Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) Launches New Accessible Website

Photo: Screen shot of the BVA's new accessible website home page.

The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) has unveiled a newly redesigned, fully accessible, mobile-responsive website. Users can begin navigating the site at its Homepage, www.bva.org.  

“The new site will offer previously unavailable resources, tools, and other sources of information,” said BVA Executive Director Al Avina. “It will also allow our constituents to efficiently update records, register for events, and gain access to the assistance they may be seeking for themselves or other Veterans who have experienced vision loss.”

BVA’s previous site was designed before the Internet was easily accessible via tablet and Smartphone, and was not optimized for mobile users. The new site is mobile-reactive, automatically displaying a user-friendly version of the site on mobile devices.  The site is also designed for compatibility with most screen-reader applications to ensure that it is as accessible as possible for blind and low-vision users. The new design features BVA’s recently updated logo, a sleeker layout, and a more convenient navigation process.

All of the content from the old website, which spans more than five years, has been carefully preserved by BVA staff to offer a complete historical perspective on BVA’s past and present service to blinded Veterans.  Building on that foundation, the new site will feature in the coming months several useful functions for both Association members and the public, including a login section for members only where they will be able to personally update their information. An additional section will feature adaptive technology with reviews and guides written by BVA members and staff. 

“The site will continue to be a work in progress,” said Avina. “In the meantime, BVA is proud of the improvements that will better allow the organization to communicate effectively on all platforms with our members and the public.”

CLICK HERE to visit BVA.org

Alumni Update: Project Gemini

WBRC recently received an update from one of our Alumni, Chris Rader, on his recent experience participating in Project Gemini through the BVA.  He was happy to have us share it on the WBRC blog, find his update following below:

Photo: Chris Rader at Buckingham Palace June 4, 2015

    
Through The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) Operation Peer Support, I Chris Rader a lifetime member, was given the opportunity to go on Project Gemini.  Project Gemini happens once a year and unites the Blinded Veterans of the United States with the Blinded Veterans of the U.K. (BVA U.K.) for a week of experiencing what kind of training they receive at their blind center in Brighton where their headquarters is located. 



Photo: Mr. Rader's invitation to Buckingham Palace

It was a once in a lifetime opportunity this year as we celebrated their 100-year anniversary at a Garden Party in the Buckingham Palace.  I stayed at an overflow house that they have converted into a multiple bedroom facility for Veterans to stay at just next to their headquarters/ blind center.  During the stay they provided us the opportunity to add to their wall of plaques, which my plaque was made through a lifetime member of the BVA who does laser engravings, which stated Task Force Tarawa, Alpha 1/10 1^st Battalion 2^nd Marine Division the mission which I was in for the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003.  The BVA U.K. also made me a lifetime member of their association to where I can go visit their blind center and stay in the house for a week at a good price, which I plan on doing one of these years to complete a 100k 24 hour walk for charity. 

The experience I had there was amazing and have decided that during the BVA conferences we will have to provide them with more to do and see instead of just classes on how to work with the Veterans Affairs and coping with blindness, as they gave us tours of palaces, museums, and historical sites.  We also went to a lagoon to where we were taught how to wake and paddle board.  I would have to say it all together a wonderful experience.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Project Gemini

CLICK HERE to learn more about the BVA

CLICK HERE to learn more about the WBRC

UPDATE: Save the Date for WBRC's 10th Annual White Cane Awareness Walk!

Photo: The WBRC Mobility Department and Interns pose with white canes.

Please save the date for the

2014 White Cane Awareness Walk

Wednesday October 15, 2014

Downtown Palo Alto

Palo Alto City Hall
250 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto, CA

 

October is White Cane Awareness Month. WBRC is celebrating White Cane Awareness by hosting a Walk in Palo Alto, CA on Wednesday October 15th, 2014. Participating agencies include WBRC, VAPAHCS, BVA, VISTA Center, Bookshare, and the Lions Club.

On October 6, 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress was signed into law authorizing the President of the United States to proclaim October 15 of each year as "White Cane Safety Day". Within hours of the passage, then-President Lyndon B. Johnson publicly recognized the importance of the white cane as a symbol of independence for individuals who are blind. Today there is a variant of the White Cane Law on the statute books of every state in the nation and White Cane Safety Day is nationally recognized with marches and celebrations.

Please feel free to come join us on October 15th and participate in the walk to spread awareness of the White Cane Law.

All are welcome --- white cane users, yellow cane users, sighted guides, power mobility users, 4WW users, dog guide users, blindfolded sighted folks {with cane skills or a human guide} ---on an approximate half mile walk around downtown Palo Alto.

Schedule

9:30 AM          Assemble at Palo Alto City Hall, Meet & Greet,
                       Informational Booths

10 AM             Walk from City Hall Palo Alto

10:30 AM        Re-assemble at Palo Alto City Hall, Mix &
                       Mingle, Informational Booths

11:15 AM        Photo & Proclamation at Palo Alto City Hall

Image: White Cane Awareness Walk Route (Click on Image to Enlarge)

2014 White Cane Awareness Walk Route:

1)      Start at Palo Alto City Hall

2)      Travel ‘NE’ on Hamilton towards Waverly Street

3)      Turn Left on Waverly Street

4)      Travel ‘NW’ on Waverly towards University Ave

5)      Turn Left on University Ave

6)      Travel ‘SW’ on University Ave to Emerson Street

a.      Participants that need a shorter route can turn left on Bryant Street to return to City Hall

7)      Turn Left on Emerson Street

8)      Travel to Hamilton Ave

9)      Turn Left on Hamilton Ave and return to City Hall

CLICK HERE to read about WBRC's 2013 White Cane Awareness Walk

CLICK HERE to learn more about the White Cane Law

Please e-mail Elise.Vaughan@va.gov for more information.

Save the Date for WBRC's 10th Annual White Cane Awareness Walk!

Photo: The WBRC Mobility Department and Interns pose with white canes.

Please save the date for the

2014 White Cane Awareness Walk

Wednesday October 15, 2014

 

Downtown Palo Alto

Palo Alto City Hall
250 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto, CA

 

October is White Cane Awareness Month. WBRC is celebrating White Cane Awareness by hosting a Walk in Palo Alto, CA on Wednesday October 15th, 2014. Participating agencies include WBRC, BVA, VISTA Center, Bookshare, and the Lions Club. 

On October 6, 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress was signed into law authorizing the President of the United States to proclaim October 15 of each year as "White Cane Safety Day". Within hours of the passage, then-President Lyndon B. Johnson publicly recognized the importance of the white cane as a symbol of independence for individuals who are blind. Today there is a variant of the White Cane Law on the statute books of every state in the nation and White Cane Safety Day is nationally recognized with marches and celebrations.

Please feel free to come join us on October 15th and participate in the walk to spread awareness of the White Cane Law.

All are welcome --- white cane users, yellow cane users, sighted guides, power mobility users, 4WW users, dog guide users, blindfolded sighted folks {with cane skills or a human guide} ---on an approximate half mile walk around downtown Palo Alto.

Please check back here or e-mail summer.beasley@va.gov for further event details.

CLICK HERE to read about WBRC's 2013 White Cane Awareness Walk

CLICK HERE to learn more about the White Cane Law

 

 

2012 White Cane Walk a Success

All Photos courtesy of Dan Nakamura, WBRC CNVR Therapist

Photo: Participants cross an intersection along the Downtown Palo Alto route.

WBRC celebrated White Cane Awareness Month by hosting a walk in Palo Alto, CA this morning.  Walkers included Veterans, WBRC Staff, BVA representatives, Lions Club Volunteers, VISTA Center Staff, and Bookshare Staff.  The walkers were lead by Grand Marshal Felipe Flores, an important leader of the BVA Northern California Chapter. 
  

Photo: WBRC's Brian Higgins addresses the crowd in front of City Hall.

The walk started and ended in front of Palo Alto City Hall and encompassed several streets in downtown Palo Alto including sections of Hamilton Ave, Ramona, Emerson, University, and Bryant Street.  The walkers all wore specially printed T-Shirts and used their long canes, guide dogs, wheelchairs, walkers, and human guides to complete the route chanting and spreading awareness of the White Cane Law.   

Photo: Grand Marshal, Felipe Flores, Addresses the crowd.

The California White Cane Law requires every driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection or crosswalk to Yield the Right of Way to a pedestrian crossing in the roadway when they are accompanied by a Dog Guide or using a long cane which is white, or white with a red tip.

Photo: Palo Alto Mayor, Mr. Yiaway Yeh, addresses the crowd.

Upon returning to Palo Alto City Hall participants assembled for a closing ceremony which included a reading of the White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation from the Palo Alto Mayor's Office; speeches from the Palo Alto Mayor, Mr. Yaiway Yeh, and the Grand Marshal, Mr. Felipe Flores; presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to the Palo Alto Host Lions Club, Bookshare, the VISTA Center, the BVA, and to the Palo Alto Mayor; as well as a group picture with all of the participants.

Photo: Participants assembled for the closing ceremony.

This is the 6th year that WBRC has organized the White Cane Awareness Walk.  Thank you to everyone who participated in this event.  Below is a list of links to participating agencies:

VAPAHCS Western Blind Rehabilitation Center

The Blinded Veteran's Association (BVA) Northern CA

Palo Alto Host Lions Club

Bookshare

The VISTA Center

Palo Alto Mayor, Mr. Yiaway Yeh, and his staff

The Palo Alto Weekly On-line Magazine

The City of Palo Alto

Guest Post: Reflections on the 66th BVA Convention in Las Vegas

Image: BVA Logo

The 66th National BVA convention was held August 16th - 20th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Most people fly to Las Vegas, but Dale [my Husband] and I took Amtrak to Las Vegas!  It was a very interesting trip, leaving early in the morning, and arriving late Tuesday night.  Most of the trip was by train, but over five hours was on the bus which was extremely exhausting.  However, it was an adventure, and if you are wondering, yes, we flew back home. 

The convention was held at the Golden Nugget in downtown Las Vegas which has been totally renovated with restaurants and shops.  Some of the cool new features of the Golden Nugget are the aquariums and the slide through the shark tank!  For those of you who are not familiar with Las Vegas, down town is the Old Fremont Street which is now covered and is a huge light show at night.

The convention kicked off with opening remarks by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki and other dignitaries from the state of Nevada.  The Secretary commented on the progress that has been made throughout his administration during the past two and ½ years including service claims, benefits, homeless veterans, and the role of women veterans.  He was very charismatic and enthusiastic as he spoke with bold straight forward remarks, and I was very proud to be a woman veteran of the United States Navy. After all of the fabulous speakers, the National BVA president, Dr. Roy Kekahuna called roll for all of the delegates representing each state and region and the convention was in full swing.

There were many sessions, research information, and vendors to keep each one of us very busy.  I attended the Father Carroll luncheon and Dr. Greg Goodrich was the key note speaker.  Gayle Watson also gave a very interesting and informative session about the role of the VA Blind Rehabilitation Centers, which was received with great enthusiasm.

One of the many highlights for me was meeting new veterans, reconnecting with many WBRC Alumni, and visiting the Hospitality suite. The Northern California BVA chapter was well represented by President Felipe Flores and other board members.  It was a great convention and very worthwhile to attend.  Next year the BVA convention will be held in Galveston, Texas.  If you would like more information about the National convention please visit the following web site: BVA.org


CLICK HERE for a LINK to Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs Eric K. Shinseki’s BVA Convention Opening Remarks


CLICK HERE for a LINK to BVA.org

Guest Post By: Anita Stone, VRT
WBRC Living Skills Instructor
BVA Life Time Member, Northern California Chapter

BRITISH BLINDED VETERANS TO HOST U.S. COMRADES IN LONDON

Photo of an American flag, rippling in the breeze

Several veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have lost their sight and then become role models for others living with blindness will visit their counterparts in the United Kingdom May 22-28.

            Project Gemini, an initiative of St Dunstan’s of London, England, and the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), headquartered in Washington, DC, will take six American blinded veterans, four of them blinded in recent combat operations in Iraq or Afghanistan, across the Atlantic Ocean for six days of educational exchange and the sharing of friendship, knowledge, and insights with their British comrades.

Subjects of discussion will be rehabilitation and readjustment training, vision research, and adaptive technology for the blind. The two groups will also tour the British Parliament and visit with American military staff and embassy personnel at the U.S Embassy in London.

They will share helpful hints about coping with blindness and the “war stories” that are part of the adjustment processes. They will compare the British veterans’ health care system with that of the American system operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and its dozens of component medical centers, outpatient clinics, and veterans’ homes throughout the country.

Also part of the week’s scheduled events are recreational rehabilitation activities that will include kayaking, blind archery, and horseback riding.

            Making the Transatlantic journey are Operation Iraqi Freedom blinded veterans Douglas Cereghin of Phoenix, Arizona; Jeffrey Mittman of New Palestine, Indiana; Andrew “A. J.” Tong of Snoqualmie, Washington; and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) blinded veteran Steven Beres, who is also BVA’s National Treasurer.

            Other BVA officials joining the “St Dunstaners” are National President Dr. Roy Kekahuna, a Vietnam era veteran injured in combat, and Director of Government Relations Dr. Tom Zampieri, who is legally blind due to Retinitis Pigmentosa. Major Derrick Johnson, Executive Officer of the Department of Defense Vision Center of Excellence, will also accompany the group and participate in its activities.

            Project Gemini is an outgrowth of Operation Peer Support, a BVA program begun in 2006 that brings together veterans of recent conflicts with those who have lost their sight in Vietnam, Korea, or during World War II. The objective of the program is to provide veterans who have lost their sight recently with examples of and opportunities to interact with men and women who have led happy and prosperous lives despite their blindness

            In 2008, BVA sponsored the participation of three service members from across the ocean at its 63rd National Convention. Project Gemini returns the favor on British soil.

            St Dunstan’s was founded in 1915 shortly before the outbreak of World War I.  BVA traces its beginning to 1945 when a group of war-blinded servicemen met at Avon Old Farms Convalescent Hospital near Avon, Connecticut, on March 28 of that year.

For more information contact:

Tom Zampieri

202-355-952

tzampieri@bva.org