All past, present, and future dog handlers among BVA’s blind and low vision veterans are encouraged to join the September 19 meeting via Zoom at 4:00pm Eastern Time. The meeting is open to all veterans with sight loss who are interested in topics and issues associated with guide dogs.  Attendance at previous meetings is not required to join and participate. Although interested dog handlers met in person at the 78th National Convention last month, the

September is National Service Dog Month. Created in 2008, the idea for this appreciation month came from actor Dick Van Patten, who was impressed by the great help he had observed service dogs perform to humans with certain ailments and disabilities. To further the cause, he also launched a fundraising initiative to benefit the animals who worked hard every day in service dog training schools.  Van Patten also became an honorary board member of the

Using the example of a recent BVA advocacy effort on behalf of Waymo’s driverless vehicle service, Deputy Director of Government Relations Alek Libbin elaborates on the potential influence individual BVA members can exert on a public policy decision. In a July message for BVA Happenings, I referenced Waymo’s efforts to gain approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to operate in San Francisco. I mentioned the frequently understated importance of local and state politics

BVA has joined several other organizations in the ITEM (Independence through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid) Coalition to support an initiative of the United Spinal Association urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve Medicare mobility equipment coverage and reassess the interpretation of the “in the home” requirement.  Under its current interpretation, CMS covers only mobility assistive equipment (wheelchairs, canes, and scooters) that is considered reasonable and necessary for daily life activities