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Reconnecting with Fellow Veterans Next Week and Beyond via Buddy Checks  

Coinciding with National Buddy Check Week October 16-20, BVA is pleased to re-emphasize its own Buddy Check initiative to be carried out by the Association’s two graduating classes of Ambassadors. The upcoming outreach effort includes a check on well-being and an offer of support.  Ambassadors are trained blind and low vision volunteers who are passionate about helping other veterans. They will reach out by phone or email simply to check in and provide information about […]

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Dog Handler Agenda to Include Group Member Introductions, Roster Update

All past, present, and future dog handlers among BVA’s blind and low vision veterans are encouraged to join this Tuesday’s (October 17) session via Zoom at 4:00pm Eastern Time. The session’s agenda includes the introduction of new Guide Dog Handler Group members and the updating of email addresses and telephone numbers.  The meeting is open to all veterans with sight loss who are interested in topics and issues associated with guide dogs.  Attendance at previous […]

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VetTech Next Week: VA Website Accessibility through Veterans Usability Project

Join BVA’s VetTech Team on Wednesday, October 18, at 2:00pm Eastern Time as the upcoming Weekly Wednesday Webinar welcomes Brian Moon, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Perigean Technologies. Brian will explain the company’s role in spearheading the Veterans Usability Project, a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) research initiative to understand how veterans and caregivers interact with VA websites and mobile applications.  The results of the Veterans Usability Project will directly affect how VA will, […]

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Still No Speaker of the House? What Now?

In this week’s BVA Happenings, BVA Deputy Director of Government Relations Alek Libbin provides additional clarity to the recent historic removal of Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-20) from the House speakership. Last week, the House of Representatives did the unprecedented: It voted out the chamber’s Speaker. And, last night, likely successor Representative Steve Scalise (R-LA-1) withdrew from the race after securing a majority of the Republican support he needed but lacking support of the full House. […]

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Saluting the U.S. Navy on 248th Birthday

Today is Birthday #248 of the United States Navy, the only branch of the military organized prior to the Declaration of Independence! Yes, the origins of the Navy actually predate July 4, 1776, by almost a year. According to author Raymond G. O’Connor’s Origin of the American Navy, on August 26, 1775, the assembly of the colony of Rhode Island sent its delegates to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to request that “a fleet of […]

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BVA Joins Other National Organizations, VA BRS in Highlighting White Cane Safety

BVA regional groups and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Blind Rehabilitation Service (BRS) support groups traditionally commemorate the significance of white cane safety through pre-planned public events such as group walks, fairs, exhibits, or educational forums at VA facilities. Aside from a few creative online events, such opportunities came to a standstill during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks, however, to motivated BVA members and VA Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinators, White Cane Day activities are […]

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Full Steam Ahead for 2024 Winter Sports Clinic Application Process

Please act as soon as possible to participate in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic scheduled for April 1-7, 2024, in Snowmass, Colorado! Read more.   The world-class event, co-hosted by VA and Disabled American Veterans, is also supported by a host of private sector sponsors. Registration includes lodging, meals, and a variety of sports and recreation activities like those enumerated below. Because a doctor must fill out a portion of the application, and […]

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Use Personal Inventory to Discover What Matters to You and Live Whole Health

October is Person-Centered Care Month, an appropriate time of year for all of us to begin looking somewhat differently at what makes a person truly healthy and then making a valiant effort to become that person. This can occur by implementing the basic principles of Whole Health in our lives. Whole Health puts the person at the center of care, representing a shift from a provider-centric, disease management approach, to an approach that tailors care […]

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Stipend Available for Screen Reader Users Participating in Veteran Usability Study

The Veteran Usability Study is a great way to help VA improve the accessibility and usability of VA.gov and mobile applications such as VA Health and Benefits. The study is open to veterans, caregivers, and others familiar with how a veteran uses screen readers. Participants can receive a stipend ranging from $10 to $75 per study for participating.  Because VA seeks to understand the unique needs of blind screen reader users and make relevant digital […]

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Next Week’s VetTech: Optimizing Windows 11 Using ZoomText and Fusion

Join BVA’s VetTech Team this Wednesday, October 11, at 2:00pm Eastern Time as the Weekly Wednesday Webinar welcomes Liz Whitaker, Product Manager for User Education and Outreach at Vispero. Liz will introduce webinar participants to the basics of ZoomText and Fusion, two powerful assistive technology programs for blind and low vision users. Attendees will learn how to use ZoomText to magnify their screens and, for those requiring or demanding a little more, how to integrate […]