Table of Contents
- Summary of 2025 Resolutions
- Resolution 2025-02
- Resolution 2025-03
- Resolution 2025-05
- Resolution 2025-07
- Resolution 2025-09
- Resolution 2025-11
Summary of 2025 Resolutions
There were 12 resolutions submitted in total. Six were withdrawn; the remaining six passed with no amendments.
Resolution 2025-02 directs ACB to work with the American Hotel and Lodging Association and major hotel chains to develop a procedure for the standard placement of reusable dispensers in the shower and sink areas of hotel guest rooms, and that ACB send copies of this resolution be sent to the President of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, and the heads of major hotel chains.
Resolution 2025-03 commemorates 100 years of Lions accepting Helen Keller's challenge to serve as "Knights of the Blind," and urges Lions to continue their work on behalf of people who are blind or have low vision, working with organizations of and for the blind to not only prevent avoidable blindness but to follow Helen Keller's challenge "to make the lives of the blind more worthwhile everywhere by increasing their economic value and giving them the joy of normal activity." ACB will send a copy of this resolution to Lions Clubs International.
Resolution 2025-05 directs ACB to partner with Library Users of America (LUA) in strongly urging NLS to resume using this effective committee approach; that while in-person meetings are preferred, virtual or hybrid meetings can be considered; and that NLS report back to ACB and LUA at the ACB Convention in 2026 on decisions made in response to this resolution.
Resolution 2025-07 expresses ACB's profound concern about a pattern of action that, if implemented as proposed, will erode decades of progress for people who are blind or have low vision; encourages ACB members to vigorously and vociferously advocate to Congress, the public, and other entities regarding the protection of the civil rights and programs outlined in this resolution in order to safeguard funding for vital programs, provide continuity of services, and promote enforcement of civil rights laws; directs the board and staff to continue to incorporate the issues discussed in this resolution into the ACB advocacy agenda; and calls on the Administration to release appropriated funds and calls upon Congress to fully exercise its oversight in order to support their constituents who are blind or have low vision.
Resolution 2025-09 instructs ACB to join with Library Users of America to request that the National Library Service expedite the expansion of available braille titles beyond the limited numbers now available, and that NLS be requested to report back to ACB and LUA at the ACB Convention in 2026 on decisions made in response to this resolution.
Resolution 2025-11 directs ACB to advocate to preserve the independence of and full funding for the National Eye Institute.
Resolution 2025-02
Standardize Placement of Wall-Mounted Dispensers in Hotel Guest Rooms
Whereas, over the past several years, many hotels are providing personal care products such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotion using wall mounted, reusable dispensers located in the shower and sink areas of hotel guest rooms; and
Whereas, there is no standard placement or order for how these dispensers are organized; and
Whereas, not having these dispensers placed in a standard order and location makes it difficult for hotel guests who are blind or low vision to know which dispenser is which; and
Whereas, this lack of consistency also makes it difficult for hotel staff to provide this information to guests who are blind or low vision;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled virtually on June 24, 2025 that this organization work with the American Hotel and Lodging Association and major hotel chains to develop a procedure for the standard placement of reusable dispensers in the shower and sink areas of hotel guest rooms; and
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to the President of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, and the heads of major hotel chains.
Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary
Resolution 2025-03
Commemorating Knights of the Blind Challenge to Lions by Helen Keller
Whereas, on June 30, 1925, at the Lions International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, Helen Keller issued a challenge to Lions to serve as "Knights of the Blind;" and
Whereas, since that time, Lions across the United States and around the world have worked to eradicate preventable blindness, provide glasses and eye exams, conduct vision screenings, provide specialized equipment, sponsor camps, and many other activities; and
Whereas, it has been one hundred years since Helen Keller issued this challenge to Lions;
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled virtually on June 24, 2025 join together with the American Council of Blind Lions to commemorate 100 years of Lions accepting Helen Keller's challenge to serve as “Knights of the Blind;” and
Be it further resolved that together we urge Lions to continue their work on behalf of people who are blind or have low vision, working with organizations of and for the blind to not only prevent avoidable blindness but to follow Helen Keller's challenge "to make the lives of the blind more worthwhile everywhere by increasing their economic value and giving them the joy of normal activity;" and
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to Lions Clubs International.
Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary
Resolution 2025-05
The Reinstatement of NLS Committees
Whereas the National Library Service (NLS) has a history of engaging with its users through surveys, at consumer conventions, and using Internet meetings; and
Whereas, beginning around 2018, NLS reduced these interactions by discontinuing in-person committee meetings which focused on Collection Development and technical issues, and which included representatives from consumer organizations, librarians, and selected library patrons; and
Whereas, these formal committees facilitated the sharing of new initiatives and provided a platform for patrons and librarians from across the country to raise issues;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled virtually on June 24, 2025, that we join with Library Users of America (LUA) in strongly urging NLS to resume using this effective committee approach; and
Be it further resolved that while in-person meetings are preferred, virtual or hybrid meetings can be considered; and
Be it further resolved that NLS be requested to report back to ACB and LUA at the ACB Convention in 2026 on decisions made in response to this resolution.
Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary
Resolution 2025-07
Impact of Recent Executive Orders on the Blind and Low Vision Community
Whereas, over 12.5 million Americans aged 40 years and older are blind or have low vision; and
Whereas, due to baby boomers aging into vision loss, this number is expected to double by 2050, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Big Data Project from VisionServe Alliance; and
Whereas, the American Council of the Blind (ACB), a leading national blindness consumer advocacy organization, has advocated for the equality and civil rights of blind and low vision individuals throughout the country since 1961; and
Whereas, the lives of Americans who are blind or have low vision have been improved immeasurably over the past 50 years by Congressional enactment of strong, bipartisan legislation, including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1975, the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA); and
Whereas the current administration has signed executive orders (EO's) and proposed fiscal year 2026 budgetary changes that adversely impact blind and low vision individuals, including but not limited to:
- EO 14242: Elimination of the Department of Education, which currently enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and IDEA compliance in educational programs.
- Staff reduction and relocation of the Rehabilitation Services Administration which provides training and employment services for individuals with disabilities including people who are blind or have low vision, empowering them to go to work and gain financial independence.
- EO 14173: Dramatic realignment of the mission of the Civil Rights division of the Department of Justice, responsible for the enforcement of Section 504 and the ADA, contributing to the departure of 70% of its civil rights attorneys.
- FY-2026 Budget Request: Funding cuts to state Protection and Advocacy agencies that protect vulnerable residents with disabilities.
- EO 14238: Elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services which provides grants to NLS network libraries in 44 states and supports the provision of braille and audio books to students and adults with print disabilities who cannot read standard, hardcopy print.
- Internal VA memo: Proposed layoffs of 70,000 staff members at the Department of Veterans Affairs which will significantly impact services to blind and low vision veterans.
- Proposed FY26 budget: Sharp reduction in grant funding to the National Institutes of Health, and the elimination of the National Eye Institute, slowing the research and development of new treatments for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind, in virtual convention assembled on June 25, 2025, that this organization is profoundly concerned about a pattern of action that, if implemented as proposed, will erode decades of progress for people who are blind or have low vision; and
Be it further resolved that ACB members are strongly encouraged to vigorously and vociferously advocate to Congress, the public, and other entities regarding the protection of the civil rights and programs outlined in this resolution in order to safeguard funding for vital programs, provide continuity of services, and promote enforcement of civil rights laws; and
Be it further resolved that the board and staff of this organization are strongly encouraged to continue to incorporate the issues discussed in this resolution into the ACB advocacy agenda; and
Be it further resolved that this organization calls on the Administration to release appropriated funds and calls upon Congress to fully exercise its oversight in order to support their constituents who are blind or have low vision.
Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary
Resolution 2025-09
Expansion of Available Braille Titles
Whereas, although the number of braille titles released annually has grown slightly, it is dramatically less than the number of audio titles released; and
Whereas, for a variety of reasons, it is far easier to produce and distribute braille titles than it has ever been; and
Whereas, these reasons include but are not limited to: availability of digital titles, use of free NLS e-readers and other braille devices, and reliable braille translation systems;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in virtual convention assembled on June 25, 2025 that we join with Library Users of America to request that the National Library Service expedite the expansion of available braille titles beyond the limited numbers now available; and
Be it further resolved that NLS be requested to report back to ACB and LUA at the ACB Convention in 2026 on decisions made in response to this resolution.
Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary
Resolution 2025-11
Preservation of the National Eye Institute
Whereas, in the 2026 budget the Administration is proposing to eliminate the National Eye Institute (NEI), with its functions proposed to be folded into a larger neuroscience institute; and
Whereas, previous NEI initiatives have led to treatments for macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, inherited retinal diseases, and many other eye conditions that impact millions of Americans; and
Whereas, over 12.5 million Americans aged 40 years and older are blind or have low vision; and
Whereas, due to baby boomers aging into vision loss, this number is expected to double by 2050, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Big Data Project from VisionServe Alliance; and
Whereas, according to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the NEI supports vision research through more than 2,000 research grants made to scientists at more than 150 medical centers and universities, and eliminating or reducing this vital research would have a devastating impact on the continued advancement of cutting-edge treatments;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in virtual convention assembled on June 25, 2025, that this organization will advocate to preserve the independence of and full funding for the National Eye Institute.
Adopted.
Denise Colley, Secretary