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BVA Blog

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Nomination Deadline Fast Approaching for BVA Awards, Certificates of Appreciation

Posted by Kylie Fitzgerald on  March 17, 2023
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Category: Uncategorized
BVA’s Awards Program honors annually the extraordinary professional achievements of a blind or low vision veteran, the outstanding level of service of a BVA member to their regional group, and a volunteer who has served blind and low vision veterans with unusual dedication and enthusiasm. The recognitions are, respectively, the Melvin J. Maas, Irving Diener, and David L. Schnair Awards.  The program also recognizes, through annual Certificates of Appreciation, the professionals who go the extra
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Alexandria Dentist Offers Generous Support

Posted by Kylie Fitzgerald on  March 17, 2023
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Dr. Heejo Han, an experienced Alexandria, Virginia, dentist with a unique approach to serving his patients, recently opened his own dental practice with his wife, Amelia, after years of working in a corporate-owned setting. Dr. Han has offered to partner with BVA as a sponsor of future recreational rehabilitation activities and to donate $5 to the organization for each new patient he receives in the foreseeable future. Dr. Han and BVA are essentially neighbors! The
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Focus of Upcoming VetTech Session: Recently Launched Stellar Trek

Posted by Kylie Fitzgerald on  March 17, 2023
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Join BVA’s VetTech Team this Wednesday, March 22, at 2:00pm Eastern Time as we welcome Mathieu Paquette, Product Manager at Humanware. Mathieu will discuss the recently launched Stellar Trek, the latest in standalone Orientation and Mobility devices for the blind that combines pinpoint accurate GPS capabilities with turn-by-turn navigation. Even more important, impressive, and specific to the Stellar trek is the new AI assistance that recognizes addresses and doors so that veterans with vision loss
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Join Fellow Dog Handlers at Tuesday Session

Posted by Kylie Fitzgerald on  March 17, 2023
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Category: Uncategorized
Don’t forget next week’s meeting of the BVA Dog Handlers Committee! The 4:00pm Eastern Time session via Zoom on Tuesday, March 21, is open to all veterans with sight loss who are interested in topics and issues related to guide dogs. The Committee meetings are regularly scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month in the same time slot and generally last approximately 90 minutes. Veterans who do not currently have a working guide dog
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Remembering BVA Stalwart: Dr. Robert A. Bottenberg

Posted by Kylie Fitzgerald on  March 17, 2023
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Category: Uncategorized
Robert A. “Bob” Bottenberg, BVA’s ninth National President and a dedicated member of the Association both nationally and locally for more than 60 years, passed away March 11 in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 98.  Bob was blinded by German mortar fire in April 1945 when he was 20 years old and only 2-3 weeks after BVA’s founding. His injuries occurred as he was serving as squad leader with the 25th Infantry Regiment,
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Secure Registration, Hotel Reservations Now for 78th National Convention

Posted by Kylie Fitzgerald on  March 10, 2023
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Prospective attendees of the BVA 78th National Convention may now register with BVA and also secure their hotel reservations for the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel August 14-18, 2023. Read more. Those planning to attend this year’s activities—highlighted by educational sessions, an increasingly popular and busy Exhibit Hall, and the official BVA business sessions—can now register on the BVA website and link to a hotel reservation form that will allow them to reserve a room
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Upcoming VetTech Session to Focus on Digital Accessibility of VA Sites and Apps

Posted by Kylie Fitzgerald on  March 10, 2023
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Category: Uncategorized
BVA’s VetTech Team welcomes Brian Moon, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Perigean Technologies, to the March 15 Weekly Wednesday Webinar at 2:00pm Eastern Time. Perigean Technologies spearheads VA research efforts to understand how veterans and caregivers interact with VA websites and mobile applications.  Brian will address the Veteran Usability Project and its implications for BVA and veterans with sight loss. He and the VetTech team will emphasize the following:                                                                        What the Veteran Usability Project
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Recently Introduced Legislation Garners BVA’s Interest, Support

Posted by Kylie Fitzgerald on  March 10, 2023
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Category: Uncategorized
BVA has provided written support for two significant pieces of legislation introduced recently in the initial weeks of the 117th Congress, the “Helping Heroes Act of 2023” and the “Air Carrier Access Amendments Act,” that could positively impact many blind and low vision veterans and their families for years to come.  The Helping Heroes Act, introduced on March 3 by Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Patty Murray (D-WA), recognizes the work done by some 2.3
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Bronze Braille Flag Finds Home at WRBH

Posted by Kylie Fitzgerald on  March 10, 2023
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Category: Uncategorized
BVA’s Louisiana/Mississippi Regional Group, led by officers Gary Schoelerman and Joe Burns, presented and donated an American Bronze Braille Flag to WRBH-FM (88.3), a New Orleans radio station for the blind and print impaired, on March 8. The regional group chose WRBH as a tribute to the work they do to keep the sight and print impaired informed.  Having opened its doors in 1980, WRBH has been on the air as a service to the
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Tom Miller Accompanies BVA Officers In Presenting Award Bearing His Name

Posted by Kylie Fitzgerald on  March 10, 2023
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Category: Uncategorized
Past BVA Executive Director, Director of Government Relations, and National President Tom Miller personally visited the offices of two Congressional leaders this past week on two different days for the presentation of the Association’s newly named Thomas H. Miller Guiding Legislator of the Year Award in honor of his own advocacy work on behalf of blinded veterans and their families for more than three decades.  The first two recipients of the award are Senator Robert
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Clarification for Economic Impact Payments

Veterans of the U.S. Military nationwide have begun asking about economic impact payments as a result of the recent stimulus package passed by Congress and signed by the President. The Blinded Veterans Association has recently joined forces with lawmakers and other advocates of veterans to request clarification regarding these COVID-19 economic payments for those who receive compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs but who do not normally file tax returns or receive payments from Social Security. A series of news releases offers clarification about such payments as well as for Social Security recipients.

Headquarters Statement Regarding COVID-19

The Blinded Veterans Association has been closely monitoring developments related to the COVID-19 virus from its Alexandria headquarters. We are especially mindful of our BVA membership and their families, located throughout the United States, during this most challenging time. Their health and welfare are our highest priority and the National Board of Directors continues to explore means by which our veterans with vision loss may be assisted in areas such as transportation, shopping, and filling prescriptions.

 

We are also concerned about the continued health and safety of our employees and their families. After much thoughtful consideration and deliberation among our national leaders and headquarters staff, BVA has determined to move all but a few of its employees to a virtual work environment until further notice. We will likely have a limited number of staff members still in our office, for the time being, but the specific days and hours may be reduced and/or shortened.

 

BVA staff will continue to take calls and read emails during this time. When calling BVA’s direct number, 202-371-8880, or the toll-free number, 800-669-7079, please use the recorded menu to contact a staff member directly or his/her department. Normally those two numbers reach a live receptionist. If this does not occur, a caller can still leave a voicemail with the receptionist, a department, or another individual. The time necessary to return a call may be extended somewhat at this time but we will make every effort possible to contact as soon as possible those who attempt to reach us. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any concern.

 

We wish our entire BVA family health, safety, and the best of spirits possible during this difficulty period throughout the world. We are confident that we can all get through this together.

 

Dr. Tom Zampieri, BVA National President

Joe Bogart, BVA Executive Director

BVA Board Issues Urgent Directives to Organization’s Regional Groups

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