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BVA Blog

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Join in the enjoyment of BVA’s VetTech team this Wednesday, April 17, at 2:00pm Eastern Time, for a Weekly Wednesday Webinar that offers something new and fresh outside the norm of VetTech. Participants and the team will welcome Patricia Cox, President of the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International. Patricia will lead a discussion and demonstrate how to conduct virtual game nights with blind and low vision participants through virtual conferencing platforms. On Thursday,
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All past, present, and prospective dog handlers among BVA’s blind and low vision veterans are invited to attend this Tuesday’s virtual meeting of the group, scheduled for 4:00pm Eastern Time. Included among the invitees are those who have never attended a dog handler meeting in the past and those who do not currently have a guide dog but who are interested in the issues concerning them. Please encourage your fellow veterans to attend, sharing the
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CMV Champions Minority Veterans

Posted by Kylie Fitzgerald on  April 12, 2024
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Category: Blog, BVA Happenings
Blind and low vision veterans and their families may not be aware of the Center for Minority Veterans (CMV), established by Public Law 103-446, in 1994. Title 38, United States Code (USC), Section 317 reflects the current responsibilities of the CMV, which seeks to champion minority veterans by ensuring awareness of, and equitable access to, the benefits and service they have earned through their service. The ultimate goal of the Center is to enhance the
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The Travis Manion Foundation is once again partnering with VA’s National Cemetery Administration in mobilizing volunteers of all ages from across the country to pay respect to fallen heroes on and around Memorial Day. Known as The Honor Project, the associated events are being expanded this year to 20 national cemeteries in which volunteers will place hand-crafted commemorative tokens at the gravesites of those who have served while also reflecting on their service and sacrifice.
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Arsenio is sitting in a tree, near the base, while “G” looks on from Arsenio’s feet. Last week I was able to bark about my dad, BVA member Arsenio, and our unbreakable bond. This week I wish to share a little about what that bond en“tails”. Humans often say that dogs are man’s best friend, but I am more like a son to my human. We have gone everywhere together since the day we met
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This Sunday, April 14, marks another historic milestone for the Air Force Reserve and all who have contributed to its success along the way. Reservists in every branch of the military are an important part of the Department of Defense’s strategy for manpower, global reach, and flexibility. With approximately 450 aircraft, a typical response time for the Air Force Reserve to mobilize for mission readiness and become deployable is an amazingly short 72 hours. This
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As evening approaches, panoramic view of Downtown Jacksonville from across the St. John’s River. Photo courtesy of Visit Jacksonville. BVA members and their families are encouraged to register as soon as possible for the 79th National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida. The registration includes all BVA-specific activities and meetings that will occur July 7-10, 2024, including a Florida Regional Group 50th anniversary celebration hosted by the group to which all BVA members and their families are
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More than 70 blind and low vision veterans participated last week (April 1-7) in the annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic (WSC) at Snowmass Village in Aspen, Colorado. That number fortuitously included BVA National Membership Coordinator Teresa Galgano, who was there to sign up as a new member Jeffrey A. Hockett of Missouri City, Texas, the Association’s first ever Space Force veteran. The new memberships became official following a special April 6 meeting organized
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Join BVA’s VetTech team this Wednesday, April 10, at 2:00pm Eastern Time, for our Weekly Wednesday Webinar. We will welcome James Bailey, Vispero’s Sales Director for the Southeast area and Liz Whitaker, the company’s Product Manager for User Education and Outreach. The webinar will present and discuss Vispero’s wide range of desktop magnifiers, beginning with the company’s Onyx and Ruby and extending to Freedom Scientific’s ZoomText and Open Book.             
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“G”, BVA’s April Ambassadog. Thank you to my fellow Ambassadog Kent for the introduction and for onboarding me with the ceremonial frisbee toss last week. My name is G and I currently guide BVA member Arsenio. My dad, as I refer to him, served in the US Army earning the rank of staff sergeant serving tours in Germany and Korea. When his military career ended, he went on to become an X-ray Technician and had

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