This Thursday, October 10 marks World Sight Day. Observed annually on the second Thursday of October, World Sight Day is a global event to encourage awareness of blindness and the varying degrees of sight loss. It was originally initiated by the SightFirst Campaign of Lions Club International in 2000 and has since been integrated into VISION 2020. The World Sight Day recognition is now coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) […]

Earlier this week, VA announced a scientific assessment to determine whether exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during military service could be a variable in the onset of kidney cancer among veterans. The result could eventually lead to the establishment of kidney cancer as a presumptive service-connected condition for veterans exposed to PFAS. The assessment is a process codified under the PACT ACT passed two years ago. Some 12,000 chemicals, in use in the […]

The full House of Representatives this week passed H.R. 7342, the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2024, a bipartisan bill that would, if passed by the U.S. Senate and signed into law by the President, require VA to create an advisory committee to address accessibility of the Department’s benefits, services, and facilities for veterans and employees with sight loss and other disabilities in the areas of mobility, hearing, and cognitive functions. Because of known […]

Blind and low vision veterans seeking an unforgettable winter adventure in the tops of the Rocky Mountains should prepare their applications for the 39th Annual VA National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic (WSC) March 30-April 5, 2025, at Snowmass Village, Colorado. Last year, more than 400 disabled veterans participated, including 80 blind and low vision veterans. Although the application deadline is listed as November 30, 2024, prospective applicants are urged to submit their applications early […]

Labor Day weekend means picnics, beaches, and the unofficial end of summer. Although it is not necessarily a day off for service members throughout the world, several factors connect Labor Day to those on active duty and to our nation’s veterans who have served in the past. For example, throughout history, few have labored more or under more adverse conditions than those fighting to defend freedom. “Rosie the Riveter” was an iconic image used in […]

As a guide dog, I play a critical role in providing increased independence, enhanced mobility, and reliable navigation. Dad and I have traveled to Cancún four times, each time visiting our timeshare. Early on, I learned the routes to dining facilities and various places on the resort campus. This preparation has helped us reach our destinations much more quickly, conveniently, and safely. My favorite thing to do in Cancún is bask in the sun on […]

VA has announced the launch of the Redesigned Airborne Hazards and Open Pit Registry (referred to as the “AHOBPR 2.0”), a database of 4.7 million that combines veteran and service member information to identify and research health challenges of those exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits during their military service. Although participation in or opting out of the registry does not impact personal eligibility for VA services and benefits, the knowledge gained through the […]

Please join us next Wednesday, August 14, at 3:00pm Eastern Time for BVA’s VetTech and Educational Series Weekly Webinar. The featured technology experts for the session will be Brea Blackwelder, Senior Accessibility Designer for the VA Health and Benefits Mobile Application team at Ad Hoc LLC; and Martha Wilkes, Designer and Accessibility Strategist in the VA Office of the Chief Technology Officer. Date/Time: August 14, 2024 @ 3:00pm (Eastern Time)Meeting ID: 856 2590 9913 Passcode: […]

My name is Shadow, and I currently guide BVA National President Paul Mimms. As my first task, I would like to recognize dogs everywhere during August, National Dog Month. Founded in 2020 by National Day Calendar® and Milk-Bone®, this month celebrates loveable canine companions in the middle of the dog days of summer. Honor your best pal by taking an extra-long walk, playing fetch, or providing a healthy treat.  Over the next month I will […]

Some 124 VA facilities across the United States offer signature Healthy Teaching Kitchen (HTK) programs that teach veterans and their support persons about food, nutrition, and how to prepare and store balanced, healthy dishes. The programs complement cooking instruction provided at residential VA Blind Rehabilitation Centers.  Initiated in 2004, program classes are open to VA-enrolled veterans and a “plus one” if desired. The “plus one” can be a partner, family member, caretaker, or anyone else […]