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    • Board of Directors
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    • Board of Directors
      • 2001 ACB Board Minutes
        • July 7, 2001, Post-Convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • November 20, 2001, Board Meeting Minutes
        • November 6, 2001, Board Meeting Minutes
        • September 22 & 23, 2001, Board Meeting Minutes
      • 2002 ACB Board Minutes
        • April 30, 2002, Board Meeting Minutes
        • February 17, 2002, Board Meeting Minutes
        • JUNE 30, JULY 5, 2002, GENERAL SESSION RECORD, 41ST ANNUAL CONVENTION, HOUSTON, TEXAS
        • July 6, 2002, Post-Convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • June 29, 2002, Pre-Convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • March 17, 2002, Board Meeting Minutes
        • November 25, 2002, Board Meeting Minutes
        • September 21 & 22, 2002, Board Meeting Minutes
      • 2003 ACB Board Minutes
        • April 15, 2003, Board Meeting Minutes
        • February 11, 2003, Board Meeting Minutes
        • February 16, 2003, Board Meeting Minutes
        • February 2, 2003, Board Meeting Minutes
        • JULY 5, JULY 11, 2003, GENERAL SESSION RECORD, 42nd ANNUAL CONVENTION, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
        • January 16, 2003, Board Meeting Minutes
        • July 12, 2003, Post Convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • July 5, 2003, Pre-Convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • March 4, 2003, Board Meeting Minutes
        • November 25, 2003, Board Meeting Minutes
      • 2004 ACB Board Minutes
        • April 1, 2004, Board Meeting Minutes
        • April 22, 2004, Board Meeting Minutes
        • August 11, September 1, October 6 & October 12, 2004, Board Meeting Minutes
        • February 15 & 16, 2004, Board Meeting Minutes
        • JULY 3, JULY 10, 2004, GENERAL SESSION RECORD, 43rd ANNUAL CONVENTION, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
        • January 14, 2004, Board Meeting Minutes
        • July 10, 2004, Post-Convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • July 3, 2004, Pre-Convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • June 22, 2004, Board Meeting Minutes
      • 2005 ACB Board Minutes
        • Convention Standing Rules, Adopted July 4, 2005
        • February 14, 2005, Board Meeting Minutes
        • JULY 2 - JULY 9, 2005, GENERAL SESSION RECORD, 44th ANNUAL CONVENTION, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
        • January 22, & 23, 2005, Board Meeting Minutes
        • July 2, 2005, Pre-Convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • July 9, 2005, Post-Convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • May 11, 2005, Board Meeting Minutes
        • November 22, 2005, Board Meeting Minutes
        • October 1 & 2, 2005, Board Meeting Minutes
      • 2006 ACB Board Minutes
        • February 20 & 21, 2006, Board Meeting Minutes
        • JULY 8 - JULY 15, 2006, GENERAL SESSION RECORD, 45th ANNUAL CONVENTION, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
        • July 15, 2006, Post-Convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • July 8, 2006, Pre-Convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • March 30, 2006, Board Meeting Minutes
        • March 6, 2006, Board Meeting Minutes
        • November 6, 2006, Board Meeting Minutes
        • September 23 & 24, 2006, Board Meeting Minutes
      • 2007 ACB Board Minutes
        • August 2, 2007, Board Meeting Minutes
        • JUNE 30 – JULY 7, 2007, CONVENTION RECORD, 46th ANNUAL CONVENTION, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
        • January 4, 2007, Board Meeting Minutes
        • July 7, 2007, Post-Convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • June 30, 2007, Pre-Convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • March 10 – 11, 2007, Board Meeting Minutes
        • May 23, 2007, Board Meeting Minutes
        • October 13, 2007, Board Meeting Minutes
        • October 29, 2007, Board Meeting Minutes
      • 2008 ACB Board Minutes
        • Convention Record of the 47th annual Convention of the American Council of the Blind
        • February 8 and 9, 2008, Board Meeting Minutes
        • January 2, 2008, Board Meeting Minutes
        • July 12, 2008, Post-convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • July 5, 2008, Pre-convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • June 4, 2008, Board Meeting Minutes
        • November 15 - 16, 2008, Board Meeting Minutes
        • October 1, 2008, Board Meeting Minutes
      • 2009 ACB Board Minutes
        • December 15, 2009, Board Meeting Minutes
        • February 20, 2009, Board Meeting Minutes
        • July 11, 2009, Board Meeting Minutes
        • July 4, 2009, Board Meeting Minutes
        • May 21, 2009, Board Meeting Minutes
        • September 12 - 13, 2009, Board Meeting Minutes
      • 2010 ACB Board Minutes
        • December 13,2010 Teleconference Meeting of the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind
        • February 19, 2010, Board Meeting Minutes
        • July 10, 2010, Pre-convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • July 17, 2010, Post Convention Board Meeting Minutes
        • June 9, 2010, Board Meeting Minutes
        • November 6, 2010, Board Meeting Minutes
        • September 22, 2010, Board Meeting Minutes
      • 2011 ACB Board Minutes
        • December 14, 2011 Meeting of the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind
        • January 11, 2011 Teleconference Meeting of the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind
        • Mid Year Meeting of the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind
        • October 1, 2011 Meeting of the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind
        • Post Convention Meeting of the American Council of the Blind Board of Directors
        • Pre convention Board of Directors Meeting, American Council of the Blind
        • Teleconference Meeting of the ACB Board of Directors, May 5th 2011
      • 2012 Meeting Minutes
        • December 12, 2012 Teleconference Meeting of the ACB Board of Directors
        • February 23-24, 2012 Mid Year Board Of Directors Meeting
        • July 14, 2012 Board of Directors Meeting of the American Council of the Blind
        • July 7, 2012 Pre-Convention Meeting of the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind
        • June 7, 2012 Teleconference Meeting of the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind
        • May 9, 2012 Teleconference Meeting of the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind
        • September 15, 2012 ACB Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
      • 2013 Meeting Minutes
        • August 21, 2013 Teleconference Meeting of the ACB Board of Directors
        • December 17, 2013 Meeting of the ACB Board of Directors Minutes
        • February 22, 2013 Mid Year ACB Board of Directors Meeting
        • January 3, 2013 Teleconference Meeting of the ACB Board of Directors
        • July 5, 2013 Pre-Convention Board of Directors Meeting
        • Minutes of the American Council of the Blind 2013 Post Convention Board of Directors Meeting
        • October 30, 2013 Meeting of the ACB Board of Directors Minutes
        • September 28, 2013 Meeting of the ACB Board of Directors Minutes
      • 2014 ACB Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
        • December 8th and 9th, 2014 ACB Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
        • February 21, 2014 ACB Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
        • January 30, 2014 Meeting of the ACB Board of Directors Minutes
        • July 12, 2014 Pre-Convention ACB Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
        • July 19, 2014 Post-Convention ACB Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
        • June 9, 2014 ACB Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
        • November 13, 2014 ACB Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
        • October 17 and 18, 2014 ACB Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
      • 2015 ACB Board of Directors Minutes
        • December 3 and 10, 2015 Meeting of the ACB Board of Directors
        • February 21, 2015, Meeting of the ACB Board of Directors
        • July 4, 2015 Meeting of the ACB Board of Directors
        • October 30-31, 2015 Meeting of the ACB Board of Directors
      • 2016 ACB Board of Directors Minutes
        • AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
        • AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
        • American Council of the Blind Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
        • February 27, 2016 Meeting of the ACB Board of Directors
      • 2017 ACB Board of Directors Minutes
        • Meeting Minutes Aug 22, 2017
        • Meeting Minutes Feb 25, 2017
        • Meeting Minutes Jun 30, 2017
        • Meeting Minutes Nov 27, 2017
        • Meeting Minutes Oct 27, 2017
      • 2018 ACB Board of Directors Minutes
        • American Council of the Blind Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
        • Board of Directors Meeting Minutes June 29, 2018
        • Board of Directors Minutes Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2018
        • Board of Directors Minutes Oct. 5-6, 2018
      • 2019 ACB Board of Directors Minutes
        • Meeting Minutes August 22, 2019
        • Meeting Minutes Feb. 23, 2019
        • Meeting Minutes July 5, 2019
        • Meeting Minutes Nov 11 and 18, 2019
        • Meeting Minutes: Oct. 18 and 19, 2019
      • 2020 ACB Board of Directors Minutes
        • Meeting Minutes Apr 23, 2020
        • Meeting Minutes Feb 22, 2020
        • Meeting Minutes Jan 23, 2020
        • Meeting Minutes Mar 30, 2020
      • 2021 ACB Board of Directors Minutes
      • 2022 ACB Board of Directors Minutes
      • John McCann for ACB Board of Directors
    • Board of Publications
      • 2009 Board of Publications Minutes
        • April 6, 2009, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • February 20, 2009, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • January 5, 2009, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • July 5, 2009, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • March 2, 2009, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • November 2, 2009, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • September 14, 2009, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
      • 2010 Board of Publications Minutes
        • April 5, 2010, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • August 2, 2010, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • December 6, 2010, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • February 19, 2010, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • January 4, 2010, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • July 11, 2010, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • June 7, 2010, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • March 1, 2010, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • May 3, 2010, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • November 1, 2010, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • October 4, 2010, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • September 6, 2010, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
      • 2011 Board of Publications Minutes
        • April 4, 2011, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • August 1, 2011, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • December 5, 2011, Board of Publications Meeting Minutes October 3, 2011
        • February 25, 2011, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • February 7, 2011, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • January 3, 2011, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • July 10, 2011, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • June 6, 2011, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • May 2, 2011, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • October 3, 2011, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
        • September 5, 2011, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
      • 2012 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • April 2, 2012 BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS MEETING MINUTES
        • August 6, 2012 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • December 10, 2012 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • February 24, 2012 BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS MEETING MINUTES
        • February 6, 2012 BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS MEETING MINUTES
        • January 2, 2012 BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS MEETING MINUTES
        • July 8, 2012 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • May 7, 2012 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
      • 2013 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • April 1, 2013 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • August 13, 2013 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • December 2, 2013 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • February 22, 2013 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • February 4, 2013 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • January 7, 2013 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • May 6, 2013 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • November 4, 2013 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • October 7, 2013 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • September 9, 2013 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
      • 2014 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • April 7, 2014 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • August 4, 2014 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • December 1, 2014 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • February 21, 2014 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • January 6, 2014 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • July 13, 2014 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • June 2, 2014 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • November 3, 2014 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • October 6, 2014 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • September 8, 2014 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
      • 2015 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • April 6, 2015 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • February 2, 2015 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • July 5, 2015 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • June 1, 2015 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • March 2, 2015 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • May 4, 2015 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • November 9, 2015 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
      • 2016 BOP Meeting Minutes
        • BOP Minutes-Apr. 4, 2016
        • BOP Minutes-Aug. 2, 2016
        • BOP Minutes-Dec. 6, 2016
        • BOP Minutes-Feb. 8, 2016
        • BOP Minutes-Jan. 4, 2016
        • BOP Minutes-July 2016
        • BOP Minutes-Jun. 6, 2016
        • BOP Minutes-Mar. 7, 2016
        • BOP Minutes-May 2, 2016
        • BOP Minutes-Nov. 1, 2016
        • BOP Minutes-Oct. 4, 2016
        • Board of Publications Meeting Minutes for September 6, 2016
      • 2017 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • Meeting Minutes for April 4, 2017
        • Meeting Minutes for August 1, 2017
        • Meeting Minutes for December 5, 2017
        • Meeting Minutes for February 7, 2017
        • Meeting Minutes for January 3, 2017
        • Meeting Minutes for July 1, 2017
        • Meeting Minutes for June 6, 2017
        • Meeting Minutes for March 7, 2017
        • Meeting Minutes for November 7, 2017
        • Meeting Minutes for September 5, 2017
      • 2018 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • BOP Minutes - Jun. 30, 2018
        • BOP Minutes - Apr. 3, 2018
        • BOP Minutes - Aug. 7, 2018
        • BOP Minutes - Jan. 9, 2018
        • BOP Minutes - Jun. 5, 2018
        • BOP Minutes - Mar. 7, 2018
        • BOP Minutes - May 1, 2018
        • BOP Minutes - Nov. 13, 2018
        • BOP Minutes - Oct. 9, 2018
        • BOP Minutes - Sept. 4, 2018
      • 2019 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • BOP Minutes - Apr. 2, 2019
        • BOP Minutes - Aug. 13, 2019
        • BOP Minutes - Dec. 3, 2019
        • BOP Minutes - Feb. 5, 2019
        • BOP Minutes - Jan. 8, 2019
        • BOP Minutes - Jul. 6, 2019
        • BOP Minutes - Jun. 4, 2019
        • BOP Minutes - Mar. 12, 2019
        • BOP Minutes - May 7, 2019
        • BOP Minutes - Nov. 5, 2019
        • BOP Minutes - Oct. 1, 2019
        • BOP Minutes - Sept. 3, 2019
      • 2020 Board of Publications Meeting Minutes
        • BOP Minutes - Feb 4, 2020
        • BOP Minutes - Apr 7, 2020
        • BOP Minutes - Aug. 4, 2020
        • BOP Minutes - Jan. 7, 2020
        • BOP Minutes - Jun. 2, 2020
        • BOP Minutes - Mar 3, 2020
        • BOP Minutes - May 5, 2020
        • BOP Minutes - Nov 10, 2020
        • BOP Minutes - Oct. 6, 2020
        • BOP Minutes - Sept. 1, 2020
      • 2021 BOP Meeting Minutes
        • BOP Minutes - Apr 6, 2021
        • BOP Minutes - Aug 3, 2021
        • BOP Minutes - Feb 2, 2021
        • BOP Minutes - Jan 5, 2021
        • BOP Minutes - Jun 1, 2021
        • BOP Minutes - Mar 2, 2021
        • BOP Minutes - May 4, 2021
        • BOP Minutes - Nov. 2, 2021
        • BOP Minutes - Oct 12, 2021
        • BOP Minutes - Sept 7, 2021
      • 2022 BOP Meeting Minutes
        • BOP Minutes Feb 1, 2022
        • BOP Minutes - Apr 5, 2022
        • BOP Minutes - Aug 2, 2022
        • BOP Minutes - Jun 7, 2022
        • BOP Minutes - Mar 1, 2022
        • BOP Minutes - May 3, 2022
        • BOP Minutes - Nov 1, 2022
        • BOP Minutes - Nov 1, 2022
        • BOP Minutes - Oct 4, 2022
        • BOP Minutes - Sept. 6, 2022
        • Bop Minutes - Jan 4, 2022
      • April 14, 2008, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
      • August 4, 2008, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
      • BOP Editorial Policy Manual, 2015
      • Board of Publications Hosts Internet Candidates' Page
      • Board of Publications Minutes
      • Charles Hodge for ACB Board of Publications
      • December 1, 2008, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of December 1, 2008, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
      • January 30, 2008, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
      • July 6, 2008, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
      • June 2, 2008, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
      • March 3, 2008, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
      • Marcia Dresser for ACB Board of Publications
      • May 5, 2008, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
      • November 3, 2008, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
      • October 6, 2008, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
      • September 1, 2008, Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Publications
      • Thomas Mitchell for ACB Board of Publications
    • Committees & Task Forces
      • ACB Radio Management Committee
      • ACB Store-Mini Mall Committee
      • Advocacy Services Committee
      • Audio Description Project (ADP) Committee
      • Audio Description Project Task Force
      • Awards Committee
      • Braille Authority of North America
      • Constitution and Bylaws Committee
      • Convention Coordinating Committee
      • Convention Program Committee
      • Credentials Committee
      • Employment Issues Committee
      • Environmental Access Committee
      • Fitness Equipment Equity Task Force
      • Information Access Committee
      • International Relations Committee
      • Investment Committee
      • Leadership Institute Training Committee
      • McDaniel Fund Committee
        • Recipients of the Durward K. McDaniel First Timer and J.P. Morgan Chase Leadership Fellow Awards Speak Out
      • Membership Committee
      • Monthly Monetary Support Committee
      • Multicultural Affairs Committee
      • National Library Service
      • Next Generation Committee
      • Nominating Committee
      • Other Representatives
      • PR Committee downloads
      • Rehabilitation Issues Task Force
      • Resolutions Committee
      • Resource Development Committee
      • Scholarship Grant Committee
      • Sight and Sound Impaired Committee
      • Special Education/Schools for the Blind Task Force
      • Transportation Committee
      • Voting Task Force
      • Women's Concerns Committee
      • World Blind Union Delegates
    • History
    • ACB Resolutions
      • 2009 Resolutions
      • 2010 Resolutions
      • 2011 Resolutions
      • 2012 Resolutions
      • 2013 Resolutions
      • 2014 Resolutions
      • 2015 Resolutions
      • 2016 Resolutions
      • 2017 Resolutions
      • 2018 Resolutions
      • 2019 Resolutions
      • 2020 Resolutions
      • 2021 Resolutions
      • 2022 Resolutions
      • Index
      • Resolution on Full Funding of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
    • Affiliates
      • Special Interest Affiliates
        • ACB Diabetics in Action
        • ACB Families
        • ACB Government Employees
        • ACB Human Service Professionals
        • ACB Next Generation
        • ACB Radio Amateurs
        • ACB Students
        • Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss
        • American Association of Blind Teachers
        • American Association of Visually Impaired Attorneys
        • American Council of Blind Lions
        • Blind Information Technology Specialists
        • Blind LGBT Pride International
        • Braille Revival League
        • Council of Citizens with Low Vision International
        • Friends In Art of ACB, Inc.
        • Guide Dog Users, Inc.
        • Independent Visually Impaired Enterprisers
        • Library Users of America
        • Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America
        • Visually Impaired Veterans of America
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Events
  • Programs & Services
    • ACB Community Events
      • Recurring Events
      • Weekly Events
    • Scholarships
    • Audio Description Project
    • Advocacy & Governmental Affairs
      • Advocacy
    • ACB Media
    • Convention
    • Membership
  • Resources
    • Jobs
    • ACB Archives
    • Blind / Low Vision Resources
      • Scholarship Program
      • ACB Leadership List Guidelines
      • ACB-Chat List Rules
      • ADA Signage
      • AFB: Be a Better Champion for Specialized Services
      • Banks with Talking ATM Machines
      • Best Practices and Guidelines for Large Print Documents used by the Low Vision Community authored by the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International An Affiliate of the American Council of the Blind Arlington, VA
      • Best Practices for Large Print Documents
      • Braille Resources
        • Braille Business Cards
        • Braille Instruction
        • Braille Paper
        • Braille Writer Repair Services
        • Description and History of Braille
        • Producers of Braille Documents
      • Diabetic Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired
      • Filing a Video Description Complaint with the FCC
      • General Resources
      • Guide Dog Resources
      • Homes for the Blind
      • Low Vision Resources
      • Medical Information Resources
      • Microsoft Office Accessibility Resources
      • Music Resources
      • Outreach RE Requesting Alternate Formats From SSA
      • Religious Resources
      • Resources for Older Individuals Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
      • Resources for Parents and Teachers of Blind and Visually Impaired Children
      • Resources for Persons with Low Vision
      • Section 904
      • Sports, Recreational and Leisure Resources
      • Where Taxpayers With Disabilities Can Find Online Help from the IRS
      • White Cane Laws for States
    • Affiliate Resources
      • Encouraging Affiliates with Techniques to Reach More Members
      • Exploring How Affiliates Can Reach New Members
      • Fundraising for ACB Activities Including the National Convention
      • Gaining and Maintaining Membership
      • Growing a Great Convention
      • How Can We Complete Our Business During Meetings More Efficiently?
      • How Can We Reactivate Past Members and “Wow” Our Current Members to Retain Them?
      • How to Find Blindness Related Resources and Sharing Them
      • Ideas for Affiliates and Chapters
      • Ideas to Interest Students
      • Involving Youth in ACB
      • Leadership Materials
        • Board Member's Manual for State and Special Interest Affiliates
        • Creating a Media Kit for Your ACB Affiliate or Chapter
        • Simplified Parliamentary Procedure
        • The PSA Handbook for ACB Affiliates and Chapters
        • The Press Release Handbook for ACB Affiliates and Chapters
      • Membership Incentives
      • Networking, Communication and Contact
      • Officer’s and Board Member's Manual for State and Special Interest Affiliates
      • President's Manual for State and Special Interest Affiliates
      • Reaching Blind and Visually Impaired Seniors
      • Reaching Out to Your Community to Educate and Inform People About Blindness
      • Secretary's Manual for State and Special Interest Affiliates
      • Strategies for Enhancing Membership
      • Strategies for Member Renewal and Reactivation
      • Tips for Successful Membership Recruitment and Retention
      • Tips to Retain Members
      • Treasurer's Manual for State and Special Interest Affiliates
      • Vice President's Manual for State and Special Interest Affiliates
    • Peer Support
    • Handbooks / Manuals
      • Are You a Senior Citizen Struggling with Vision Loss?
      • Are You the Parents of A Blind Child?
      • Guide to Successful College Experience
      • Pedestrian Safety
      • Pedestrian Safety Handbook
        • "Modern" Signalized Intersections
        • APS
        • Acknowledgements
        • Advocacy
        • Afterword
        • Appendix A: Letter
        • Appendix B: Template
        • Appendix C: Case Studies
        • Appendix D: Glossary
        • Crossing Where No Traffic Control
        • Drivers’ Yielding Behavior
        • Finding Crosswalk: Part 1
        • Finding Crosswalk: Part 2
        • Finding the Crosswalk
        • Mitch's Message
        • Rights-of-Way Regulations
      • Rehabilitation Issues Task Force Revised Rehabilitation White Paper
      • Whitepaper On Rehabilitation and Training
    • Products & Services
      • Accessible Cards and Gifts
      • Computer Products, Publications, Training, and Information Sources
      • Funding Assistive Technology Resources
      • Magnifying Aids - Low Vision Center
      • Technology, Software, Related Resources
      • Travel Resources
      • Useful Products for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons
    • Professional Employment Associations
  • Publications & Media
    • Live Events
    • News
    • Braille Forum
      • 1997 Issues
        • BF Apr 1997
        • BF Aug 1997
        • BF Dec 1997
        • BF Feb 1997
        • BF Jan 1997
        • BF Jul 1997
        • BF Jun 1997
        • BF Mar 1997
        • BF May 1997
        • BF Nov 1997
        • BF Oct 1997
        • BF Sept 1997
      • 1998 Issues
        • BF Apr 1998
        • BF Aug 1998
        • BF Dec 1998
        • BF Feb 1998
        • BF Jan 1998
        • BF Jul 1998
        • BF Jun 1998
        • BF Mar 1998
        • BF May 1998
        • BF Nov 1998
        • BF Oct1998
        • BF Sept 1998
      • 1999 Issues
        • BF Apr 1999
        • BF Aug 1999
        • BF Dec 1999
        • BF Feb 1999
        • BF Jan 1999
        • BF Jul 1999
        • BF Jun 1999
        • BF Mar 1999
        • BF May 1999
        • BF Nov1999
        • BF Oct 1999
        • BF Sept 1999
      • 2000 Issues
        • BF Apr 2000
        • BF Aug 2000
        • BF Convention 2000
        • BF Dec 2000
        • BF Feb 2000
        • BF Jan 2000
        • BF Jul 2000
        • BF Jun 2000
        • BF Mar 2000
        • BF May 2000
        • BF Nov 2000
        • BF Oct 2000
        • BF Sept 2000
      • 2001 Issues
        • BF Apr 2001
        • BF Aug 2001
        • BF Dec 2001
        • BF Feb 2001
        • BF Jan 2001
        • BF Jul 2001
        • BF Jun 2001
        • BF Mar 2001
        • BF May 2001
        • BF Nov 2001
        • BF Oct 2001
        • BF Sept 2001
      • 2002 Issues
        • BF April 2002
        • BF Feb 2002
        • BF Jan 2002
        • BF Jul-Aug 2002
        • BF Jun 2002
        • BF Mar 2002
        • BF May 2002
        • BF Nov 2002
        • BF Oct 2002
        • BF Sept 2002
      • 2003 Issues
        • BF Apr 2003
        • BF Feb 2003
        • BF July-Aug 2003
        • BF Jun 2003
        • BF Mar 2003
        • BF May 2003
        • BF Nov 2003
        • BF Oct 2003
        • BF Sept 2003
        • BF Winter 2003
      • 2004 Issues
        • BF Apr-May 2004
        • BF Feb 2004
        • BF Jul-Aug 2004
        • BF Jun 2004
        • BF Mar 2004
        • BF Nov 2004
        • BF Sep-Oct 2004
        • BF Winter 2004
      • 2005 Issues
        • BF Apr 2005
        • BF Feb 2005
        • BF Jul-Aug 2005
        • BF Jun 2005
        • BF Mar 2005
        • BF May 2005
        • BF Oct 2005
        • BF Sept 2005
        • BF Winter 2005
        • BF Winter 2006
          • 2006 Convention Preview
          • ACB Scholarships Available to Blind Students
          • Affiliate News
          • Fall Board Meeting Summary
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • Hurricane Katrina Check-In
          • IRIS Network
          • John Di Francesco
          • Legislative Seminar
          • Letters to the Editor
          • MMS "Two-for-One" Program
          • Membership Focus
          • Notes on a New Year
          • President's Message
          • Who Do You Admire?
          • Who Is Eligible for Drug Plan Costs?
      • 2006 Issues
        • BF April 2006
        • BF Feb 2006
        • BF Jul-Aug 2006
        • BF Jun 2006
        • BF Mar 2006
        • BF May 2006
        • BF Nov 2006
        • BF Oct 2006
        • BF Sept 2006
      • 2007 Issues
        • BF Apr 2007
        • BF Dec 2007
        • BF Feb 2007
        • BF Jul-Aug 2007
        • BF Jun 2007
        • BF Mar 2007
        • BF May 2007
        • BF Nov 2007
        • BF Oct 2007
        • BF Sept 2007
        • BF Winter 2007
      • 2008 Issues
        • BF Apr 2008
        • BF Aug 2008
        • BF Dec 2008
        • BF Feb 2008
        • BF Jan 2008
        • BF Jul 2008
        • BF Jun 2008
        • BF Mar 2008
        • BF May 2008
        • BF Nov 2008
        • BF Oct 2008
        • BF Sept 2008
      • 2009 Issues
        • BF Apr 2009
        • BF Aug 2009
        • BF Dec 2009
          • Class Action ACB v. SSA
          • President's Message
        • BF Feb 2009
        • BF Jan 2009
        • BF Jul 2009
        • BF Jun 2009
        • BF Mar 2009
        • BF May 2009
        • BF Nov 2009
        • BF Oct 2009
        • BF Sept 2009
      • 2010 Issues
        • BF Apr 2010
        • BF Aug 2010
        • BF Dec 2010
        • BF Feb 2010
          • AFFILIATE NEWS
          • BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS AWARDS: THIS YEAR IT COULD BE YOU!
          • HERE AND THERE Edited by Sue Lichtenfels
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • PASSINGS
          • SECOND ANNUAL ACB WALK by Dan Dillon
          • SPOTLIGHT YOUR AFFILIATE WITH A BOP AWARD!
          • THE MMS PROGRAM MAKES IT EASIER FOR YOU TO HELP ACB by Dena Wilson
          • THE SUNNY SOUTHWEST: ACB CONFERENCE AND CONVENTION 2010 by Carla Ruschival
        • BF Jan 2010
          • HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP
          • Here and There
        • BF Jul 2010
        • BF Jun 2010
        • BF Mar 2010
        • BF May 2010
        • BF Nov 2010
        • BF Oct 2010
        • BF Sept 2010
      • 2011 Issues
        • BF Dec 2011
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There
          • Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • In Memoriam: Lola Siren
        • The Braille Forum, April 2011
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The Braille Forum, February 2011
          • AFFILIATE NEWS
          • HERE AND THERE edited by Sue Lichtenfels
          • HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP
          • YOU CAN SHOP ANYTIME AT THE ACB STORE by Carla Ruschival
        • The Braille Forum, July-August 2011
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The Braille Forum, June 2011
          • Affiliate News: Convention Sneak Preview
        • The Braille Forum, March 2011
          • AFFILIATE NEWS
          • HERE AND THERE edited by Sue Lichtenfels
          • HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP
        • The Braille Forum, May 2011
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • Library Users of America to Host Book Flea Market, by Peggy R. Garrett
        • The Braille Forum, October-November 2011
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sue Lichtenfels
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The Braille Forum, September 2011
          • Affiliate News
        • The Braille Forum, january 2011
          • AFFILIATE NEWS
          • HERE AND THERE edited by Sue Lichtenfels
          • HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP
      • 2012 Issues
        • Affiliate News
        • Here and There edited by Sue Lichtenfels
        • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The Braille Forum, April 2012
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sue Lichtenfels
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The Braille Forum, December 2012
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The Braille Forum, February 2012
          • AFFILIATE NEWS
          • HERE AND THERE edited by Sue Lichtenfels
          • HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP
        • The Braille Forum, January 2012
          • HERE AND THERE edited by Sue Lichtenfels
          • HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP
        • The Braille Forum, July-August 2012
          • HERE AND THERE edited by Sue Lichtenfels
          • HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP
        • The Braille Forum, June 2012
          • AFFILIATE NEWS
          • BOP with 2012 Candidate's Page
          • HERE AND THERE edited by Sue Lichtenfels
          • HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP
        • The Braille Forum, March 2012
          • Affiliate News
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The Braille Forum, May 2012
        • The Braille Forum, October-November 2012
          • AFFILIATE NEWS
          • HERE AND THERE
          • HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP
        • The Braille Forum, September 2012
          • AFFILIATE NEWS
          • HERE AND THERE
          • HIGH TECH SWAP SHOP
      • 2013 Issues
        • ACB Braille Forum, February 2013
          • Affiliate News
          • An Update from GDUI
          • DKM First-Timer Program: A Tribute to an ACB Pioneer by Allen J. Casey
          • Here and There by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • ACB Braille Forum, June 2013
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • ACB Braille Forum, March 2013
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • ACB Braille Forum, May 2013
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • ACB Braille Forum, September 2013
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • ACB E-Forum, April 2013
          • Affiliate and Committee News
          • Here and There by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • ACB E-Forum, August 2013
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • ACB E-Forum, July 2013
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • Braille Forum Nov 2013
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • E-Forum Dec 2013
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The ACB E-Forum, October 2013
          • Affiliate and Committee News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The Braille Forum, January 2013
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
      • 2014 Issues
        • ACB E-Forum, February 2014
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • Affiliate News
        • BF January 2014
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • Shopping for Health Care: Comparing Hospitals Can Help Consumers Make Good Decisions by Ron Pollack
        • Braille Forum, July 2014
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • Braille Forum, March 2014
          • ACB Braille Forum, March 2014 downloads
          • ACB Leadership Institute 2014
          • ACB's Legislative Priorities for 2014, by Melanie Brunson
          • Affiliate News
          • Board of Publications Awards Your Excellence in 2014
          • Come to Vegas and Hit the Jackpot!
          • Community Outreach Challenge, by Tristen Breitenfeldt
          • Conducting Business with Social Security: What You Should Know and How You Can Help, by Len Burns
          • DKM First-Timer Selection Nears
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • How to Get the Most Out of Rehab, Part III: Available Services, by Doug Powell
          • In Memoriam: Buddy Spivey, Dec. 31, 1941-Jan. 9, 2014
          • Las Vegas: Deal Us In!, by Janet Dickelman
          • Membership Focus: Creative Ways to Meet, Especially in Rural Areas, compiled by Ardis Bazyn
          • President's Message: Be Sure You Are Protected!, by Kim Charlson
          • Summary of the Fall 2013 ACB Board Meeting, by Denise Colley
        • Braille Forum, Sept 2014
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
        • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
        • High Tech Swap Shop
        • High Tech Swap Shop
        • Snowflakes and Birthday Cake: It’s Holiday Auction Time, by Carla Ruschival
        • The ACB Braille Forum, May 2014
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The ACB Braille Forum, November 2014
        • The ACB Braille Forum, November 2014 downloads
        • The ACB E-Forum, April 2014
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The ACB E-Forum, August 2014
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • Your Options for Medicare Supplemental Coverage by Ron Pollack
        • The ACB E-Forum, December 2014
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The ACB E-Forum, June 2014
        • The ACB E-Forum, October 2014
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
      • 2015 Issues
        • Braille Forum January 2015
          • Accessing the ACB Forum and E-Forum: Let Me Count the Ways, by Judy Wilkinson
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • Braille Forum July 2015
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • Braille Forum March 2015
          • A Telecommuting Job Could Be Just What You Are Looking For, by Dr. Ronald E. Milliman
          • ACB’s Stars Will Shine Bright in Dallas, by Janet Dickelman
          • Acknowledgement
          • Affiliate News
          • Best Audio Holiday Season Ever, by Susan Glass
          • Board of Publications Again Awards Your Excellence in Media and Writing in 2015
          • Call for Nominees for 2015 ACB Awards!, by Chelle Hart & Chip Hailey
          • Come to the Lone Star Loot Auction!
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • Last Call: The DKM Train Is Leaving the Station, by Allen Casey
          • Let the Stars Shine Bright on the ACB Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk, by Donna Brown
          • President’s Message: More on Accessible Prescription Labels, by Kim Charlson
          • Tax Tips from the IRS, by Melanie Brunson
          • The Importance of Grassroots, by Kathy Brockman
        • Braille Forum May 2015
          • Affiliate News
          • Convention Week Sneak Preview, by Janet Dickelman
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • Braille Forum November 2015
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • Braille Forum September 2015
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • E-Forum April 2015
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • E-Forum August 2015
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • E-Forum December 2015
          • Affiliate and Committee News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • E-Forum June 2015
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • E-Forum October 2015
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
        • E-Forum, February 2015
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
      • 2016 Issues
        • BF January 2016
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • BF July 2016
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • BF March 2016
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • BF May 2016
          • Affiliate and Committee News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • BF November 2016
          • Affiliate and Committee News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • BF September 2016
          • Affiliate News
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • EF April 2016
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • EF August 2016
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • EF December 2016
          • ACB Fall Board Meeting Report, by Ron Brooks
          • Affiliate and Committee News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • EF February 2016
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • EF June 2016
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • EF October 2016
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
      • 2017 Issues
        • Affiliate News
        • Braille Forum January 2017
          • Affiliate News
            • Affiliate News
          • Here and There edited by Sharon Strzalkowski
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • Braille Forum March 2017
          • ACB Commends Access Board on 508 Refresh
          • Affiliate News
          • Awards Committee Seeks Nominees for 2017 ACB Awards
          • Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Durward K. McDaniel Support the DKM FirstTimer Program
          • Easy Fund Raiser for Your Affiliate
          • Helpful Hints for Attending the Convention
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • Holiday Auction Thank Yous
          • Ida Schwerzel A Century of Memories Part 2
          • In Memoriam: Otis H. Stephens Jr. Sept. 20, 1936-Dec. 2, 2016
          • Presidents Message Planning for the Future
          • Readers Remembrances of Otis Stephens
          • Spotlight On ACB Students
        • Braille Forum September 2017
        • December 2017
          • Here and There
        • E-Forum June 2017
          • Affiliate and Committee News
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • Here and There
        • Here and There
        • High Tech Swap Shop
        • High Tech Swap Shop
        • November 2017
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • October 2017
        • The ACB Braille Forum July 2017
        • The ACB Braille Forum May 2017
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The ACB E-Forum April 2017
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The ACB E-Forum August 2017
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • The ACB E-Forum February 2017
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
      • 2018 Issues
        • ACB Braille Forum Feb 2018
          • ACB E-Forum February 2018 Downloads
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There
        • ACB Braille Forum Jan 2018
          • Affiliate News
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • ACB Braille Forum July 2018
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • Passings
        • ACB Braille Forum March 2018
          • Affiliate News
        • ACB Braille Forum May 2018
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There
        • ACB Braille Forum Nov 2018
        • ACB Braille Forum Sept 2018
        • ACB E-Forum April 2018
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • ACB E-Forum Aug 2018
          • Here and There
        • ACB E-Forum Dec 2018
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • Hot Toys for Holiday Gift-Giving
        • ACB E-Forum June 2018
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There
        • ACB E-Forum Oct 2018
      • 2019 Issues
        • ACB E-Forum Aug 2019
        • ACB E-Forum Feb 2019
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • ACB E-Forum Jun 2019
        • Braille Forum Jan 2019
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • Braille Forum July 2019
        • Braille Forum Mar 2019
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • Braille Forum May 2019
          • President’s Message
        • Braille Forum Nov-2019
        • Braille Forum Sept 2019
        • E-Forum Apr 2019
          • High Tech Swap Shop
        • E-Forum Dec 2019
        • E-Forum Oct 2019
          • Rochester Convention Celebrated
      • 2020 Issues
        • BF Jan 2020
          • President’s Message
        • BF July 2020
          • Affiliate and Committee News
          • Belonging in ACB
          • Commentary
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • How to Access Virtual Convention
          • In Memoriam: Camille Caffarelli
          • Mouse Assisting Inclusive Technology
          • President’s Message: First Virtual Convention
          • Summary of Board of Dir. Meeting, April 23, 2020
          • The ADA at 30
          • The Only Moment
          • Tuesday Topics
        • BF Mar 2020
        • BF May 2020
          • President’s Message
        • BF Nov 2020
          • 2020 Resolutions Summary
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There
          • Honesty
          • In Memoriam: Charlie Crawford
          • Include in Affiliate
          • Lies
          • MMS Future
          • Notice
          • Plans for 2021
          • President’s Message
          • Readers Remember
          • Revision to DKM
        • BF Sept 2020
          • 2020 Awards Winners
          • ACB 2020 Convention Thank-Yous
          • ACB 2020 Virtual Convention: That’s a Wrap!
          • ACB Membership Seminar
          • Here and There
          • Holiday Auction
          • In Memoriam: Berl Lynn Colley
          • Letter to the Editor
          • President’s Message: Finally Baseball!
          • Ski for Light 2021
          • Thank You
          • To Mobility and Beyond
          • Walked Virtual Path to Future
        • EF Apr 2020
        • EF Aug 2020
          • Affiliate and Committee News
          • Beginning Again
          • Book Review
          • COVID-19 Will Be Beat
          • COVID-19 and Blindness
          • Cavemen
          • Diaphragmatic Breathing
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • Kindness of Neighbors
          • Pick a Peck
          • President’s Message
          • Virus or Victim
          • ‘End of Oct.’ Review
        • EF Dec 2020
          • Affiliate News
          • Apply to DKM First-Timers Award
          • BADIE
          • Board Meetings Summary
          • Celebrating CVAA
          • Chaplain’s Corner
          • Flexibility
          • Going Virtual Again
          • Here and There
          • Mini Mall Holiday
          • President’s Message
          • Qualifying for SSD
          • Retaining Members
          • Safe Cooking
          • Senator Markey Celebrates
        • EF Feb 2020
        • EF June 2020
          • ACB Easy Chair Auction
          • ACB –Path to Future
          • Affiliate and Committee News
          • Backyard Wedding
          • Book Review
          • Continuing Education
          • Conventions
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • MMS Going Virtual!
          • Memories of Lynn Hedl
          • Mini Mall Headlines
          • Passings
          • Performing Marriage Ceremonies
          • President’s Message
          • Walking up a Storm
          • Ways to Listen
          • Wine and Song
          • Wine and Song
        • EF Oct 2020
          • ADA Turns 30
          • ADA at Thirty
          • Affiliate News
          • DARE2TRI
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • Involving Special-Interest Affiliates
          • Jeanne Sanders
          • Mini Mall Mega News
          • Passings
          • Perseverance in Martial Arts
          • Pre-Convention Board Meeting
          • President’s Message
          • Swimming Blind & Free
          • Triathlon Dare2tri
          • Vision Loss, Therapy, Weightlifting
      • 2021 Issues
        • BF Jan 2021
          • Apply to 2021 ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellow
          • BOP to Award Excellence
          • Become a 2021 Recipient of DKM Award
          • Call for 2021 ACB Awards Nominees
          • Convention Dates
          • Help Revive Braille!
          • Here and There
          • In Memoriam: Larry Turnbull
          • Joys of Learning Braille
          • Mother Was a Braille Transcriber
          • Passings
          • President’s Message
          • That Stupid School!
        • BF Jul 2021
          • Accessing the Virtual Convention
          • Beyond
          • Continuing Ed
          • Don’t Forget MMS
          • Here and There
          • It’s Not Too Late
          • Learning
          • Let’s Go Fishing!
          • Meeting Summary
          • Mini Mall Minute
          • President’s Message
        • BF Mar 2021
          • Angels Memorial Program
          • Continuing Ed in 2021
          • Expanding Recruiting
          • Guide Dog If Low Vision?
          • Guide Dog Magnified
          • Here and There
          • Low Vision Story Bites
          • President’s Message
          • Summary - Nov 2020 Board Mtg.
          • Two Big Announcements!
          • Welcome to CCLVI
        • BF May 2021
          • Affiliate - Committee News
          • Book Review
          • Continuing Ed
          • Diamond Jubilee Auction
          • Get Moving Together
          • Here and There
          • In Memoriam
          • Mini Mall Headlines
          • President’s Message
          • Registration Q&A
          • Start a Chapter
          • Verizon Media Announces
          • Victor Reader Tip
          • Voting at Convention
          • Welcome New Employees
          • Your Vote Counts
        • BF Nov 2021
          • A Visit
          • Affiliate News
          • Brief Overview
          • Button Box?
          • Fun Facts about Nebraska
          • Greatest Fears
          • Here and There
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • Holiday Shopping at Mini Mall
          • Karaoke Helps
          • Passings
          • President’s Message
          • Vision Loss Thoughts
        • BF Sept 2021
          • 2021 Convention
          • Affiliate News
          • Audio Description Achievement Awards
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • Isolation to Inspiration
          • President’s Message
          • This Year’s Award Winners
          • Wrapping Up
        • EF Apr 2021
          • 13th Annual ADP Awards
          • 2021 Talking Book Narrator
          • 421 for ‘21
          • A Place at Table
          • Affiliate News
          • Connected in New Mexico
          • Heart of a Legacy
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • In Memoriam: Doc Bradley
          • Learning and Leading
          • Man Made Difference 
          • New Members Portal
          • People of Color
          • President’s Message
          • Smoke Signal
          • What Color Is the Dream?
          • What is IDC?
        • EF Aug 2021
          • Affiliate News
          • Blindness in United Arab Emirates
          • Bosnia and Herzegovina
          • Describing Diversity
          • Erasmus
          • Eye on USA
          • Furry Lifesaver
          • Get Moving Together
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • India
          • Passings
          • President’s Message
          • World Turned Inside Out
        • EF Dec 2021
          • 2021 Resolutions
          • Board Meeting Summaries
          • Christmas Wishes
          • Convention 2022 Preview
          • Here and There
          • Looking
          • Mother of Fundraisers
          • Notice of Proposed Settlement
          • Passings
          • President’s Message
          • Team Up
          • The New Year
        • EF Feb 2021
          • 2020 Convention Info
          • About ADP Website
          • Apply to 2021 Recipient of DKM Award
          • Audio Description Commercials
          • Audio Description Project
          • Audio Description Snobbery
          • Audio Description What it Means
          • Charlie Crawford on Wall of Angels
          • God’s Audio Description
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • In Memoriam: James Megivern
          • Paradigm Shift
          • President’s Message
        • EF Jun 2021
          • Affiliate News
          • Continuing Ed News
          • Convention Preview
          • Enjoy the Perks
          • Feb Board Meeting
          • Get Exercise
          • Get Up Get Moving
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • Massage
          • Never Give Up
          • President’s Message
          • Review of Spark
          • The New $20
          • The Room
        • EF Oct 2021
          • Accessing Transit Services
          • Affiliate News
          • Here and There
          • Here and There
          • Letter to Dept of Trans
          • Moving Forward
          • Nearly Roadkill
          • On to Omaha
          • President’s Message
          • Reach People
          • Summary July 2021 Board Meeting
          • What About Paratransit?
          • Why Restructure?
      • 2022 Issues
        • BF Jan 2022
          • 10-9-21 Board Mtg Summary
          • ACB Diabetics in Action
          • Announcing 2022 Tours
          • BOP Awards Excellence
          • Blind LGBT Welcomes You
          • Braille Link to Literacy
          • Call for Nominees
          • Call for Nominees
          • Come One, Come All
          • Guide Dog Users
          • Happy New Year
          • IVIE
          • Not Your Father’s …
          • President’s Message
          • Reach Higher
          • Salutes Award Winners
          • Where Impaired Thrive
        • BF Jul 2022
          • Accessing ACB Info
          • Blind student
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • Learning Better Leader
          • Passings
          • Pregnant Nun
          • President’s Message
          • Public Transportation
          • Recipes
          • Thank You
          • Tips for Convention
          • Wild Figs
          • Writers reimagine roles
        • BF Mar 2022
          • Affiliate News
          • Board Makes Virtual
          • Boxes
          • Dance with Cancer
          • Gifts of Mentorship
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • In Memoriam: Bill Spoone
          • Learn Hours
          • MMS March Madness
          • Motherhood
          • Passings
          • President’s Message
          • Removal
          • Time to Plan
          • Walk Here
        • BF May 2022
          • Accessibility for Some
          • Affiliate News
          • Convention Registration
          • Extra, Extra
          • Fix Computer Problems
          • Here and There
          • High Tech Swap Shop
          • Initials Mean More
          • Kindness Taught Me
          • Notice of Proposed Settlement
          • President’s Message: Crisis
          • Volunteer at Omaha
          • Walking Everywhere
        • BF Nov 2022
          • ACBDA President’s Message
          • AIP Task Force
          • Accessibility of Tandem
          • Accessible Insulin Pumps
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  1. Home
  2. Convention Attendees Discover New Worlds in Columbus

Convention Attendees Discover New Worlds in Columbus

by Sharon Lovering, Doug Powell, Denise Colley, and Ron Brooks

Attendees at the American Council of the Blind's 52nd annual national convention experienced the kind of shift most folks associate with the change to Daylight Savings Time – except this was a shift in days. The convention's opening session was held on Saturday.

Saturday

Pomerantz called the session to order, and introduced Vicky Prahin, chair of the local host committee. "On behalf of the local host committee, I do welcome everybody to Columbus, Ohio," Prahin said. "I hope everybody is here having a good time so far." She thanked the host committee members for all their work.
 
Pomerantz then called upon Linda Wyman, immediate past president of the ACB of Ohio.  "On behalf of Nolan [Crabb] and ACB Ohio, I want to welcome all of you," Wyman said. "We hope that you'll all have just a wonderful, wonderful time here in Ohio and my hometown, Columbus."
 
After the introductions, Pomerantz gave his report.  He reminded his listeners that at the close of convention, he would no longer be ACB's president.  He thanked the staff in the Virginia and Minnesota offices for all their hard work, and mentioned that July 19 would be Eric Bridges' last day. He also thanked the officers, board, and board of publications members for their work, along with the ACB Radio staff.
 
Pomerantz mentioned the BOP ushering in "a new era of electronic communications, thanks to the ACB E-Forum, which was launched earlier this year. Regardless of how we may feel about the ubiquity of communications via the Internet, it is here to stay, and ACB has no choice but to get on board or be left at the proverbial station." ACB is expanding its presence on Facebook and Twitter, too, he noted.  For those lacking computer access, the E-Forum is available on NFB-Newsline (R), and ACB is working on making it available on radio reading services nationwide. For the text of the president's report, see "President's Message: A Turn of the Page" (ACB E-Forum, July 2013) or go to www.acbradio.org/node/43 and select the Saturday general session.
 
He reviewed various legislative successes and talked about the success of structured negotiations, including Weight Watchers and Walmart. He mentioned Melanie Brunson's participation in the crafting of the World Intellectual Property Organization's treaty to create access to books worldwide.  He also discussed his activities with the World Blind Union, and his being elected vice president of the North America/Caribbean region of that group.
 
Pomerantz informed his listeners that this year was the 75th anniversary of the Organizacion Nacional de Ciegos Españoles (ONCE).  He mentioned that Miguel Carballeda, ONCE's president, had fallen and was unable to attend the convention; however, he had recorded his speech, which was translated by David Stirton. "ONCE is a project we can be proud of," Carballeda stated. "[It's] a historic project by blind people in Spain to secure our emancipation through one single organization. Without ONCE, we would still be marginalized, trapped in poverty."  He gave a brief history of the organization, beginning with its founding during the Spanish Civil War.
 
Following a presentation by diamond sponsor Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Allen Casey introduced this year's first-timers: Frank Ventura of Massachusetts and Guillermo Robles of California.  Pomerantz then presented life memberships to Geraldine Arnold, Evelyn "Trixie" Flippen, William Freeman, Anne Brewer, Tamika Polk, Alexa Poli, Denny Huff and Dan Sippl. 
 
Pomerantz called upon Jean Mann for the first credentials report.  "Most of you did a very good job at getting your stuff in on time, and if you had problems, you let us know," Mann said. Montana and South Carolina were not seated this year due to lack of membership lists and/or dues. Three affiliates lost votes: CCLVI, Hawaii, and Missouri. She reminded everyone that the deadline for affiliate lists is March 15th.
 
The session wrapped up with the roll call of affiliates.

Sunday

Pomerantz called the session to order.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation, he called on Margarine Beaman for recognition of the convention sponsors, from diamond to pearl, and the individual titanium sponsors. Then Pomerantz called upon Jean Mann for the final credentials report.  Mann chanted, "March 15th, March 15th, March 15th ... I'll keep saying it and maybe you'll get that subliminal message." She also reminded affiliates to coordinate new members' information with their dues, and to double-check the spelling of people's names.
 
After a few announcements, Pomerantz called on John Huffman, chairman of the constitution and bylaws committee, for the first reading of several proposed amendments.  Two would affect different portions of Article IV; one dealt with signing up to be a member at large online.  Following the reading, Pomerantz turned the gavel over to Kim Charlson to preside for the remainder of the session.
 
Charlson called Cindy Van Winkle and Paul Edwards to the dais to present awards.  Van Winkle went first and presented the affiliate growth awards. The winners were South Dakota Association of the Blind (29.4 percent growth) and ACB of Texas (54 new members).
 
Paul Edwards quipped, "The board of publications has one and a half awards to present this morning." He mentioned the competition to name the electronic edition of the Forum, and how the BOP found most of the names lacking.  He presented the $50 ACB Store gift card to Mitch Pomerantz for his suggestion of "The ACB E-Forum."  "Now for the real award," Edwards continued. The Ned E. Freeman Award went to Beverly Clifford for "Touching Childbirth," which appeared in the fall 2012 issue of "The Blind Californian."
 
Charlson next introduced the speech, via recording, of Enrique Perez, second vice president of the World Blind Union. Perez said that the World Blind Union is "the internationally recognized organization representing the 285 million blind and partially sighted persons in 119 member countries. ... The World Blind Union is the voice of the blind ... the only one speaking to governments and international parties on global issues concerning blindness and visual impairment in conjunction with our members." 
 
The WBU has achieved many things since it was first funded in 1984, "such as establishment of the International Development Program with the support of Sight Savers International and the Hilton Perkins Program in the USA," Perez stated. "This program continues to undertake leadership training and organizational development work in many countries, particularly in Africa."  He also mentioned the work done in Latin America with the help of the ONCE Foundation.
 
"Today I'm most proud to report on perhaps one of our most outstanding achievements ever," he said. "History was made in Marrakech on 27 June with the UN World Intellectual Property Organization concluding a treaty on copyright for visually impaired and print disabled. This was the first intellectual property treaty benefiting the public interest rather than the interest of rights holders ..."  Only 5 percent of all published books in developed countries, and less than 1 percent of all published books in developing countries, are ever produced in braille, large print and/or audio, he noted.
 
The next speaker, Justin Hughes, head of the U.S. delegation to the World Intellectual Property Organization, continued the discussion on the treaty.  "We did finish, and we're very, very proud to have finished this treaty," he said, mentioning the long name of the treaty. "That's a mouthful, but that mouthful actually reflects some of the complex politics that we were facing working on this treaty."  Often, politicians will pass laws and think a problem is solved, but that's not the way it works in reality, he added.
 
Hughes briefly discussed copyright basics. "[Publishers] make very few large-type books, and they haven't been making until recently navigable audio books. So although the copyright system gives these exclusive rights to the authors and the publishers, the bottom line is they do not adequately exercise those rights in providing the kinds of materials that visually impaired people need."  In 1996, the Chafee Amendment corrected this issue in U.S. law.  By 2009, there were 57 countries in the world that had exceptions in their copyright laws for people with print disabilities; 128 had exceptions for libraries.
 
As the administration looked at the issue, staffers realized there was also a structural problem: access to materials varies from country to country. If you're a Spanish speaker living in Madrid, you have access to at least 30,000 titles through ONCE; if you live in Panama City, Panama, you have access to about 200 books, Hughes noted.  And if you're a 10th grader in the U.S., you can get your textbooks in accessible format much more easily than if you were in Durban, South Africa.  "There have been seven accessible format versions made of the first 'Harry Potter,'" he noted. "Instead of making one and sharing it, different countries have had to make different versions. So we realized that there ought to be a way for countries to share these accessible format copies that are being prepared, sometimes with great cost."
 
In December 2009 the administration approached WIPO and expressed the need for a better system to share accessible format books across the borders. By mid- to late 2010, there were several proposals on the table.  Balancing the rights-holders' needs with blind readers' needs took a lot of work.  By April 2012, when Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff made a state visit to Washington, Obama made a joint announcement with her supporting an international treaty to end the book famine. In December 2012, a decision was made to proceed to a diplomatic conference, but there were still some outstanding issues.
 
One of those was commercial availability standards in various countries' copyright laws. Another was technological protection measures – which was tremendously important for copyright holders. "We started on the problem of commercial availability, and to make a long story short, it went really badly," Hughes said. Delegates were able to reach an agreement on commercial availability, and pressed forward on the other issues. By about the 10th day, he added, it was clear that the treaty would go through.
 
The treaty will need to be ratified by the Senate, he added.  "But we need to be honest that it's a treaty. ... And it's only going to be a meaningful system 10, 15, 20 years from now if there's a lot of capacity building on authorized entities, and a lot of training, and a lot of legal work is done to explain authorized entities, how they exchange accessible format copies with each other. ... When we gave our closing statement in Marrakech, we said, 'Look, folks, this isn't the end of the road. This is the beginning of a new chapter.'"
 
Charlson then introduced Karen Keninger, director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Keninger gave an update on the progress made by NLS in the last year. She reminded her audience about the priorities she'd set.  The first priority was to retain the quality of NLS' products.  Her second priority was to expand the collection, and she briefly described the TIGAR project and acquisition of foreign-language materials. She also talked about converting material from cassette to digital format, and about changes coming to "Talking Book Topics" in 2014.
 
Another of Keninger's priorities was to use technology to enhance your reading experience.  One way NLS has done that was to give BARD a facelift, providing more information about books, a wish list, a previously read list, and incorporating Web-Braille into BARD.  And shortly, NLS will be releasing an application for iPhone, iPad, and iPod. An Android app is in development now, due out this winter.
 
Priority four has been to focus on braille. "I believe braille is our literacy medium," Keninger said.  NLS joined the Transforming Braille project, looking for a durable, refreshable braille display. In June, NLS held a braille summit in conjunction with Perkins to find out what braille readers want and need.  Among those were a braille e-reader, better and more available braille instruction, and more tactile graphics in NLS' braille materials.
 
Conventioners next heard from Luke Stedke, manager of communications and marketing for the Ohio State House. "Today, Columbus is the largest city in the state of Ohio," Stedke stated. "But it [hasn't] always been the case."  He took his listeners back to colonial times, when Ohio was part of the Northwest Territory. Ohio was the 17th state to be admitted to the union, he added.  Columbus was formed by the Ohio general assembly in 1812.
 
Following Stedke was Oral Miller, talking about the activities available in the Recreation Zone.  Some of this year's offerings included water aerobics, Pilates, and yoga.

Monday

Pomerantz called the session to order. John Fleming and several members of the Visually Impaired Veterans of America led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Margarine Beaman listed some of the convention sponsors. The sponsor presentation of the day was given by Dominic Gagliano, Humanware's vice president of sales USA.  Gagliano proudly informed the assembly that this year is the 25th anniversary of the company.
 
Following Humanware's presentation, Pat Sheehan, chairman of the nominating committee, gave the committee's report. The 2013 slate of officers was:
 
President: Kim Charlson, Watertown, Mass.
1st vice president: Jeff Thom, Sacramento, Calif.
2nd vice president: Marlaina Lieberg, Burien, Wash.
Secretary: Ray Campbell, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
Treasurer: Carla Ruschival, Louisville, Ky.
 
The convention next heard a proposal to change term limits of officers from three 2-year terms to four 2-year terms; it failed.
 
Pomerantz acknowledged that at this point, Brenda Dillon would have taken the gavel, but she is ill, and not attending the convention this year.  Pomerantz asked the assembly for 30 seconds of silence.  After those 30 seconds, he called on Michael Garrett to present the scholarship winners.  For more information, see the article "2013-2014 ACB Scholarship Winners" elsewhere in this issue.
 
Pomerantz introduced the now-confirmed Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), Janet LaBreck, who goes to Washington, D.C. from the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.  LaBreck spoke of approaching her new post with excitement over the opportunities we face in improving rehabilitation and employment of blind and visually impaired people in this country.  Congress is working on revising the Workforce Investment Act, and the rehab sections contained within it.  She is committed to the notion that successful rehabilitation will only happen when services are provided in a holistic way – when there is a partnership between professionals and consumers. 
 
We also need to be more engaged in the community to increase our visibility, so that we can make communities understand the obstacles to disabled people's full participation. LaBreck then listed some of today's challenges: transition services; literacy skills; making services available to everyone; elder blind need new technology; making sure education gives students skills relevant to today's and tomorrow's job requirements.  The commissioner has found in Massachusetts that internship experiences serve an important role in successful employment.  She will act to identify and disseminate national models for innovation.
 
The next presentation of the morning was from Eric Bridges, ACB's director of advocacy and governmental affairs.  He had found that his job dealt more and more with technology issues.  Certainly the Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) and its implementation require somewhat technological discussions.  But along with his legislative oversight, he has been spending much time meeting with companies that have not had accessibility as a major focus.  Over the last few years, Bridges and the chairmen of ACB's information access committee, Pratik Patel and Brian Charlson, have met with:

  • Sprint – They have since changed their customer service and hiring practices.
  • Google –  After talking to them and offering to collaborate in making their products accessible, in 2012 they held an accessibility summit with all Google product managers, Bridges, Charlson, and Patel.
  • Apple – ACB is now in touch with the Worldwide Product Manager for Accessibility to ensure continued focus and improvement of Voice Over and product accessibility.
  • Facebook – Consistent with their "one percent credo" (always only one percent finished), they previously had no quality assurance whatever.  After meeting with them, they now are moving toward quality and accessibility assurance and have an accessibility team.
  • Microsoft – After speaking with them about their inconsistent commitment to accessibility, they are working to add accessibility as part of their corporate accountability measure.

Bridges concluded by telling the assembly, "We're doing things the right way: pointing out areas where we cannot interface with their products the way sighted people can,  declaring that  that's not acceptable, but also offering to collaborate to improve their products and services."
 
The last presentation of the morning was from Jerry Berrier talking about the deaf-blind equipment program.  This project is part of the CVAA specifically focusing on providing the expensive equipment deaf-blind people need to communicate with the world.  Berrier works for Perkins, which holds the contract for administering the program.  The pilot program is initially funded at $10 million per year, divided between federal outreach, state outreach, equipment purchase, and training.
 
Eligibility is based on the Helen Keller Institute definition of being deaf-blind.  A person wanting to take advantage of this program would fill out an application.  Then someone like Jerry would go to the applicant's home and do a thorough assessment of their current skills, what they want to do, and what equipment would be needed. Equipment is then bought and delivered, and training takes place. Berrier mentioned that the iPad is currently the most popular equipment for distance communications.  Detailed information about the program can be found at www.icanconnect.org.

Tuesday

Margarine Beaman, advertising and sponsorship coordinator, read the list of convention sponsors.  Next up was John Huffman, who, assisted by Jay Bader, read two proposed amendments to the constitution.  Mark Richert, chair of the resolutions committee, introduced the first few resolutions for consideration.
 
Marlaina Lieberg was the day's presiding officer, and she introduced the first presenter, Gregory Gorton, talking book narrator with Potomac Talking Book Services, Inc., Bethesda, Md.  He reads for NLS as well as Audible, Inc. and BBC Audio.  He has also done work for the Discovery channel and National Geographic as well as some television and independent films.
 
From books the convention moved on to hear from a panel talking about accessible prescription drug labels in our future.  Mitch Pomerantz was the moderator; panelists included Mark Richert, director of public policy, American Foundation for the Blind; Annette Carter, CCLVI's representative; and Susan Crawford, U.S. Access Board working group facilitator.  Mitch began by reminding everyone that this was the one-year anniversary of the signing by President Obama of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, which included our language to establish best practices for the provision of accessible prescription drug label information.  The Access Board was charged with putting a stakeholder working group together to produce best practices within a year of the signing of that law.  The National Council on Disability will be doing a public education and information campaign to educate retail pharmacists about what these best practices say, what they do, and how they should be used and implemented, as well as reaching out to consumers to educate them about the availability of these best practices and what they can ask for.
 
CCLVI shared its best practices and guidelines for the production of large-print documents used by the low-vision community.  That document has had a great impact on the portion of what is now the report of best practices for making prescription drug container label information accessible to people who are blind and visually impaired.  Every element that was brought to the working group regarding large print was accepted and included.
 
Susan Crawford staffed the stakeholder working group and synthesized all of their discussions.  The best practices report was presented to the Access Board on July 10.  Once the Access Board accepts the report, it will be posted on the board's web site.  All consumers were strongly urged to read the best practices report and go to their local pharmacy and request access to their prescription drug container label information.
 
Following the break, Tom Wlodkowski, vice president of Comcast Accessibility, discussed what Comcast is working on related to access to television.  He told the convention that one of the accessible applications on the roadmap for this year is Xfinity Connect, which allows customers to aggregate all of their communications in one application.  An iOS version is available now and an Android version is coming soon.  A second application is "What's On," which will tell you what's on TV right now, and is a way to get at TV listings.  The next release of this app is going to have a filter that will allow a person to be able to limit their view to what's on with video description. Xfinity Player is an app that allows you to find video content that is available on demand and turn it on by navigating through an app.  The final product he demonstrated was the Talking TV interface, which will be available in the next-generation entertainment platform.  It will provide voice-guided navigation through the remote control. It will be in a customer trial in the first half of 2014.  
 
The final presentation of the morning was an update on ACB's Audio Description Project by Joel Snyder, president of Audio Description Associates.  He said they are already working on plans for next year's convention in Las Vegas and are working with producers of Cirque Du Soleil to possibly have one or more of their performances described for conventioneers.  Over the next few months ACB will be publishing a book that Joel has been developing as a part of his doctoral dissertation entitled "The Visual Made Verbal; an Audio Description Training Manual and Guide to the History and Applications of Audio Description."  He hopes that it will be available at the ACB Mini Mall and on the ACB/ADP web site by the end of the year.

Wednesday

After calling the meeting to order, Pomerantz invited John Huffman, chairman of the constitution and bylaws committee, to continue his report. Huffman read through three related proposed amendments to Bylaw 7 which, taken together, were intended to clarify the process state and special-interest affiliates would be required to use for notifying the secretary of their designated delegates, alternate delegates, and representatives to the nominating committee. After considerable discussion, the body rejected all three proposed amendments.
 
After Huffman's report, Pomerantz turned the gavel over to Carla Ruschival.
 
Ruschival called on Melanie Brunson, who began her report by commending ACB's outgoing director of advocacy and governmental affairs, Eric Bridges, for the contributions he has made to blind and visually impaired people around the country and throughout the world. Brunson also commended Sharon Lovering, who achieved 20 years of seniority as a member of the ACB national staff. She praised the ACB national staff as a committed group of high-caliber individuals who stand ready to serve our members and affiliates throughout the country.
 
Brunson then summarized several activities and successes achieved by the national office staff during the preceding year. These included:

  • Implementation of the member and donor database in the Arlington and Minneapolis offices – The goals are to make the annual credentialing process more efficient and effective and to ensure better tracking and acknowledgement of donors.
  • As a result of resolutions adopted during the 2012 convention, ACB held meetings with Apple, Google, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and others to work on improvements to the accessibility of a range of electronic products and services, ranging from smart phones to iOS and Android apps and more.
  • ACB met with the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to discuss the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaty (which was finalized in March of 2013) and to advocate for audio description on commercially available movies, including movies for use at home, many of which do not have audio description.
  • ACB staff continued to work on the public policy front to ensure that past legislative victories result in long-term success for blind and visually impaired people. One example was implementation of the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act.
  • Staff continued to advocate for the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and for the adoption and ratification of the WIPO treaty.
  • ACB assisted members and affiliates in a number of other advocacy settings. One example was ACB's work with a local TV station to capture footage of taxicab drivers passing by blind people, refusing service to individuals with guide dogs, and leaving blind people stranded in the wrong locations.

Brunson wrapped up by stating that there appears to be slow but steady progress with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on the development of accessible currency. In the past, the bureau has conducted focus groups at successive ACB conventions, but now the bureau is talking about the distribution of money readers as early as 2015 and tactile features in the next generation of currency.
 
Janet Dickelman thanked members of the convention committee and the Ohio local host committee, chaired by Irwin Hott and Katie Frederick. She then gave the locations and dates for the next two ACB annual conventions.

  • Las Vegas – July 10-18, 2014 at the Riviera Hotel
  • Dallas – July 3-11, 2015 – Downtown Sheraton Hotel

Ruschival then gave the treasurer's report. ACB is meeting its budget for 2013, and investments are doing well. However, annual expenses are exceeding revenues, and this is requiring the ACB to dip into reserve funds. In 2011, the board established a special reserve fund of $300,000, which was intended to be used while the organization worked through the significant revenue shortfalls resulting from the ongoing economic crisis. In 2012, the organization drew down all of this fund plus an additional $182,000 which came from ACB's investment funds. In 2013, ACB expects to draw another $172,000 from its investments, but this is an improvement over 2012 and represents progress toward a more balanced budget. Ruschival stressed the need for more revenue from more diverse sources.
 
Ron Milliman gave a brief report on the results of the Monthly Monetary Support (MMS) program, and Dan Spoone gave an update on the ACB walkathon. These initiatives netted ACB more than $120,000 during the previous year and represent great examples of new opportunities to raise funds for ACB.
 
Michael Garrett, chairman of the ACB Enterprises and Services board, reported on the efforts of ACB's six thrift stores located in Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Each day 100 employees serve 700 guests who purchase everything from gently used clothes, toys and household goods to rare items, artwork and furniture, the net proceeds of which help to fund ACB. He did not give annual sales, revenue, expense or profit totals, but he stated that store managers and staff across the country are working with ACB assistant treasurer Lane Waters and the management of ACB's Minnesota office to strengthen the financial well-being of ACB now and in the future.
 
After Garrett's report, Mark Richert read three resolutions. One dealt with the need for accessible portable document format (PDF) files, another with the need for accessible stand-alone Kindle reading machines, and one which urged the Department of Education to implement guidance limiting the circumstances under which braille is not offered to a child with a visual impairment. All were adopted unanimously.

Thursday

After recognition of the sponsors, Pomerantz called on Richert for the remainder of the resolutions.  The first resolution honored Eric Bridges for his six years of work with ACB; it passed with loud cheers and lots of applause. Another resolution, regarding Blind Pride of Texas being denied affiliation with ACB of Texas, was referred to the constitution and bylaws committee.
 
After a few door prizes, the convention continued with resolutions. Resolution 2013-18 dealt with guide dog schools, and the number of alumni on their boards, and it passed after a great deal of discussion. Resolution 2013-20 dealt with Guide Dogs for the Blind.  It, too, generated a lively discussion before passing. The last resolution before elections, 2013-07, dealt with captchas. It passed after a friendly amendment.
 
At 10 a.m., the convention went to elections. Pat Sheehan reminded everyone of the nominating committee's slate: president, Kim Charlson; first vice president, Jeff Thom; second vice president, Marlaina Lieberg; secretary, Ray Campbell; treasurer, Carla Ruschival.
 
The first office up for election was that of president. Pomerantz called for further nominations; there were none. Jay Bader moved that nominations cease and that Kim Charlson be elected president by acclamation.  That motion passed. "Thank you," Charlson said. "Your confidence in me is something that I will absolutely not take for granted at any time. I'm honored to be the captain at the helm of the American Council of the Blind, but I want you all to remember that you are the members and you're on this cruise with me, and we're going to do it together."
 
The convention then voted on the office of first vice president. Jeff Thom was elected by acclamation. Next up was second vice president. Marlaina Lieberg was put forward by the nominating committee; Debbie Grubb nominated David Trott. After the convention heard both candidates' seconding speeches, Sharon Lovering called the roll and the voting team distributed ballots. When all the votes were counted, the winner was Marlaina Lieberg, 474 votes (57.6%) to 349 (42.4%).
 
Following the break, elections continued, beginning with the position of secretary. Ray Campbell was put forward by the nominating committee; Jim Kracht nominated Judy Jackson.  After the speeches, attendees voted, and the winner was Ray Campbell, 556.5 votes (67.6%) to 266.5 (32.4%).
 
Carla Ruschival was put forward by the nominating committee for the office of treasurer. After calling for further nominations, Pomerantz received none, and there was a call from the floor to cease nominations and elect Ruschival by acclamation, which passed.
 
Kim Charlson announced her appointments to the board of publications: Denise Colley as chairperson, and Ron Brooks. She thanked Paul Edwards and Nolan Crabb for their work on the BOP this year.  The convention then took a lunch break.
 
After lunch, the convention returned to elect two members to the board of directors, to fill the seats formerly held by Ray Campbell and Jeff Thom, and one to fill the seat formerly held by Denise Colley on the board of publications.  Berl Colley nominated David Trott for the first seat; Frank Strong nominated Donna Seliger. Following speeches, the roll call and vote count, the winner was David Trott by a count of 611 votes (81.25%) to 141 (18.75%).
 
While waiting for the results, Pomerantz called upon Richert for a resolution.  Richert tackled resolution 2013-04, which dealt with Common Core State Standards testing for students in grades K-12 and testing accommodations policies. It passed.
 
Pomerantz called for nominations for the second board seat.  David Trott nominated Pat Sheehan. After Pomerantz called for further nominations and received none, Bader moved that the floor be closed and Sheehan be elected by acclamation. After several "seconds!," the motion passed, and Sheehan was elected.
 
Pomerantz then opened the floor to nominations for the seat on the board of publications.  John McCann nominated Doug Powell.  With no further nominations, McCann moved that the floor be closed and Powell be elected by acclamation. After a loud "second!", the motion passed, and Doug Powell was elected.
 
Pomerantz then turned the gavel over to Charlson, who called on Richert for the remainder of the resolutions. Richert began with resolution 2013-13, dealing with sub-minimum wages. After a great deal of discussion, the resolution went to a roll call vote.  It passed by a vote of 391 (51.25 %) to 372 (48.75%).  Richert next read 2013-10, which focused on the impact of sequestration on workers at NIB-associated agencies.  It passed.  The convention also tackled resolution 2013-08, dealing with the chained CPI system. After two friendly amendments, it passed.
 
After a few door prizes and a break, Richert brought out resolutions 2013-11, which dealt with copyright law protections, and 2013-21, dealing with accessible voting machines.  Both passed, one (number 21) with a friendly amendment.  Next up was resolution 2013-19, focusing on services for older blind individuals, which passed with a friendly amendment. Resolution 2013-17, focusing on diabetes supplies, passed.
 
The next resolution, 2013-15, dealt with pedestrian access issues. Resolution 2013-16 focused on the high cost of healthy snacks for vendors.  Both passed. Richert thanked his committee members, then dealt with the commendatory resolutions, one each for the hotel and staff, convention host committee and ACB of Ohio, and the volunteers.  All three passed.
 
With no new business, the convention adjourned.

Captions: (See photos at the left)
 
Mitch Pomerantz pauses for a moment after delivering his annual message to the convention. He's wearing a navy blue suit, blue-and-white pinstriped shirt, and a blue patterned tie, with an ACB pin on his left lapel.
 
Jean Mann reminds everyone that their affiliate lists and dues are due March 15th. She's standing on stage behind a wooden lectern with a "Hyatt" plaque on the front. Behind her is the blue-and-white ACB banner.
 
Paul Edwards presents Mitch Pomerantz with the $50 gift card to the ACB Store for his naming of the new electronic magazine "The ACB E-Forum." Sharon Lovering, standing behind Edwards, smiles along with the others. All three are standing on the stage at the front of the room. Edwards is speaking into the lectern microphone. Behind them, hanging down from the curtain rod, is the blue-and-white ACB banner.
 
Justin Hughes discusses the complex politics that he and the U.S. delegation faced while working on the World Intellectual Property Organization treaty in Marrakech, Morocco earlier this year. He is standing on stage behind the wooden Hyatt lectern, with the ACB banner behind him.
 
Karen Keninger holds her digital reading device up to the lectern microphone and pushes "play" to let the audience hear one of NLS' newest offerings that was both published and recorded in 2013.
 
Janet LaBreck talks about partnerships between professionals and consumers in successful rehabilitation and employment outcomes.
 
Eric Bridges, wearing a black suit, white shirt and red tie, discusses the advocacy successes ACB has had in the last year. He's standing behind the Hyatt lectern on stage, with the ACB banner behind him.
 
Gregory Gorton, a narrator for Potomac Talking Book Services in Bethesda, Md., reads aloud from "Who Done It?" by Jon Scieszka, a mystery about who murdered Herman Mildew. He stands behind the Hyatt lectern mike, wearing a tan suit, green shirt, and patterned tie, and is gesturing with his hands to emphasize part of the story.
 
Mark Richert and Susan Crawford discuss making prescription drug labels accessible, and their work on the best practices document. Both are seated at a table on the stage; Richert, left, is speaking into the microphone.
 
Tom Wlodkowski, standing behind the Hyatt lectern and speaking into the microphone, tells the convention about Xfinity Connect and other applications that will soon make TV more accessible.
 
ACB executive director Melanie Brunson summarizes the activities of the last year, including implementation of the new database. She's wearing a light blue suit with matching blouse, standing on stage behind the Hyatt lectern microphone.

 

 

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