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 […]

USA Hockey has recognized BVA Director of District 1 John O’Connell as the National Disabled Athlete of the Year. John was one of 12 individuals honored at USA Hockey’s President’s Awards Dinner on June 6 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center as part of its four-day annual meeting. Hockey has been a lifelong love for John, who began playing at age 7 and never stopped throughout his growing-up years in New York City.  John is […]

The June 1 episode of Visions of BVA will go live via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and several other platforms this Sunday at 3:00am Eastern Time, BVA National Communications Strategist and podcast host Steve Baskis announced this week. The episode, entitled “Passing the Torch: A President’s Legacy and the Future of BVA,” features BVA National President Paul Mimms as he completes his term of office. In this powerful episode of Visions of BVA, Steve as the […]

Visually impaired bird enthusiasts nationwide are gathering this Sunday for the inaugural Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon. Designed by and for “birders” who are legally blind, the groundbreaking 24-hour marathon (12:01am-11:59 local time) is a celebration of birds, community, and accessibility by encouraging participants to identify as many birds as possible by sound (or sight as able). Any legally blind individual in the United States of any age and at any level of birding experience, beginners included, […]