edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins
The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. “The ACB Braille Forum” cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, send a message to slovering@acb.org, or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering’s mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date.
Helen Keller Achievement Award Recipients for 2026 Are …
The American Foundation for the Blind announces the 2026 recipients of the Helen Keller Achievement Awards: social influencer and author Molly Burke, nationally recognized teacher and author Kathy Nimmer, and T-Mobile US Inc. These outstanding honorees, who have made significant strides in expanding independence and opportunity for people who are blind, deafblind, and low vision, will be recognized during AFB’s annual celebration the evening of April 23rd at the prestigious Harvard Club in New York City.
As a social influencer with millions of followers across her YouTube and Instagram channels, Molly Burke routinely creates content that pushes back against ableism, breaking down negative misconceptions about people who are blind. In September 2025, she published her memoir, “Unseen: How I Lost My Vision and Found My Voice.”
A motivational speaker, writer, teacher, and pianist, Kathy Nimmer spent 29 years teaching English at William Henry Harrison High School in West Lafayette, Ind. In 2015, she was recognized as “Teacher of the Year” for the state and was a national finalist that same year. It was there that she founded SEED, a mentoring program for new teachers, which earned her the “Excellence in Leading & Learning” award from the State of Indiana in 2024. A published author, she has written two books: a nonfiction work celebrating the relationship between service dogs and their handlers, and a book of poems.
Receiving the organizational award this year is T-Mobile US Inc., one of the world’s leading telecommunications companies. Branded as the “Un-carrier,” T-Mobile places significant focus on customer service, and the accessibility team has made notable advancements in creating a more digitally accessible universe for smartphone users with disabilities. In recent years, they launched MagentaA11y, a powerful toolkit for designers, developers, and testers. The site, which is free to access for all, is a valuable resource to ensure that digital content is accessible for all.
Candle in the Window Turns 40 Next Year
Candle in the Window is turning 40 next year, and we'd love to have you join us. The dates for next year's retreat are Wednesday, August 26 through Sunday, August 30. We will again be meeting at the Dogwood Conference and Retreat Center near Charlotte, N.C. Prices: $530 for a double occupancy room; $780 for a single occupancy room. Price includes all meals and incidentals, and transportation between the airport and the retreat center.
For more information, contact one of our board members:
Carlos Taylor
Email: candleinthewindow1@gmail.com
Phone: (765) 208-0882
Becky Davidson
Email: beckyb1120@gmail.com
Phone: (914) 393-6613
Kathy Szinnyey
Email: joyfulrenegade@gmail.com
Phone: (502) 759-1288
Gene Chelberg
Email: generaleyez@gmail.com
Phone: (415) 269-9454
Peter Duffy
Email: wharfratpete@gmail.com
Phone: (904) 294-9375
Notorious Bakersfield Podcasts
Do you enjoy reading books and articles about notorious crimes? You may want to check out the Notorious Bakersfield podcasts. They’re written by Robert Peterson, who has also written two books: “Notorious Bakersfield: The Book” and “Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II.”
The books and podcasts look back in time to some of the most notorious crimes, events and characters of yesteryear. Episodes include “The Clown That Terrified Kern County,” “The Matchmaker Murder,” “The Pearl Harbor Survivor’s Wife,” “Secret Witness,” and many more.
Also available is the Halloween Tour, a driving tour of the crime scene locations and spooky places in Bakersfield. For more information, visit https://www.notoriousbakersfield.com/.