Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act 

On July 29^th, Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) introduced the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 4853) in the House of Representatives. This act aims to make home use medical equipment and devices accessible to blind and visually impaired Americans. The bill would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish nonvisual accessibility standards for Class II and III  devices with digital interfaces.

ACB Milestones

2 milestones in 1 week! Our ACB Community celebrated hosting over 5k events! The ACB Community is an incredible support network that continues to share ideas, activities, and many laughs! ACB also reached the goal of raising $5k for the 60 for 60 drive. Thank you to every contributor who has donated. Special thanks to our August sponsor Vispero who matched and doubled each donation up to $10k! We are truly amazed by our members’ support and for Vispero for elevating the campaign!

Exercise and Fitness for All Act of 2021 (S. 2504/H.R. 4756)

On July 28, Sens. Duckworth (D-IL), Casey (D-PA), Feinstein (D-CA), and Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the Exercise and Fitness for All Act (S-2504) in the 117^th Congress. This bill aims to make exercise equipment and fitness instruction fully accessible to people with disabilities. The bill would require the US Access Board to establish guidelines relating to the number and types of accessible fitness equipment gyms and other fitness facilities are required to have.

Reminder: Convention Survey Closes August 31

Thank you to all who participated or engaged in this year’s 2021 ACB 60th Anniversary Conference and Convention. It was truly a packed event with over 166 breakout sessions and multiple ways to participate which included: Zoom, ACB Media Network, YouTube, Facebook, Clubhouse, and our community events. If you attended convention this year, please take a moment to answer the ACB Convention Survey by visiting https://tinyurl.com/fd39vuy9.

One of ACB’s legislative imperatives this year is the Disability Access to Transportation Act (DATA) (H.R. 1697/S. 2038). Among other things, this legislation will create a one-stop para transit pilot program, require the completion of the Public Rights of Way Accessibility Guidelines, provide greater funding for transportation grants, and improve the DOT complaint process.

The Tokyo Paralympic Games begin on August 24^th. Below, you can find information on how to access audio description, as well as other important details about the Paralympics. For more information about the Paralympics, including a programing schedule, visit: https://tinyurl.com/6sd5pjez.  

Ahead of this Sunday’s vote, tune into ACB Media 10 to hear a reading of the proposed amendments to ACB’s constitution and bylaws addressing remote meeting and remote voting. This segment is now playing on rotation for those who are interested in hearing them read aloud. Listen your device or visit www.acbmedia.org/streams.

At the conclusion of regular business at the ACB conference and convention on July 23, 2021, it was moved, seconded, and adopted as follows:

60 for 60 Campaign

We are incredibly thankful to Vispero for providing the first corporate contributions of our year-long ACB 60 for 60 campaign, and for launching a matching challenge to our ACB members and our partners. Vispero will double every contribution made to the 60 for 60 campaign up to $10,000 over the month. Their matching challenge began on July 26th in honor of the ADA's 31st Anniversary and will extend until August 31st 2021.

Durward K. McDaniel Ambassador Award: Allan Peterson

The Durward K. McDaniel Ambassador Award is given in recognition of a blind person who may or may not be a member of a blindness organization but who has, through his or her personal characteristics and activities, unrelated to his/her employment, contributed most to the acceptance and understanding of blind people as capable, contributing members of the community.

Presented to Allan Peterson in recognition of his many years of service to ACB and numerous other community organizations.

Please come join the Constitution and Bylaws Committee (C&B) and Voting Task Force (VTF) for these upcoming events to discuss and take member input. On August 4, they will be visiting with the presidents on Hump Day. On August 5, C&B will be meeting and will take members’ input. On August 8, both committees will be on Sunday Edition. On August 10, Tuesday Topics will host both committees for discussion and input for the first hour. Then the C&B will be meeting and taking members’ input. On August 11, both committees will be available to visit with the presidents on Hump Day.