Welcome to the holiday edition of the ACBN Quarterly Newsletter. With Christmas music being played on some radio stations, the illumination of over one million lights Thanksgiving evening on the Gene Leahy mall in Omaha, the hustle and bustle of shoppers searching for that perfect gift, the aroma of baked goods in the oven, and the appearance by the Huskers in the Gator Bowl New Year's Day, the holiday season is in full swing. Let me; therefore, say to all reading this newsletter, Merry Christmas, the best to you and yours this holiday season and a happy New Year, too.
Turning my thoughts to the upcoming state convention in April, I can report that your convention committee has met via conference call and begun the planning process adopting "on the go" as a theme. While a specific direction has yet to be finalized, tentative thoughts surrounding the theme include the importance of technology in our daily lives. Also, it was general consensus that a national representative be invited to present. Resulting from the decision, ACBN extended a formal invitation to Judy Jackson, who was elected this past July to ACB's Board of Publications.
As brief background information, Judy has been a member of ACB for the past ten years and chaired the resolutions committee for the past two. Having moved from Lubbock where she was employed as a court reporter, she recently moved to San Antonio where she now works for the state of Texas with blind children. During our phone conversation, Judy enthusiastically embraced the invitation and promised to represent ACB well.
Ladies and gentleman, it is your president's belief, hope and promise that all attending the April convention will not only find Judy to be a delightful breath of fresh air who is full of energy and enthusiasm, but also willing and eager to do what she can to aid in making the 2009 convention more unique and entertaining than the 2008 convention. And for those that were in Columbus last April, topping that isn't going to be easy.
As a friendly reminder, the convention will be in Hastings the weekend of April 17-19. The host hotel is the Quality Hotel and Convention Center, formerly the Hastings Holiday Inn. Room rates are $58.45 plus applicable taxes. Reservations are now being taken by calling (888) 905-1200. Be sure to mention ACBN to receive the discounted room rate. Reservations will be guaranteed at the group rate until April 3, or as long as availability within the block allows. Given the convention theme and Judy Jackson as our national representative, this convention is one you won't want to miss.
Next, in keeping with a motion passed during the Columbus state convention, your executive council met in Omaha the afternoon of October 18. Among items discussed included a change in the dues collection process. All affiliates are requested to start collecting dues in November for timely submission to our national office. ACBN has sent cards of well-wishes to Richard Smart, Teresa Gregg and her daughter as well as Nancy Oltman, chair of the NCBVI Board of Commissioners. Membership Chair Mark Bulger continues outreach efforts to increase membership. The 2007 form 990 has been filed with the IRS. And while it was not unanimous, effective with the January 17 board meeting in Lincoln, all executive council members, and those in attendance, will now be responsible for paying for lunch costs during board meetings relieving the state treasury from this obligation.
Concerning news of national significant, as part of the historic agreement negotiated by ACB, The California Council of the Blind (CCB) and several blind individuals, free annual credit reports available through annualcreditreport.com are now designed to be accessible to blind consumers. Each person is entitled to one free report each year from each of three different companies. By the end of this coming December, these companies will also be providing the free reports in Braille, Large Print, and Audio formats. ACB and CCB used Structured Negotiations to reach the landmark agreement with the Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Next, if you apply for or receive retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits or Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) payments from Social Security; or if you are the representative payee for an individual who receives Social Security benefits or SSI; and you have a visual impairment that substantially limits your ability to see, so that you require materials to be in an accessible format in order to participate in these programs, we have some exciting news.
A federal court has authorized a class action lawsuit against the Social Security Administration (SSA) on behalf of people with visual impairments who require communications from SSA to be in an accessible format in order to participate in the Social Security or SSI programs. The court has authorized two classes: If you have a visual impairment that substantially limits the major life activity of seeing and you (1) apply for or are receiving Social Security or SSI benefits, or (2) are the representative payee for a Social Security beneficiary or SSI recipient, then you are a member of at least one of the two classes. This means that the court's decision in this case may affect your rights. The case, American Council of the Blind v. Astrue, is pending in the Federal district court in San Francisco, California.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to find that SSA has violated the Rehabilitation Act. The Rehabilitation Act says disabled individuals cannot be denied meaningful access to Federal programs and benefits. Plaintiffs, who include the American Council of the Blind, are asking the court to order SSA to provide communications in alternative formats such as Braille, large print, electronic mail, computer disk, and audio recording to make sure that people with visual impairments have meaningful access to SSA's programs. This case does not include any claims for money damages. As this case has the potential to affect many, watch for periodic updates in this publication.
Finally, on the lighter side, Resulting from the input from customers, partners (employees), and disability organizations, Starbucks has made their popular brochure, "Make It Your Drink," available in both Braille and Large Print. Many thanks to the American Council of the Blind, the American Association of the Deaf-Blind and the Seattle Lighthouse for their input. Thank you also to Easy to Read Documents for producing the Braille and large print.
Finally, in the spirit of the season, I leave you with some fun Christmas quotes from funfacts.com.
"A Christmas shopper's complaint is one of long-standing."
Jay Leno.
"I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph."
Shirley Temple
"There is no ideal Christmas; only the one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions."
Bill McKibben
"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold; everything is softer and more beautiful."
Norman Vincent Peale
"Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people once a year."
Victor Borge
Until next time, remember that a picture is worth a thousand words. But spending the holidays with family and friends is priceless.