News

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Dog Handler Enthusiasts to Gather on Tuesday via Zoom

An informal meet and greet followed by an open forum, the monthly dog trivia, and a focused medical issues briefing will all comprise the monthly BVA Dog Handlers Group meeting next Tuesday, March 19, at 4:00pm, Eastern Time.  The aforementioned briefing will include the sharing of information from a letter recently received by Group Chair Michaun Harrison from Dr. Devon Smith, Senior Veterinarian at Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. regarding behavior-modifying medications for dogs, the recent […]

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VA Makes Historic Commitments to Hire and Support Military Families

Acting on President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 14100, “Advancing Economic Security for Military and Veteran Spouses, Military Caregivers, and Survivors,” VA signed and became part of the 4+1 Commitment, a partnership between government and private employers developed by Blue Star Families, Hiring Our Heroes, and the Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership to hire and support military spouses, who current face an unemployment rate of 21 percent.  The 4+1 Commitment, signed by VA on […]

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Kent Barking It Up over Convention Bow Wow Lounge, Treats for BVA Ambassadogs

Kent, a brown dog with floppy ears, looking at the camera with puppy dog eyes. My tail is wagging with happy excitement about the 2024 Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, in July. Due to “pup-ular” demand, the Bow Wow Lounge, sponsored by Waymo, will be returning. Last year, the lounge served as both a respite and play area for all of us working dogs who were busy guiding our veterans. My dad, Rob, and I spent […]

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BVA Awarded Grant from Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation (RDPFS)

From left to right: BVA Executive Director Tim Hornik, BVA National President Paul Mimms, and BVA National Development Director Meredith Buono-Dagrossa. BVA is pleased to announce the reception of a Reader’s Digest Partners For Sight (RDPFS) grant to support the Association’s Ambassador Program. Consisting of a national network of trained volunteers, the Ambassador Program provides information about benefits and services available to veterans and connects them with resources they can access through BVA, the Department […]

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Registration Now Open for 79th National Convention

BVA members and their families may now register for the 79th National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida. The registration includes all of the BVA-specific activities and meetings that will occur July 7-10, 2024. To begin the registration process, visit the National Convention page here and then locate the Register Now button. Please note that all offsite trips and activities associated with the convention are being coordinated by the American Council of the Blind and will not […]

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BVA Notes Passing of Longtime New Orleans Member

Earl Louis Forstall, Sr., very likely BVA’s longest living member in its 79-year history, passed away on March 6 at the age of 104 as an active, admired, and beloved member of the Louisiana/Mississippi Regional Group. Born September 23, 1919, Earl was a World War II veteran and lifelong New Orleans resident.  One of seven children, Earl entered the military at age 22 as a Private in the Army Air Corps. As an engine specialist […]

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“Visions of BVA” Launches Today!

Visions of BVA Podcast Logo BVA National Headquarters is pleased to announce the launch of a new podcast, Visions of BVA. Dive deep into our inspiring stories, our accounts of resilience, and the achievements of our blind and low vision veterans. Each episode features interviews, discussions on life-changing technology, and glimpses into the BVA community.  Find Visions of BVA on all major podcast platforms and subscribe today! Don’t forget to leave your feedback and share your thoughts. To listen […]

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New Membership Campaign Announced

To celebrate BVA’s founding on March 28, an anonymous donor is sponsoring the next 100 memberships received through our online application portal. This opportunity will be available until June 30. Apply now and join our mission to empower blind and low vision veterans and their caregivers.  At BVA, our strength lies in our membership. Veterans who served honorably in the United States Armed Forces and who qualify for VA Blind Rehabilitation Services (as outlined in […]

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Next Week’s VetTech: Vispero’s Desktop Magnifiers

Join BVA’s VetTech team this Wednesday, March 13, at 2:00pm Eastern Time, for our Weekly Wednesday Webinar. We will welcome Vispero’s Liz Whitaker, the company’s Product Manager for User Education and Outreach, and James Bailey, Sales Director for Vispero’s Southeast Region. The two will present and discuss Vispero’s wide variety of desktop magnifiers, ranging from the Onyx and Rub to the Freedom Scientific ZoomText and Open Book. On Thursday, March 14, also at 2:00pm, join […]

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G.I. Bill Capabilities Transitioning to Single Digital Platform

To help prevent improper payments and fraud that can harm veterans, and to help ensure that VA can provide payments on time and without error, VA will no longer permit benefit payments going to more than one bank account after April 20, 2024. G.I. Bill capabilities will be consolidated into a single digital platform, simplifying user processes, and eliminating the need to navigate multiple systems. The change will improve access to benefits, claims processing, and […]