Note: This publication reflects the resolutions which were adopted by the convention.  Below are the links to the summaries of the 2017 resolutions as well as links to the full text of each.  You may also choose the "printer-friendly version" link at the end for a full document of all resolutions.

Table of Contents

• 2017 Resolutions Summaries
• Resolution 2017-01 - Listings for Described TV
• …

Summary of 2017 Resolutions

The following are brief summaries of the resolutions adopted by the ACB membership at the 2017 conference and convention held at the Nugget Casino and Resort in July. One resolution was referred to ACB’s environmental access and information access committees. It is not included in this compilation. Please note that these summary statements are not the authoritative voice of the ACB membership; they are simply intended to capture the overall scope and intent of the membership as…

Resolution 2017-01

Listings for Described TV

Whereas, the multiplicity of TV programming delivery methods available today, along with the growth in the number of markets where audio-described television programming is available, has the potential to exponentially increase the demand for audio description; and

Whereas, for this anticipated increased demand to be satisfied, consumers of described television must have a convenient and reliable means for browsing among and selecting audio-described programming; and…

Below are the links to the meeting minutes of the American Council of the Blind's Board of Directors for the year 2017.

• November 27 - 30, 2017 ACB Board of Directors Minutes
• October 27 and 28, 2017 ACB Board of Directors Minutes
• August 22, 2017 ACB Board of Directors Minutes
• June 30, 2017 ACB Board of Directors Minutes
• February 25, 2017 ACB Board of…

by Kenneth Semien Sr.

Have you noticed how ACB has been progressing? Have you considered contributing by sharing your skills and abilities to make ACB all that it can be? Are you interested in playing a role in creating positive change for Americans who are blind, visually impaired or low vision? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you are encouraged to read below to confirm your eligibility and necessary commitment to become a member of the 2020 Class of ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows!

For the fifth consecutive year, JPMorgan Chase will…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. (February 4, 2020) - Voters with disabilities in West Virginia will now have an easier time voting absentee and exercising their fundamental right to vote.  Until the passage of SB 94, which allows voters with physical disabilities to vote by electronic absentee ballot, voters with disabilities faced multiple barriers to voting privately and independently, forcing them to reveal their ballot choices to a third party or being excluded from voting all together because of inaccessible polling places and…

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 31, 2020)—The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and American Council of the Blind (ACB) today announced they are jointly offering scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $7,500 for students who are blind or visually impaired attending a technical college or as an entering freshman, undergraduate or a graduate student.

Students will be awarded scholarships to help with post-secondary education financial needs such as tuition, fees, room and board and other additional costs associated with using adaptive technology.

"ACB and AFB have a…

“Dots and Dashes” is a short newsletter featuring a variety of topics and ACB stories. This issue features information about ACB’s scholarship deadline, tips for scheduling your meetings on Capitol Hill during the 2020 Leadership Meetings, the newest Advocacy Updates, ACB Next Generation forming an affiliate, and RSVA’s Sagebrush Conference.

Scholarship Deadline Approaches

To learn how to apply, visit www.acb.org/scholarships.

It’s not too late to apply for a scholarship, but the deadline is coming up soon –…

As part of the 2020 D.C. Leadership Meetings, we will conduct a Legislative Seminar on Monday, February 24, and meet with our elected officials on Tuesday, Feb. 25. We recommend all attendees to coordinate with their affiliate leadership to schedule meetings on Capitol Hill beginning in early February. To schedule meetings with your Representatives and Senators, we recommend calling your members Washington D.C. office, or sending them an email. Some offices request constituents send meeting requests via a form on their website. Below are links to contact information for the U.S. House and…

Happy new year! “Dots and Dashes” is a short newsletter featuring a variety of topics and ACB stories. This issue features information about a job opening at the ACB national office, the Advocacy Update podcasts, a career fair for legally blind job seekers, and AAPD’s partnership with Coca-Cola to create summer internships for students and recent graduates with disabilities.

ACB Seeks Development Director

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is seeking a full-time Director of Development to work in its national office in Alexandria, VA. The Director of…

The Audio Description Project (ADP), an initiative of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), aims to bring more meaning and enjoyment to entertainment, cultural, and educational experiences for blind and visually impaired people. ADP maintains a list of described DVDs, broadcast television, movies, performing arts, museums, and national parks on the ADP website, www.acb.org/adp. As the only repository of all audio described titles on DVD and the three video streaming services (Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and…

by Eric Bridges

Happy new year! I trust you all had a safe, happy and healthy holiday season. Let’s take a look back at all the amazing things that happened in 2019.

At the start of 2019, ACB was looking to hire a new director of advocacy and governmental affairs. And we found one – Clark Rachfal. He was then serving as the Program Manager, Public Policy at National Industries for the Blind. In that role, he was responsible for researching and promoting legislative and regulatory policies that support NIB’s mission. He cultivated relationships and collaborated…