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January 19, 2024
Around BVA
BVA Instrumental in Securing OIG Audit on VA Accessibility,
Findings Motivate Calls to Action
The Blinded Veterans Association is currently expressing deep uneasiness over the recently released Office of Inspector General (OIG) report highlighting insufficient compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act on the part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This crucial legislation of the past mandates accessibility of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for individuals with disabilities such as blind and low vision veterans. Read more.
BVA Backs Newly Introduced Legislation for Timely VA Health Care
The Blinded Veterans Association joined Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, and the Wounded Warrior Project this week in support of a bipartisan and bicameral bill that would require the VA Secretary to establish a comprehensive standard for timing between medical referrals and appointment times for care at VA facilities, and to submit a report outlining VA compliance with that standard. Read more.
Higher Education Scholarships Support Spouses, Children, and Grandchildren
Dive into the opportunities offered by BVA's Kathern F. Gruber Scholarships – a chance like no other for spouses, dependent children, and grandchildren of blind and low vision veterans seeking support for their higher education tuition. Applications for the 2024-25 academic year are due April 30 for the five awards valued at $2,000 each. The scholarships can be a valuable help to students and their families. Read more.
Book Authored by BVA Member Now Available through NLS BARD
The cover of the book "Grandpa's White Cane." The cover depicts a cartoon drawing of a man with a white cane walking down a sidewalk surrounded by green grass and trees.
The audiobook version of Grandpa’s White Cane, by Jim Hoxie and Joanna Jones with cartoonist and former reporter Alex Portal as Illustrator, is now available through Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD), a program of the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Print Disabled of the Library of Congress. A resident of South Dakota, Jim is a member of BVA’s Midwest North Regional Group. Read more.
Stay Tuned for Forthcoming 79th National Convention Details
A view of the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida, from directly across the river.
Photo Caption: A view of the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida, from directly across the river.
BVA Director of Development Meredith Buono-DaGrossa has been busy compiling critical details to be distributed shortly to prospective BVA 79th National Convention attendees and their families. The mode of communication will be BVA.org, future issues of BVA Happenings, and the Winter 2024 Bulletin. For the time being, however, mark your calendars for July 5-12 as the Association joins forces with the American Council of the Blind (ACB) in hosting this historic gathering at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida (see adjacent photo).
Ways to Give
Social Media Used as Tool for Generating Revenue
Facebook makes it easy to set up fundraising events in honor of your birthday, a memorial gift, or a special occasion in just a few simple steps. Visit Facebook to create a fundraiser and login with your credentials. Select the Blinded Veterans Association, set a monetary goal, choose an end date that works for you, give your fundraiser a title, and let others know that you are supporting blind and low vision veterans. Celebrate your special day knowing you made a difference for BVA!
Ambassadog Scoop Series Courtesy of Waymo
Guide Dog Donald Woofs Kudos to The Seeing Eye’s Chelsea White
Donald, a golden lab, looking straight at the camera. He is wearing his harness and has a little US Flag printed bow tie on his neck.
New to BVA Happenings in 2024, the Ambassadog Scoop Series features guide dogs that have become significant in the lives of Association members and their families. The series offers news, tips, and guidance for dog handlers and others who spend time in the company of guide dogs. Read more.
Donald is pictured left wearing his harness and a little US flag-printed bow tie around his neck.
VA Insider
VA Seeks Gulf War Veterans for Groundbreaking Research with Compensation
VA is partnering with the National Institutes of Health in a first of its kind collaborative study in Bethesda, Maryland, to better understand Gulf War illness (GWI). The study, entitled Project IN-DEPTH, seeks to create new biomarkers for more accurate diagnosis, explain the biological mechanisms that drive chronic symptoms, and lay the groundwork for better treatments of GWI, which is a complex, poorly understood illness. Read more.
Upcoming Symposium to Address Topic of Homeless Veterans
BVA members and their families throughout the country are invited to join and participate in a free virtual symposium with the theme “Understanding the Unique Needs of Homeless Veterans.” The online event, available through the Webex platform, is scheduled for next Thursday, January 25, from 1:00-3:00pm Eastern Time. Interested parties can also join the meeting via mobile device and landline telephone. Read more.
Start the New Year Resolving to Live Whole Health
The VA Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation will continue promoting the Department’s Whole Health initiative throughout 2024. The approach revolves around what matters most to you, not what is the matter with you. Whole Health goes beyond being free from illness, injuries, or disabilities, focusing on your values, aspirations, and overall well-being. Air Force veteran Joe Macupa embraced Whole Health to improve pain levels, minimize heart problems, and overcome lung disease. He boosted both body and soul, finding peace of mind, improving self-esteem, and utilizing a support network along the way. To read more about Joe’s successful focus on Whole Health, click here.
Upcoming Events
OrCam to Present “What’s in Front of Me,” VetTech Talk Explores MacOS
Join BVA’s VetTech team on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 2:00pm, as we welcome Michelle Mendez, National Sales Director for OrCam. Michelle will present the company’s newest feature, “What’s in Front of Me” during the Weekly Wednesday Webinar. The feature has been designed for the OrCam MyEye Pro, which enables individuals to recognize objects and subsequently ask OrCam for additional information about the objects. Read more.
Women Veterans Group to Meet Next Thursday
Women Veterans Group (WVG) Chair Yoneka Trent has announced that the group’s inaugural 2024 meeting via Zoom will be held next Thursday, January 25. The theme of the meeting is “A Valentine’s Value of Self-Care,” which includes a self-indulging door prize! All women BVA members are invited and strongly encouraged to attend the 6:00pm Eastern Time start. Participation in past WVG meetings or activities is not a prerequisite for attendance. For joining information and a direct Zoom link, read more.
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BVA is a congressionally chartered 501(c)3 Veterans Service Organization accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Our Employer Identification Number is 53-0214281. All contributions are fully tax-deductible.
Blinded Veterans Association
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Blinded Veterans Association
Bringing Light This Holiday Season - Grateful Messages Donate Skiing Blind Check out our latest “Skiing Blind” video! Blinded Veterans Association Expands Criteria for Organization Membership Any person having honorably served, or currently serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, quali...
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Hiring Our Heroes
Hiring Our Heroes’ events and programs offer a convenient and effective way to explore your career options. Join us and take the next step towards finding your dream job – whether you're looking to transition from military to civilian life or simply seeking a new professional path.
Virtual Event Next Week
Breaking into Tech with Next Step Vets and Visa
Tuesday, January 23 | 3 p.m. ET
Register Now →
Join the Hiring Our Heroes Next Step Vets Program Manager to learn about in-demand skillsets, available roles and career paths, hiring processes, certification and training recommendations, and more for those looking to break into the technology industry. Hear from Visa’s Head of Military Talent Programs on their upcoming Technical Apprenticeship opportunities. Bring your questions for live Q&A!
In-Person Event Next Week
Camp Lejeune SkillBridge Exploration Fair
January 25 | Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
Register Now →
Transitioning service members will have the opportunity to network with 35+ local and national employers including Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing, Air Methods, Boeing, First Command Financial Services, Heidelberg Materials, Helmets to Hardhats, Hiring Our Heroes Career Services, INvets, Kiewit, Lowe's, TMC Transportation, Troops Into Transportation, Verizon, and more. Additionally, attendees will explore SkillBridge opportunities in in-demand career fields and learn how to be successful in the job transition process.
Other Upcoming Events
Exploring Careers in Technology and Cybersecurity | Jan. 30 →
Virtual Hiring Fair: Technology & Cybersecurity | Jan. 31 →
Tampa Military Spouse Hiring Event | Jan. 31 →
Fort Riley SkillBridge Exploration Fair | Feb. 1 →
Registration for upcoming events is opened on a rolling basis, so please check the Event Calendar often
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Daily Headlines
Daily Headlines
January 18, 2024 | View in browser
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Congress approves short-term spending bill, avoids shutdown of VA offices
Congress on Thursday voted to fund the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Pentagon and other federal agencies through early March, narrowly avoiding a partial government shutdown.
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NATO to stage largest military exercise in Europe since Cold War
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, NATO’s supreme allied commander and head of U.S. European Command, said some 90,000 allied troops are slated to take part in Steadfast Defender.
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Air Force 2-star requests retirement in lieu of court-martial
Air Force Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart has requested retirement from military service in lieu of a court-martial for charges that he sexually assaulted a subordinate officer during a business trip in April.
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Navy giving pregnant sailors at sea more reassignment choices
Pregnant sailors serving at sea now have more say in the jobs they get when reassigned to shore duty, the Navy recently announced.
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Fired Navy submarine commander arrested, charged with DUI in Georgia
Capt. Geoffry Patterson, fired last week from command of a guided-missile submarine, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol near Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base just days before his dismissal.
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Proposed EU maritime force in Red Sea would work with US Navy ships
The European Union is moving to establish its own naval security force in the Red Sea that would work together with a U.S.-led initiative already protecting ships against Iranian-backed Houthi militant attacks.
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Senators seek reduced VA wait times in legislation proposal
The Department of Veterans Affairs would have to establish a standard time frame for veterans to receive specialized care after a VA doctor’s referral under a bill introduced this week in the Senate.
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House GOP lawmakers attack VA for processing medical claims for illegal immigrants
Reps. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., and Jennifer Kiggans, R-Va., of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs questioned whether VA’s financial agreement with ICE is exacerbating health care shortages for veterans.
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‘You don’t know Japan today’: Emanuel in Tokyo dispels ‘myths’
The U.S.-Japan alliance will “determine the future” of the Indo-Pacific region over the next 30 years as the two countries grow closer via military and economic ties, the U.S. ambassador to Japan said Thursday.
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Years-long job ahead in final cleaning of massive Red Hill fuel tanks
Final cleansing of the 20 massive tanks that make up the Red Hill underground fuel storage facility in Hawaii will take three to four years. The projected end to remediating the soil and aquifer contaminated by the facility, however, remains open-ended.
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Fallen Osprey pilot’s family raising scholarship fund
The parents of an Air Force pilot who perished with seven other crew members aboard a CV-22 Osprey in late November have started a campaign to create a scholarship in his memory, his mother said.
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