Although the term “mindfulness” is an abstract term, the concept as developed by VA is defined as noticing and paying attention to what is going on in the present moment without passing judgment on such events. A mindful person is a perceptive and sensitive one. Mindfulness has been shown to be effective in reducing stress, improving emotional balance, increasing self-awareness, coping with anxiety and depression, and dealing with chronic pain.  Mindfulness Coach is a mobile […]

The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility (CVTA) Act was reintroduced in both the U.S. Senate and House this week, done appropriately on the eve of the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The sponsors were Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA-16).  BVA strongly supports the CVTA Act for the significant improvements it would make in the accessibility of communications, video, and technology for people with disabilities, including blind […]

Yesterday, July 27, marked the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement to “insure a complete cessation of hostilities.” With it came a measure of peace and a return home for thousands of Americans. For many early BVA members who served in Korea and who returned home before the Armistice, the costs of the conflict would forever be real. While the bulk of BVA’s early members were veterans who lost their sight in World War […]

United Airlines recently began rolling out Braille placards for both seat numbers and lavatories on their aircraft, national media outlets began reporting this week. The move is one that BVA Executive Director Donald D. Overton, Jr. believes will make air travel much more comfortable and peaceful for blind and low vision veterans while, at the same time, increasing the efficiency involved in seating passengers and helping them locate the lavatories.  “Traveling by air is accompanied […]

Join BVA’s VetTech Team for an unprecedented double dose of the latest technology this Wednesday, August 2, at both 2:00pm and 7:00pm Eastern Time as we welcome, respectively, representatives from National Convention sponsors WayAround and Dot, Inc.  WayAround is a mobile application for a Smart device that provides on-demand details about everyday things. The simple tag-and-scan approach allows the user to identify objects in the immediate area both quickly and accurately. The device can also provide additional […]

BVA Chief of Staff Tim Hornik this week composed a brief historical summary of the Association’s role in the early beginnings of the first Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Blind Rehabilitation Center, which officially opened on July 4, 1948, at the Hines, Illinois VA Medical Center. The Center held an open house and reception yesterday (July 20) commemorating the significance of 75 years of service to blinded veterans at the facility. Director of District 2 […]

Join BVA’s VetTech Team this Wednesday, July 26, at 2:00pm Eastern Time as the Weekly Wednesday Webinar welcomes Amanda Ventura, Head of Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs for Waymo, the world’s first fully autonomous ride-hailing service. Waymo is revolutionizing transportation options through the service now known as Waymo One, available 24/7 to the public in Phoenix, Arizona. Waymo also has operations in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Its mission is to make it easy for […]

The BVA Women Veterans Group (WVG) was created to serve, support, and promote camaraderie among blinded and now low vision women veterans through awareness and advocacy efforts affecting their health and welfare. The regularly scheduled general membership virtual meeting occurs on the fourth Thursday of each month via Zoom.  The July meeting to which all blind and low vision women veterans are invited and urged to attend is scheduled for this Thursday, July 27, at […]

BVA National Headquarters was saddened to learn this week of the death of Past National President Dr. Roy W. Kekahuna. He passed away on July 1 in Las Vegas. Roy served BVA in numerous regional group capacities and national offices, culminating with his election in 2009 as National President at the 64th National Convention in Portland, Oregon. Roy and his wife, Laurel, were also the impetus behind the selection and execution of the 66th National […]

After months of open registration for the BVA 78th National Convention via BVA.org, the process will finally officially close today (July 21) at 11:59pm, according to Convention planner Meredith Buono-DaGrossa. BVA members and their families who have not completed their registrations for the August 14-18 gathering may still do so for a few more hours. The same holds true for a stay at the Marriott St. Louis Grand on and around those dates.  Regional group […]