In addition to our three legislative imperatives, ACB has developed a handout to highlight several laws and programs that ensure the rights of and access to services to people who are blind or low vision. The handout, which can be shared with congressional offices, explains how the protection of these services enable our community to contribute to our community as employees, tax payers, homeowners, seniors, and so much more. You can find the document and download the handout right below "Legislative Imperatives" on our D.C. Leadership Conference page here:…
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On Friday, February 28, a notice was published in the Federal Register brought by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). According to the notice, BEP desires to use a variety of new information collection activities as it explores ways to make paper currency accessible for blind and low-vision individuals. The mandate to make paper currency accessible is the result of a lawsuit brought by ACB numerous years ago and decided in 2008. According to policy, the BEP cannot employ new information collection practices without the approval of the Office of Management…
Tips for the 2025 D.C. Leadership Conference and Legislative Seminar are now available on our website! As our D.C. Leadership Conference is fast approaching, we've prepared a document with strategies and suggestions on how to prepare an act during your congressional meetings and to ensure you are prepared for Hill Day.
You can download the word document under "Conference Materials" on our D.C. Leadership…
The 2025 D.C. Leadership Legislatives are now available in both English and Spanish on our D.C. Leadership Conference page! This year's imperatives are of the following:
- Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (S.3621) (H.R. 1328) (118th Congress)…
On Tuesday, February 18, President Trump put out a new executive order related to the authority of independent agencies in the federal government. Such agencies work differently from other mainstream agencies; they do not have leadership as part of the president’s cabinet. This difference makes governance of its agency less influenced by the leading political party. The new executive order requires these independent agencies to work more closely with the White House. It requires affected agencies to submit new regulations to the White House; to set up White House…
The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is disappointed by the recent statement made by Elon Musk regarding a blind topic expert who spoke before Congress. The speaker from a government watchdog organization testified before Congress about the potential wastefulness of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In response, Elon Musk made a juvenile comment that the blind gentleman could not “see waste” because of his visual impairment. Such a statement is uninformed; Mr. Musk should be held accountable for such a tasteless remark. Blind professionals are…
Members have requested sample letters that they can use to reach out to their attorneys general concerning the Texas v. Becerra lawsuit. ACB will soon share more detailed example letters that members can utilize. But in the meantime, please look at the link below for resources from another disability advocacy organization for helpful outlines.
DREDF and partners presented a webinar to 3,000 people about Texas v. Becerra, with more unable to join. You can watch the webinar and see the slide deck here, https://dredf.org/disability-community-briefing-what-you-can-do-to-stop-the-attack-on-section-504/
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Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a pivotal law to uphold the rights of people with disabilities. The law says that all programs receiving federal funding, which is a substantial portion of programs, must provide accommodations for persons with disabilities. We believe that the law is extremely vulnerable at this time. In September of 2024, a lawsuit was brought by 17 states against the U.S. government to overturn the law; this would enable services receiving federal dollars to stop providing the necessary…
For Immediate Release
Contact: Scott Thornhill
Executive Director
American Council of the Blind
(202) 467-5081
sthornhill@acb.org
Program area will advance equal access for people who are blind or have low vision
Alexandria, Va., February 12, 2025 – The American Council of the Blind (ACB), a national membership-driven organization with 8,000 members and 65 affiliates, announces the launch of…