BVA unites with other organizations in its concern for those with declining sight as we recognize February as Low Vision Awareness Month. The commemoration occurs annually to increase knowledge about vision rehabilitation services that can benefit persons with sight loss. With passage of the revised bylaws at the BVA 77th National Convention, membership in the Association was extended to veterans with low vision. The National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health offers a […]

BVA Dog Handler Committee Chair Michaun Harrison has announced a special guest speaker for the scheduled third Tuesday meeting at 4:00pm on February 21. Dr. Devon Smith, veterinarian at Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc., in Palmetto, Florida, will address the virtual audience.  Dr. Smith has been a passionate animal lover since her early childhood. Between horseback riding and growing up in a home filled with rescue dogs, she was always surrounded by animals. During her junior […]

Bestwork Industries for the Blind located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is seeking to hire veterans who are blind or visually impaired. Bestwork Industries was founded in 1981 by Vincenzo James “Jim” Varsaci, a BVA founding member present at the organization’s first meeting at Avon Old Farms Army Convalescent Hospital on March 28, 1945, while he recuperated from combat injuries during World War II.  Bestwork is now the largest employer in the state of New […]

BVA’s Awards Program honors annually the extraordinary professional achievements of a blind or low vision veteran, the outstanding level of service of a BVA member to their regional group, and a volunteer who has served blind and low vision veterans with unusual dedication and enthusiasm. The recognitions are, respectively, the Maas, Diener, and Schnair Awards. The program also recognizes, through an annual Certificates of Appreciation, the professionals who go the extra mile in serving and […]

Many BVA members and friends may still be unaware that the organization recently created a Board-appointed position with the official title of Judge Advocate and Parliamentarian, now occupied by life member Stephen Butler of Temple, Texas. As is the case with a Judge Advocate in the military, Stephen’s functions include providing legal advice, meeting protocol, and assistance in a wide variety of practice areas. His charge is to keep BVA’s ship on the right path […]

Join the Blinded Veterans Association’s VetTech Team tomorrow (Wednesday, February 8), at 2:00pm Eastern Standard Time. We will welcome HumanWare’s Peter Tucic, Director of Strategic Partnerships, and Mathieu Paquette, Product Manager, as they discuss the ramifications of the Victor Reader Stream 3 for veterans with sight loss. Attendees of the session will learn about the Victor Reader Stream 3 with emphasis on the following: How the Stream 3 can revolutionize the way veterans access the […]

BVA’s Awards Program honors annually the extraordinary professional achievements of a blind or low vision veteran, the outstanding level of service of a BVA member to their regional group, and a volunteer who has served blind and low vision veterans with unusual dedication and enthusiasm. The recognitions are, respectively, the Maas, Diener, and Schnair Awards. The program also recognizes, through an annual Certificate of Appreciation, the professionals who go the extra mile in serving and supporting […]

Space is still available but very limited for veteran participation in the 16th National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic scheduled for June 4-9 in San Diego, California. Registration will close one week from today, February 10.  The Clinic is designed to empower veterans of all ability levels whose present rehabilitation goals would benefit from the value of adaptive summer sports. Activities include the following: surfing, kayaking, cycling, sailing, yoga, meditation, and adaptive fitness. For more information […]

BVA National President Joseph D. McNeil, Sr. will present BVA’s current legislative priorities at a joint session of the U.S. House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs. The 10:00am hearing on Wednesday, March 8, the first in-person session in three years due to the pandemic, will also include presentations by several other Veterans Service Organizations.  Members of the BVA Board of Directors will also visit Congressional offices in the days leading up to the testimony. […]

Are you ready to learn about the latest and greatest in assistive technology? Join the VetTech team this upcoming Wednesday, February 8, at 2:00pm Eastern Time, as we welcome HumanWare’s Peter Tucic, Director of Strategic Partnerships, and Mathieu Paquette, Product Manager, for an early look at the new Victor Reader Stream 3.  You will discover how the Stream 3 will revolutionize the way you access the National Library Service’s BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download), […]