The nonprofit Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), founded in 1945, is the only congressionally chartered Veterans Service Organization exclusively dedicated to serving America’s blinded and visually impaired veterans. BVA has yet again contacted members of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs’ handling of the website accessibility reporting requirements set forth in Public Law No. 116-213 (12/04/2020). The mandated report, which was due August 31, was to identify websites, files, and applications […]

Do you have what it takes to be a Blinded Veterans Association Ambassador?  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Blind Rehabilitations Service (BRS) has identified more than 120,000 blinded veterans and 1.2 million veterans with low vision. A large percentage of these veterans either do not know about BRS or they incorrectly assume that they are not eligible for assistance because their vision loss is not service connected.  BVA Ambassadors will soon be the key […]

The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) invites all of its constituent groups—members, their families, the organization’s financial supporters, and other friends—to take action and support its efforts toward recognition as a top-rated Great Nonprofit. Positive stories, experiences, or other comments about the Association from its stakeholders will result in increased visibility both nationally and in local communities as BVA seeks out veterans with vision loss who could benefit from its services, resources, and camaraderie. GreatNonprofits, the […]

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The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) is among a coalition of 12 leading Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) who are demanding Congressional action on the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 (H.R. 2192). The VSOs are joined by individual victims of the toxic water contamination at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina between August 1953 and December 1987, according to a press release issued yesterday by the Camp Lejeune Justice Group. If passed, the legislation would provide any affected […]

NSITE, an initiative of the National Industries for the Blind (NIB), will soon launch two virtual training programs for the blind and visually impaired in the field of employment. The deadline to apply to participate in both programs is October 1. The focus of NSITE’s Sourcing Certificate Program focuses on the tools, resources, and research needed to recruit qualified candidates for employment while the NSITE Cisco Academy prepares participants to become Cisco Certified Network Associates […]

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is conducting virtual diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) listening sessions during August and September from eight separate locations. The meetings, which will be held as WebEx events, support Executive Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government. Each of the eight locations will execute six virtual sessions to gather feedback on veterans’ experiences and perceptions related […]

On June 14, 2021, Philips Respironics, a major manufacturer of Positive Airway Pressure devices, better known as CPAP or BiPAP, announced a recall of 4 million of these devices. This announcement can be located (HERE). The recall is due to the breakdown of the foam used to reduce sound and vibration that could break loose and travel through the air hose and covers 95 percent of the Philips devices issued since 2009. According to the […]

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today the immediate processing of disability claims for asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis based on presumed particulate matter exposure during military service in Southwest Asia and other specified areas. The conditions resulting from the exposure must have been manifested within ten years of a qualifying period of military service. A VA internal process reviewed scientific evidence that concluded that particulate matter pollution is associated with respiratory conditions for veterans […]

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today a landmark policy change that will allow the 16 million U.S. veterans access to the American Forces Travel (AFT) website. According to Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy Patricia Montes Barron, veterans will join the 10 million active duty, Guard, and reserve service members, family members, DoD civilians, and other patrons who are already receiving this benefit. On average, customers save 35-40 percent […]