COVID-19 Action Plan for Blind Rehabilitation Centers Purpose: To provide clear communication to the 13 VHA Inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Centers (BRCs) regarding current and pending admissions.   Action:  Effective immediately and until further notice, all VA BRCs will suspend and postpone admitting patients in order limit COVID-19 exposure risk for Veterans being treated in and traveling to / from these facilities.  Veterans who are currently inpatients in a BRC will be evaluated and managed for […]

Veterans Health Administration Fact Sheet — COVID-19 The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other Federal agencies to monitor and respond to the current outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States. VHA is operating in accordance with CDC guidance and actively participating in response efforts in local communities to address the outbreak. Help Us Spread […]

Georgia Blinded Vet A True Spark of Light in the Darkness Thanks to the leadership of Elizabeth Holmes, currently the organization’s National Treasurer and previously the president of the Columbus Chapter of the Georgia Regional Group, the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) has been a shining light wherever Liz sees fit to offer her time, energy, and expertise in service to her community and her fellow blinded veterans. Liz herself brightens the lives of others as […]

Goldsmith’s Spirit of Adventure Lights Up the Darkness Despite having lost most of his sight, Darryl Goldsmith of Pensacola, Florida, lights up the darkness in his own life through an adventuresome spirit and a constant drive to engage in new pursuits. His exciting adventures require a modest bit of risk taking but eliminate all possibility of boredom.   As a legally blind veteran, Darryl similarly lights up the darkness for others who witness this unique zest […]

Lighting Up the Darkness for 90-Year-Old Native of Bronx Enrique Sanchez of The Bronx, New York is still one more veteran with vision loss who is constantly seeking and discovering new ways to “Light Up the Darkness,” the theme for the Blinded Veterans Association’s 2nd annual Charity Concert at the Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center in Annandale, Virginia, on March 28. The special event on the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College marks, […]

Blinded Veterans To Light Up the Darkness at Annual Benefit Concert Veterans throughout the country who have experienced vision loss are constantly searching for and discovering new ways to “Light Up the Darkness,” the theme for the Blinded Veterans Association’s 2nd annual Charity Concert at the Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center in Annandale, Virginia, on March 28. The special event on the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College will mark, to the very […]

Blinded Veterans Set to Testify before House and Senate Committees (ALEXANDRIA, VA, February 26, 2020) – Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) National President Thomas A. Zampieri, Ph.D. will present the organization’s legislative priorities in its annual oral testimony before a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees today (February 26) at 2 p.m. in the Senate Dirksen Building, Room SD-G50. The hearing will be streamed live at www.veterans.senate.gov and can also be viewed and heard later […]

Phil Raistrick, Visionary Founder of En-Vision America, Passes Away Contact Information: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJenna Reedjreed@envisionamerica.com Phil Raistrick, Visionary Founder of En-Vision America, Passes Away PALMETTO, Fla., November 25, 2019 — It’s with great sadness, En-Vision America announces the passing of their beloved company founder Phil Raistrick. He sadly and suddenly passed on November 20, 2019. Phil was a giant of a man and a visionary who was dedicated to providing those with vision impairment greater […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: National Veterans Service Organizations unite calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize various ailments as Agent Orange presumptive conditions for disability benefits. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: National Veterans Service Organizations unite calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, “Parkinson-like symptoms” and hypertension as Agent Orange presumptive conditions for disability benefits. #BVA proudly supports our Vietnam Veterans, their families and survivors – ensuring that “never again shall […]

Blinded Veterans Members Attend Golf Event Honors Memory Maj. Charles R Soltes Jr. O.D. Press Information Contact: Tom Zampieri  Blinded Veterans Association, (301) 204-3291 Cell,    t.zampieri@hotmail.com Blinded Veterans Members Attend Golf Event Honors Memory Maj. Charles R Soltes Jr. O.D. (IRVINE, CALIF. September 30, 2019) — Three blinded American veterans will share rehabilitation experiences that tell the story of their personal adjustment to blindness at the Major Charles R. Soltes, Jr. O.D. 15th Memorial Charitable […]