The scheduled meeting of the BVA Book Club for Wednesday evening, November 26 (Thanksgiving Eve), has been canceled due to possible conflicts with holiday preparations for the next day. The club will resume meeting sometime in December, but probably not on Wednesday, December 24, when a potential holiday conflict arises once again. Book Club Group Leader Anthony Woodson advises both current readers and those new to the book club to start and/or continue their reading […]

October was another busy month for the Louisiana/Mississippi Regional Group with three Braille Flag donation presentations, one in Destrehan, Louisiana, and another in the Algiers section of New Orleans on October 8 (morning and afternoon, respectively), and a third one on October 27 in the Lakeview area of New Orleans. The Destrehan presentation occurred at the St. Charles Parish Main Library. According to regional group member Gary Schoelerman, a bronze flag and identifying plaque have […]

National Vice President Tracy Ferro recently received a plaque and personalized Certificate of Recognition from Gulf Coast Health Care System (Biloxi, Mississippi) Director Stephanie A. Repasky, Psy.D. for his “extraordinary dedication and outstanding commitment.” The August 28 presentation and special citation highlighted specifically Tracy’s achievement of 4,000 hours of volunteer service. The certificate continues: Your tireless efforts and unwavering support have made a profound impact on the lives of our veterans. Through your selfless contributions, […]

Tune in throughout November and beyond to “Signing in the Dark: How Blind and Visually Impaired People Can Digitally Sign Documents with Apple Previewer, TeamViewer, and Aira,” the subject of the November episode of Visions of BVA. Podcast host Steve Baskis demonstrates how blind and visually impaired individuals can sign otherwise inaccessible digital documents using these three technologies. “This is not a full tutorial but an introduction to the concept of signing,” Steve said in […]

Earlier this week, the majority leadership of the House of Representatives sent a package of funding bills to the President’s desk, including the Continuing Resolution (CR) that would end the government shutdown and fully fund the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for Fiscal Year 2026. The final FY 26 MilCon/VA Appropriations bill, part of the 394-page CR, included the following provisions that affect potential VA policy and actions: Second Amendment Protections (Sec. 413) – Prohibits […]

Director of District 1 John O’Connell was honored as a “Hometown Hero” during a break in the action at the November 10 New Jersey Devils-New York Islanders National Hockey League game. The recognition highlighted his distinguished military service, his advocacy for blinded veterans, and his unwavering commitment to the veteran community. Before a packed arena at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, John was introduced on the Jumbotron at Center Ice with 9:43 remaining in the […]

BVA National President Wade Davis ventured to the Nation’s Capital on November 10 to represent blind and low vision veterans throughout the country in a series of events on Veterans Day that occurred at both Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). Among such highlights was BVA’s participation in the traditional flag processional and a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) wreath laying at the Cemetery in wind chill temperatures below the freezing mark. With […]

Source: VA Press Advisory of October 30, 2025 The current government shutdown has forced nearly 37,000 VA employees to be furloughed or continue to work without pay. Because VA receives some advance appropriations from Congress, the Department’s Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers remain open and in operation normally during the shutdown. Additionally, VA benefits continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits. Burials also continue at VA national […]

Last week, BVA Happenings referenced National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM). Every November, VA participates in recognizing and honoring the invaluable contributions of caregivers across the country. The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) highlights the vital role caregivers play in the lives of veterans with the theme: Caregiving Connects Us, Community Strengthens Us. This year’s theme reflects CSP’s commitment to ensuring caregivers know they are supported and never walk this path alone. Caregiving may look different for every […]

The quantity of informational resources about caregiving in all its realms has exploded in recent years. VA resources are valuable, but there are others as well. During this National Family Caregivers Month, BVA members and their caregivers can check out several caregiving resource guides from AARP, formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons. AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 years and older to choose how they […]