1. Please introduce yourself, indicate the position you are seeking, and explain why you are interested in serving in this role.
I am Sheila Young, a retired para‑professional with fourteen years of experience serving blind and low‑vision multi‑handicapped students in the Orange County Public School System. I have been an active member of American Council of the Blind (ACB) since 2002 and currently serve in multiple leadership roles within the Florida Council of the Blind (FCB), as well as on several ACB committees.
I am seeking a position on the ACB Board of Directors because I am committed to elevating the voices of individual members at the national level. My goal is to ensure that their concerns are heard, validated, and addressed. Throughout my leadership experience, I have seen how essential this is to strengthening engagement, encouraging participation, and supporting the organization’s mission. I believe that centering our members in this way is the most effective path to serving our community.
2. What do you consider your strongest contribution to ACB at the national, state, special-interest affiliate, or local chapter level? Please explain why you view this as your most significant contribution.
My strongest contribution to ACB is my consistent willingness to lead, listen, and remove barriers so members can fully participate at the local, state, and national levels. I have held numerous leadership positions, including treasurer, president, committee chair, and committee member across multiple levels of the organization. I have also played an active role in the ACB Community as a facilitator, host, and host trainer for community events. Additionally, I chair the FCB Education, Leadership, and Scholarship Committee and serve on the ACB Scholarship Committee, the DKM Committee, and as Chair of the ADP Performing Arts, Museums, and Parks Subcommittee.
3. In your view, what is the most important challenge currently facing ACB? How would you work to help address this challenge if elected?
I believe the most significant challenge facing ACB today is a sense of disengagement among individual members.
To address this, we must reaffirm to members that their perspectives matter and that their concerns are taken seriously, even when immediate change is not possible. Strengthening this trust is essential to rebuilding engagement and ensuring that members feel valued and represented.
4. What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the blindness community we serve, and how would you work to advance meaningful change in this organization?
The most pressing issue facing the blind and low‑vision community is the ongoing need for equitable accessibility across all areas of life — including transportation, healthcare, technology, education, and employment.
We must support members by meeting them where they are, recognizing that not everyone has the same level of comfort or proficiency with technology. By advocating for improved accessibility at the local, state, and national levels, we can better serve our community and ensure that all individuals have the tools and support they need to thrive.