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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 - Dec 6, 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
      • 2023 BOP Meeting Minutes
        • BOP Minutes - Jan 3, 2023
      • 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
          • New Spin
          • Passings
          • President’s Message
          • Removal
          • Time to Plan
          • Walk Here
        • BF May 2022
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  1. Home
  2. About Us
  3. ACB Resolutions
  4. 2017 Resolutions

2017 Resolutions

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

Table of Contents

  • 2017 Resolutions Summaries
  • Resolution 2017-01 - Listings for Described TV
  • Resolution 2017-02 - Increase Audio
  • Resolution 2017-03 - Lions Centennial
  • Resolution 2017-04 - Expanded Core Curriculum
  • Resolution 2017-05 - Dogs on Planes
  • Resolution 2017-06 - Micromarkets
  • Resolution 2017-07 - Amtrak
  • Resolution 2017-08 - Door to Door Paratransit
  • Resolution 2017-09 - Randolph - Sheppard
  • Resolution 2017-10 - Autonomous Vehicles
  • Resolution 2017-11 - Driverless Car
  • Resolution 2017-12 - OIB Funding
  • Resolution 2017-13 - Branding
  • Resolution 2017-14 - Grants
  • Resolution 2017-15 - Nevada Drug Labels
  • Resolution 2017-17 - IMLS Funding
  • Resolution 2017-18 - Vending Machines
  • Resolution 2017-19 - Student Loans
  • Resolution 2017-20 - Clear Glass Doors
  • Resolution 2017-21 - CGMs and Glucometers
  • Resolution 2017-22 - Funding for Tech
  • Resolution 2017-23 - Kiosks
  • Resolution 2017-24 - Pedestrian Signals
  • Resolution 2017-25 - Healthcare
  • Resolution 2017-26 - Thanks to the Nugget
  • Resolution 2017-27 - Thanks to Host
  • Resolution 2017-28 - Thanks to Volunteer

Summary of 2017 Resolutions

The following are brief summaries of the resolutions adopted by the ACB membership at the 2017 conference and convention held at the Nugget Casino and Resort in July. One resolution was referred to ACB’s environmental access and information access committees. It is not included in this compilation. Please note that these summary statements are not the authoritative voice of the ACB membership; they are simply intended to capture the overall scope and intent of the membership as authoritatively embodied in the full text of each of the resolutions. You can find the full text of resolutions at www.acb.org/resolutions2017.
 
Resolution 2017-01 directs ACB to strongly urge the Federal Communications Commission to exercise all appropriate authority to require the broadcast and non-broadcast networks to establish and/or join an automated digital listing of all available audio-described programming, and directs the FCC to monitor those listings on an ongoing basis for quality assurance and to ensure that such listings provide consumers of audio-described programming with a level of service equal to that provided today to consumers of closed-captioned television.
 
Resolution 2017-02 instructs ACB to strongly urge the FCC commissioners to order an increase in the total number of required hours of audio description up to the CVAA’s allowable statutory maximum.
 
Resolution 2017-03 directs that ACB join with the American Council of Blind Lions to congratulate Lions Clubs International on its 100th anniversary of service.
 
Resolution 2017-04 instructs ACB to demand that the U.S. Department of Education declare in unambiguous terms that states’ and districts’ imposition of restrictions limiting the provision of the instruction and services comprising the Expanded Core Curriculum to school grounds and/or during normal school hours severely impairs, if not outright denies, the right of students with vision loss to a truly free and appropriate public education.
 
Resolution 2017-05 directs ACB to call upon the U.S. Department of Transportation to issue regulations strengthening the rights of passengers with service animals by aligning them with the service animal rules already promulgated by the U.S. Department of Justice  so as to reduce the fraud and abuse of service animal misrepresentation; and to collaborate with Guide Dog Users, Inc., to ensure that airlines improve quality of customer service by airline staff, the effectiveness of complaint resolution officers, and airlines’ overall commitment to the rights and responsibilities of passengers with service animals so as to honor the dignity with which all passengers deserve to travel, free of harassment and abuse.
 
Resolution 2017-06 instructs ACB to join with its affiliate, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, in urging, in the strongest terms possible, that micromarket manufacturers make these facilities fully accessible to consumers and operators who are blind or who have low vision; to offer micromarket manufacturers the assistance of the information access committee to achieve the goals of this resolution in the most expeditious manner possible; and, if the micromarket manufacturers fail to use their best efforts to ensure the full accessibility of micromarkets at the earliest possible time, that ACB demand that state licensing agencies refuse to allow the use of micromarkets in the business enterprise program.
 
Resolution 2017-07 directs ACB to strongly urge Amtrak to include the disability discount as one of the options when purchasing a ticket using a smartphone app.
 
Resolution 2017-08 tells ACB to instruct its transportation committee to work with state and local affiliates to ensure that local entities responsible for paratransit services adopt a door-to-door service policy.
 
Resolution 2017-09 instructs ACB and the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America to work with the U.S. Congress to ensure that current and future Business Enterprise Program roadside rest areas are protected.
 
Resolution 2017-10 commends the work of ACB’s officers, directors, staff and members for their efforts to hold makers of autonomous vehicles accountable for ensuring the full accessibility of such vehicles to people who are blind or visually impaired; directs the officers, directors and staff to advocate for autonomous vehicle accessibility while also enlisting the vehicles’ manufacturers as champions to partner with ACB to surmount other known and potential roadblocks, such as overbroad state drivers licensing schemes, which may impede or bar people with vision loss from having the full enjoyment and benefit of autonomous vehicles; and directs ACB to call upon the vehicles’ developers to partner with manufacturers of personal wayfinding technology so that these two game-changing technologies will be on course to provide people with vision loss with a fully integrated travel experience.
 
Resolution 2017-11 instructs ACB to communicate to proponents of autonomous vehicle legislation currently under consideration in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives that the American Council of the Blind will voice its deep disappointment with, if not opposition to, any package of legislative proposals that grants flexibility, incentives and/or exemptions to the autonomous vehicle industry but that fails to at least initiate a meaningful process, with measurable outcomes, for establishing user interface accessibility requirements on autonomous vehicle manufacturers. It also directs ACB to urge Congress to guide states in the exercise of their traditional roles in setting basic licensing requirements so as to honor the federal constitutional right to travel which people who are blind or visually impaired must be allowed to enjoy on an equal basis with our sighted fellow citizens.
 
Resolution 2017-12 directs ACB to make it a priority to participate in Goal One of the American Foundation for the Blind’s 21st Century Agenda on Aging and Vision Loss to address the critical national need for dramatically increased, and better leveraged, funding for services to older individuals who are blind or visually impaired; to make it a national legislative imperative to advocate for a substantial increase in the level of federal funding for the OIB program; to encourage state chapters to work with other appropriate stakeholders to make more state dollars available to address this acute crisis of resources; and directs the officers, directors and staff to make finding better ways to create resources to serve older people with vision loss a priority over the next year. 
 
Resolution 2017-13 declares ACB’s opposition to the establishment and use of a unifying title to refer to each of the professional disciplines serving children, working-age adults, or seniors who are blind or visually impaired; directs the officers, board and staff to communicate with the proponents of such a designation to express our serious concerns with any strategy to brand, label or describe the existing array of professional disciplines in any way which may be construed, particularly by those outside and largely completely unfamiliar with the vision loss community, to combine or blur critical distinctions between and among the various educational and rehabilitative professions; and directs ACB to collaborate with the leading organizational voices in our field representing public and private agencies, professionals and other direct service providers to identify and pursue the most effective long-term strategies to ensure the availability and quality of services that truly meet individuals’ needs.
 
Resolution 2017-14 directs ACB to formulate and implement a strategy for cultivating private foundation and individual grant funding streams for the field of blindness and visual impairment to use to supplement currently available public dollars for services to older individuals who are blind or visually impaired; directs that such a strategy involve partnerships with leading organizations and individuals in the field who should work collaboratively to pursue and obtain such private sources of support which should, in turn, be made available to those individuals and private organizations that are most in need and/or who serve the most vulnerable or overlooked segments of the older blind community across America; and adds that private funding streams cultivated through this strategy should support the delivery of all services that are now authorized to be provided pursuant to the OIB program.
 
Resolution 2017-15 commends the members of the Nevada Council of the Blind, and the extraordinary leadership of Nevada state Senator Moises Denis, for exemplary and successful advocacy for accessible drug labeling statewide in Nevada, and directs ACB to offer its affiliates, as appropriate, such public policy counsel and related support as they may request to assist them with efforts to achieve the critical policy objective of accessible drug labeling in every state.
 
Resolution 2017-17 instructs ACB to work to ensure that IMLS funding levels are not reduced during the 2018 federal fiscal year.
 
Resolution 2017-18 directs that ACB, in partnership with the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, urge, in the strongest terms possible, that vending manufacturers and vending machine operators work together to make these vending machines fully accessible to consumers and operators who are blind or who have low vision; offer manufacturers the assistance of the information access committee in achieving the goals of this resolution; and in the event vending machine manufacturers are unwilling to enter into meaningful negotiations with vendors or their representatives concerning the accessibility of vending machines, this organization is hereby urged to intervene to take steps that are likely to advance the goals of this resolution.
 
Resolution 2017-19 directs that ACB request the IRS to adopt a permanent policy to enable people with disabilities to claim a waiver that will not consider college loan forgiveness as a taxable event.
 
Resolution 2017-20 instructs ACB staff to carry the issue of clear glass door hazards to the Access Board so that they may develop and potentially implement appropriate solutions for this serious concern, and directs the staff and board to report on what progress has been made by the Access Board over the next year to the environmental access committee at our 2018 convention.
 
Resolution 2017-21 directs ACB to work with its affiliate, ACB Diabetics in Action, and with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. Congress, and manufacturers of continuous glucose monitoring devices and glucometers to ensure that all such devices are fully accessible to diabetics who are blind or visually impaired, and with leading private insurers and HMOs to ensure that their customers with diabetes who are blind or visually impaired can be provided with accessible devices which truly enable independent and reliable diabetes management.
 
Resolution 2017-22 calls upon the federal government to allocate sufficient funds to provide accessible pedestrian signals in all communities, to support the deployment of indoor indicators that would enable people who are blind or have low vision to navigate public buildings independently, to develop and implement a program based on the use of wearable glasses that will enable people who are blind to have the same level of communication that is available for people who are deaf and for people who do not have disabilities, to develop and implement a large-scale training initiative that would assure that people who are blind or have low vision can learn to use the computer hardware and software that makes information access as available to this population as it is to the rest of our society, to allocate substantial funding to assure that the eventual release of self-driving vehicles is fully accessible for and usable by people who are blind or have low vision, and to provide a range of training for people who are blind or have low vision that would enable them to fully take advantage of the opportunities these technologies now make possible. It also directs the officers, directors and staff of this organization are hereby directed to make the implementation of the objectives of this resolution a priority.
 
Resolution 2017-23 states ACB’s belief that the growing inaccessibility of stores, restaurants, places of entertainment and other public accommodations represents a threat to the civil rights and continuing advancement toward equality of Americans who are blind or visually impaired, and directs the organization to redouble its advocacy efforts in the arena of kiosk-dependent interaction with places of public accommodation to include, as appropriate, structured negotiations, state level legislative activity, federal enforcement actions, media outreach, and direct relationship-building with leading stakeholder organizations.
 
Resolution 2017-24 directs ACB’s staff to contact the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices to inquire as to the process for amending the MUTCD; to solicit participation from other organizations of and for the blind and low vision to assist in strengthening sections 4E.08 through 4E.13 of the MUTCD; and directs staff, along with the environmental access committee, to prepare amendments for the MUTCD that are to be submitted to the NCUTCD for its consideration.
 
Resolution 2017-25 states ACB’s opposition to health care reform proposals that make it more difficult for people who are blind or who have low vision to obtain affordable, comprehensive health care coverage.
 
Resolution 2017-26 expresses ACB’s thanks to the management and staff of the Nugget Casino and Resort for their warm welcome, very hard work and commitment to customer service.
 
Resolution 2017-27 expresses ACB’s gratitude to the members of the Nevada host committee for their enthusiastic welcome, the untold hours of planning and hard work, and the tremendous privilege of bringing our national conference and convention to their home state.
 
Resolution 2017-28 expresses ACB’s thanks to all the volunteers who gave their time and energy at this year’s national convention.  

Listings for Described TV

Resolution 2017-01

 

Whereas, the multiplicity of TV programming delivery methods available today, along with the growth in the number of markets where audio-described television programming is available, has the potential to exponentially increase the demand for audio description; and
 
Whereas, for this anticipated increased demand to be satisfied, consumers of described television must have a convenient and reliable means for browsing among and selecting audio-described programming; and
 
Whereas, at this time, other than the manually gathered American Council of the Blind’s Audio Description Project website listing, there is no reliable automated digital listing, fed by the broadcast and non-broadcast networks, that electronic program guides can incorporate to provide consumers with timely and accurate notice of all available audio-described programming; and
 
Whereas, such a listing would better enable set-top boxes to provide consumers with ready access to audio description via meaningful electronic program guides; and
 
Whereas, for well over a decade, there has been a commitment to ensure that all closed-captioned programs are appropriately listed in electronic program guides;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 2nd day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization strongly urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to exercise all appropriate authority to require the broadcast and non-broadcast networks to establish and/or join an automated digital listing of all available audio-described programming; and
 
Be it further resolved that the FCC monitor such listings on an ongoing basis for quality assurance and to ensure that such listings provide consumers of audio-described programming with a level of service equal to that provided today to consumers of closed-captioned television.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Increase Audio Description

Resolution 2017-02

 

Whereas, current law, as provided by the historic 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), requires only a small number of television networks to carry a few hours of audio-described programming per quarter, amounting to a fraction of all TV programming available today; and
 
Whereas, nearly 100% of all available TV programming is currently closed-captioned, while only a tiny proportion of programming is currently being described; and
 
Whereas, instead of creating new audio-described material, a number of old programs and movies are simply being repeated by certain networks; and
 
Whereas, the CVAA authorizes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to incrementally increase the number of hours of audio-described programming from the current level of 50 hours per calendar quarter up to 87.5 hours a quarter for each of the mandated broadcast and non-broadcast networks; and
 
Whereas, at long last, the FCC has finally announced that commissioners will vote on a proposal to mandate such an incremental increase in the number of required described TV hours at its July 13, 2017 public meeting; and
 
Whereas, the more than 24.7 million Americans who live with significant vision loss today continue to impatiently wait for the long-overdue day when audio description is available for each and every television program;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 2nd day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization strongly urge each of the commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission to order an increase in the total number of required hours of audio description up to the CVAA’s allowable statutory maximum.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Lions Centennial

Resolution 2017-03

 

Whereas, 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of Lions Clubs International; and
 
Whereas, Lions have worked to provide assistance to individuals who are blind or visually impaired throughout the world, willingly answering the call to be “Knights of the Blind” issued to them by Hellen Keller at the organization’s 1925 national convention; and
 
Whereas, the American Council of Blind Lions (ACBL) is formally recognized by Lions Clubs International and, throughout its existence, ACBL has sought to educate Lions about the capabilities of individuals who are blind or visually impaired; and
 
Whereas, ACBL has worked to encourage Lions who are blind to actively participate in and aspire to leadership positions in their local clubs;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 4th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that the American Council of the Blind join with its special-interest affiliate, the American Council of Blind Lions, to congratulate Lions Clubs International on its 100th anniversary of service; and
 
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to Lions Clubs International.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Expanded Core Curriculum Outside of School

Resolution 2017-04

 

Whereas, students with vision loss have a fundamental right to a free and appropriate public education pursuant to the United States Constitution, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and other long-standing provisions of federal and state law; and
 
Whereas, protection and enforcement of such students’ rights depends upon both the provision of appropriate accommodations and the provision of specialized instruction and services meeting students’ individual disability-related needs; and
 
Whereas, such specialized instructional services provided to students who are blind or visually impaired are collectively referred to as the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC); and
 
Whereas, critical components of the ECC, such as orientation and mobility, independent living, social integration, self-advocacy, and related skills training cannot be competently taught or proficiently learned when the provision of such training is confined to the four walls of a classroom or even generally to school premises and only during normal school hours; and
 
Whereas, all across America, there is a disturbing trend on the part of states and local school districts to nevertheless require that these indispensable skills be taught only on campus and during normal school hours; and
 
Whereas, these restrictions include, but are not limited to: prohibiting any instruction before or after school; prohibiting all off-campus orientation and mobility instruction; forbidding preschool students from being taken off campus for such instruction; limiting instruction to within a small radius of the school, as, for example, three blocks; requiring parental consent for every off-campus trip when receiving orientation and mobility instruction; and requiring, as a condition of after-school instruction, that a parent be present to sign out the student; and
 
Whereas, states and school districts that impose such unwarranted restrictions are categorically in violation of federal special education law and policy which clearly provides that such services are to be provided at home, at school, and in community;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 4th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization demand that, as part of a comprehensive update and reissuance of policy guidance concerning students who are blind or visually impaired, last published in 2000, the U.S. Department of Education declare in unambiguous terms that states’ and districts’ imposition of restrictions limiting the provision of the instruction and services comprising the Expanded Core Curriculum to school grounds and/or during normal school hours severely impairs, if not outright denies, the right of students with vision loss to a truly free and appropriate public education; and
 
Be it further resolved that this organization ensure the broad dissemination of this resolution to its state chapters, special-interest affiliates, organizations of parents of children with visual impairments, state directors of special education, teachers of students with visual impairments, and any and all stakeholders which may be identified, to assist parents, professionals and advocates at the state and local levels to defend the right of all students who are blind or visually impaired to an education that is irrefutably worthy of their tremendous potential.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Dogs on Planes

Resolution 2017-05

 

Whereas, one year ago, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) unanimously adopted a resolution calling upon the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to harmonize its service animal regulations with those of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ); and
 
Whereas, throughout this past year, ACB has been actively engaged in negotiated rule-making with DOT, the airline industry, and other disability advocates tasked with finding compromise to revise the Air Carrier Access Act’s regulations concerning service animals; and
 
Whereas, advocates and industry were unable to reach consensus, resulting in a stalemate in which a proper definition of service animals that would curtail fraud and abuse has not been achieved; and
 
Whereas, this policy and procedural breakdown means that responsibility for issuance of a proposed rule on this matter now lies with the DOT’s Aviation Compliance Division; and
 
Whereas, DOT has failed to issue such a proposed rule for public comment; and
 
Whereas, over this very period, the airline industry continues to restrict the rights of individuals traveling with guide dogs, such as the media-documented case of a passenger in Dallas who was refused access to the plane with her service animal in late 2016; and
 
Whereas, multiple complaints by guide and service dog handlers against airlines regarding poor quality of customer service, persistent misunderstanding of the law and the provision of reasonable accommodations (such as pre-boarding, seating preference, and assistance in navigating through and beyond airport security), all demonstrate a pattern and practice of access inequality; and
 
Whereas, at the same time, individuals traveling with pets falsely claimed or assumed to be service animals continue to cast a negative light on the legitimate use of service animals, furthering the bias against passengers with service dogs;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 4th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization call upon the U.S. Department of Transportation to issue, with all deliberate speed, regulations strengthening the rights of passengers with service animals by aligning them with the service animal rules already promulgated by the U.S. Department of Justice  so as to reduce the fraud and abuse of service animal misrepresentation; and
 
Be it further resolved that this organization collaborate with Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI), to ensure, through training, outreach and advocacy, that airlines improve quality of customer service by airline staff, the effectiveness of Complaint Resolution Officers (CROs), and airlines’ overall commitment to the rights and responsibilities of passengers with service animals so as to honor the dignity with which all passengers deserve to travel, free of harassment and abuse.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Micromarkets

Resolution 2017-06

 

 Whereas, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and its affiliates have been actively advocating on issues that involve self-service kiosks in a variety of settings; and
 
Whereas, these settings include medical facilities and restaurants; and
 
Whereas, in recent years, micromarkets have begun to replace other types of food vending facilities; and
 
Whereas, a micromarket is a food facility industry that is completely self-service in nature, that is kiosk-based, and that provides prepared foods and beverages; and
 
Whereas, proponents of micromarkets argue that micromarkets have a number of advantages over vending machines, including the use of a variety of payment options, less need for maintenance, the ability to display offerings in a more attractive way, the capacity to acquire data on sales, and the ability to more quickly modify offerings and pricing in response to demand; and
 
Whereas, despite the repeated urging of ACB’s affiliate Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA) and state licensing agencies, and the promises of some micromarket manufacturers, micromarkets remain largely inaccessible both to consumers with vision loss and to blind micromarket operators; and
 
Whereas, the use of micromarkets, as with many types of automated self-service facilities, is only in its infancy and will, without doubt, grow rapidly throughout the nation; and
 
Whereas, it is essential that these facilities be fully accessible to consumers and operators alike; and 
 
Whereas, it is incumbent upon the blind community generally, and ACB in particular, to work collaboratively whenever possible, to ensure that self-service facilities are fully accessible to persons who are blind or have low vision.
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 4th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization join with its affiliate, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, in urging, in the strongest terms possible, that micromarket manufacturers make these facilities fully accessible to consumers and operators who are blind or who have low vision; and
 
Be it further resolved that this organization offer micromarket manufacturers the assistance of its Information Access Committee to achieve the goals of this resolution in the most expeditious manner possible; and
 
Be it further resolved that, in the event that micromarket manufacturers fail to use their best efforts to ensure the full accessibility of micromarkets at the earliest possible time, this organization demand that state licensing agencies refuse to allow the use of micromarkets in the business enterprise program.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Amtrak

Resolution 2017-07

 

Whereas, many people with disabilities, including those who are blind or who have low vision, travel on Amtrak; and
 
Whereas, the use of smartphone apps has become a popular means of transacting business; and
 
Whereas, it is possible to purchase a ticket with a disability discount either at an Amtrak station, calling Amtrak or by visiting the web site, but not through the Amtrak iOS app; and
 
Whereas, the Amtrak iOS app allows for several other discount options including senior, veterans, student, and AAA discounts to be applied; and
 
Whereas, the iOS app is very accessible in all other aspects;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 5th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization strongly urge Amtrak to include the disability discount as one of the options when purchasing a ticket using a smartphone app.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Door-to-Door Paratransit

Resolution 2017-08

 

Whereas, federally funded paratransit service providers make the distinction between “curb-to-curb” and “door-to-door” service, often preferring curb-to-curb on the mistaken belief that curb-to-curb is more economical and efficient; and
 
Whereas, many people with disabilities, including people with sensory and cognitive impairments, experience difficulty with a curb-to-curb approach either due to the nature of their disability or to the uniquely challenging exigencies of particular paths of travel; and
 
Whereas, the provision of door-to-door service for those passengers who need it cannot be left to the ad hoc exercise of paratransit drivers’ uninformed discretion;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 5th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization instruct its transportation committee to work with state and local affiliates to ensure that local entities responsible for paratransit services adopt a door-to-door service policy.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Randolph-Sheppard Priority in Danger

Resolution 2017-09

 

Whereas, the Trump administration has proposed to sell public lands as a means to cover budget shortfalls; and,
 
Whereas, many Business Enterprise Program roadside rest areas are on public lands; and
 
Whereas, in its budget proposal, the administration has stated its support for privatization of highway rest areas, which would be devastating to hundreds of blind vendors;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 5th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization, along with its affiliate the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, work with the U.S. Congress to ensure that current and future Business Enterprise Program roadside rest areas are protected.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Autonomous Vehicles, Wayfinding, and Collaboration

Resolution 2017-10

 

Whereas, a number of automotive and technology companies, including but not limited to Uber, Google, General Motors, and Local Motors, are developing autonomous vehicles (also known as driverless vehicles); and
 
Whereas, the American Council of the Blind, as well as a number of its state and special-interest affiliates and members, have actively partnered with companies developing autonomous vehicles for the purpose of ensuring that the access needs of people who are blind or visually impaired are met; and
 
Whereas, a number of other technology companies have already deployed, and are continuing to develop, personal wayfinding technologies offering personal environmental navigation to people with vision loss; and
 
Whereas, the convergence of autonomous vehicles and personal wayfinding technologies offers the potential for an entirely new and accessible transportation experience for people who are blind or visually impaired;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 5th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization commend the work of its officers, directors, staff and members for their efforts to hold makers of autonomous vehicles accountable for ensuring the full accessibility of such vehicles to people who are blind or visually impaired; and
 
Be it further resolved that this organization direct its officers, directors and staff to uncompromisingly advocate for autonomous vehicle accessibility while also enlisting the makers of autonomous vehicles as champions to partner with ACB to surmount other known and potential roadblocks, such as overbroad state drivers licensing schemes, which may impede or bar people with vision loss from having the full enjoyment and benefit of autonomous vehicles; and
 
Be it further resolved that ACB call upon the developers of autonomous vehicles to partner with manufacturers of personal wayfinding technology so that these two game-changing technologies will be on course to provide people with vision loss with a fully integrated travel experience.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Driverless Car Policy Challenges

Resolution 2017-11

 

Whereas, the U.S. Congress is beginning to consider an array of legislative measures intended to effectively respond to, and support continued innovation in, the autonomous vehicle industry; and
 
Whereas, while these measures are being crafted even as of this writing, it is becoming increasingly clear that much of the emphasis in such legislation is on maintaining the status quo of states’ control over licensing decisions on the one hand, and granting industry considerable flexibility, incentives and exemptions from a variety of federal requirements on the other hand; and
 
Whereas, the unavailability of 100% autonomous vehicles on the current or immediately emerging market is being proffered as a rationale for deferring consideration of any federal intervention at this time to ensure that autonomous vehicle user interfaces allow people who are blind or visually impaired to fully benefit from this exciting technology; and
 
Whereas, in the context of these federal policy discussions, the cross-disability community emphasis seems to be on physical accessibility to autonomous vehicles, particularly to fleets of public transportation or private ride-hailing services; and
 
Whereas, advocates for people who are blind or visually impaired have been told by such cross-disability spokespeople that the allegedly more imminent deployment of autonomous public transportation and ride-hailing vehicles warrants immediate action to foster physical accessibility now while user interface accessibility is a more remote objective and a less urgent priority; and
 
Whereas, it has been the vision loss community’s hard-learned lesson over decades of experience that failing to address technology accessibility at the earliest possible opportunity, both in terms of the design of such technology and in terms of the relationship of such technology to public policy, results in profound disadvantage to, if not outright exclusion of, people who are blind or visually impaired; and
 
Whereas, even assuming the availability of 100% autonomous vehicles, there is a very real worry that state licensing requirements may impose outmoded or avoidable restrictions on the use of autonomous vehicles by people with vision loss, such as possible requirements that an autonomous vehicle owner operator must have sufficient vision to manage a catastrophic or even intermittent vehicle failure;
 
Now , therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 5th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization communicate to proponents of autonomous vehicle legislation currently under consideration in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives that the American Council of the Blind will voice its deep disappointment with, if not opposition to, any package of legislative proposals that grants flexibility, incentives and/or exemptions to the autonomous vehicle industry but that fails to at least initiate a meaningful process, with measurable outcomes, for establishing user interface accessibility requirements on autonomous vehicle manufacturers; and
 
Be it further resolved that this organization urge the U.S. Congress to guide states in the exercise of their traditional roles in setting basic licensing requirements so as to honor the federal constitutional right to travel which people who are blind or visually impaired must be allowed to enjoy on an equal basis with our sighted fellow citizens.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


OIB Funding

Resolution 2017-12

 

Whereas, ACB Resolution 2013-19 clearly demonstrated that there is an expectation that the population of older Americans with vision loss will increase exponentially over a generation; and
 
Whereas, federal funding for Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind, pursuant to Title VII, Chapter 2, of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (also known as the OIB program), remains static at approximately $33.4 million annually; and
 
Whereas, given the 2016 issuance of regulations by the U.S. Department of Education which arbitrarily bar states from using vocational rehabilitation dollars to offer services to clients with vision loss for whom compensated work outside the home may neither be appropriate nor desired, states’ capacity today to meet the independent living needs of older people with vision loss has been even further diminished;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 5th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization make it a priority to participate in Goal One of the American Foundation for the Blind’s Twenty-First Century Agenda on Aging and Vision Loss to address the critical national need for dramatically increased, and better leveraged, funding for services to older individuals who are blind or visually impaired; and
 
Be it further resolved that this organization make it a national legislative imperative to advocate for a substantial increase in the level of federal funding for the OIB program; and
 
Be it further resolved that state chapters of this organization are hereby encouraged to work at the state level with other appropriate stakeholders to make more state dollars available to address this acute crisis of resources; and
 
Be it further resolved that the officers, directors and staff of this organization are hereby directed to make finding better ways to create resources to serve older people with vision loss a priority over the next year.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Branding the Professional Disciplines

Resolution 2017-13

 

Whereas, the American Council of the Blind’s (ACB’s) Rehabilitation Task Force has learned that various voices from within the university, professional certification, and private agency communities are calling for the establishment and promotion of a single unifying name or so-called umbrella designation to refer to each of the major professional disciplines serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired; and
 
Whereas, the establishment of such a designation is being proposed to encompass state licensed Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists, Certified Low Vision Therapists, and Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists; and
 
Whereas, these professional disciplines offer a wide variety of complementary but critically distinct services to a profoundly heterogeneous population of children, working-age adults, and seniors with vision loss; and
 
Whereas, while there is some overlap among the various professional disciplines in terms of knowledge and training, each of these disciplines require distinct and specialized competencies of the professionals who practice them; and
 
Whereas, particularly with regard to teachers of students with visual impairments, pedagogical methods for providing instruction to children, existing state licensing structures, and the requirements of both federal and state special education law all militate against commingling the branding of this profession with the other disciplines; and
 
Whereas, each of the disciplines certified by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) has a well-defined body of knowledge and a specific purpose to fulfill in the delivery of specialized services to people who are blind or who have low vision; and
 
Whereas, the use of a single title, prefix, designation or other naming scheme that attempts to blur distinctions between and among the various professions poses historically demonstrable risks to the recognition, availability, funding, and receipt of the full array of services meeting the unique needs of individuals living with vision loss; and
 
Whereas, maintaining orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy and low vision therapy as unmistakably distinct and identifiable disciplines is the best strategy to ensure that clients receive all services from a team of specialists expected to possess discipline-specific expertise meeting clients' highly individualized needs;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 5th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization declare its opposition to the establishment and use of a unifying designation, prefix or title to refer to each of the professional disciplines serving children, working-age adults, or seniors who are blind or visually impaired; and
 
Be it further resolved that under no circumstances should any unifying designation encompass teachers of students with visual impairments; and
 
Be it further resolved that this organization, through its officers, board of directors and staff, communicate with the proponents of such a unifying professional designation to express our serious concerns with any strategy to brand, label or describe the existing array of professional disciplines in any way which may be construed, particularly by those outside and largely completely unfamiliar with the vision loss community, to combine or blur critical distinctions between and among the various educational and rehabilitative professions; and
 
Be it further resolved that ACB collaborate with the leading organizational voices in our field representing public and private agencies, professionals and other direct service providers to identify and pursue the most effective long-term strategies to ensure the availability and quality of services that truly meet individuals’ needs.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Grants for Independent Living Services

Resolution 2017-14

 

Whereas, the federal Independent Living Services to Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) program is currently serving less than 2% of the eligible national population likely to benefit from such critical services; and
 
Whereas, full funding for the OIB program through both federal and state appropriations is not at all likely to be achieved in the foreseeable future for a host of political, fiscal, demographic and related reasons; and
 
Whereas, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers fail to cover virtually all of the cost of vision rehabilitation services and the assistive technologies that are essential to allow older people with vision loss, including people who may also have additional complex health needs or disabling conditions, to live safely and independently at home and in community;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 5th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization formulate and implement a strategy for cultivating private foundation and individual grant funding streams for the field of blindness and visual impairment to use to supplement and not supplant currently available public dollars for services to older individuals who are blind or visually impaired; and
 
Be it further resolved that such a strategy should primarily involve partnerships with leading organizations and individuals in the field who should work collaboratively to pursue and obtain such private sources of support which should, in turn, be made available to those individuals and private organizations that are most in need and/or who serve the most vulnerable or overlooked segments of the older blind community across America; and
 
Be it further resolved that private funding streams cultivated through this strategy should support the delivery of all services that are now authorized to be provided pursuant to the OIB program.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Nevada Drug Labels

Resolution 2017-15

 

Whereas, members of the Nevada Council of the Blind embarked upon a legislative campaign aimed at ensuring that medications dispensed within the state of Nevada would be provided with drug labeling that is accessible to Nevadans who are blind or visually impaired; and
 
Whereas, these Nevadans with vision loss recruited Nevada state Senator Moises Denis, a former Nevada state assemblyman and current representative of Nevada state Senate District 2 to serve as the principal legislative champion for this critical campaign; and
 
Whereas, Senator Denis worked hard to pass Senate Bill 131, which will place prescription label readers into the hands of all Nevadans who need them; and
 
Whereas, the vital legislation that Senator Denis and the Nevada Council of the Blind achieved thanks to their vision and determination should serve as a worthy exemplar of the power that state chapters of the American Council of the Blind possess to affect meaningful positive change in the lives of all people who live with vision loss;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 6th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that ACB commend the women and men of the Nevada Council of the Blind, and the extraordinary leadership of Nevada state Senator Moises Denis, for exemplary and successful advocacy for accessible drug labeling statewide in Nevada; and
 
Be it further resolved that this organization, through its national office staff, offer its affiliates, as appropriate, such public policy counsel and related support as they may request to assist them with efforts to achieve the critical policy objective of accessible drug labeling in every state.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


IMLS Funding

Resolution 2017-17

 

Whereas, the nation’s regional libraries that provide services in concert with the National Library Service (NLS) enable people who are blind or have low vision to have a window on the world through the availability of books and other reading materials; and
 
Whereas, more than half of these regional libraries rely on the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) as their primary funding source; and
 
Whereas, budget proposals in the United States Congress call for the elimination of the IMLS; and
 
Whereas, if the IMLS were to be eliminated or the funding level for IMLS sharply reduced, doing so will have a potentially devastating impact on regional library services for those libraries that rely on IMLS funds;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 6th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization work to ensure that IMLS funding levels are not reduced during the 2018 federal fiscal year.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Vending Machines

Resolution 2017-18

 

Whereas, vending machines remain an integral component of the food service facility industry generally and the Business Enterprise Program specifically; and
 
Whereas, vending machines provide an array of food and beverage choices; and
 
Whereas, vending machines have become largely inaccessible both to customers with vision loss and to operators who are blind or visually impaired seeking to obtain data that these vending machines display; and
 
Whereas, it is long past time, given the state of existing technology, that vending machine manufacturers make these machines fully accessible both to customers with vision loss and to business enterprise program (BEP) facility operators;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 6th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization, along with its affiliate, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (RSVA), urge, in the strongest terms possible, that vending manufacturers and vending machine operators work together to make these vending machines fully accessible to consumers and operators who are blind or who have low vision; and
 
Be it further resolved that this organization offer manufacturers the assistance of the ACB Information Access Committee in achieving the goals of this resolution in the most expeditious manner possible; and
 
Be it further resolved that, in the event vending machine manufacturers are unwilling to enter into meaningful negotiations with vendors or their representatives concerning the accessibility of vending machines, this organization is hereby urged to intervene to take steps that are likely to advance the goals of this resolution.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Student Loans

Resolution 2017-19

 

Whereas, many people who are blind or visually impaired have significant student loan debt; and
 
Whereas, there are U.S. Department of Education regulations that enable individuals with disabilities to claim a waiver to forgive their student loan debt; and
 
Whereas, the Internal Revenue Service generally regards such debt forgiveness as taxable income; and
 
Whereas, notwithstanding this rule, the IRS has vacillated with respect to a policy that allows persons with disabilities to receive a debt forgiveness waiver to not regard this income as taxable;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 6th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization request the IRS to adopt a permanent policy to enable persons with disabilities to claim a waiver that will not consider college loan forgiveness as a taxable event.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Clear Glass Doors

Resolution 2017-20

 

Whereas, clear glass doors represent a potential hazard for people with low vision who are sometimes unable to distinguish doors from open space; and
 
Whereas, this inability to recognize doors can result in accidents that can potentially cause damage or injury; and
 
Whereas, for other access issues, the Access Board has developed, studied and implemented approaches and standards which protect and enhance the right of people with disabilities to full and safe access to the community;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 6th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that the staff of this organization are hereby instructed to carry this issue to the Access Board so that they may develop and potentially implement appropriate solutions for this serious concern; and
 
Be it further resolved that this organization direct the staff and directors of the American Council of the Blind to report on what progress has been made by the Access Board over the next year to the environmental access committee at our 2018 convention.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


CGMs and Glucometers

Resolution 2017-21

 

Whereas, diabetes is a disease which causes high glucose levels in a person’s blood, and if the blood sugar level is not controlled, can cause stroke, vision loss, kidney failure, loss of limbs, neuropathy, coronary failure, arterial problems, and other physical and psychological problems, and is the third leading cause of death in the United States; and
 
Whereas, in order to control and maintain normal blood sugar levels, a diabetic has to take oral medication or inject insulin, or other similar medications, and regularly use glucose measuring devices to test blood sugar levels; and
 
Whereas, a continuous glucose monitoring device (CGM), which is connected to a diabetic’s body by a probe in a diabetic’s abdomen area, will enable a person who has diabetes to improve control of blood glucose levels through continuous monitoring of levels and by administering timely and appropriate quantities of insulin, thereby avoiding harmful side effects; and
 
Whereas, a diabetic is required to read displays and replenish insulin levels in a pump which is often used in conjunction with the CGM device, but there are no CGM devices which are fully accessible to diabetics with vision loss; and
 
Whereas, only one CGM device is known to be partially accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired via the use of an app on an iOS device, such as an iPhone or iPad; and
 
Whereas, many people with vision loss cannot afford to purchase an iOS device and have difficulty operating iOS devices; and
 
Whereas, without fully accessible stand-alone CGM devices, many blind or visually impaired diabetics will continue to be unable to effectively control their blood sugar levels and continue to be at risk of catastrophic side effects; and
 
Whereas, alternatively, many diabetics use a glucometer several times daily to determine their blood sugar levels; and
 
Whereas, while some glucometers are accessible in that, after a blood sample is placed in the test strip, the device announces the test results and allows the diabetic with vision loss to check the readings history, set the time and perform other functions that sighted diabetics are able to do, many other glucometers make none of these functions accessible; and
 
Whereas, glucometer manufacturers are not uniformly producing accessible glucometers in spite of the promulgation of standards adopted by the International Standards Organization which serve as the “road map” for the integration of universal design into all next generation biotech products; and
 
Whereas, some private health insurers and HMOs only pay for or provide inaccessible glucometers, meaning that diabetics with vision loss must either incur even more out-of-pocket expenses for the “privilege” of using accessible glucometers or simply go without accessible devices because they cannot afford them; and
 
Whereas, compelling a diabetic who is blind or visually impaired to rely on another person for assistance with the management of their diabetes has inherent limitations and potentially devastating risks;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 6th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that, in partnership with its affiliate, the  American Council of the Blind Diabetics in Action, this organization work aggressively with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. Congress, and manufacturers of CGM devices and glucometers to ensure that all such devices are fully accessible to diabetics who are blind or visually impaired; and
 
Be it further resolved that such advocacy also include work with leading private insurers and HMOs to ensure that their customers with diabetes who are blind or visually impaired can be provided with accessible devices which truly enable independent and reliable diabetes management.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Funding for Tech

Resolution 2017-22

 

Whereas, the Americans with Disabilities Act promised to unequivocally remove barriers to full inclusion in our society for people who are blind or have low vision as well as for other people with disabilities; and
 
Whereas, in spite of this hope, there has not been a significant commitment on the part of any of the federal administrations who have led our nation to remove barriers that limit full inclusion for people who are blind or have low vision; and
 
Whereas, it is generally recognized that the group who got the least from the Americans with Disabilities Act is people who are blind or have low vision; and
 
Whereas, people who are deaf benefitted substantially from the ADA since it required the expenditure of funds that have clearly exceeded $1 billion to create a communication infrastructure that revolutionized their inclusion in our society; and
 
Whereas, we have reached a place in the evolution of technology where the same opportunity to fundamentally impact the lives of people who are blind or have low vision that existed for people who are deaf at the time of the passage of the ADA exists today; and
 
Whereas, among other emerging technologies, accessible pedestrian signals, methods for indoor and outdoor electronic signage and landmarks, advanced accessible GPS systems, cameras mounted in glasses which can provide information verbally about the environment around the person using them, and complex systems based on wearable glass and other technology which allow for remotely provided direct assistance provided by persons who can see through the wearable glass worn by the user; and
 
Whereas, in addition, there is an immense quantity of information available on the Internet that, with sufficient training and preparedness, could enable people who are visually impaired to obtain a level of independence and self-sufficiency undreamt of until now; and
 
Whereas, the emergence of self-driving cars further enhances the probability of substantially increased independence for people who are blind or have low vision;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved that this organization hereby call upon our federal government to allocate sufficient funds to, among other things, accomplish the following:
1.   Allocate sufficient funds to provide accessible pedestrian signals in all communities;
2.   Allocate sufficient funds to support the deployment of indoor indicators that would enable people who are blind or have low vision to navigate public buildings independently;
3.   Develop and implement a program based on the use of wearable glasses that will enable people who are blind to have the same level of communication that is available for people who are deaf and for people who do not have disabilities;
4.   Develop and implement a large-scale training initiative that would assure that people who are blind or have low vision can learn to use the computer hardware and software that makes information access as available to this population as it is to the rest of our society;
5.   Allocate substantial funding to assure that the eventual release of self-driving vehicles is fully accessible for and usable by people who are blind or have low vision;
6.   Provide a range of training for people who are blind or have low vision that would enable them to fully take advantage of the opportunities these technologies now make possible; and
 
Be it further resolved that the officers, directors and staff of this organization are hereby directed to make the implementation of the objectives of this resolution a priority.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Kiosks

Resolution 2017-23

 

Whereas, the nature of in-person retail commerce is changing dramatically, due in large part to introduction of kiosks, robots, scanners, interactive machines, point-of-sale (POS) machines, information terminals, apps and other similar technologies and modalities that eliminate the need for human intermediaries in the traditional relationship between the customer and proprietor; and
 
Whereas, many of these new interactive systems, such as those utilizing kiosks for selecting and ordering food or other products and services, have been designed and implemented without attention to their accessibility and usability to customers with vision loss; and
 
Whereas, even if auxiliary aids and services are offered in lieu of the native accessibility of such self-service technologies, such an inferior approach cannot yield an equal experience to that enjoyed and expected by all customers;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 6th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization believe that the growing inaccessibility of stores, restaurants, places of entertainment and other public accommodations represents a threat to the civil rights and continuing advancement toward equality of Americans who are blind or visually impaired; and
 
Be it further resolved that this organization will redouble its advocacy efforts in the arena of kiosk-dependent interaction with places of public accommodation to include, as appropriate, structured negotiations, state level legislative activity, federal enforcement actions, media outreach, and direct relationship-building with leading stakeholder organizations.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Accessible Pedestrian Signals

Resolution 2017-24

 

Whereas, accessible pedestrian signals (APS) should be installed at every intersection where a non-accessible pedestrian signal exists as a matter of our right to effective communication as required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Architectural Barriers Act; and
 
Whereas, for more than 30 years, the American Council of the Blind (ACB), in partnership with other organizations for the blind, has advocated for and commented on proposed federal regulations to mandate the installation, placement, and accessibility features of APS used by pedestrians who are vision impaired or dual sensory impaired; and
 
Whereas, despite ACB’s efforts, no federal regulations have been issued to mandate the installation of APS; and
 
Whereas, since 1992, the U.S. Access Board has been working toward the development of guidelines for accessible pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way guidelines (PROWAG); and
 
Whereas, the most recent draft of PROWAG, 36 CFR Part 1190, Docket No. ATBCB 2011-04, issued on July 26, 2011, mandates:
“R201.1 Scope. All newly constructed facilities, altered portions of existing facilities, and elements added to existing facilities for pedestrian circulation and use located in the public right-of-way shall comply with the requirements in this document ...”;
“R209.1 General. Where pedestrian signals are provided at pedestrian street crossings, they shall include accessible pedestrian signals and pedestrian pushbuttons complying with sections 4E.08 through 4E.13 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) incorporated by reference (see R104.2). Operable parts shall comply with R403 ...”; and
“R209.2 Alterations. Existing pedestrian signals shall comply with R209.1 when the signal controller and software are altered, or the signal head is replaced”; and
 
Whereas, PROWAG does not apply to existing pedestrian signals except those portions that are altered; and
 
Whereas, the guidelines do not require intersections to be signalized for pedestrians, except at certain roundabouts and channelized turn lanes; and
 
Whereas, when PROWAG is adopted by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Transportation, it will become a legally enforceable standard under Title II of the ADA; and
 
Whereas, the issuing of PROWAG by the U.S. Access Board and its possible future adoption by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Transportation is now uncertain as a result of Executive Order 13777 of January 30, 2017, “Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs,” requires any executive department or agency to repeal two existing regulations for every new regulation, and to do so in such a way that the total cost of regulations does not increase; and
 
Whereas, the U.S. Access Board has not yet identified two existing guidelines to be repealed as a pre-condition to issuing PROWAG as a final rule in order for the board to forward it to the U.S. Departments of Justice and Transportation to begin the legal standard adoption process; and
 
Whereas, the only viable short-term option that might be available at this time for ACB is to request the Federal Highway Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation to strengthen the APS provisions found in sections 4E.08 through 4E.13 of the MUTCD 2009 Edition;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 6th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization direct its staff to contact the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) to inquire as to the process for amending the MUTCD, because that committee is authorized to recommend to the FHWA any proposed revisions to and interpretations of the MUTCD; and
 
Be it further resolved that ACB solicit participation from other organizations of and for the blind and low vision to assist in strengthening sections 4E.08 through 4E.13 of the MUTCD; and
 
Be it further resolved that ACB staff and the Environmental Access Committee prepare amendments for the MUTCD that are to be submitted to the NCUTCD for its consideration.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Healthcare

Resolution 2017-25

 

Whereas, due to age and unemployment, a large percentage of Americans who are blind or have low vision have low incomes, and thus use Medicaid for their health care coverage; and
 
Whereas, it is the goal of the Trump administration and the Republican Congress to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA); and
 
Whereas, proposals for this repeal and replacement have included billions of dollars in cuts to the Medicaid program; and
 
Whereas, it is crucial that any health care reform legislation not diminish coverage for low-income individuals under Medicaid, including individuals who are blind or visually impaired;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 6th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization oppose health care reform proposals that make it more difficult for persons who are blind or who have low vision to obtain affordable, comprehensive health care coverage.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Thanks to the Nugget Casino and Resort

Resolution 2017-26

 

Whereas, it is appropriate that this conference and convention express its thanks and appreciation to our host hotel;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 6th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization communicate its deep gratitude to the management and staff of the Nugget Casino and Resort for their warm welcome, very hard work and commitment to customer service.
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Thanks to Host Committee

Resolution 2017-27

 

Whereas, the strength of the American Council of the Blind lies in each of its individual members and in each of its state and special-interest affiliates;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 6th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev.,  that this organization express its heartfelt congratulations and thanks to this year’s convention host committee and the women and men of the Nevada Council of the Blind for their enthusiastic welcome, the untold hours of planning and hard work, and the tremendous privilege of bringing our national conference and convention to their home state, where the sparks really do fly!
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary


Thanks to Volunteers

Resolution 2017-28

 

Whereas, there is no greater gift to give than service to others freely given with a generous heart;
 
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 6th day of July, 2017 at the Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, Nev., that this organization warmly embrace and most sincerely thank each and every individual volunteer who so selflessly and graciously gave of their time and energy, which truly made this year’s national conference and convention a winning hand!
 
Adopted.
Ray Campbell, Secretary

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