This Sunday, April 7, is World Health Day, celebrated annually as a global health awareness opportunity under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO). Like VA’s monthly Whole Health themes promoted regularly in BVA Happenings, World Health Day draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people throughout the world each year. This year’s theme is “My Health, My Right.” The origin of the choice of dates stems from the founding of […]

Time is getting short to nominate a BVA member whose lifetime achievements symbolize what “blinded veterans helping blinded veterans” truly means, or what it means to be an effective regional group leader, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) volunteer, or VA blind rehabilitation specialist. Applications must be submitted online, emailed to membership@bva.org, or mailed via U.S. Mail to Blinded Veterans Association, PO Box 90770, Washington, DC 20090, by Friday, April 26. For additional information about the awards […]

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) of the Library of Congress has produced a three-section mini-bibliography containing programs and services for veterans in the areas of health care, insurance, education, and finances. In Section 1 of the mini-bibliography, general guides discuss the needs and challenges facing veterans and their families. Section 2 contains resource guides that provide specific information about programs. Section 3 consists of a series of articles about […]

Jacksonville, Florida, downtown skyline with Riverfront Park visible at forefront BVA members and their families should register soon for the 79th National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida. The registration includes all BVA-specific activities and meetings that will occur July 7-10, 2024. To begin the registration process, visit the National Convention page here and then locate the Register Now button. Read more. As previously announced, all offsite trips and activities associated with the convention are being coordinated […]

Jerry Killion and Dayton, Texas, Mayor Martin Mudd Jerry Killion, a member of the Greater Houston Regional Group residing in the City of Dayton, Texas, was responsible for a proclamation from Dayton Mayor Martin Mudd declaring March 28 as Blinded Veterans Day in the city. Jerry himself initiated the effort to get the proclamation produced and publicized in his hometown.  The proclamation was issued on March 20 and reported in two local area newspapers, the […]

Join BVA’s VetTech team this Wednesday, April 3, at 2:00pm Eastern Time, for our Weekly Wednesday Webinar. We will welcome Darren Gladstone, U.S. Operations Director at RightHear, a user-friendly audio format signage app that increases accessibility to both indoor and outdoor locations for blind and low vision users.  RightHear assists the blind and low vision population to interpret and understand their surroundings in real time. Have you ever wondered how to locate the restrooms in […]

VA announced last week that an all-time record number of women veterans are now receiving earned disability compensation benefits. The number stands at an astounding 702,557, an increase of nearly 181,000, or 26 percent, over what it was just five years ago. Women veterans are the fastest-growing demographic at VA.  “Women veterans have fought in every war since the American Revolution, but they have not always been able to access the care and benefits they […]

BVA recently earned a 2024 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency! Check out the Association’s nonprofit profile to keep up to date with the impact BVA is having on the lives of blinded veterans. Keep this link handy as we want to be sure you always have the information you need to support our work with trust and confidence. Candid supports nonprofits with information, resources, training, and data to find funding opportunities, determine which funders are […]

BVA has joined a handful of other Veterans Service Organizations in endorsing legislation that would expedite VA’s hiring process to fill critical shortages of psychiatrists at hospitals and clinics where positions have remained open for at least 35 days, Stars and Stripes reported this week.  The bill, introduced by Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA-8), comes on the heels of a 2023 VA Inspector General report referring to “severe shortages” in psychiatry staffing while hundreds of veterans […]

Located in the historic Riverside district of Jacksonville, the Riverside Arts Market is a potential convention attraction as the premier destination for art lovers, treasure hunters, music fans, and food connoisseurs. BVA members and their families may now register for the 79th National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida. The registration includes all of the BVA-specific activities and meetings that will occur July 7-10, 2024. To begin the registration process, visit the National Convention page here and […]