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2022 Resolutions

Table of Contents

 

Summary of 2022 Resolutions

 

Resolutions 2022-04, 2022-10, 2022-11, 2022-22, and 2022-23 were withdrawn prior to being considered by the committee. Resolutions 2022-01 and 2022-20 were considered by the committee but were withdrawn prior to being presented to the convention because the actions they were calling for had already been put into place.

Resolution 2022-02 was considered by the convention, but it failed. Resolution 2022-03 was referred to the advocacy steering committee. Resolution 2022-05 was considered by the convention, but failed. Resolution 2022-21 was considered by the convention, but it failed, too.

Resolution 2022-06 directs ACB to work with the Braille Revival League to explore the best way to create a climate and an expectation that braille labels will be required on products produced and sold in the United States, and instructs the executive director to include information on the progress of implementing this resolution in his report to the 2023 convention in Schaumburg, Ill.

Resolution 2022-07 instructs that ACB work with the Braille Revival League and Library Users of America to ask the Board of Directors and Board of Publications to reinstate 12 hard-copy issues of “The ACB Braille Forum.” Should the boards decide that it is not feasible to resume producing 12 issues, they would have to provide the specific reasons to the membership.

Resolution 2022-08 directs ACB’s convention coordinator to seek to include the provision of cosmetics with braille and large print identification as a necessary component of any new contracts ACB enters into with convention hotels.

Resolution 2022-09 instructs NLS that, commencing with new releases, NLS produce all its audio materials with a textual equivalent, asks that NLS explore updating its existing audio material collection to include a text equivalent, and directs that ACB request annual updates on the addition of text equivalents to their digital audio collection. 

Resolution 2022-12 direct ACB’s president and/or their designee to review resolutions which have been adopted, commencing with 2021; instructs ACB’s president and the resolutions chair to provide a status update for each resolution, and directs that a regular annual report on the status of each resolution be given to the membership.

Resolution 2022-13 directs ACB to call upon YouTube to publicly establish a date to roll out the audio description feature to all users, and instructs YouTube to work with ACB Students and the Audio Description Project in order to reach out to content creators to assist them in the creation of high-quality audio description content.

Resolution 2022-14 directs ACB to strongly encourage and work to promote theater companies’ use of live audio description as the only effective means of communicating the visual elements to the blind theatergoer. 

Resolution 2022-15 instructs ACB to begin a dialogue with Amazon to determine the best solutions to ensure that Amazon’s Disability Customer Support Line staff will provide accurate product descriptions for people who are blind or have low vision.

Resolution 2022-16 directs ACB to seek systemic change in order to achieve more permanent settlement in disability rights cases, and that, as a first step, ACB, through its advocacy steering committee, seek to collaborate with other entities dedicated to civil rights to identify, evaluate, and implement legal strategies and other means and mechanisms for promoting long-term, positive structural change through civil rights settlements and consent decrees. 

Resolution 2022-17 instructs ACB to request the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition to conduct a study aimed at developing empirical data that will document both the problem and its potential solutions clearly, and directs both groups to undertake appropriate educational and advocacy efforts to ensure placements in institutionalized settings can be avoid to the maximum extent possible for individuals who are blind or have low vision.

Resolution 2022-18 directs ACB’s Advocacy Services Steering Committee to develop an approach that will allow outreach to some of these Medicare managed care organizations, including Medicare Advantage plans, to determine whether our interest in durable medical equipment for people with low vision and vision services can be forwarded by working with this kind of Medicare hybrid entity. Also instructs ACB’s Advocacy Services Committee to explore what legal remedies exist for the unconscionable intransigence of CMS and other elements of Medicare who have remained stubbornly unwilling to entertain blindness-specific programs even as pilot projects, and directs the committee to provide a progress report at the 2023 leadership conference.

Resolution 2022-19 directs ACB to join with other partner organizations to demand that the United States Department of Education (USDOE) issue updated and considerably more comprehensive education policy guidance by the end of the year 2024.

Resolution 2022-24 directs ACB, along with the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss, the Braille Revival League, Council of Citizens with Low Vision International, and Library Users of America, to strongly urge that the production of the hard-copy large print version of Talking Book Topics be reinstated, and requests that NLS enter into a dialogue with ACB and its special-interest affiliates to resolve this issue.

Resolution 2022-25 directs ACB to strongly urge the U.S. Senate to pass the Collins-Shaheen bill, the Insulin Act, and urges its affiliates and members to contact their Senators to advocate for the passage of this bill.

Resolution 2022-26 directs ACB to encourage all live theater providers to enable theatergoers who are blind or have low vision to receive live audio description for all live performances, except when an undue burden can be demonstrated.

Resolution 2022-27 charges the ACB board and the advocacy steering committee with planning for this organization’s housing advocacy, and urges ACB’s state and local affiliates to become involved in advocating in the area of housing.

Resolution 2022-28 expresses appreciation to the staff of the CHI Health Center and the Omaha Hilton for their hard work and Midwest hospitality.

Resolution 2022-29 expresses ACB’s heartfelt congratulations and thanks to this year’s Convention Host Committee and the women and men of the American Council of the Blind of Nebraska for their enthusiastic welcome, the untold hours of planning and hard work, and the tremendous privilege of bringing our national conference and convention to the Cornhusker state.

Resolution 2022-30 sincerely thanks each and every individual volunteer who so selflessly and graciously gave of their time and energy to make this first convention back in person such a success.

Resolution 2022-31 expresses ACB’s sincere gratitude and extreme appreciation for everyone who put in long hours and assisted to make this first hybrid convention possible, including but not limited to the convention planning team and the ACB Media staff.

Resolution 2022-06

Product Labeling in Braille

 

Whereas, braille represents a medium of communication widely used by people who are blind; and

Whereas, among many other uses, this medium is used to identify products used by braille readers around the world; and

Whereas, for many years, the European Union, the United Kingdom and some other European countries have been making braille labels available on boxes and bottles of regularly available products that can be bought in supermarkets, pharmacies and other retail outlets; and

Whereas, much of the impetus for this effort has arisen because the European Union developed and enforces standards and requirements regarding braille marking of products;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 7th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., that this organization shall make it a priority to work with its affiliate the Braille Revival League to explore the most appropriate way forward to create a climate and an expectation that braille labels will be required on products produced and sold in the United States; and

Be it further resolved that regulations or legislation as well as direct communication with national manufacturing organizations all be considered appropriate approaches; and

Be it further resolved that the executive director shall include in his annual report to the convention in 2023 in Schaumburg, Ill. what progress has been made to implement this resolution.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-07

Twelve Issues of the Braille Forum

 

Whereas, among the most important benefits of membership in the American Council of the Blind is receipt of “The ACB Braille Forum”; and

Whereas, as an organization of people who are blind or have low vision, this organization should prioritize the availability of braille and large print in our primary publication; and

Whereas, for the past several years, only six of the twelve issues produced each year are available in hard-copy large print and hard-copy braille; and

Whereas, a substantial number of our members do not have access to computers, are deaf-blind or simply prefer to have hard-copy braille or large print available;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 7th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., that this organization along with its affiliates the Braille Revival League and Library Users of America ask that the Board of Publications and the Board of Directors of this organization seriously consider reinstating the six issues currently only available electronically as hard-copy braille and hard-copy large print publications; and

Be it further resolved that, if the Board of Directors and Board of Publications decide that it is not feasible to resume producing twelve issues in braille and large print, these entities provide to the membership the specific reasons for their decision.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-08

Convention Contract Changes

 

Whereas, at least one affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, the Florida Council of the Blind, has included in its convention contract that the hotel where the convention is being held is responsible for acquiring shampoo, conditioner, body gel and other cosmetic elements with braille labels on products available in guest rooms; and

Whereas, this has resulted in the ability of blind guests to be much more independent than they would otherwise be; and

Whereas, the Braille Revival League is the affiliate of the American Council of the Blind responsible for promoting the wider use and greater publicity of braille as a medium of communication;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 7th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., that this organization direct its convention coordinator to seek to include the provision of cosmetics with braille and large print identification as a necessary component of any new contracts the American Council of the Blind enters into with hotels where our conference and convention is to be held; and

Be it further resolved that if a hotel normally provides a product, that they not be allowed to deny us that product simply to avoid providing this labeling.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-09

Equal Access to Digital Accessible Information Systems (DAISY) Audio Books by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled

 

Whereas, the most prevalent format of books and magazines provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled is digital materials in a specialized DAISY audio format; and

Whereas, these materials only provide audio content without any text; and

Whereas, the absence of text makes it difficult if not impossible for NLS patrons who are deaf-blind to read or comprehend the materials; and 

Whereas, since the inception of the BARD program, this concern has been raised by patrons who are deaf-blind; and

Whereas, the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) and Learning Ally are similar lending libraries which provide texual equivalents with their audio books;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 7th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., that, commencing with new releases, NLS produce all its audio materials with a textual equivalent; and

Be it further resolved that NLS explore updating its existing audio material collection to include a text equivalent; and  

Be it further resolved that ACB request annual updates on the addition of text equivalents to their digital audio collection. 

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-12

Resolution on Reporting of Resolutions

 

Whereas, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) adopts resolutions; and

Whereas, ACB members often do not receive a follow-up report on adopted resolutions; and

Whereas, there are times when little is done to implement a resolution; and

Whereas, the passage of time may result in total inaction on a resolution;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 7th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., that this organization direct the president and/or their designee to review resolutions which have been adopted, commencing with 2021; and

Be it further resolved that the president or their designee, along with the resolutions committee chair, provide a status update for each resolution; and

Be it further resolved that a regular annual report be provided to the membership on the status of each resolution.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-13

YouTube Audio Description

 

Whereas, audio description is widely available for people who are blind or have low vision to enjoy on several streaming platforms such as Disney Plus, Netflix, and Apple TV; and

Whereas, YouTube controls of audio description have remained in beta, and YouTube has not publicly committed to a date when this feature will be fully available; and

Whereas, the North American division of Ubisoft was the first company to take advantage of YouTube’s audio description, demonstrating how it can enhance the entertainment value for people who are blind or have low vision;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 7th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., that this organization call upon YouTube to publicly establish a date to roll out the audio description feature to all users; and

Be it further resolved that YouTube work with the American Council of Blind Students and the Audio Description Project in order to reach out to content creators to assist them in the creation of high-quality audio description content.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-14

Equal Access to Live Theater

 

Whereas, every live theater performance is inherently unique and live theater provides the ability of an actor to spontaneously respond to the energy of an audience and other performers; and

Whereas, audio description is essential for theater-goers who are blind or have low vision to be able to comprehend settings, action and other visual elements of theater performances; and

Whereas, some theaters are choosing to provide pre-recorded descriptions that may not be accurately synchronized with the live performance and cannot possibly capture the nuances of live performance; and

Whereas, Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act guarantee the right of people with disabilities to receive effective auxiliary aids and services unless doing so would constitute an undue burden; and

Whereas, this requirement applies to public and private theater owners, operators, or lessees; and

Whereas, theaters and production companies may be unaware that recorded description cannot effectively communicate the visual elements of a live performance;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 7th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., that this organization strongly encourage, and shall work to promote the use by theater companies of, live audio description as the only effective means of communicating the visual elements to the blind theatergoer. 

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-15

Amazon Disability Customer Support Line

 

Whereas, millions of shoppers, including those who are blind or have low vision, purchase products online from Amazon; and

Whereas, much to Amazon’s credit, they have established a Disability Customer Support Line (1-888-283-1678), for people with disabilities to get assistance with, among other things, browsing their products lines and obtaining detailed visual product descriptions; and

Whereas, many Amazon Disability Customer Support Line representatives do not provide adequate products descriptions, resulting in unwanted items being purchased and the inconvenience of making returns;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 13th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., and on the Zoom platform, that this organization commence a dialogue with Amazon to determine the best solutions to ensure that Amazon’s Disability Customer Support Line staff will provide accurate product descriptions for people who are blind or have low vision.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-16

Sustaining the Benefits of Successful Accessibility Litigation

 

Whereas, ACB, its affiliates and its members have achieved many advocacy successes through accessibility litigation and structured negotiations; and

Whereas, the majority of these successes have been achieved by settlement agreements between the parties, which avoid the costliness and delay of trials and appeals; and

Whereas, such settlements are entered into for fixed periods of time, frequently three years; and

Whereas, once the settlement agreement expires, no legally enforceable mechanism exists for remedying subsequent conduct that would have violated the settlement agreement;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 13th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha, in Omaha NE, and on the Zoom platform, that this organization seek systemic change in order to achieve more permanent settlement in disability rights cases; and

Be it further resolved that as a first step toward this goal, ACB, through its advocacy steering committee, seek to collaborate with other entities dedicated to civil rights to identify, evaluate, and implement legal strategies and other means and mechanisms for promoting long-term, positive structural change through civil rights settlements and consent decrees. 

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-17

Nursing Facility Study

 

Whereas, vision loss correlates closely with advancing age; and

Whereas, anecdotal evidence provided by many ACB members underscores the role of vision decline in causing or hastening many unnecessary nursing facility and other institutional residential placements; and

Whereas, Medicaid pays for the cost of a substantial portion of nursing facility placements; and

Whereas, ACB has strong reasons for believing that provision of a range of services and technology to seniors with vision loss would delay and avoid institutionalization, and result in dramatic savings in public expenditure; and

Whereas, documentation of the extent of the problem is essential to the creation of a framework for legislative or regulatory action;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 7th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., that ACB request the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition to conduct a study aimed at developing empirical data that will document both the problem and its potential solutions clearly; and

Be it further resolved that with this date, ACB and other interested organizations, including the AVLNC, undertake appropriate educational and advocacy efforts designed to ensure placements in institutionalized settings can be avoid to the maximum extent possible for individuals who are blind or have low vision.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-18

Low Vision Electronic Magnification Technology

 

Whereas, ACB has advocated since 2008 for reforms in federal rules denying coverage for video magnifiers and other low vision devices to Medicare recipients with low vision; and

Whereas, the American Council of the Blind has, during that time, worked with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Congress and a range of organizations interested in providing coverage for electronic magnifiers and other durable medical equipment for people with low vision that can be utilized by people who are blind or have low vision; and

Whereas, despite sporadic bipartisan sponsorship for this initiative, we are really no closer to moving this initiative forward than we were a decade ago; and

Whereas, Medicare Managed Care (MMC) programs are demonstrating some initiatives in devising and implementing support for the provision of some products and services outside the usual scope of other Medicare programs;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 7th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., that the Advocacy Services Steering Committee develop an approach that will allow outreach to some of these Medicare managed care organizations, including Medicare  Advantage plans, to determine whether our interest in durable medical equipment for people with low vision and vision services can be forwarded by working with this kind of Medicare hybrid entity; and

Be it further resolved that, at the same time as we are seeking blindness-specific service delivery and equipment provision through these groups, the Advocacy Services Committee of the American Council of the Blind is hereby instructed to explore under what laws legal remedies for the unconscionable intransigence of CMS and other elements of Medicare who have remained stubbornly unwilling to entertain blindness-specific programs even as pilot projects can be challenged; and

Be it further resolved that the Advocacy Services Committee shall provide a report to the ACB Board of Directors no later than the 2023 Leadership Conference describing the specific actions taken and recommendations made.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-19

Education Policy

 

Whereas, it has been twenty-two years since the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) has issued official policy guidance concerning the education of students who are blind or have low vision who are or should be receiving special education and related instructional services; and

Whereas, the outdated policy guidance fails entirely to address the required availability of accessible textbooks and related instructional materials; and

Whereas, this grossly outdated policy guidance, issued in the year 2000, utterly fails to account for the ubiquitous use of the Internet, mobile devices and other commonly used instructional technologies; and

Whereas, the 22-year-old policy guidance completely lacks any meaningful guidance concerning instruction in and use of braille, especially with regard to students who are blind or have low vision and may have additional disabilities; and

Whereas, the existing policy guidance is devoid of any direction to educators concerning the instructional services to be provided to distinct populations of students with vision loss, particularly those with neurological impairment; and

Whereas, the existing policy guidance fails to address numerous additional issues which are vitally important in making a free and appropriate public education, as required by law, available to students with vision loss;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 11th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., and on the Zoom platform, that this organization join with other partner organizations to demand that the United States Department of Education (USDOE) issue updated and considerably more comprehensive education policy guidance by the end of the year 2024.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-24

Objecting to the permanent cancellation of the large print Talking Book Topics

 

Whereas, for more than half a century the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) has produced and distributed Talking Book Topics (TBT), which is an indispensable publication; and

Whereas, TBT provides its readers and those who assist them a list of recent books and periodicals available to NLS patrons through their regional libraries; and 

Whereas, NLS announced that they are permanently discontinuing the production of the large print version of TBT; and

Whereas, hard-copy large print is a recognized and legally mandated means of effective communication for people with low vision; and 

Whereas, the hard-copy large print version of TBT was an easy-to-use method of selecting books for NLS patrons, especially seniors, and those who assist them;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 11th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., and on the Zoom platform, that this organization, along with its special-interest affiliates the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss, the Braille Revival League, Council of Citizens with Low Vision International, and Library Users of America, strongly urge that the production of the hard-copy large print version of Talking Book Topics be reinstated; and

Be it further resolved that NLS is hereby requested to immediately enter into a dialogue with ACB and its special-interest affiliates to resolve this issue.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-25

Cost of Insulin

 

Whereas, many diabetics with vision loss are insulin-dependent; and

Whereas, the inability of an individual to take their prescribed insulin dosage can result in adverse consequences including but not limited to blindness, amputation, organ failure, or death; and 

Whereas, large numbers of these insulin-dependent individuals are on fixed incomes and thus unable to afford the high cost of insulin; and

Whereas, H.R. 6833 (the Affordable Insulin Now Act) has passed the House of Representatives; and

Whereas, this bill would limit the cost of insulin to $35 per month under private health insurance plans, Affordable Care Act programs, and Medicare; and        

Whereas, S. 3700, a companion bill to H.R. 6833, introduced by Senator Warnock (D-Ga.), has not passed the Senate; and

Whereas, a new bipartisan bill which is similar to H.R. 6833, known as the “Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now” (Insulin) Act, is being introduced in the Senate by Diabetes Caucus Co-Chairs Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jean Shaheen (D-N.H.); and

Whereas, the Collins-Shaheen bill (the Insulin Act) has already been endorsed by 13 diabetes advocacy organizations, including JDRF and ADA;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 11th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., and on the Zoom platform, that this organization strongly urge the U.S. Senate to pass the Collins-Shaheen bill, the Insulin Act; and

Be it further resolved that ACB encourage its affiliates and members to contact their Senators to advocate for the passage of this bill.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-26

Dates for Live Theater Presentations of Audio-Described Performances

 

Whereas, live audio description is essential for people who are blind or have low vision to comprehend settings, action and other visual elements of theater performances; and

Whereas, theaters providing live audio description often limit these performances to one or a few specified dates; and

Whereas, discounted tickets are frequently offered on dates that do not include live audio description; and

Whereas, people who are blind or have low vision, like all theater-goers, have work, family and civic obligations that make attending performances on a specified date difficult or impossible; and

Whereas, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires owners, operators, or lessees of public accommodations ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services unless doing so would result in an undue burden;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 11th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., and on the Zoom platform, that this organization encourage all live theater providers to enable theater-goers who are blind or have low vision to receive live audio description for all live performances, except when an undue burden can be demonstrated.    

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-27

Housing Accessibility

 

Whereas, housing has become a chronic and systemic national crisis; and

Whereas, this condition acutely affects people who are blind or have low vision, as well as seniors and persons with other disabilities; and

Whereas, this housing shortage is exacerbated for people who are blind or have low vision by various issues including, but not limited to:

  • Inaccessibility of platforms, including websites, documents, program procedures and applications used by local housing authorities and other public or non-profit housing agencies, as well as by private developers/management companies to implement federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-funded programs;
  • The lack of comprehensive enforceable accessibility standards applicable to at least multi-family dwellings;
  • Lack of sufficient housing that meets the accessibility needs of people who are blind or have low vision in areas such as lighting, stair striping, accessible operating controls and talking or labeled appliances; and
  • Rules imposed by homeless or emergency shelters that result in the exclusion of individuals who are blind or have low vision from the receipt of shelter services, and thus impact the broader ability of these persons to receive wrap-around services necessary to end the cycle of homelessness; and

Whereas, it is incumbent upon the American Council of the Blind at the local, state, and national levels to take a proactive role in advocacy on housing issues;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 11th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., and on the Zoom platform, that the ACB board of directors and the advocacy steering committee be charged with planning for this organization’s housing advocacy; and

Be it further resolved that this organization urge its state and local affiliates to become involved in advocating in the area of housing.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-28

Hotel Appreciation

 

Whereas, it is appropriate that this conference and convention express its thanks and appreciation for our host hotel and convention premises;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 11th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., and on the Zoom platform, that this organization communicate its deep gratitude to the management and staff of the CHI Health Center and the Omaha Hilton for their hard work and Midwest hospitality.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-29

Host Committee

 

Whereas, the strength of the American Council of the Blind lies in each of its individual members and in each of its state and special-interest affiliates;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 11th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., and on the Zoom platform, that this organization express its heartfelt congratulations and thanks to this year’s Convention Host Committee and the women and men of the American Council of the Blind of Nebraska for their enthusiastic welcome, the untold hours of planning and hard work, and the tremendous privilege of bringing our national conference and convention to the Cornhusker state.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-30

Volunteer Appreciation

 

Whereas, there are fewer things in this life more precious than a kind word, an open hand, a supportive shoulder, a warm heart, and a willing elbow;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 11th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., and on the Zoom platform, that this organization warmly embrace and most sincerely thank each and every individual volunteer who so selflessly and graciously gave of their time and energy to make this first convention back in person such a success.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2022-31

AV Appreciation

 

Whereas, a hybrid convention puts much more pressure on the AV staff than any in-person or even a virtual convention;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 11th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., and on the Zoom platform, that this organization express its sincere gratitude and extreme appreciation for everyone who put in long hours and assisted to make this first hybrid convention possible, including but not limited to the convention planning team and the ACB Media staff.

Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary

Addendum:

Text of the Failed/Tabled/Referred Resolutions

 

Resolutions 2022-04, 2022-10, 2022-11, 2022-22, and 2022-23 were withdrawn prior to being considered by the committee. Resolutions 2022-01 and 2022-20 were considered by the committee but were withdrawn prior to being presented to the convention because the actions they were calling for had already been put into place.

Resolution 2022-02 was considered by the convention, but it failed. Resolution 2022-03 was referred to the advocacy steering committee. Resolution 2022-05 was considered by the convention, but failed. Resolution 2022-21 was considered by the convention, but it failed, too.

We include these resolutions solely for your information.

 

Failed

Resolution 2022-02

The Inaccessibility of the Pentair ScreenLogic Connect App for Pools and Spas

 

Whereas, the Pentair ScreenLogic Connect app is a pool and spa control smartphone application developed to allow residential pool and spa owners to manage their systems with ease; and

Whereas, the ScreenLogic Connect app is advertised as a way to perform all the same pool/spa maintenance functions as one would from the main pool/spa controller box; and

Whereas, the proper and regular functions of managing, monitoring, and controlling are essential to the longevity of pools and spas, and the health and safety of pool and spa users; and

Whereas, there has been minimal accessibility through the Alexa skill portion of this app that has been shown to be unreliable for users who are blind or have low vision;

and

Whereas, the inaccessibility of the Pentair ScreenLogic app denies customers who are blind or have low vision the ability to use their smartphone for the advertised benefits and features such as, but not limited to, measuring the chemical level, operating the pump and water flow, and turning on the pool light; and

Whereas, these accessibility barriers have been repeatedly communicated to Pentair employees since the spring of 2020 and in June 2021 the California Council of the Blind sent a resolution and letter to Pentair on this topic and to date no response has been received; and

Whereas, as a result of this inaccessibility, pool and spa owners who are blind or have low vision are forced to incur additional and unnecessary expenses of pool and spa maintenance;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 7th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha, in Omaha, Neb., that this organization strongly urge Pentair to make the ScreenLogic Connect app fully accessible for users who are blind or have low vision; and

Be it further resolved that if Pentair does not make ScreenLogic Connect fully accessible, that this organization explore all available remedies.

Failed.

 

Referred to Advocacy Steering Committee and Board of Directors

Resolution 2022-03

Next Phase of National TVI Registry

 

Whereas, in September 2021 the ACB Board of Directors considered, on behalf of the ACB membership, Resolution 2021-31, concerning the National Registry of Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (hereafter the Registry); and

Whereas, the ACB Board voted to refer the resolution to itself, the ACB board, to the advocacy steering committee, and the special education task force; and

Whereas, this referral was made with the expectation that further research concerning the Registry would be concluded by these entities no later than the ACB leadership meetings in March 2022; and

Whereas, no such research by the ACB Board or the ACB Advocacy Steering Committee was concluded by the spring ACB Leadership meetings; and

Whereas, the ACB Special Education Task Force, in addition to other third parties, have engaged in further investigation and review of the Registry; and

Whereas, the primary findings of Resolution 2021-31 have been confirmed by such inquiries, although this confirmation was not reported to, or requested by, the board or advocacy steering committee; and

Whereas, these primary findings include the following:

  • The Registry was created and launched without any input from ACB, and national leadership of ACB had no knowledge of its purposes or its deployment;
  • The Registry purports to offer a national listing of Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs) but which fails to confirm the credentials of those who register, meaning that the Registry affords its users no reliability;
  • The Registry lists individuals side-by-side, without distinction, those who are or may be highly qualified, barely qualified, or unqualified to provide special education to students who are blind or who have low vision;
  • The Registry cannot fulfill its purported purpose, namely to reliably identify the size and characteristics of the national TVI professional discipline; and
  • The Registry’s design and implementation puts both TVIs and their students at risk given the Registry’s inherent limitations;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 7th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha, in Omaha, Neb., that the membership of ACB affirm the identified limitations articulated in ACB Resolution 2021-31 and as recapitulated above, and urge all concerned to exercise extreme caution in the use of, if not complete disengagement with, the National Registry of Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments.

Motion:

This resolution be referred to the ACB Advocacy Steering Committee and board of directors under the following conditions:

  1. The Advocacy Steering Committee shall make a recommendation to the Board of Directors concerning action to be taken on this resolution, with this recommendation to be acted upon at the October board meeting.
  2. The Advocacy Steering Committee shall consult with the Special Education Task Force and the Special Education Task Force may also address the Board of Directors at the October board meeting concerning this matter.

This motion passed on July 7. The resolution was referred.

 

Failed

Resolution 2022-05

Capitalization of Braille when referring to the code

 

Whereas, the invention of the Braille code has brought truly functional literacy to people who are blind; and

Whereas, since its invention, the Braille code has facilitated access to education, employment, information and entertainment for millions of people who are blind; and

Whereas, Braille was devised by Louis Braille who was himself blind; and

Whereas, Louis Braille is an example to us all of what can be achieved when we as people who are blind solve our own problems; and

Whereas, the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) issued a statement over a decade ago recommending that when referring to the code, the word Braille should not be capitalized; and

Whereas, many other significant inventions named after the inventor continue to be capitalized, including the Morse Code, the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales, and even the Nemeth Braille Code; and

Whereas, capitalizing Braille when referring to the code is an appropriate way to show our appreciation and respect for Louis Braille’s priceless contribution to people who are blind throughout the world;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 13th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha, in Omaha, Neb., and on the Zoom platform, and over Zoom, that the American Council of the Blind immediately begin capitalizing Braille when referring to the code in all internal and external communications; and

Be it further resolved that the American Council of the Blind call upon the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) to conduct an independent, fair, and transparent survey of end users of Braille on the capitalizing of Braille.

Failed.

 

Failed

Resolution 2022-21

Creating and implementing a long-range plan for serving people who are blind or have low vision

 

Whereas, historically, organizations involved in developing and implementing long-range plans for people who are blind or have low vision frequently have been concerned more with maintaining a balance of power among organizations rather than with finding approaches that ensure that the needs of all the segments of the population who are blind or have low vision are met; and

Whereas, planning for the future improvement of circumstances for people who are blind or have low vision ought to take into consideration the range and diversity of the population, the diverse needs and circumstances of children and adults of all ages, all ethnicities, all ability levels; and

Whereas, it is crucial that the array of services covered in a long-range plan aiming to augment and expand opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision be broad enough and inclusive enough to substantially impact the lives of the vast majority of people who are blind or have low vision; and

Whereas, it is essential that whatever plan evolves is characterized by input from a broad range of people who are blind or have low vision including individuals with additional disabilities canvassed in an environment where openness and listening are of paramount importance;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 11th day of July, 2022, at the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb., and on the Zoom platform, that the Advocacy Steering Committee of this organization is hereby charged with developing a set of long-term, generational priorities for people who are blind or have low vision; and

Be it further resolved that the initial plan be presented to the ACB Board only after meetings have been held and other means have been used to collect data from members and other interested people who are blind or have low vision; and

Be it further resolved that once this plan has been developed, ACB make it a priority to refine, promote and implement it with the collaboration and assistance of other organizations serving people who are blind or have low vision.

Failed.