For Your Benefit
For and about Hawaii's military
See also: In The Military
VA has programs
to help blindQuestion: As a vision-impaired veteran, what VA services are available?
Answer: Blind veterans enrolled in the VA health care system have a wide range of aids for the blind such as home improvements and structural alternations to homes, specially adapted housing, electronic and mechanical aids for the blind, guide dogs, and talking books, tapes and Braille literature. Your VA health care provider may refer you to the blind rehabilitation program designed to improve the quality of life for blind and visually impaired veterans.
Vision-impaired or blind veterans are encouraged to attend a two-day workshop offered by the VA and Blind Veterans Association at 9 a.m. March 29 and 30 at Kyser Auditorium in the Tripler Army Medical Center. Contact the VA at 433-1000 for more information. You can also call the VA Medical Center at 433-0600 for additional information on services available.
Q: Does the VA offer a work therapy program for veterans who need help and employment?
A: VA's mental health psychosocial rehabilitation programs provide therapeutic work opportunities through the compensated work therapy program for veterans with physical disabilities and/or recovering from chronic mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, or homelessness. The program offers rehabilitative treatment to help veterans work and live in their community. Veterans referred to the program by their primary care physician are provided an individualized vocational assessment, rehabilitation planning, and transitional work experiences through partnerships with VA, other federal agencies, and the business community. For more information, call 433-0600.
If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran,
call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049
or visit the VA Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii
or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin,
can be reached by phone at 294-4075
or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.