Donald Overton
Appointed to BVA
Executive Director Post
The National Board of Directors of the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) has announced the appointment of Donald D. Overton, Jr. as the organization’s new Executive Director at its Alexandria, Virginia headquarters. The appointment was effective June 18, 2020. Donald will direct the Association’s efforts to represent and serve blinded veterans, both in the Nation’s Capital and throughout the United States.
BVA NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION
Due to the risks inherent in the current COVID-19 crisis, the National Board of Directors of the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) has announced the cancellation of the organization’s milestone 75th National Convention, which had been scheduled for August 17-21, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill Hotel in Washington, DC.
“The Board has arrived at this most difficult determination with the health and safety of our members, their caregivers, and other convention participants foremost in our thoughts,” said National President Dr. Thomas Zampieri. “We also had to consider the travel restrictions that have been placed on Blind Rehabilitation Service employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) who always meet simultaneously at our hotel and who often attend our organization’s educational sessions, social events, and exhibit hall activities.”
VA Issues Accessible COVID-19 Weekly Reports
“Americans are coming together to fight COVID-19 in ways they haven’t joined together since World War II, and VA is providing vital services to both veterans and non-veterans as part of this fight,” Secretary Robert L. Wilkie has said. The weekly COVID-19 report of the epartment of Veterans Affairs is now Section 508 compliant for accessibility to the blind and visually impaired. The current report, beginning with the week of May 19-25, is now available.
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About BVA
The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) was formed in 1945 and was chartered by Congress in 1958. BVA helps veterans and their families meet and overcome the challenges of blindness. Services of BVA are available to all veterans who have become blind, either during or after active duty.
Membership
Qualifying Veteran
Any person who has served in the Armed Forces of the United States if he/she has sustained an impairment of sight or vision. The criteria for impairment is defined as central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with corrective lenses, or a visual field restriction of no greater than 20 degrees or less in the better eye.
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Affiliate
Any supportive organization, group or person who desires to support our free programs for blinded veterans. You are also lending your voice to the Association as we advocate for policies and issues that affect every blinded veterans. With over 50 Regional Groups around the country, you can also take part on a local level in social events and raising awareness of the challenges facing blinded veterans.
Programs
BVA supports blinded veterans with veterans assistance programs. Since 1945, BVA has been advocating for blinded veterans and their families in order to assist them in regaining their independence. We offer a range of veteran’s assistance programs which are available to any veteran whether they are a member of BVA or not. We provide support for veterans through funding, advocacy and assistance with navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs claims processes to ensure seamless integration.
Government Relations
BVA’s Government Relations team is a consistent presence on Capitol Hill. We work to educate congressional leaders on the needs of our blinded veterans, their families and caregivers. The resolutions adopted by BVA members during the annual National Convention drive our legislative advocacy – ensuring the federal laws, regulations and policies governing the Department of Veterans Affairs – and other federal agencies – are continually improved.
Legislative Action Center
Legislative Priorities
Legislative Library
News Update
A key component of BVA’s communications and public relations efforts is the BVA Bulletin.
***IMPORTANT***
All tax-exempt organizations will soon need to file their tax returns electronically, thanks to the Taxpayer First Act (H.R. 3151), which was signed into law in July 2019. This new electronic filing will become effective for fiscal years beginning 7/1/2020. This will impact all regional groups beginning with the 6/30/2020 year-end.
The new law applies to any tax-exempt organization filing Form 990, Form 990-EZ, Form 990-N and Form 990-T.
For most regional groups this should refer to the 990-N or 990-EZ filing. 990-N’s are filed for organizations that have less than $50,000 in gross receipts. If the regional group’s total assets are below $500,000 and gross receipts are below $200,000 than a 990-EZ will be required for electronic filing. If either have been exceeded than a Form 990 must be filed electronically.
The Taxpayer First Act requires the IRS to make the Form 990 filed by tax-exempt organizations available to the public in machine-readable format as soon as feasible.
The new law also requires the IRS to provide notice to tax-exempt organizations that have failed to file their Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-N, and Form 990-T for two consecutive years. The notice from the IRS must include a statement that the organization’s tax-exempt status will be automatically revoked if it fails to file its return for a third consecutive year by the required return’s due date. Regional groups should mainly refer to the 990-N or 990-EZ tax return unless gross receipts exceed $50,000.
Events
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