Blind Pride International: The Year of Human Rights
For over 23 years now BPI has led the call for advocacy within the human rights spectrum. We stand for equality, inclusion for all, representation for all and the belief that together we are stronger!! Our members are passionate about driving the conversation towards complete acceptance. Our allies, as we call our non-LGBTQIA+ members, are not only family but our strongest proof that whatever you believe in or from whence you may have come, standing strong together makes us all better advocates.
And that is why in this year of human rights we invite ACB members to stand with us. By joining as an ally, you will not only show your support for our community, but the much-needed work BPI will be spearheading through 2024 and beyond. Our advocacy committee is working hard to identify and respond to the myriad of offensive proposed and adopted laws that restrict and dehumanize. We partner with affiliates within ACB and leading human rights organizations to further the voices of those who are blind, low vision and on any intersectionality.
The crowning event of this work will be our Speaking Demonstration Rally in Jacksonville this July 8th, during the national convention. BPI is already hard at work planning this high-profile event, working with the Jacksonville mayor’s office, the Multi-Cultural Affairs Committee, several prominent politicians from BOTH sides of the aisle, and media outlets. This rally will speak out for human rights, dignity, bodily autonomy, equality in all formsm and speak out against any and all forms of rights restrictions.
We ask for your support for our mission and advocacy; we ask for your acceptance; and we ask that you join our affiliate in solidarity!
The work will be hard, and we would love hands, minds and hearts from our ACB allies. Your nominal donations will go a long way in reaching the world at large, showing our strength and demands for equal access, rights and humanity.
To join and/or support BPI, visit www.BPI.gay/join.
ACB of Nebraska Convention
Come join the ACB of Nebraska at its state convention! This year’s theme is “Empowering for the Future.” The convention will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 8:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, 4343 Capehart Rd., Bellevue, Neb. Online registration is now open at acbnebraska.org. You can find the program agenda at HYPERLINK "https://www.acbnebraska.org/convention-2024"https://www.acbnebraska.org/convention-2024. Join in-person, tune in on ACB Media 8, and/or register to be eligible for a huge assortment of door prizes. Direct questions to HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]"[email protected].
CCLVI Genensky-Foley Magnification Award
Apply now for the Samuel Genensky - Carl Foley Magnification Award. CCLVI has 3 iPads to award to individuals with low vision. This annual award is in honor of Samuel Genensky, an innovator in low vision technology who was the founding president of CCLVI, and Carl Foley, a very caring distributor of magnification devices, who attended many ACB conventions, and took great care in providing the correct magnification device for each person he served.
The iPad can be used as a magnification device, and would allow for more independence in every day magnification and as a portable CCTV with the built-in camera and a free downloadable app called Mag Light.
To be considered for this award applicants must have low vision, need the device to magnify print for educational, work, or independent living purposes, and be familiar with Apple products or demonstrate the ability to learn the technology required in order to utilize magnification available on the iPad.
Applications are being accepted from Saturday, March 16th through Friday, May 3rd at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. For more information, please visit the Genensky - Foley Award Page at https://cclvi.info/magnifier/.
New Jersey Council of the Blind Offers Scholarship
The New Jersey Council of the Blind is now accepting applications for the Bernard Zuckerman Scholarship. To be eligible, you must be legally blind, a resident of New Jersey, and a full-time college student (undergraduate or graduate), or vocational student, for the 2024-2025 academic year.
To apply, you must:
- Complete a scholarship application at HYPERLINK "https://njcounciloftheblind.org/scholarships/" https://njcounciloftheblind.org/scholarships
- Obtain and submit a letter from your doctor to certify legal blindness
- Submit three reference letters from teachers, school counselors or other community advocate (no family members permitted)
- Extracurricular activities and/or offices held, volunteer or other service activities
Submit your application and supporting documentation by May 15th to NJCB Bernard Zuckerman Scholarship, Scholarship Committee, PO Box 434, Woodbridge, NJ 07095; email HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected]. Please be sure to include all contact information, such as telephone number and email address. Interviews may be in person or by phone with members of NJCB scholarship committee or executive board.
What is required of scholarship winners? At any meeting, by prearrangement with recipients, they can present a brief oral report on what it has meant to have the scholarship, and/or some significant events/experiences since the awarding of the scholarships.