Legacy of Excellence

For more than five decades, the leadership, programs, and principles established within VA Blind Rehabilitation have contributed significantly to raising the level of quality services for the blind in the United States and abroad. It has been through the VA's pioneering and sustained efforts in research, education, and training that many innovative advances have been realized.

Much of the methodology currently being utilized in the field of blind rehabilitation can be directly traced to the experiences of Russ Williams as he learned to cope with his own traumatic loss of sight and as he attempted to utilize the assistive techniques being taught to him by other individuals. An immense amount of credit is also given to the early pioneers at Hines, who further refined the techniques being taught to them by Williams, and who led the way for developing a sequential learning experience built on little blocks of success until the patient ultimately achieved his established goals.

Even more importantly, the Hines experience created an atmosphere of respect for what blind people could do. It was a respect from outside observers watching the blinded veterans perform their newly learned skills. It was a respect from new patients beginning their BRC training program toward the seasoned patients demonstrating their newly learned skills. Finally, it was an internal respect acquired by the individual patient, himself, as he began to accomplish tasks that he never dreamed were attainable.

To their credit, the Hines staff was largely responsible for instilling this respect as they, themselves, were the true believers. They believed in their techniques and teaching methods. They maintained high expectations for those who participated in the rehabilitation program. They firmly believed that the blinded veteran could successfully be reintegrated into the family unit and the community at large. Not only did the Hines staff convey this belief to their patients but, ultimately, they would pass this conviction on to the graduate school programs and the future generation of blind rehabilitation specialists.

- Army Programs and the VA's New Mission
- A Blind Rehab Center is Established
- The Hines Program Gets Started
- The Korean Conflict
- Blind Rehab Center Expansion
- Visual Impairment Service Teams and Outpatient Specialists
- University Training Programs