The NYRG is one of more than 50 regional groups around the country and
Puerto Rico that make up the BVA.
We are an organization specifically established to promote the welfare
of blinded veterans. Through our service programs, groups and benefits, we hope
to make life easier for blinded veterans and help by being there with
encouragement and support. We are here to help veterans and their families meet
the challenges of blindness.
There
is no charge for any BVA service. Membership is not a prerequisite. All blind
and legally blind veterans are eligible for BVA's help whether they became
blind during or after active duty.
Founded
in 1945, the BVA received its charter from the United States Congress in 1958.
Since that time, the Blinded Veterans Association has worked to accomplish the
mission expressed in our Congressional Charter.
Throughout
BVA's history, Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs have
meritoriously recognized the Association. BVA was and is the only veterans service organization exclusively dedicated to
serving America's blind and visually impaired veterans.
Blinded
Veterans Association (do not use initials!)
13741 223rd Street
Laurelton, NY 11413
917 887 0145
Fax# 212 807 4022
CHAPTERS
OF THE NYRG:
Buffalo
Our National Anthem
The
Cactus Cuties sing The National Anthem Old Video
Kate Smith
Sings
First Time Performing GOD
BLESS AMERICA
NYRG
Resolutions
The
Official Newsletter of the NYRG
125 N. West Street
3rd Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314
1-800-669 7079 or 1-202-371-8880
Fax# 1-202-371-8258
Blinded Veterans Association Home Page
The following is from the BVA website:
Many Americans are surprised to learn that
more than 165,000 blind or visually impaired veterans now live among us. Each
year, some 7,000 veterans become newly blind or visually impaired as
age-related macular degeneration, retinitis Pigmentosa, glaucoma, and diabetic
retinopathy affect their lives more profoundly. In addition, some 13 percent of
the evacuated wounded service members in Iraq and Afghanistan have suffered a
serious eye injury of one type or another.
The need for the educational services,
counseling, representation, and peer support offered by the Blinded Veterans
Association has never been greater.
BVA is
committed to locating blinded veterans who need the services that will help
them overcome the challenges of blindness and lead productive and fulfilling
lives. The Association’s leadership, membership, and staff are anxious to guide
blinded veterans through the rehabilitation process and to continue their
work as
advocates for blinded veterans and their families in the public and private
sectors. BVA fulfills its unique mission by:
Promoting access to technology and the practical use of the latest
research.
list of 4
items
• Supporting
vocational and recreational programs that foster rehabilitation.
• Providing
role models who have conquered seemingly insurmountable challenges.
• Serving as
a medium of communication for and about issues of concern to blinded veterans
and their families.
“The
Field Service Representative is responsible for assisting blinded veterans in
the development of benefit claims for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
This
includes compensation, pension, death benefits (for widows), housing adaptation
grants, automobile grants, etc. They provide any assistance to other
services i.e. the VIST program and any other state agencies for blinded
veterans as required.“
(the above paragraph was copied from the MidAtlantic
RG website)
National
Field Service Officers
The
Field Service Program Resource Center is a one-stop shop for services provided
by BVA, featuring a dedicated toll free number which any blind veteran across
the nation can call and receive services from any BVA National Field Service
Officer regardless of where they live. This will streamline services and
provide consistency to all veterans.
BVA
Field Service Officers are all legally blinded veterans. They serve as role
models and empower blinded veterans to find and follow the road to
independence. They work as access specialists, providing inspiration,
encouragement, and practical assistance with Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) claims and appeals. They also educate veterans about VA benefits and
services, as well as local resources.
They
also serve as a Veterans’ Care Review Team, collaborating with VA clinic staff
to ensure that veterans receive the best possible service.
BVA
Field Service Resource Center
125 N. West St, 3rd Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 844-250-5180 (Toll Free)
Fax: 202-780-4638
Email: fieldservice@bva.org
The
BVA consists of 6 District Directors who hold positions on the BVA National
Board of Directors and presides over regional groups in their area.
The
District 1 Director presides over Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey & Pennsylvania.
Dennis
J. O’Connell
26
West Broadway
Unit
403
Long
Beach, NY 11561
1
516 328 3438
The
Visually Impaired Service Team (VIST) Coordinator is a case manager who has
major responsibility for the coordination of all services for legally blind
veterans and their families.
Duties
include providing and/or arranging for the provision of appropriate treatment
modalities (e.g., referrals to Blind Rehabilitation Centers (BRC’s) and/or
Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) in order to enhance a blinded
veteran’s functioning level. Other duties include identifying new cases of
blindness, providing professional counseling, resolving problems, arranging
annual healthcare reviews and conducting education programs relating to
blindness.
VA Medical
Center
950 Campbell
Avenue
West Haven, CT
06516
1-203-932-5711
clinic office at blind center
ext. 2175
Other
Regional Group Web Sites:
Regional
Groups Manual:
Updated Regional Group Manual as of
2002
For
more information about the TEE Tournament go to:
http://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/tee/index.asp
In 2018
the TEE Tournament celebrated its 25th season and It
is the only National VA Sponsored event mainly for blind veterans.
Every Sunday after Labor Day blind veterans
from around the country arrive to enjoy golf instructions, playing golf and
bowling in Iowa City, Iowa.
The
registration fee is $100 (this includes lodging, food, golf
fees, bowling fee, transportation to these events & transportation from
& to the airport). The other cost to a participant is transportation to the
TEE Tournament. Applications are sent out normally by the winter of the prior
year. So either ask your VIST coordinator to acquire
one for you or you can contact:
VA
Medical Center
601 Hwy 6 West
Iowa City, Iowa 52246
1 319 358 5963
Web
Sites that might be helpful:
(Some
of the links in these web sites might also be interpreted in other areas too)
The
National Blinded Veterans Association New York Regional Group is approved by
the IRS as 501(c)(4) not for profit organizations and
donations are tax deductible.
If
you want to make a donation to the New YorkRegional
Group, Send donations to:
Blinded
Veterans Association
245
West Houston Street
Room 203
New York, NY 10014
Make
checks payable to BVA-NYRG