Do you have what it takes to be a Blinded Veterans Association Ambassador? 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Blind Rehabilitations 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 liaison between blind and visually impaired veterans and BVA’s Veterans Service Program. They will serve in key 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 26-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 & Pension Benefits, VA Appeals, VA Patient Advocate Services, the VA Caregiver Program, Special Adaptive Housing Grant Programs,  VA Prosthetics, VA Burial and Survivor Benefits, Eye Conditions, VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement (Voluntary Service), and Ethics/Responsibilities.  

The weekly training beginning September 14 at 1:00pm EDT is mandatory for those interested in becoming Ambassadors. A registration form is located here, and a calendar of training modules (with Zoom access details) is located (HERE). For additional information, contact Jim Vale at jvale@bva.org or at (202) 355-9530.