The American Council of the Blind Virginia (ACB-VA) held its annual conference last weekend, October 17-19, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

BVA’s own Michaun Harrison, National Administrative Coordinator at the Association’s National Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, and a current resident of the City of Fredericksburg, is also a member of the ACB Virginia Chapter. She actively participates in the organization’s virtual Fiber Arts Club and serves on the Advocacy Committee. Michaun received the invitation, something she considered an honor, to lead the Saturday morning opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. Throughout the conference, Michaun likened the principles espoused in the sessions to BVA and blinded veterans.

The first session, entitled Advocacy in Action–Get Involved, Make an Impact, featured keynote speakers Delegate Patrick A. Hope (District 1) and Delegate Rodney T. Willett (District 58) of the Virginia General Assembly. The session focused on equipping ACB members with practical tools and insider knowledge to advocate more effectively for the blind and visually impaired community.

Reflecting on the discussion, Michaun believes that for any nonprofit organization, such as BVA, to thrive, advocacy must remain a top priority. She highlights the importance of building relationships with local representatives and maintaining consistent communication with them.

“Don’t be afraid to reach out repeatedly,” she noted, adding that understanding how resolutions are written and transformed into law is essential for successful advocacy.

Membership retention and engagement emerged as another major theme of the conference. Participants acknowledged the ongoing challenges of attracting younger members while keeping older members engaged—particularly as technology continues to evolve.

Transportation access and recent changes to VA travel benefits were also discussed. During this portion, Pat Sheehan, the former Director of VA’s Section 508 Program Office and a respected advocate within the blindness community, commended BVA for its leadership, advocacy, and outreach before he knew that a BVA staff member was present. He spoke highly of BVA National President Wade Davis, former National Executive Director Donald Overton, and Interim National Executive Director/Legislative Director Lea Rowe.

For Michaun, this recognition was a proud and affirming moment—a reminder that the collective efforts of BVA members truly make a difference.

“Our advocacy and representation at every level are vital to our mission,” she said. “We are indeed One Vision, One Team, One Fight!”