The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), an organization with which BVA has partnered and worked for decades in common advocacy efforts, is currently seeking support from the blind and visually impaired community in its effort to reverse the non-continuation of Braille Training Grants from the Department of Education. BVA Legislative Director Lea Rowe has requested that BVA Happenings publish the following “Urgent AER Advocacy Alert” from Lee Sonnenberg, […]

A final farewell to Elizabeth Holmes, BVA Past National Secretary, was held on August 19 in Columbus, Georgia.  Although many of us met her through BVA, the relationships she had with BVA members encompassed more than that. Her vibrant personality and passion for life were infectious, confirmed by the many friends and family who spontaneously gave heartfelt and often humorous stories about her. The room was filled with warm memories of Liz. She lived a […]

On September 6, 2025, in Gladstone, Missouri, a gathering of family, friends, and brothers in arms came together to celebrate the life and memory of BVA Past President Paul Lawrence Mimms. During the heartfelt ceremony and service, family and several close friends told stories and reflected on all Paul was and always will be to them. The memories were touching and left many in tears and occasional bits of laughter. For me, Paul was a […]

In 1964, the U.S. Congress approved a resolution authorizing the President of the United States to issue annually a proclamation designating October 15 as “National White Cane Safety Day.” President Lyndon B. Johnson was the signer of the resolution and the first U.S. President to issue a proclamation. Although President Barack Obama renamed the day “Blind Americans Equality Day” in his 2011 proclamation and subsequent proclamations, some still prefer and use the “White Cane Safety […]

BVA Happenings recognizes the noteworthy confirmation and swearing-in of Sam Brown as the eighth VA Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs three weeks ago. The U.S. Senate approved Brown’s nomination on July 29 in a 54-44 vote mostly along party lines, with two Nevada Democrats breaking to support the Army veteran. He himself ran unsuccessfully for the Senate last year in the state. VA Secretary Doug Collins conducted Brown’s swearing-in on July 31. Brown’s path to confirmation […]

Leaders and members of the Louisiana/Mississippi Regional Group have again come through with another flag display donation and dedication, this time at the State Library of Louisiana in downtown Baton Rouge. “Out of all the donations and dedications we’ve organized, this one was probably our very best ever,” said Joe Burns, longtime BVA member, national officer, and current regional group treasurer. “To have so many there to support our efforts and recognize them—and for the […]

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have determined to file the Major Richard Star Act as an amendment to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a must-pass defense bill. BVA is one of dozens of military service, veterans, and survivor organizations backing the legislation. At present, only veterans with disability ratings above 50 percent and more than 20 years of service are eligible to receive the full amount […]

Joint Opening Ceremony BVA National Sergeant-at Arms Brian O’Connell got the convention off to a perfect start with a trumpet solo rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner after directing the BVA’s own Rob Sanchas and Sheldon McKinney in a presentation of the colors at the opening ceremony Monday morning prior to convention welcome videos by Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs and Executive Director Dr. Vernon Humphrey’s introduction of […]

Some 120,000 U.S. veterans are legally blind and approximately 1.1 million are low vision, estimates from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Blind Rehabilitation Service (BRS) reveal. All who meet the criteria for low vision are now eligible for both VA services and BVA membership. The remaining millions of Americans confronting low vision are not able to access VA rehabilitation programs and the technology that comes with these programs, or they may be low vision […]

Only a few short hours remain to register via the BVA website for the Association’s historic 80th National Convention in Dallas, Texas. After midnight Eastern Time tonight, BVA members, their families, and friends must register in the Pegasus Room at the Hyatt Regency Dallas beginning at 9:00am on Sunday, July 6. A higher onsite registration rate of $250 will apply. The convention is being held jointly with the annual gathering of the American Council of […]