As the new session of Congress begins to take shape, VetsFirst is taking a moment to reflect on our 2012 accomplishments.

Throughout 2012, VetsFirst aimed to ensure that all generations of veterans with disabilities had the opportunity to live and work in their communities and achieve greater independence. Below are a few of the highlights of our efforts.

1. Fostering Community Integration and Independence

VetsFirst worked to increase housing adaptation assistance available to disabled veterans by:

•Seeking to pass the Housing Assistance for Veterans Act of 2012 (HAVEN Act). This legislation would help nonprofits to assist disabled and low-income vets with needed home adaptations and repairs. The HAVEN Act legislation, which passed the House and Senate as part of different pieces of legislation, will be reintroduced in the 113th Congress. The House version of this legislation, H.R. 385, was reintroduced by Rep. Al Green (D-TX) on January 23.

VetsFirst worked to increase employment opportunities for disabled veterans by:

•Publishing a guide to help disabled veterans understand how disability impacts their return to work or school. VetsFirst developed an online guide titled, “Disabled Veterans Employment and Education: Gearing Up for Your Future.” This guide helps veterans in creating a path to employment; choosing school as a path to employment; understanding and defining disability; and self-advocacy: knowing your rights and responsibilities.

2. Ensuring Timely Access to Quality VA Health Care and Benefits

VetsFirst worked to ensure timely access to VA mental health services for disabled veterans by:

•Supporting the successful passage of legislation to increase access to mental health care through VA for veterans and their families. VetsFirst testified in favor of the Mental Health Access to Continued Care and Enhancement of Support Services Act of 2012 (S. 3340) before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee in June 2012. This legislation was the foundation for provisions included in the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed by the President on January 2, 2013. VetsFirst will work to ensure full implementation of these mental health provisions.

VetsFirst worked to ensure that VA’s Fiduciary Program was responsive to the needs of veterans by:

•Seeking to reform the VA’s Fiduciary program. VetsFirst testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations regarding the Veterans Fiduciary Reform Act of 2012 (H.R. 5948). This legislation passed the House but was not taken up in the Senate. VetsFirst will continue to work to ensure that efforts to reform the fiduciary program remain a top priority in Congress and at VA.

3. Promoting the Rights of Veterans with Disabilities within the VA and the World

VetsFirst worked to promote the rights of veterans with disabilities by:

•Opposing efforts to weaken the Americans with Disabilities Act. VetsFirst strongly advocated against efforts to delay or weaken regulations detailing requirements for accessible entry and exit for existing pools and spas under the ADA. VetsFirst is pleased to report that these regulations went into effect on January 31, 2013.

•Seeking to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). VetsFirst wrote letters, met with members of Congress, participated in press conferences, and coordinated outreach to veterans and military organizations to support ratification efforts. VetsFirst is very disappointed that the Senate failed to ratify the CRPD and will continue to seek ratification in this session of Congress.

VetsFirst is committed to continuing to offer a unique veteran’s perspective and making our voices heard on countless issues vital to the veterans with disabilities community in 2013.

Browse through our Blog posts to learn more about our 2012 initiatives or write VetsFirst with questions or to find out how you can get involved. Also, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.