The NYRG is one of more then 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.
CHAPTERS
OF THE NYRG:
Brooklyn,
Buffalo and Syracuse are the current chapters of the NYRG.
Our
National Anthem
The
Cactus Cuties sing The National Anthem Old Video
NYRG
Resolutions
The
Official Newsletter of the NYRG
477 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001-2694
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)
The
BVA consists of 6 District Directors who hold positions on the BVA National
Board of Directors and presides over regional districts in their area.
The
District 1 Director presides over Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Michigan and Puerto Rico.
David
E. VanLoan Sr.
1 Tom Avenue
Moosup, CT 06354
1-860-564-5119
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:
In
2011 the TEE Tournament celebrated its 18th season and It is the
only National VA Sponsored event mainly for blind veterans. Every Monday 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 $75 (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 normally sent out around the middle of April 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
1-319-338-0581
ext. 7104
You
can also contact his assistant:
Lori Swailes ext.
6208
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:
Jack
Shapiro, Treasurer
245 West Houston Street
Room 208
New York, NY 10014
Make
checks payable to BVA-NYRG