Empowering Veterans with Low Vision and Blindness

More than one million Veterans navigate the world with low vision or blindness, encountering daily obstacles that can seem insurmountable. Simple tasks like navigating familiar spaces, mastering daily routines, and connecting with loved ones can feel impossible for these Veterans. We actively seek and implement cutting-edge assistive technology to help Veterans with low vision and blindness reclaim their independence and thrive.

VA’s Section 508 office works diligently to lead accessibility efforts and ensure that the Department’s technology and data are accessible to everyone through guidance, training, compliance checks, and collaborations with various departments within VA. Through collaborative efforts with partner Blind Rehabilitation Center, VA expands its reach and impact by offering services and resources designed to support Veterans on their journey toward greater independence, including specialized technology such as reading machines and mobility aids, expert training in daily tasks, new visual skills, sensory awareness, and confident navigation. The Center also offers communication strategies and supportive therapy to help individuals thrive in their world.

“We can’t give them back what they gave us, but we can give them care for their physical and mental injuries. We support them in adapting to life without vision, hearing, limbs, or memory,” says Christina Weymouth, IT Specialist, and eLearning team lead with VA’s Section 508 office and an individual living with blindness.

Bridging the gap: Equipping Veterans with the tools they need

Remarkable advancements have reshaped the accessibility landscape. Websites that once remained mute now speak with descriptive voices, guiding users through their intricate structures. Screen readers unlock documents, transforming them into accessible pathways for Veterans with vision loss. Once only available with visual cues, VA apps are evolving to offer intuitive audio interfaces. These improvements paint a picture of a future where technology serves as a bridge, not a barrier, fostering connection and inclusion.

VA and OIT champions accessibility and delivers the vital tools needed to help Veterans reclaim their independence and rediscover the world they helped protect. The Center’s mobile device accessibility training doesn’t just teach skills; it transforms lives. Imagine a Veteran, once hesitant to use a mobile phone, now cherishing it as a “bridge” to family and friends. This is the power of VA’s commitment to accessibility and unlocking independence for Veterans.

Tracy Ferro, National Secretary, Veteran Service Officer for the Blinded Veterans Association, and a counselor at The Center, witnesses the transformative power of accessible technology and describes an encounter he cherishes. During mobile device training, a Veteran received a FaceTime call from her teenage daughter. Recognizing an opportunity, Mr. Ferro guided her through transferring the call to a large screen. Imagine the joy in this mother of three’s voice as she saw her daughter up close for the first time, even discerning her eye color. This is why advancements in accessibility aren’t only about technical skills — they bridge distances, foster connection, and unlock experiences once thought impossible.

In May 2023, OIT launched a feature on VA’s Health and Benefits app assisting blind Veterans to read their claims decision letters. Veterans can download a PDF file of their decision letter via the app or their web browser, and use a third-party app, such as VoiceOver, on iOS, to hear the content in the PDF. This significant step forward garners enthusiastic praise from Veterans. Mr. Ferro is thrilled with the feature, saying, “It’s one of the biggest game-changer apps that affect and help every Veteran out there, blind, low vision, whatever.” Upcoming features in assistive technology include appointment scheduling, mobile check-ins, travel claim submissions, and more. 

Another significant advancement is OIT’s Wayfinding app, which is currently available at select VA locations and most recently at Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System in Charleston, South Carolina. In addition to an app, this navigation technology includes large touch-screen kiosks with audio capabilities. Wayfinding helps Veterans quickly locate clinics and amenities within a VA hospital and directions in real-time, turn-by-turn. Dexter Durrante, a blind Veteran and The Center counselor, says Wayfinding gives him the independence to find locations without any or minimal assistance. He says, “Independence is the ultimate gift,” and it’s a gift he is happy to give to his fellow Veterans and clients.

Championing accessibility

Veterans’ accessibility is at the heart of everything we do. We recognize that our commitment to accessibility directly impacts the lives of Veterans, many of whom rely on our products and services. By actively engaging with Veterans, we gain invaluable insights into their unique needs and experiences, shaping our approach. Our dedication to testing and innovation isn’t solely about meeting standards; it’s about making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. We drive every enhancement and innovation with our collective mission to break down barriers and create a more inclusive, empowering experience for all Veterans.

Our commitment to accessibility transcends innovative tools and platforms. Beyond technology, individuals with low vision or blindness often face disrespect and assumptions about their abilities. Mr. Durrante, for example, shared that people often underestimate his workload, unaware that he has the same amount of work as his colleagues, in addition to the extra effort often required to navigate a world less readily accessible. Such experiences, as many with disabilities can attest, are unfortunately frequent. These disrespectful interactions, fueled by misconceptions and lack of accessibility, can significantly impact mental health. The answer, many agree, lies in awareness, education, and empathy.

Veterans navigating life with vision loss deserve our unwavering support and access to the latest advancements, so their experience with VA is delightful. OIT and The Center are working to help Veterans reclaim their independence, reconnect with loved ones, and thrive in a world reliant on vision. To offer help to any of your low-vision or blind stakeholders, contact your local VA Visual Impairment team coordinator for access to available resources and support.

For more information about incorporating accessibility best practices into your work, visit OIT’s Accessibility Guide.