The following resolutions will be heard and voted on during the ACB business meeting to be held Tuesday, June 20 at 7:00 PM Central Time on Zoom and ACB Media 1.
Resolution 2023-01 Medical and Exercise Equipment
Submitted by ACB Diabetics in Action
Whereas, maintenance of good health requires regular physical exercise and monitoring of chronic health conditions; and
Whereas, equity and equal opportunity require that people who are blind or who have low vision should be able to use exercise equipment (e.g. treadmills and stationary bicycles), and monitor chronic health conditions (e.g. diabetes, pulmonary or cardiac illness), to the same extent sighted people can do so; and
Whereas, a significant number of people who are blind or have low vision cannot afford smart device technology which is often used as a means of accessing screen output and controls on exercise equipment and medical devices; and
Whereas, technology exists that would enable manufacturers to provide accessible output of information for exercise equipment and medical devices; and,
Whereas, H.R. 1328, the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act, was reintroduced by IL Rep. Jan Schakowski on February 21, 2023, which, if passed, will require that all medical devices providing digital readouts that document the results of medical tests will also provide accessible output of the information;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the blind in convention assembled that ACB strongly support the passage of H.R. 1328; and
Be it further resolved that ACB urges Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require that all exercise equipment and medical devices provide output of health data and other information in an accessible format; and
Be it further resolved that: ACB urges manufacturers of exercise equipment and medical devices to enable such equipment and devices to provide information in an accessible manner.
End of Resolution 2023-01
Resolution 2023-02 Coverage of Needles for Insulin Injections
Submitted by California Council of the Blind and ACB Diabetics in Action
Whereas, in order to avoid significant health problems, such as vision loss, loss of limbs, and organ failure, diabetics who require insulin must inject it in the prescribed dosage and at the times required; and
Whereas, such injections must often be made several times a day; and
Whereas, many diabetics who require insulin have minimal income; and
Whereas, in order to inject insulin contained in an insulin pen, diabetics must separately purchase and attach needles, which may not be covered by insurances; and
Whereas, because of the cost of needles, many diabetics reuse needles, putting them at risk of additional disease, or they skip dosages altogether; and
Whereas, several municipalities throughout the United States provide needles free of charge to other populations to control the spread of HIV and other diseases;
Now, therefore be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled that this organization support legislation that would require all health care insurers to cover the cost of needles and other means of injecting insulin.
End of Resolution 2023-02
Resolution 2023-03 Reduction of Insulin Cost
Submitted by ACB Diabetics in Action
Whereas, in 2022, the United States Congress passed a bill which reduced the out-of-pocket cost of insulin to a maximum of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) per month for Medicare patients, but not for other diabetics who require insulin; and,
Whereas, Senator Josh Hawley has introduced Senate Bill S-146, the Cap Insulin Prices Act, which would reduce the maximum out-of-pocket cost for all diabetics who require insulin to twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per month regardless of insurance coverage; and
Whereas, other bipartisan bills are in development that are supported by the American Diabetes Association and other leading diabetes advocacy organizations, which would reduce the cost of insulin and also provide other protections for diabetics who require insulin; and
Whereas, a large number of diabetics who require insulin, including diabetics who are blind or have low vision, have the difficult daily choice of paying for the prescribed quantity of insulin or using the funds for other necessities of life; and
Whereas, some HMOs and health insurance companies have required patients to use generic or less expensive insulin which do not comply with the treating endocrinologist prescribed insulin; and
Whereas, the proposed legislation would prohibit health insurance carriers from requiring the individual with diabetes to use an insulin other than the type prescribed by the treating physician;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled that ACB support the passage of any legislation that caps or reduces the cost of insulin for people with diabetes; and
Be it further resolved that ACB affiliates and ACB members be strongly encouraged to contact their legislators to urge support of these bills; and
Be it further resolved that ACB consider adoption of the passage of a bill which would reduce the cost of insulin for all diabetics as a future legislative imperative.
End of Resolution 2023-3
Resolution 2023-04 Establishing an ACB Policy for Member Referrals
Submitted by Matt Selm and ACB Next Generation
Whereas, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) is a member-governed organization; and,
Whereas, ACB has 66 state and special interest affiliates, which are also member-governed; and,
Whereas, ACB's Constitution and Bylaws allow for several membership categories including members at large; and
Whereas, one area of focus of the Membership Engagement program is member growth and involvement; and
Whereas, it is generally recognized that more frequent interactions occur between members and state affiliates, special-interest affiliates, and local chapters as compared to ACB membership at large; and
Whereas, when an ACB member at large becomes a member of a state or special-interest affiliate, such membership results in expanded engagement with the organization.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled that the ACB Board of Directors establish a policy for referring members at large to state and special-interest affiliates; and
Be it further resolved that this policy shall be an opt-out policy such that no action is required by the member at large to be referred; and
Be it further resolved that referrals of members at large shall occur no less than annually; and
Be it further resolved that this policy and any associated procedure be established by the opening date of the 2024 ACB annual Conference and Convention.
Move to refer to membership steering committee
End of Resolution 2023-04
Resolution 2023-06 Encouraging Affiliates to Adopt a Prohibited Conduct Policy
Submitted by Margie Donovan
Whereas, the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) has adopted a Policy on Prohibited Conduct, and Applicable Complaint Investigation Procedures; and
Whereas, the general purpose of this document is to maintain the integrity of its events and online forums by creating a welcoming, professional, safe, and respectful environment for all who attend or participate; and
Whereas, such a Prohibited Conduct Policy is intended to ensure that event participants have a procedure under which to direct complaints about conduct that may rise to the level of a serious violation of law or that might be less serious in nature, but inimical to the values of the organization; and
Whereas, it is commendable that some ACB affiliates have chosen to adopt their own versions of a Prohibited Conduct Policy; and
Whereas, the appropriate content for an affiliate’s Prohibited Conduct Policy will certainly differ based upon circumstances that may be unique to that affiliate; and
Whereas: A Prohibited Conduct Policy may help to alleviate legal liability which might arise in the absence of such a policy;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled that this organization urge each affiliate to adopt a Prohibited Conduct Policy and accompanying implementing procedures in order to enable affiliates to act upon complaints of prohibited conduct; and
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution shall be sent to each affiliate along with a link to ACB’s Prohibited Conduct Policy, and information on how to request assistance, if desired, to develop such a policy.
End of Resolution 2023-06