(Editor’s Note: What follows is a compilation of information from ACB Executive Director Charlie Crawford's weekly submissions to ACB-L, the organization’s Internet mailing listserve. These weekly e-mail notices are intended to be informal brief summaries of weekly activities in the ACB National Office. We include them here for the benefit of those who do not currently have access to ACB’s Internet mailing list. If you would like to view these notes on a weekly basis, visit the ACB web page, http://www.acb.org. Scroll down to “News Notes” and select it. You will then be at the page where “News Notes” is housed. You may choose the current issue or whichever back issue you would like to read. Please let us know your opinion of “News Notes.”)
For the week ending November 12, 1999
ACB inquires about rumored changes in blindness definition
In a direct letter to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, ACB has inquired after a rumor that SSA is considering changes in the definition of blindness. This, if true, would be of serious concern to all blind people. ACB will stay with this until we are either satisfied that the rumor is false or assured that any changes would not happen without our full knowledge and participation in the process. Stay tuned.
State Department hears from ACB on passport issue
Many blind folks who apply for a passport are being required to have some written document explaining why they don’t have a driver’s license even when they have other state-issued identification. This sets up criteria which are different from other folks and ACB has advised the Department of State that they need to review this requirement in light of their obligations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. We can reasonably anticipate the eventual acceptance of a non-driver’s license without additional burdens, once the issue is addressed. Thanks to Melanie Brunson for writing up the letter.
Terry and Julie upholding vending call for action in San Antonio
The National Council of State Agencies for the Blind is meeting in San Antonio this week and ACB and RSVA are well represented on the vending facility issues. We are confident that Julie Carroll and Terry Pacheco will keep the call for action alive and well at the meetings.
ACB continues to follow up on South Dakota
The major victory for ACB and NFB in South Dakota continues to protect the separate state agency identity in South Dakota. The national office and our South Dakota affiliate conversed for a time yesterday on strategic options to keep the ball rolling in our favor.
Michigan access to utility bill issue to be discussed
As “News Notes” is being written, we have had a conference call set up for this evening to talk about how things are going in Michigan. It may take some effort, but the goal of accessible bills is one well worth the struggle.
For the week ending November 19, 1999
FCC takes landmark vote in video description
With ACB members and staff well represented at the Federal Communications Commission, a unanimous vote of the commissioners heralded in a new era for video description and blind people! The FCC will be releasing a notice of proposed rule-making that will start the process of getting video description available on national prime time TV for a good solid chunk of programs.
The national office will be sending out information on the proposed rules as soon as they are out. ACB members and friends will need to write letters of support to make sure this extraordinary opportunity does not pass without result! We are in good shape and it fully looks like we will have video description available in the not too distant future, but we must stay the course and make sure our voices are heard when the need arises. Special thanks to all the ACB folks who came, and a warm thanks to Sandy Sanderson and Lynne Koral who came all the way from Alaska!
Super braille computer demonstrated at national office
Well, it was most interesting to see a laptop computer with a 40-cell braille display that has all the bells and whistles to do any task in speech or braille in DOS or Windows. It was like seeing a computer commercial like the one on TV that says “it’s in there” each time we asked a question.
Its major problem is the cost and you’ll be hearing more about it as time goes by. Check out their web site at http://www.aadbrl.com for more info.
ACB moves to join discussion on national electronic text repository
ACB Executive Director Charlie Crawford sent out a letter to all the participants in a discussion to get a national repository of text publications. This idea has been bubbling out there for some time and under ACB resolution 99-36, we are moving to join in.
NISH lawsuit stirs ACB interest
Recently there was a lawsuit filed by the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped to get mess halls at military bases freed up from the priority they have for blind vendors. ACB is looking at this to see where our best interests can be served and certainly will not stay on the sidelines when vendors are threatened.
For the week ending November 26, 1999
ACB asks software company to deliver access schedule
In a letter to the developers of Quicken, QuickBooks, and Turbotax, ACB underscored the concerns of a member for the lack of progress in making their software accessible. In short, ACB pointed out the lack of progress at the company could only lead us to believe they were not serious in their representations to work on the issue. Hence, ACB requested that they provide us with a material statement on what they will be doing to resolve the issues.
ACB and partners meet with DC police to move sting
In a second meeting last week, ACB, PVA, a D.C. Cab Commission member, and NOD met with the D.C. Deputy Chief of Police to move along the planned sting operation against Washington cab drivers who refuse to transport blind and other disabled people. The discussions were friendly, but ACB was clear that we expect results and all the reasons for taking time could only be measured against a real product. The outcome is that we can anticipate the start of the operation within 30 to 60 days.
AT&T proposal to drop 800 number directory assistance to be challenged
ACB will be submitting testimony to the Federal Communications Commission in opposition to the petition from AT&T to drop their 800 toll-free directory assistance service. ACB is sensitive to the cost issue and the fact that AT&T may be correct in its assertion that it only has some 5 percent of the actual numbers out there in its database. Nevertheless, ACB believes that dropping the service is not in the public interest and that new ways of requiring telephone system wide collection of 800 data should be developed along with the mandatory participation of all telephone carriers.
This issue will not be resolved in a short time, but the dropping of the service is hardly a way to deal with it.
Braille Forum bursting at the seams?
Looks like our “Braille Forum” is in need of expansion. While Penny and Sharon are doing great work on fitting as much as they can in the “Forum” with a view toward engaging the reader, we are experiencing more information that ought to be there than the current cost constraints will allow. Hence, a part of our budget talks for the next year will include an exploration of some expansion, whether through additional dollars or the use of new brailling production facilities. All of this will have to be done in consultation with the board of publications.
Second edition of pedestrian safety handbook nears completion
As this is being written, the second edition of the pedestrian safety handbook is now awaiting one last article before final formatting and publication. We will be looking for funds to cover the cost of brailling and distribution, but at least the electronic edition should be out within a couple of weeks.
Happy holidays from the national office!
We trust that all had a great Thanksgiving and wish everyone a great holiday season! Whatever you do, remember the spirit is what counts. Sharing the season with other ACB members and friends is important. Let’s make sure that dropping temperatures are more than compensated by increased warmth toward each other.