New to BVA Happenings in 2024 starting today, the Ambassadog Scoop Series features guide dogs that have become significant in the lives of Association members and their families. The series offers news, tips, and guidance for dog handlers and others who spend time in the company of guide dogs. First up in the series is Donald of Fort Myers, Florida, serving BVA Director of Member Relations Teresa Galgano or, in his case, “My Veteran” or simply Mom. […]

Women Veterans Group (WVG) Chair Yoneka Trent has announced that the regularly scheduled monthly WVG meeting via Zoom on the fourth Thursday will go on as scheduled next week. All women BVA members are invited and strongly encouraged to attend the December 28 meeting at 6:00pm Eastern Time. Participation in past WVG meetings or activities is not a prerequisite for attendance. Joining information and a direct Zoom link can be found below. The Blinded Veterans […]

The Veterans Health Administration has announced an update to Beneficiary Travel (BT) reimbursements for eligible veterans. Effective mid-January 2024, BT payments will transition from paper checks to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). If you already receive other VA benefits electronically, your BT payments will automatically switch to EFT. Information can otherwise be updated by calling 1-800-827-1000 or visiting https://va.gov/change-direct-deposit.   This shift ensures timely and secure BT reimbursements for our fellow blind and low vision veterans. […]

The first edition of the long anticipated BVA Store is now a reality here! The official link to the items is https://supplyroom.com/bva/. As the Association works with the new vendor, The Supply Room, the items available will expand. For now, there are a few items ready for purchase during the holiday season. A portion of each sale is donated back to BVA. If you have problems of any kind on the site, you can also […]

Earlier this week BVA National Service Director Duayne Driscoll dropped off a basket of holiday goodies and a special BVA Challenge Coin (see accompanying photos) for a loyal Association supporter and patriot whose dental practice, Kenmore Family Dental Care, is located just minutes from the National Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.  Dr. Heejo Han, an experienced dentist with a unique approach to serving his patients, opened his own dental practice earlier this year with his wife, […]

Jose Rivera-Barris, president of the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Regional Group, is presently in training at the VA Gulf Coast Blind Rehabilitation Center in Biloxi, Mississippi. Jose and BVA National Secretary Tracy Ferro recently met two young Marines, PFC Jazmine Briones and PFC Elian Espinoza, currently stationed in Biloxi as they train in Meteorological Oceanographic Analyst Forecasting at the Keesler Air Force Base until their graduation next summer. The Marines were at the […]

Blinded Veterans Association member Zach Tidwell has defied odds in creating an innovative word game that conquers not only puzzles but barriers, making it a revolutionary invention for inclusive gaming. Zanagrams can use both VoiceOver and Braille. For Zach’s creation he is the recipient of the prestigious AppleVis.com Golden Apple Award for Best Game of 2023. Zach is the first blinded veteran to code an iOS app and game.  “Zach’s spirit and remarkable resilience are […]

On December 13, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards accepted a Bronze Braille American Flag and Plaque on behalf of the State, capping a record number of 2023 Flag placements in a variety of locations, some of them especially noteworthy, by the Louisiana/Mississippi (LA/MS) Regional Group. The Flag and Plaque placed most recently are now both displayed outdoors in the Veterans Plaza next to the Governor’s residence.  Attending the brief ceremony with Governor Edwards were several […]

Left to right, Dr. Jay McLeod, Yoneka Trent with guide dog Tavi, and Ronnie Moore. BVA National Headquarters learned this week of a holiday-related endeavor of the Carolina Regional Group, motivated by the discovery of a truly genuine opportunity to serve two of their fellow blinded veterans. Yoneka Trent provided an account of the effort to Director of Member Relations Teresa Galgano, who relates the following with fictional names and places for the sake of […]