and applicants can reapply up to four times. Applications are due each year in early spring.

The Operation Peer Support Program # Physical and emotional isolation is a tremendous obstacle for those who have recently lost their sight, including servicemen and women injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operation Peer Support is a special initiative connecting the recently blinded with one another and with BVA members who faced the same challenges following their service in World War II, Vietnam and Korea.

# Operation Peer Support has also reached out to service members and veterans from England. The program fosters the sharing of information and resources. It also facilitates the establishment of lasting bonds that encourage blinded veterans and their families to persevere in their quest for meaningful and productive lives.

The BVA National Convention # The annual business meeting of the Association occurs each August. It is open to all blinded veterans, their families and interested professionals. During the convention, BVA members formulate future policies or change current ones. Blinded veterans also use this time to get to know one another, meet old friends and make new ones. # Experts in the blindness field address convention participants and encourage continued dialogue with scheduled panel discussions, workshops and seminars. Achievement awards are presented to blinded veterans or sighted individuals in the public or private sectors who have made significant contributions to the well-being of blinded veterans. # The annual convention attracts companies that market products and provide services for the visually impaired. Convention participants have the unique opportunity to see, test and compare the latest technology available to the blind.

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We Are...
# A taxexempt, nonprofit organization founded in 1945 by a group of veterans blinded during World War II. The Association was incorporated in 1947 and chartered in 1958 by the United States Congress to represent all blinded veterans. # Managed by a National Board of Directors elected by the membership. Board members serve voluntarily and, like many of the Association's staff, are also blinded veterans. # A unique organization and the only one of its kind to speak with authority on the needs of blinded veterans. BVA has helped many thousands of blinded veterans and their families. This help is given freely, with no strings attached, and is available to all blinded veterans even if they are not members of the Association. # Composed of many regional groups across the country. Membership in the national organization guarantees membership at the local level. A summary of the various membership categories and an application for membership are available separately.

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# Supported by the generous contributions of countless Americans who remember the sacrifices of our nation's blinded veterans. BVA receives no federal funding.

For more information about any of these programs, please contact us at our national headquarters.

BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION 477 H Street NW Washington, DC 20001 202-371-8880 800-669-7079 email: bva@bva.org www.bva.org

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