Do you have what it takes to be a Blinded Veterans Association Ambassador? BVA is pleased to announce the hosting of its second round of Ambassador training.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Blind Rehabilitation Service (BRS) has identified more than 120,000 blinded veterans and 1.2 million veterans with low vision. A large percentage of these veterans either do not know about BRS or they incorrectly assume that they are not eligible for assistance because their vision loss is not service connected.
BVA Ambassadors will soon be the key liaisons between blind and visually impaired veterans and BVA’s Veterans Service Program. They will serve vital roles in the dissemination of valuable benefits information and crucial advocacy tips to help make the most of Visual Impairment Service Teams, Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists, Vision Impairment Services in Outpatient Rehabilitation programs, Vision Impairment Centers to Optimize Remaining Sight programs, and residential Blind Rehabilitation Centers.
The 28-week Ambassador Training Program is a 60-90 minute weekly Zoom conference meeting with subject matter experts presenting on a variety of related topics, including but not limited to BVA Governance, Government Relations, Membership, the Veterans Service Program, VA Compensation and Pension Benefits, VA Appeals, VA Patient Advocate Services, VA Caregiver Program, Special Adaptive Housing Grant Programs, VA Prosthetics, Accessibility using Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, VA Burial and Survivor Benefits, Eye Conditions, VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement (Voluntary Service), Ethics/Responsibilities, and much more!
The weekly training beginning July 5 at 2:00pm Eastern Daylight Time is mandatory for parties interested in becoming Ambassadors. Attendees from the first round of training are highly encouraged to attend this round when time permits. A registration form is located here (CLICK HERE), and a calendar of training modules (with Zoom access details) is located here (CLICK HERE). Registration is due by July 1, 2022.
For additional information, contact Jim Vale at jvale@bva.org or at (202) 355-9530.
