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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Blind Rehabilitation Service

General Information

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Blind Rehabilitation Service
810 Vermont Ave NW
Washington, DC 20420
202-461-7317
stan.poel@va.gov
http://www.va.gov/blindrehab/

Brief Description

VA Blind Rehabilitation Service provides a full range of vision rehabilitation and blind rehabilitation services to Veterans and active duty service members. Each Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC) provides comprehensive and individualized adjustment programs in a therapeutic atmosphere. BRCs are located at VA Medical Centers in: Birmingham, Alabama; Palo Alto, California; West Haven, Connecticut; West Palm Beach, Florida; Augusta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Waco, Texas; Tacoma, Washington; Tucson, Arizona; San Juan, Puerto Rico, Long Beach, CA; Cleveland, OH and Biloxi, MS. Fifty-four outpatient blind and vision rehabilitation clinics are located nationally as well. Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinators, located at VA facilities nationwide, act as case managers to ensure that severely disabled blind Veterans receive appropriate benefits and services. Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists provide assessment and training in the home and community to complement the training in the inpatient and outpatient programs, and they provide blind rehabilitation training for Veterans who do not require a comprehensive BRC program or are physically unable to attend a clinical program. Aids and appliances are provided, appropriate to the needs and eligibility of the clients.

Services Offered

  • Daily Living Skills/Independent Living Skills Training
    • Comprehensive rehabilitation is provided including low vision services and provision of low vision devices, training in communication and activity of daily living skills, use of computers and computing devices as well as other access technology, and manual skills for crafts, hobbies, household repair, etc. All necessary rehabilitation devices and technology are provided if appropriate and recommended by staff.

  • Counseling
    • Assists veterans in making an adjustment to vision loss through individual and family counseling sessions and group therapy meetings.

  • Travel/Orientation and Mobility
    • Orientation and Mobility (O&M) assessment and training are provided to eligible clients. O&M devices such as long canes and global positioning systems are provided when appropriate and recommended by O&M professionals.

  • Information and Referral
    • Refers to programs for seniors.

  • Computer Training/Assistive Technology
    • Offers assistive technology and computer training.

  • Braille and Reading Instruction
    • Offers instruction in braille reading and writing.

  • Low Vision Services
    • Low vision services provided.

  • Support Groups
    • Has support groups for blinded veterans.

  • Recreation Services
    • Offers recreation activities.