BVA recognizes both National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Blindness Awareness Month throughout October. National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) raises awareness about disability employment and honors the contributions of workers with disabilities. It also advocates for greater opportunities for gainful employment of all Americans with disabilities. The annual October designation, which started as a weeklong recognition in 1945 and was expanded to a full month in 1988, aims to promote disability inclusion in the workforce. The […]

BVA staff members at the National Headquarters have been busy the past few weeks putting together and mailing a variety of White Cane Day resource materials and promotional items to VA Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinators, regional groups, and individual BVA members who have requested them for activities and programs scheduled for the officially designated White Cane Day, October 15, or for Veterans Day on November 11. Items still available include a limited number […]

October is Medication Label Safety Awareness Month, encompassing an issue that cannot be given too much emphasis in the blind and low vision veteran community. When it comes to critical prescription label information, En-Vision America asserts that patients should receive a “perfect fit” label that addresses their needs, abilities, and health goals. Patients can talk to their pharmacist about audible, large print, Braille, and translated prescription labeling options. The ScripTalk audible prescription labeling system was […]

In 1936, Congress designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day. The observance continues today but includes the entire family, now officially designated as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day by proclamation of President Barack Obama in 2011 to honor parents and families of service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in defense of their country. The 2025 observance is this Sunday, September 28. For obvious reasons, the Gold […]

BVA Director of District 1 John O’Connell appeared by invitation at the Winding River Skating Center in his now hometown of Toms River, New Jersey, on September 13. The occasion was a Saturday launch of the Toms River Hockey Club’s 50th anniversary season. Prior to the drop of the puck, players welcomed both John and Alex DePalma, the latter of whom co-founded the Brick Starts Challenger Organization in 2009 to teach skating and hockey to […]

When Navy veteran and current BVA Judge Advocate Stephen Butler lost his vision, his world went dark in more ways than one. Then a diagnosis of advanced diabetes took away the feeling in his hands and feet, leaving him without spatial awareness, and without the tactile feedback needed to navigate the world or play the musical instruments he once loved. “I went from being a warrior, capable of completing any mission, to holding onto someone’s […]

Officials at Meta (formerly Facebook) have sent a written expression of thanks to BVA Executive Director Dr. Vernon Humphrey and Legislative Director Lea Rowe for attending and contributing to a DC Connect Happy Hour Reception on September 18 in the Nation’s Capital. Last week’s BVA Happenings included a brief recap of the worldwide virtual event that originated in Menlo Park, California, and specifically BVA’s involvement. During the DC Happy Hour, Vern took the microphone to […]

In the newest episode of Visions of BVA, the Association’s monthly podcast, program host Steve Baskis and guests Tina Lemus and Celiann Gonzalez reflect on a Team River Runner (TRR) experience near Grand Junction, Colorado, in mid-August. Paddling with Purpose: Blind Veterans and Team River Runner went live on September 1. Steve, Tina, and Celiann (TRR staff and a veteran herself) come together to share personal stories of overcoming fear, building trust, and rediscovering confidence […]

BVA Happenings readers who went first to the Ambassadog Scoop Series today (see below) are already aware that guide dog Hannah’s “Mom” is Jill Hinton Wolfe of Walker, Michigan. In addition to being a super mom to a dog with whom she shares the joys of the great outdoors, Jill is a talented, prolific, published writer with profound perspectives and insights into the adversities and possibilities of post-military life. Mission, Tribe & Grace: How Veterans […]