The first settlement was made in the vicinity of modern-day Louisville in 1778 by Col. George Rogers Clark, who was conducting a campaign against the British in areas north of the Ohio River, then called the Illinois Country. Clark organized a group of 150 soldiers, eventually known as the Illinois Regiment, after heavy recruiting in Virginia and Pennsylvania. On May 12, they set out from Redstone, today's Brownsville, Pennsylvania, taking along 80 civilians who hoped to claim fertile farmland and start a new settlement in Kentucky, and arrived at the falls of the Ohio on May 27. It was a location Clark thought ideal for a communication post, and the settlers helped Clark conceal the true reason for his presence in the area.
In 1803, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark organized their expedition across America at the Falls of the Ohio and Louisville. The Lewis and Clark Expedition would take the explorers across the western U.S., surveying the Louisiana Purchase, and eventually to the Pacific Ocean.
It is this setting that saw the 47th annual national convention of the American Council of the Blind held in Louisville, Kentucky the week of July 5-12 at the Galt House hotel. With record numbers of visually impaired, blind and persons interested in matters pertaining to the blind in attendance, this convention was the largest since Las Vegas in 2005.
For those arriving prior to the beginning of the various meetings, seminars and fund raising activities taking place, several tours were available including a Stephen Foster Musical Tour, a Saturday tour to Churchill Downs, where the sixth race was named for ACB and won by Quiet Alice, whose odds were 7 to 2, several options to tour the host city, as well as visits to the American Printing House for the Blind, the Muhammad Ali Museum, the Louisville Slugger Museum to see the making of bats, a Hawaiian themed cruise with our Guide Dog affiliate as well as many other fun tourist attractions were available for those interested.
The opening ceremony took place Sunday evening with President Mitch Pomerantz presiding over his first convention since being elected in Minneapolis last summer. One of the central points highlighted in his presidential address was the success we've seen in the area of accessible currency. Mitch reminded the convention assembled, and listening live online via ACB Radio, that the Appellate Court ruled in our favor on May 20 which sends the case back to the lower courts for restitution, with the proviso the Department of Treasury doesn't appeal.
While there were several other successes noted, one other worth discussing is the success we've seen in the area of telecommunications. Because manufactures are continually developing products that require touch-screen sensitivity for activation, on June 16, a Congressional hearing on what is now known as H.R 6320; The 21 Century Telecommunications Act was held. And resulting from what was described as a powerful testimony by a newly blinded Iraq war veteran; Congress seems sympathetic to the needs of the blind in the area of technology and appears to have this piece of legislation on the fast track to being adopted into law.
The convention was also advised that membership is down from years past, but circulation of the Braille Forum remains healthy with the restoration of two additional issues yearly, or twelve totals per year. Including large print, cassette, CD, Braille and the email version, 25,768 magazines are sent around the globe with each publication.
The 2008 ACB Exhibit Hall was filled with everything from jewelry to information resources to the latest in appliances and technologies designed especially for people who are blind and visually impaired. Chances are if you are looking for the latest in adaptive technology, information on guide dog schools and diagnostic devices, it could be found. Opening Saturday afternoon, exhibits were open every day during the convention until Thursday morning. And given the fact there were over sixty plus venders in attendance, visiting the many booths in one day is a manifest impossibility. Some of the venders in attendance ranged from Freedom Scientific, Cambium Learning Technologies, Large Print Media, Maxi-Aids, Lutheran Braille Workers and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which gathered input from conventioneers on accessible currency.
Like last year, the second annual ACB Auction was a huge success! In 2007, $18,884.00 was taken in, so you can imagine how surprised ACB was to have raised $24,525.00 this year! The auction couldn't have been the huge success it was if it weren't for the volunteers who assisted, the excellent record keeping of Carla Ruschival and Lane Waters, the hard work of our three auctioneers: Ray Campbell, Melanie Brunson and Jeff Thom, the generosity of the numerous affiliates, individuals, companies and vendors who contributed such fabulous items, and last, but certainly not least, those who came and supported the auction by bidding. And resulting from suggestions made, the auction committee is already at work processing suggestions as to how to streamline and improve next year's auction.
Lastly, elections were held for the Board of Directors and the Board of Publications Friday morning. Elected were Berl Colley, Lacey, WA; Marsha Farrow, Summerville, GA; Michael Garrett, Missouri City, TX; Billie Jean Keith, Arlington, VA; David Trott, Talladega, AL; Ken Stewart, Warwick, NY; Judy Jackson, Lubbock, TX and Marcia Dresser.
Having attended national conventions for 17 of my 19 year membership, I remain convinced that everyone should attend a national convention in their lifetime. So you can start planning, the 2009 national convention is scheduled for Orlando, Florida July 4-11 at the Rosen Center. The negotiated room rates are $83 plus applicable taxes. And the phone number for reservations is (407) 996-9840 .
Hope to see many in Orlando in '09!