The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Women Veterans has released a heartfelt, emotional documentary in partnership with the Million Veteran Program to motivate veterans, especially women veterans, to join its research program studying how genes, lifestyle, military experiences, and exposures can affect veteran health and wellness. The documentary features former Director of Michigan Veterans Affairs Zaneta Adams as she shares her journey of hope and resilience after a debilitating service-related injury and her […]

BVA’s Kathern F. Gruber scholarship program will award five $2,000 tuition scholarships to spouses, dependent children, and grandchildren of blind and low vision veterans for the upcoming year beginning in the fall. Named for an early pioneer in the field of blind rehabilitation and a friend of BVA for over four decades, the Gruber awards are merit-based through an application process and a committee that evaluates the candidates. For more information about the program and […]

BVA’s VetTech team treated attendees this past week to a session dedicated to the techniques of web navigation through place markers. The focus of VetTech this coming Wednesday, January 18, at 2:00pm Eastern Time will be three-fold: the Envision Smart AI glasses, the HableOne Controller, and the video magnifiers on which the company trains veterans with sight loss. The HableOne, introduced just six months ago, is a remote-control device currently revolutionizing smartphone and tablet usage […]

Following a brief holiday hiatus, BVA’s VetTech team returned this past week with a session dedicated to recognizing products using the OrCam MyEye Pro and OrCam Read. The focus this coming Wednesday, January 11, at 2:00pm Eastern Time will be the simplification of web navigation through place markers. Liz Whitaker, Vispero’s Product Manager, User Education and Outreach, will first explain what place markers are. She will then explore how to create or locate place markers […]

Veterans eligible to purchase additional Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) coverage will see an increase in the maximum of such coverage beginning March 1, 2023. The increase, the first since 2005, was made possible by passage of S. 2794, the Supporting Families of the Fallen Act, on October 17. Individuals under 60 years of age with $400,000 in coverage will be able to purchase more coverage in $25,000 increments up to the new $500,000 limit. […]

A partnership between VA and Prudential Financial, Outreach, Transition and Economic Development (OTED) is offering a virtual “Wellness Wednesday Financial Education” series to transitioning service members, veterans, spouses, other family members, and caregivers. The series consists of two programs: first, a wealth of financial literacy information and resources on an online website portal, and second, educational sessions on the third Wednesday of every month that focus on topics such as purchasing a home, paying for […]

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 […]

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) this week began processing claims under The Sergeant First Class Heath Robison Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. The law, believed to be the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history, compensates veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances during military service. Leading up to January 1, VA finalized decisions on PACT Act claims filed by veterans who self-identified as […]

Join the Blinded Veterans Association’s VetTech Team tomorrow (Wednesday, January 4), at 2:00pm Eastern Standard Time. We will welcome Michele Mendez, Director of Sales with OrCam. The OrCam team will explore how to identify products with the OrCam Read and MyEye Pro Attendees of the session will learn: How to recognize products with the OrCam Read. How to recognize products with the OrCam MyEye Pro. Helpful tips for best product recognition results. Don’t miss this […]

VA announced earlier this month an open enrollment period through December 31 for its new life insurance program taking effect January 1, 2023. The program is the first of its kind offered to veterans in more than 50 years, resulting in potential benefits to more veterans and their families than ever before.  Known as VALife, the program will provide up to $40,000 of whole life insurance for all veterans, age 80 or under, with service-connected […]