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Winter Sports Opportunities Open at STARS Colorado Ranch

Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports (STARS) in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, opened registration for four ski adventures in early 2024 for disabled veterans, including a new program session for women veterans only. Lodging, ski equipment, lift ticket, along with breakfast, snacks, and dinner, are all included in the 5-day/4-night package. Lodging is at the STARS Ranch. Read more. Session dates are: Veterans Ski & Ride Session 1: January 14 – 18 Women’s Ski & Ride Week: February […]

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Reconnecting with Fellow Veterans Next Week and Beyond via Buddy Checks  

Coinciding with National Buddy Check Week October 16-20, BVA is pleased to re-emphasize its own Buddy Check initiative to be carried out by the Association’s two graduating classes of Ambassadors. The upcoming outreach effort includes a check on well-being and an offer of support.  Ambassadors are trained blind and low vision volunteers who are passionate about helping other veterans. They will reach out by phone or email simply to check in and provide information about […]

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Dog Handler Agenda to Include Group Member Introductions, Roster Update

All past, present, and future dog handlers among BVA’s blind and low vision veterans are encouraged to join this Tuesday’s (October 17) session via Zoom at 4:00pm Eastern Time. The session’s agenda includes the introduction of new Guide Dog Handler Group members and the updating of email addresses and telephone numbers.  The meeting is open to all veterans with sight loss who are interested in topics and issues associated with guide dogs.  Attendance at previous […]

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VetTech Next Week: VA Website Accessibility through Veterans Usability Project

Join BVA’s VetTech Team on Wednesday, October 18, at 2:00pm Eastern Time as the upcoming Weekly Wednesday Webinar welcomes Brian Moon, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Perigean Technologies. Brian will explain the company’s role in spearheading the Veterans Usability Project, a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) research initiative to understand how veterans and caregivers interact with VA websites and mobile applications.  The results of the Veterans Usability Project will directly affect how VA will, […]

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Still No Speaker of the House? What Now?

In this week’s BVA Happenings, BVA Deputy Director of Government Relations Alek Libbin provides additional clarity to the recent historic removal of Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-20) from the House speakership. Last week, the House of Representatives did the unprecedented: It voted out the chamber’s Speaker. And, last night, likely successor Representative Steve Scalise (R-LA-1) withdrew from the race after securing a majority of the Republican support he needed but lacking support of the full House. […]

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Saluting the U.S. Navy on 248th Birthday

Today is Birthday #248 of the United States Navy, the only branch of the military organized prior to the Declaration of Independence! Yes, the origins of the Navy actually predate July 4, 1776, by almost a year. According to author Raymond G. O’Connor’s Origin of the American Navy, on August 26, 1775, the assembly of the colony of Rhode Island sent its delegates to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to request that “a fleet of […]

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BVA Joins Other National Organizations, VA BRS in Highlighting White Cane Safety

BVA regional groups and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Blind Rehabilitation Service (BRS) support groups traditionally commemorate the significance of white cane safety through pre-planned public events such as group walks, fairs, exhibits, or educational forums at VA facilities. Aside from a few creative online events, such opportunities came to a standstill during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks, however, to motivated BVA members and VA Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinators, White Cane Day activities are […]

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Senate Panel Commemorates Landmark 1973 Act of Congress

Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aging, sponsored last week a series of panel presentations commemorating the 50-year anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The presentations looked back at the passage and implementation of the groundbreaking legislation that prohibited discrimination based on disability in federal government agencies and federally funded entities. They also looked inside a figurative crystal ball to analyze what implications the law has for the future.  Panelists […]

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MVP Now Exceeds 975,000

 Several BVA members have recently enrolled in VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) in a variety of locations and environments, including the past two national conventions at which MVP representatives were present with an exhibit booth and the resources required to enroll blind and low vision veterans. “We appreciate your continued partnership and support,” said Jennifer Deen, MVP Associate Director, Cohort and Public Relations. MVP is a national research program that looks at how genes, lifestyle, military […]

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Veterans Day 2023 Printed Posters Available

For the 2023 Veterans Day Poster Contest, the Veterans Day National Committee of which BVA is a member called on professional and amateur artists late last year to create picture-perfect designs that reflect the theme of this year’s Veterans Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery. The theme “service” brought more than 60 entries ranging from school-aged children to graphic designers with decades of experience. After all the ballots were tallied, the Committee selected a design […]