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BVA Blog

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Keep Wednesday, May 1, at 2:00pm Eastern Time open on your calendars for VetTech’s Weekly Wednesday Webinar. The VetTech Team will welcome Michelle Mendez, National Sales Director for OrCam. Learn more about the power of MyEye Pro and Read to help users recognize the world around them.  Thanks to OrCam’s cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence, the MyEye Pro and Read possess impressive Optical Character Recognition accuracy and responsiveness. This means that user information is processed directly onto
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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health and Benefits mobile application puts VA information and resources at veterans’ fingertips via their smartphones—anywhere, anytime. The capabilities of the app include, but are not limited to, the viewing and canceling of health care appointments, refilling and tracking VA-dispensed prescriptions, checking on claims and appeals status, uploading documentation to VA, obtaining vaccine records, sending a message to a doctor, locating a VA facility, and accessing the Veterans Crisis
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“G”, BVA’s April Ambassadog. The BVA 79th National Convention is fast approaching and I wanted to share some useful information for my fellow Ambassadogs. As you may have heard, the convention is being held at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront in Jacksonville, Florida, and my tail is wagging with excitement. Convention brings opportunities for us guide dogs to help our veterans navigate throughout the various meetings, events, and exhibit hall, but in addition, there is a very
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This Wednesday, May 1, is Silver Star Service Banner Day. It is a day set aside to remember the sacrifices of those who have been wounded, sickened, or killed in combat across all branches of the military and thank them for their courage. It also recognizes those who have been awarded the Silver Star Medal, the third highest military decoration for valor and typically awarded for actions over a short time period. It may also
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At center, Southeast Louisiana Health Care System Director Fernando Rivera with Gary Schoelerman, accompanied by Bogalusa Staff, Joe Burns, and guide dog Kendrick. Photo courtesy of Gary Schoelerman. The changing of the seasons has ignited the already high energy level of members of the Louisiana/Mississippi Regional Group when it comes to their visibility and demonstrable generosity in local communities of both of the states they cover. They continue their quest to place Bronze Braille American
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A national historic landmark, the Florida Theatre in the middle of downtown Jacksonville is one of only four remaining high-style movie palaces built in the state in the 1920s. It now hosts more than 200 annual events, everything from ballet and opera to contemporary pop, jazz, rock, country, and blues concerts. Photo courtesy of Ken McCray Photography and Visit Jacksonville. Thanks go out to BVA members and friends who attended the third in our series
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The BVA Women Veterans Group (WVG) will meet via Zoom next Thursday, April 25, at 6:00pm Eastern Time. The meeting will feature BVA National President Paul Mimms and National Executive Director/National Legislative Director Donald Overton. The focus will be legislative advocacy as it relates to issues that affect women veterans in the areas of benefits, services, equality, and recognition.  The Blinded Veterans Association is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: BVA Women Veterans
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Since 2020, the Parkinson’s Foundation and VA have partnered to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for veterans with Parkinson’s Diseases and their loved ones. VA’s concern for veterans began much earlier, however. In 2001, Parkinson’s Disease Research Education and Clinical Centers (PADRECCs) were established to deliver state-of-the-art clinical care, pioneering research, and educational programs to an expansive geographic region staffed by internationally recognized movement disorder specialists. PADRECCs are housed as Centers of
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VA has announced the launching on May 31 of the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) Program that will help tens of thousands of veterans currently experiencing severe financial hardship avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes. The program is a last-resort tool in VA’s comprehensive suite of home retention options for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses with VA-guaranteed home loans who are unable to meet their mortgage obligations.  Under VASP, VA will
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“G”, BVA’s April Ambassadog. As Ambassadogs, we sometimes can’t resist being a bit nosy, especially when it comes to knowing what our human handlers think and say about us guide dogs. My dad, Arsenio, gave me the green light to tune into the tail end of Tuesday’s BVA Dog Handler Group meeting. Something intriguing unfolded after the official meeting wrapped up: a chat between Yoneka Trent, the meeting’s moderator that day, and Teresa Galgano, the

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