Heartfelt expressions of sadness and sympathy to BVA as an organization and to the family of Immediate Past National President Paul Mimms have poured into voicemails and email inboxes of BVA National Headquarters staff and members of the Board of Directors throughout this past week following notice of Paul’s sudden passing last Friday, August 22. This week’s VetTech session was without the familiar voice and chuckle that all have become so accustomed to hearing on […]

Practical instruction on navigating alone to, from, and during a national convention as a totally blind person, along with inspirational observations and helpful guidance unique to program host Steve Baskis, highlight the August episode of “Visions of BVA,” the Association’s monthly podcast. Unlike most of his other recent episodes, Steve has chosen to proceed solo in this one, offering a walkthrough of how he travels independently to the Blinded Veterans Association’s national conventions based on […]

In 1964, the U.S. Congress approved a resolution authorizing the President of the United States to issue annually a proclamation designating October 15 as “National White Cane Safety Day.” President Lyndon B. Johnson was the signer of the resolution and the first U.S. President to issue a proclamation. Although President Barack Obama renamed the day “Blind Americans Equality Day” in his 2011 proclamation and subsequent proclamations, some still prefer and use the “White Cane Safety […]

Blind and low vision veterans may now begin the application process to participate in the 40th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass, Colorado (near Aspen), April 4-11. Although the application deadline is November 30, past participants from the BVA membership recommend completing and submitting the application materials as soon as possible.  A world leader in rehabilitation, the Winter Sports Clinic began with 90 participants in 1987 and now provides nearly 400 profoundly disabled […]

Please put on your calendar the upcoming VetTech Weekly Webinar next Wednesday, August 27, at 3:00pm Eastern Time, as attendees focus their attention on the Blindshell Class 3 Mobile Phone for the Blind. The BlindShell Classic 3 isn’t just another phone, but a lifeline of independence for people who are blind or visually impaired. By combining the simplicity of large tactile buttons with powerful voice control and accessibility features, it makes communication, daily tasks, and […]

Five blinded veterans participated in the 13th annual Valor Games Midwest 2025 last week in Chicago. The event is a three-day Paralympic-style sports competition for disabled veterans and wounded or ill service members. The activities this year occurred across multiple venues in the city: the renowned Soldier Field, Lincoln Park, McKinley Park, and Burnham Park. Kudos to participants Harvey Guary of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Group, Tony Stokes of the Heartland Regional Group, and Anthony Woodson, […]

Please join VetTech next Wednesday, August 20, at 3:00pm Eastern Time via Zoom for the next Weekly Webinar in BVA’s virtual VetTech and Educational Series. The topic will be participant centered and participant directed depending on the interests and questions raised by attendees. The VetTech sessions are open to all interested parties although regular attendees are typically blind and low vision veterans and non-veterans, family members, caregivers, or blind rehabilitation specialists. Membership in the Blinded […]

Please join the Dog Handlers Interest Group meeting next Tuesday, August 19, at 4:00pm via Zoom as attendees welcome Greg Steinmetz, Senior Manager of Admissions and Graduate Services at Guide Dogs of America |Tender Loving Canines (GDA|TLC). Greg oversees the intake process for prospective guide dog handlers and offers ongoing support to graduated guide dog teams. All past, present, and prospective dog handlers are invited to the meeting. The Guide Dog Handlers Interest Group meets […]

Falling annually on August 16, and this year on a Saturday, is National Airborne Day, a day to honor the military’s airborne divisions of the Armed Forces. Just two weeks ago, Senate Resolution 361 designated August 16, 2025, as National Airborne Day. On August 16, 1940, the first official Army parachute jump occurred at Fort Benning, Georgia, with 48 volunteer members of the U.S. Army Parachute Test Platoon participating. The successful jump validated the innovative […]