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BVA Blog

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Join BVA’s VetTech team this Wednesday, April 3, at 2:00pm Eastern Time, for our Weekly Wednesday Webinar. We will welcome Darren Gladstone, U.S. Operations Director at RightHear, a user-friendly audio format signage app that increases accessibility to both indoor and outdoor locations for blind and low vision users.  RightHear assists the blind and low vision population to interpret and understand their surroundings in real time. Have you ever wondered how to locate the restrooms in
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VA announced last week that an all-time record number of women veterans are now receiving earned disability compensation benefits. The number stands at an astounding 702,557, an increase of nearly 181,000, or 26 percent, over what it was just five years ago. Women veterans are the fastest-growing demographic at VA.  “Women veterans have fought in every war since the American Revolution, but they have not always been able to access the care and benefits they
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BVA recently earned a 2024 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency! Check out the Association’s nonprofit profile to keep up to date with the impact BVA is having on the lives of blinded veterans. Keep this link handy as we want to be sure you always have the information you need to support our work with trust and confidence. Candid supports nonprofits with information, resources, training, and data to find funding opportunities, determine which funders are
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BVA has joined a handful of other Veterans Service Organizations in endorsing legislation that would expedite VA’s hiring process to fill critical shortages of psychiatrists at hospitals and clinics where positions have remained open for at least 35 days, Stars and Stripes reported this week.  The bill, introduced by Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA-8), comes on the heels of a 2023 VA Inspector General report referring to “severe shortages” in psychiatry staffing while hundreds of veterans
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Located in the historic Riverside district of Jacksonville, the Riverside Arts Market is a potential convention attraction as the premier destination for art lovers, treasure hunters, music fans, and food connoisseurs. 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
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Looking ahead to this week, last Friday’s BVA Happenings offered a special tribute to our veterans who fought in Vietnam, making particular mention of BVA’s own Vietnam veterans who constitute more than half of the Association’s membership. We echo those comments in today’s edition. Read more. Today is the seventh anniversary of the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, signed into law on March 29. The legislation designated each March 29 as National Vietnam
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Presenting award to Senator Moran, left to right: Tim Hornik, Stephen Butler, Tracy Ferro, Paul Mimms with guide dog Shadow, Senator Moran, Joe Bogart, and Wade Davis. Last week’s BVA Happenings reported on visits by the Association’s Executive Committee, including National Judge Advocate Stephen Butler, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) and with several key members of Congress and Committee staff on Capitol Hill. The visits were made in conjunction with the
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Spring cherry blossoms in the Nation’s Capital. Photo courtesy of Peggy Chesley-Overton. With the arrival of spring and the enjoyment of longer days, warmer weather, and the budding of leaves and flowers, it seems fitting to reflect on the many religious, spiritual, and cultural holidays that are part of this season—and their importance to BVA members and their families.    Understanding the traditions and values that others deem sacred is vital to the peace and harmony
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At just 20 years old, Corporal Matthew Bradford was fighting for his life, battling depression and guilt after sustaining life-threatening injuries. It was January 18, 2007, when a bomb planted by an insurgent in Haditha, Iraq, exploded inside a culvert directly underneath his feet. The injuries resulted, among other long-term consequences, in immediate blindness and loss of both legs. Throughout most of his youth, Matthew had a strong impression that it was his mission in
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The BVA Women Veterans Group (WVG) will meet via Zoom next Thursday, March 28, at 6:00pm Eastern Time. The discussion will center on Women Veterans Month, Blinded Veterans Day, and how women veterans can openly advocate for the needed services and benefits they have earned as a result of their service.  The Blinded Veterans Association is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: BVA Women Veterans Group General Membership Meeting Time: Thursday, March 28,

Veterans of the U.S. Military nationwide have begun asking about economic impact payments as a result of the recent stimulus package passed by Congress and signed by the President. The Blinded Veterans Association has recently joined forces with lawmakers and other advocates of veterans to request clarification regarding these COVID-19 economic payments for those who receive compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs but who do not normally file tax returns or receive payments from Social Security. A series of news releases offers clarification about such payments as well as for Social Security recipients.

Headquarters Statement Regarding COVID-19

The Blinded Veterans Association has been closely monitoring developments related to the COVID-19 virus from its Alexandria headquarters. We are especially mindful of our BVA membership and their families, located throughout the United States, during this most challenging time. Their health and welfare are our highest priority and the National Board of Directors continues to explore means by which our veterans with vision loss may be assisted in areas such as transportation, shopping, and filling prescriptions.

 

We are also concerned about the continued health and safety of our employees and their families. After much thoughtful consideration and deliberation among our national leaders and headquarters staff, BVA has determined to move all but a few of its employees to a virtual work environment until further notice. We will likely have a limited number of staff members still in our office, for the time being, but the specific days and hours may be reduced and/or shortened.

 

BVA staff will continue to take calls and read emails during this time. When calling BVA’s direct number, 202-371-8880, or the toll-free number, 800-669-7079, please use the recorded menu to contact a staff member directly or his/her department. Normally those two numbers reach a live receptionist. If this does not occur, a caller can still leave a voicemail with the receptionist, a department, or another individual. The time necessary to return a call may be extended somewhat at this time but we will make every effort possible to contact as soon as possible those who attempt to reach us. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any concern.

 

We wish our entire BVA family health, safety, and the best of spirits possible during this difficulty period throughout the world. We are confident that we can all get through this together.

 

Dr. Tom Zampieri, BVA National President

Joe Bogart, BVA Executive Director