Blinded Veterans Association Ambassador Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Blind Rehabilitation Service (BRS) has identified more than 120,000 blinded veterans and 1.1 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 are the key liaison between blind and visually impaired veterans and BVA’s Veterans Service Program. They serve in key roles in the dissemination of valuable benefits information and crucial advocacy tips to help make the most of VA benefits for blinded veterans, including access to Visual Impairment Services 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 (BRCs).

BVA Ambassadors are volunteers and serve about 15 hours per week at a VA Blind Center or VA Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient program and accumulate creditable volunteer hours for BVA under the VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement (previously the VA Volunteer Service Program).

Although BVA Ambassadors are not required to be blinded veterans, the latter have certain advantages as they function in their role. The ideal BVA Ambassador candidates are blinded veterans who have successfully completed BRC training and can participate in person, either at a BRC (preferred) or at a VA Blind Outpatient program at their local VA Medical Center. The candidate must be able to set the example for other blinded veterans by functioning independently, demonstrating and applying the skills they acquired through their training.