The ACB Braille Forum Volume LXIV January 2026 No. 6 Published by the American Council of the Blind ***** * Be A Part of ACB The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the national office at 1-800-424-8666. * Contribute to Our Work Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Attn: Treasurer, ACB, 6200 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 155, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If your wishes are complex, call the national office. To make a contribution to ACB by the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155. * Check in with ACB For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" 24/7 at 1-800-424-8666, or read it online. Tune in to ACB Media at www.acbmedia.org. Learn more about us at www.acb.org. Follow us on Twitter at @acbnational, or like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/acbnational. © 2025 American Council of the Blind Scott Thornhill, Executive Director Sharon Lovering, Editor 225 Reinekers Ln., Suite 660, Alexandria, VA 22314 ***** ** Table of Contents Resolutions: The New Paradigm, by Deb Cook Lewis and Paul Edwards Advocacy in Action, by Claire Stanley Touring St. Louis, by Janet Dickelman In the Beginning, by Paul Edwards ACB Media Holiday Auction Successful, by Leslie Spoone Call for Nominations for ACB's 2026 Annual Awards ACB's Board of Publications Seeks to Award Excellence in Writing, Media Unlock Your Leadership Potential, by the Durward K. McDaniel Fund Committee What to Do While Waiting for Services, by the ACB Rehabilitation Task Force Feeling Humor of Life with Braille, by Larry P. Johnson Connecting the Dots through Life, Part One, by Penny Moss More Pegs!, by Audrey Schading Standing Up for the White Cane Law, by Lenny McHugh Walking the Camino de Santiago Blind, by Richard Rueda Affiliate News Here and There, edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins ** How to Submit Articles to the Forum If you wish to submit an article to "The ACB Braille Forum," please send it via email to slovering@acb.org as part of the message, or attached as a Word or ASCII text file. Articles should be between 500 and 800 words. Language should be family friendly. Longer articles may be divided into two or more parts. ** Upcoming Forum Themes and Deadlines March 2026: Theme: Adapt, Change, Be; Deadline: January 23, 2026 April 2026: Theme: Multicultural Affairs: Share your thoughts on moving from inclusion to belonging; Deadline: February 20, 2026 If your committee or affiliate would like to claim an issue of the Forum, please contact Sharon Lovering, slovering@acb.org. ** Are You Moving? Do You Want to Change Your Subscription? Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, slovering@acb.org. Give her the information, and she'll update the database. ***** ** Resolutions: The New Paradigm by Deb Cook Lewis and Paul Edwards I was working on my President's Message and learned that Paul wanted to write on this very topic. So he drafted and I slightly edited the piece below, which we hope will encourage your participation in ACB's resolutions process. ACB has traditionally spent the last day or so of every convention dealing with resolutions, with many to consider and very little time for debate. There was often a question of whether there was actually a quorum to consider what many would regard as the most important business of the convention -- to determine ACB policy concerning the issue being addressed. Resolutions had to be in by midnight on Monday during convention week, and the resolutions committee met each evening until 2 or 3 in the morning. While these meetings were open, most folks were not prepared to turn up that late at night. Our new approach, brought about by hybrid conventions and every member having the right to vote, is far more democratic, giving every member of ACB a chance to be part of the process. Here is how the new system works. This year, all proposed resolutions are due May 10, and should be sent to advocacy@acb.org. During the rest of May, the resolutions committee will meet twice weekly in meetings open to the membership. Resolutions being considered will be sent to ACB email lists in advance so folks can read them. They let the person who wrote the resolution tell the committee why it should be passed. The committee decides if they agree. They then work on making the wording of the resolution as clear and concise as possible. Audience members are given a chance to make comments as well. In a two-hour meeting there are usually only two or three resolutions up for discussion, with lots of time for comments. Those resolutions that are not withdrawn go forward, and are recorded and available as documents well in advance of the convention. The final stage of resolution adoption happens during the virtual portion of the convention. Resolutions will be considered this year on the evenings of July 14-16. Our convention rules spell out just how debate will be handled. First, five minutes are spent answering any questions relating to the understanding of the resolution or the process. Then 20 minutes will be set aside for debate. The person who proposed the resolution will be given the chance to speak first. An equal number of speakers for and against the resolution will be allowed and, at the end of the debate, the committee will vote on whether to pass it. Virtually all resolutions get decided on those three nights. So, if you care about ACB policy, you should be there! There are special circumstances that could allow a resolution to require a record vote. These are spelled out in our convention rules. No resolutions got to that place last year! Resolutions make policy for ACB. They can be external, dealing with issues concerning companies or the government, or they can be internal, having to do with how we do things in ACB! Resolutions, as important as they are, are not the only way to get policies changed. Any member can make suggestions at any time. A couple of resolutions were withdrawn last year because the matter was decided before they even got to the floor. Resolutions are important, though. At the very least they give us a chance to explore questions that people find are important enough to ask ACB to consider making them a part of what ACB does. Resolutions are divided into two parts. The "whereas" clauses describe the problem the resolution is designed to solve. The "resolved" clauses say what we propose ought to be done! Make resolutions a part of your convention this year! They deserve your attention! ***** ** Advocacy in Action by Claire Stanley For 2026, the legislative imperatives will be the same as 2025: the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act, the Medical Devices Nonvisual Accessibility Act, and the Communications, Video, Technology Accessibility Act. One might ask why we are repeating the same imperatives two years in a row. We promise there is a good reason. As many of you know, each Congressional session lasts for two years. We are currently in the 119th Congressional session; it includes 2025 and 2026. You have likely noticed that making law is a drawn-out process; it rarely happens overnight. Many bills take multiple Congressional sessions. As a result, we believe it would be irresponsible to pivot to different bills halfway through the current Congressional session. We have seen great progress in the three bills. They have been reintroduced and are steadily gaining more co-sponsors. It would be inappropriate to refocus our advocacy at this time. So, we will push forward in the 119th Congressional session to gain more ground for these three important bills. Let's not lose momentum. However, that does not mean we will not offer our efforts to new and timely legislation. We always remain engaged in timely activities. As a result, never hesitate to bring current issues to our attention. We strive to advocate for all issues that impact the blind and low vision community. * 2026 D.C. Leadership Conference Speaking of legislation, the 2026 D.C. Leadership Conference will take place March 6-10. The legislative seminar will be held on Monday, March 9, and will include a keynote speaker from Capitol Hill. A legislative correspondent from Rep. Pete Sessions' office, Sloan Hamill, who has assisted in introducing the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act, will talk about his experience as a legislative staffer. The legislative seminar will also include a panel of federal agency representatives from agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Access Board, and the National Council on Disability, among others. Other presenters will include: • A D.C. lobbyist who can talk about best practices in advocating to Congress in the current environment • A former DOJ employee who can talk about effective ways to respond to federal notices and other written requests • ACB members who can talk about their own experience in advocating at the state level • ACB staff who can review how to successfully use the Speak4 platform The seminar will also review the 2026 legislative imperatives: 1. The Website and Software Applications Accessibility Act 2. The Medical Devices Nonvisual Accessibility Act 3. The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act ***** ** Touring St. Louis by Janet Dickelman Now that the holidays are over and winter is in full swing, it is time to think about all the excitement the 2026 American Council of the Blind conference and convention has in store for you. Convention dates are Friday, July 24 through Friday, July 31. Get ready to shop the exhibit hall (open Sunday through Wednesday) for the latest and greatest in technology and items for home, work and play! Our opening general session will be on Saturday, July 25th, with morning sessions Monday through Wednesday and all day Thursday, culminating in our banquet Thursday evening. ACB affiliates and committees are beginning to plan their programs, seminars and mixers. Visiting local attractions is always very popular during the convention. This year we have a great variety of fun, educational, inspirational and thrilling tours. Please keep in mind that due to unforeseen circumstances, dates and tour venues may be changed or added. * First Friday, July 24, History and a Riverboat Museum of History: Learn all about the World's Fair in St. Louis, and so much more. This museum is filled with exciting exhibits! Riverboat Cruise: Enjoy dinner while cruising the mighty Mississippi! Sit indoors or on the deck, purchase a cool drink from the cash bar, and enjoy some music! Note: you can attend both Friday tours. * Final Friday, July 31 Amish Country Visit a buggy shop, bakery, candy store, quilt shop and houses built in the 1890s. We'll have lunch in an Amish home with lots of meats, sides and desserts. * Other Tours We know we will hold the following tours, but are still working on the dates. • City bus tours (Saturday and Sunday) • The Saint Louis Arch • Grant Farms (yes, we'll get to spend time with the Clydesdales) • The National Museum of Transportation (this is a must for any train or automobile enthusiast) • The Missouri School for the Blind • World Chess Hall of Fame • Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum • An evening Cardinals-Cubs game Three dinners: Pappy's Barbecue, which will include beer tasting; Favazza's for Italian food; Blueberry Hill which, in addition to a meal, will feature a tour of numerous display cases filled with music and pop-culture memorabilia. Full tour descriptions will be sent out to the convention announce list and shown on the convention registration form. Please make sure to read them carefully. Several tours will involve a lot of walking. ** Hotel Details Room rates at the Hyatt are $104 single or double, $129 triple, $154 quad, plus applicable state and local taxes (currently 17.92%). To make reservations online, go to https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/group-booking/STLRS/G-ACBL. If you prefer to make your reservations by telephone, please call central reservations at (888) 591-1234. Make sure to let them know you are reserving a room at the Hyatt St. Louis Arch at 315 Chestnut Street and use group code G-ACBL. * Room Amenities All sleeping rooms have safes, ironing boards, refrigerators and K-cup coffee makers. The hotel has a 24-hour fitness center. It does not have a pool. There are no guest washers and dryers; there is a dry-cleaning service. ** Staying in Touch The convention announce list will be filled with information. To subscribe to the list, send a blank e-mail to acbconvention+subscribe@acblists.org. If you received updates for the 2025 convention, you do not need to re-subscribe to the list. For any convention-related questions, contact Janet Dickelman, convention chair, at (651) 428-5059, or via email, janet.dickelman@gmail.com. ***** ** In The Beginning by Paul Edwards I joined the Florida Council of the Blind in 1977 and was pretty content with what I was doing. I was one of a few new kids on the block at the time and gradually became more active. I had a wife, three lovely children, and had just started a job as a rehab teacher, as it was called back then, with the Division of Blind Services in Daytona Beach, Fla. Within a couple of years, I found myself chair of Florida's resolutions committee. Like many state affiliates, we didn't have a lot of resolutions each year, and I kind of enjoyed trying to meld ideas into requests for action. That is how things stood until 1983, when Grant Mack came to Florida. He observed our resolutions process and, soon after the convention, invited me to join the national resolutions committee. He even indicated that, were I to come to Philadelphia in 1984, I would earn $100 for my service. I had been considering coming to Philadelphia anyway, and that was the last inducement I needed! So me, my wife and all three children boarded a train and headed for the City of Brotherly Love. I was somewhat mystified looking at the program to find that I was not just on the resolutions committee, I was chair! By then it was far too late to run, and I was lucky to have Scott Marshall, who was head of our legislative effort in Washington, to protect me from the worst of my mistakes. Nevertheless, I was suddenly on stage and expected to shepherd people's notions of what ACB ought to be doing through the firing line of the membership. I felt a little bit like I did when I was in a play at age 15 and couldn't speak a line, I was so nervous! I did lots of things wrong, according to many there. I decided that resolutions could be made a little more fun so when I was taking votes I would say: "All those in favor, say aye!" "Those opposed, say ear!" I did my best to recognize those who wanted to speak on resolutions but, according to many, didn't choose the "right" people! I truly enjoyed resolutions that year. I learned a lot from Scott and other members of my committee. I had always regarded resolutions as the most appropriate way for ACB and other organizations to make policy. I enjoyed the long night sessions we had to go through to get the resolutions ready for prime time. I enjoyed the debate on the floor, too! Only one more event deserves to be reported about that year. After the debate on a resolution I don't remember, my wife began to speak to that resolution. I tried to be understanding, but eventually had no other choice but to declare her out of order and go on. The train ride back to Daytona Beach was very long! I spent a good many years working on resolutions for ACB and still chair the Florida resolutions committee after almost half a century. I continue to value resolutions now as much as I did when I started writing them in Florida. Long may they survive and prosper! ***** ** ACB Media Holiday Auction Successful The auction committee would like to say, "Thank You!" We appreciate all of the wonderful donations from affiliates, vendors, members and friends of ACB. There were 225 items, featuring homemade goodies, jewelry, technology and crafts. Once again, thanks for supporting ACB Media with your generous contributions. We look forward to everyone participating in the ACB Summer Auction. If you have any questions, please reach out to Leslie Spoone at lesliespoone@cfl.rr.com or call (407) 929-9837. Happy bidding! ***** ** Call for Nominations for ACB's 2026 Annual Awards The Awards Committee is searching for nominees who you feel are deserving of national recognition for their work in ACB or the blindness community. Awards will be presented at the 2026 conference and convention in St. Louis, Missouri. All nomination letters MUST be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on April 1st, 2026. Letters received after that date will not be accepted. We ask that they be limited to no more than 750 words. Tell us who your nominee is and why you feel they are deserving of a national award. Email your nomination letters to awards@mail.acb.org. Once the committee has received all of your nominations, we will review and judge them against the criteria for the award for which they have been nominated. * All About the Awards The Durward K. McDaniel Ambassador Award is given in recognition of a blind person who may or may not be a member of a blindness organization but who has, through his or her personal characteristics and activities, unrelated to his/her employment, contributed most to the acceptance and understanding of blind people as capable, contributing members of the community. Originally called the Ambassador Award, this award was first given in 1963. Recent recipients include Allan Peterson (2021), Janet Dickelman (2022), Carla Ruschival (2023), Michael Garrett (2024), and Kim Charlson (2025). The George Card Award is given to an individual who has dedicated his or her life to work with and for people who are blind, making a real difference and improving quality of life, for providing leadership and being a positive role model. George Card was the first recipient of this award in 1968. Card's leadership roles included that of executive secretary of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind, member of the ACB Board of Directors, and delegate to the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind. More recent recipients include Camille Caffarelli (2020), Sandra Troiano (2023), Mitch Pomerantz (2024), and Pat Sheehan (2025). The James R. Olsen Distinguished Service Award is periodically given to individuals who have made important contributions which have advanced opportunities for the blind community. This award can be given to an individual or an organization. This award was originally named the Distinguished Service Award. It was renamed for James R. "Jim" Olsen, ACB's former treasurer and long-time CFO, following his passing in 2005. Recent winners include Kim Crowell and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (2021), JPMorgan Chase (2023), the Hull Foundation and Learning Center (2024), and Lukkas Franck (2025). The Robert S. Bray Award is given to a person who has made a contribution toward improving library technology or communication devices. It could also be given for expanding access for all blind people, or for making opportunities within the mainstream media. This award was named for Robert S. Bray, who was chief of the Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress -- now known as the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. Recent recipients include Karen Keninger (2020), Brian Hartgen (2023), Jonathan Mosen (2024), and Chanelle Allen (2025). The Margarine G. Beaman Volunteer Recognition Award honors individuals who have given tirelessly of their efforts, resources, expertise or time toward improving the quality of life in the blindness community. The achievements, accomplishments or service on which the nominations are based must reflect ACB's vision and mission. This award may be given to a deserving individual or organization. The award was named for Margarine Beaman, who was the convention's volunteer coordinator. It was first given in 2016 to Margarine Beaman. Recent recipients include Michael Smitherman (2020), Rhonda Trott (2022), Sheila Young (2023), Leslie Spoone (2024), and Cecily Laney Nipper (2025). The Affiliate Outreach Award is based on a recommendation by an affiliate president which recognizes a local chapter or an affiliate for a new outreach program. This program must have a measurable outcome. The Affiliate Outreach Award was first presented in 2000 to the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International. Other previous winners include the Middle Tennessee Council of the Blind (2009), ACB of Ohio-Columbus Chapter (2015), and Friends 'n Focus-Medina (Ohio) chapter (2021). * Final Reminders Nominations open on January 1st and close on April 1st, 2026. Submit your letters as soon as possible; late submissions will not be considered. Remember that these individuals will be considered for national recognition, not for what they have done on a local or state level. The email address is awards@mail.acb.org. We hope we'll hear from many of you soon. If you have any questions, contact Carrie Muth at (541) 269-1993, or Koni Sims at (605) 941-9512. ***** ** ACB's Board of Publications Seeks to Award Excellence in Writing, Media The ACB Board of Publications proudly recognizes excellence each year with three annual writing awards. We are seeking nominations for the Ned E. Freeman Excellence in Writing Award, the Vernon Henley Media Award, and the Hollis Liggett Braille Free Press Award. The Ned E. Freeman Excellence in Writing Award was instituted in 1970, and will be awarded based on the following criteria: • An article must have been published between April of 2025 and March of 2026. • All articles published in "The ACB Braille Forum" in all forms and formats are automatically eligible for consideration. Individual articles published by any ACB affiliate in its official publication may also be nominated by the affiliate's president or editor. Articles which have not appeared in "The ACB Braille Forum" in all forms and formats may be submitted in any format. • The article must demonstrate excellence in writing, novelty of approach and/or originality of the subject matter. • The author of the winning article will receive a plaque and a $100 prize at the annual ACB conference and convention. The Vernon Henley Media Award is conferred based on the following criteria: • The Vernon Henley Media Award is intended to be a vehicle for publicizing ACB throughout the general media and to encourage excellence and accuracy in electronic and print coverage of items relating to blindness. • This award may be presented to an organization, company, or individual, either sighted or blind, who has made a positive difference in the press, whether in radio, television, electronic media, magazines, or daily newspapers, during the period encompassed by April of 2025 through March of 2026, by portraying the capabilities of people who are blind in a positive light, rather than focusing on outdated stereotypes and misconceptions. • Programs and/or articles written and produced specifically for a visually impaired audience, as well as those intended for the general public, are also eligible. • A variety of media are eligible for nomination for the Vernon Henley Media Award. Examples may include: television or radio programs; commercials or public service announcements; videos; articles from magazines, newspapers, newsletters, posters, or any other new or emerging media sources. Submissions such as books or recurring columns or blogs from the same person should include a synopsis and no more than three sample chapters for books and no more than three samples of the recurring columns or blogs nominated. Submissions should be accompanied by a letter of nomination as well as the sample copy of the item being nominated. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. • The BOP chairperson will annually send a letter to affiliate presidents, newsletter editors and other media markets encouraging nominations for the Vernon Henley Media Award. • A plaque will be presented to the Vernon Henley Media Award recipient at the annual ACB conference and convention. The Hollis Liggett Braille Free Press Award will be presented based on the following criteria: • The Hollis Liggett Braille Free Press Award is intended to promote best journalistic practices and excellence in writing in publications of ACB's state and special-interest affiliates. • All periodicals of ACB affiliates, distributed no less than semi-annually, are eligible. • Nominations must be submitted by the affiliate's newsletter editor or president. • Submissions must include the following: 1. Two issues of the affiliate's publication from the previous calendar year sent electronically and in hard copy in the format which the affiliate recognizes as the format which best represents its readership. 2. Answers to the following questions: a) How many members are in your affiliate? b) How often is your publication published per year? c) In what formats is your publication produced? • Members of the BOP directly involved in the editorial process of any submitted publication will excuse themselves from judging/scoring that particular publication. • Criteria for judging submissions will include: a) The number of contributing writers in a single issue; b) The variety of information presented in each issue; c) How well the publication portrays the affiliate; d) The quality of writing throughout the publication; e) The overall layout and presentation of the publication. • A plaque will be presented to the Hollis Liggett Braille Free Press Award recipient at the convention. And now the fine print: • All nominations must be submitted to the ACB Braille Forum Editor, Sharon Lovering, with a postmark of no later than April 1, 2026. You may also submit your nomination electronically to slovering@acb.org. All submissions should be accompanied by a cover letter providing details about the nominee, including name, address, telephone number and email address of the nominee, if known, and details about the submission, its origin, and any other pertinent information. The return address of the person making the nomination should be included in the cover letter. • Members of the Board of Publications, Board of Directors, and staff and contractors of the ACB are prohibited from participating. • Any individual or affiliate who has won a BOP award since 2022 is ineligible to receive the same award prior to Jan. 1, 2027. ***** ** Unlock Your Leadership Potential by the Durward K. McDaniel Fund Committee Are you looking to take a positive step in your leadership journey? Perhaps you are a leader ready to experience a higher level of connection and achievement. If so, we have a terrific opportunity for you. The Durward K. McDaniel (DKM) Fund Committee seeks to identify two ACB members (one east of the Mississippi River and one from the west) as DKM First-Timers and five ACB members who wish to expand their leadership skills as ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows. Experience personal growth by participating in many convention activities while you learn and interact with others during the 65th annual ACB Conference and Convention from Friday, July 24 through Friday, July 31, 2026, in St. Louis, Mo. As a DKM First-Timer or ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellow, you will connect with previous recipients and other leaders in ACB. To be eligible for consideration for either award, you must be age 18 or older, blind or visually impaired, and a current ACB member. For the DKM First-Timer Award, you must have never attended an in-person ACB Conference and Convention either as a member or non-member, and you must be a member for at least two consecutive years of an ACB state or special-interest affiliate, or an ACB member at large serving on an ACB committee. To be eligible for the ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows Award, you must be a member for at least three consecutive years of an ACB state or special-interest affiliate, or an ACB member at large serving on an ACB committee. If you meet the above requirements, we encourage you to complete the online application form. In addition, a recommendation form must also be submitted on your behalf by the president of your referenced qualifying ACB state or special-interest affiliate. If you are an ACB member at large, the recommendation form must be completed by the chair of the ACB committee on which you serve. We will begin accepting applications on January 1, 2026. The link to the application form is https://forms.gle/vAPV5CFoVBsjG4f19 and the recommendation form can be found at https://forms.gle/gPJKg21tipw4YGqT7. Both forms must be received by the deadline of April 1, 2026. The next step includes a 30-minute interview with a team from the DKM Committee in mid-April. Following the review of the application and recommendation forms and interviews, selection by the DKM Committee will occur in late April. Two DKM First-Timers -- one from east and one from west of the Mississippi River -- and five ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows will be selected. The DKM Committee reserves the right to recognize two first-timer recipients from the east or west if there are no qualified applicants from one of the specified areas. All applicants will be notified shortly thereafter. If selected for either award, ACB will provide you with round-trip air travel and supporting transportation to convention, hotel accommodations (double occupancy), per diem allowance for meals and incidentals, reception, banquet tickets, the general convention registration fee, and other activities determined by the committee. Funding for tours and other optional activities is not included in the program. As a recipient, you are responsible to arrange for all necessary accommodations that allow for attendance and full participation in the entire week of in-person convention. This includes attendance at all general sessions as well as participation in other predetermined events. If you have questions, contact Zelda Gebhard, DKM Committee Chair, at zgeb@drtel.net, or (701) 709-0262. Take a positive step to unlock your leadership potential and apply to become a 2026 DKM First-Timer or ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellow. ***** ** What to Do While Waiting for Services By the ACB Rehabilitation Task Force "What do I do while waiting for services from my state rehabilitation office?" Your state may not be opening new cases, so you may be on a waiting list for a case to be opened. However, a likely reason for waiting for services is often a limit to the number of qualified employees available to provide services to clients. There may also be a limited number of qualified outside providers that the agency can pay for providing the services. You might say, "I don't care why I can't get the services from my state that I think I need, I just want to find a way to move forward." We on the rehabilitation task force don't want you to feel like you have to wait forever, so here are a few ideas which may help you while waiting for specialized services for people who are blind or visually impaired from your state. You may need the help of a trusted friend or family member to avoid frustration while you look for services. You can check with nonprofit organizations in your state that serve blind and low vision individuals to see what services they can offer you. In many states they are called lighthouses. They may be able to offer you orientation and mobility classes, daily living skills training, assistive technology training, adjustment to blindness support and a place to meet other blind and low vision people. Some individuals may qualify for orientation and mobility training from two guide dog schools, Leader Dogs and Guide Dogs for the Blind. These schools offer classes for cane use because they feel that you should have those skills before you actually train with a guide dog. Hadley Helps offers podcasts, workshops, and support groups for people in all stages of blindness and vision loss. They cover many topics. Check with Hadley to learn how to be a part of a workshop or the title of a podcast. Their services are virtual, so you don't have to leave home to use them. If you already have JAWS as a screen reader, or Fusion or ZoomText for screen magnification, but you want to know more about how to use your product efficiently, Freedom Scientific has available online learning. The company also offers webinars on topics of interest to users. You can call 211 and ask about blindness resources or services. This system depends on organizations sharing information, so the quality of information can vary from state to state. You may already have significant work experience, but you just need to locate a new position after losing a job. Making Space is an organization that helps disabled individuals connect with employers. Your state has a workforce development office which should be available to all job seekers, particularly those who know the type of job they want and who have the skills to do it. The APH ConnectCenter offers CareerConnect and VisionAware to help people who are seeking employment and are new to blindness. Within the Be My Eyes App, there is a Service Directory. It's not all-inclusive, but it can give you phone numbers for organizations to learn about additional resources and services while waiting for your state blindness agency. This could be another starting point for your search for assistance. Your ACB state affiliate may have guidance on particular services. Members may have already found resources similar to the ones you are looking for. Both national blindness organizations, NFB and ACB, have information about resources which are not a part of the state blindness agencies. ACB has special-interest affiliates that may have answers to some of your specific questions. Whether you want support in your diabetes journey, need to cope with increasing vision loss, want to start or continue your quest for and use of assistive technology, or want to learn about the ins and outs of starting a business, just to mention a few topics, the affiliates offer help. You can take advantage of ACB Community calls where you can learn or practice braille, get cooking tips, solve household maintenance problems, learn new or revisit old crafting concepts, enjoy conversation on diverse topics with new and old friends, and learn from others who have already been where you are now. Hopefully, this list of resources will be helpful if you have to wait for assistance from your state. It may not be the ideal solution, but it may be the only way to keep moving toward your future goal while waiting for state services. * Resources: ACB: www.acb.org Find affiliate listings as well. APH: www.aphconnectcenter.org Be My Eyes: https://www.bemyeyes.com/ Freedom Scientific: Freedom Scientific.com/ Guide Dogs for the Blind: www.guidedogs.com Hadley: https://www.hadleyhelps.org Leader Dogs: https://www.leaderdog.org Making Space: https://making-space.com NFB: https://nfb.org ***** ** Feeling Humor of Life with Braille by Larry P. Johnson January 4 is Louis Braille's 208th birthday. I've been a Braille user for over 80 years. Using Braille has brought me more than a few chuckles. Checking in at the Hilton Hotel in Kansas City a few years ago, I kidded the bell person because they had placed the Braille numeral outside my room upside down. Later that evening, I returned to the hotel, took the elevator up to my floor and promptly forgot my room number. Embarrassed, I began walking along the corridor reading the room numbers and trying to remember mine, when suddenly my fingers came across a Braille numeral that was upside down. Voila! Their mistake was my salvation. I did my undergraduate study at Northwestern University in Evanston, just outside Chicago. The winters there are bitterly cold. I commuted each day to class, which meant a 30-minute bus ride, a block and a half walk to catch the El train, and then a 6-block walk to the campus. Not a difficult journey when the weather was mild, but during mid-January it could be frigidly numbing, with the wind blowing off the lake at 20 miles an hour and the temperature hovering around zero. Arriving to my 8 a.m. radio announcing class, I asked the professor if he would schedule me last to read the commercials we were assigned to read over the microphone, because my fingers were so frozen that I couldn't feel the Braille dots on my script. His roguish reply drew raucous laughter from my classmates. "I thought I'd heard all the excuses. I guess I'll just have to give you an 'F' for frozen fingers." Then there's the other extreme. It was a wonderful surprise one sunny August afternoon here in San Antonio, when I was visiting our beautiful San Antonio Botanical Gardens, where volunteers had placed Braille inscriptions on copper plaques identifying the plants and herbs. I certainly appreciated their desire to make information accessible to blind folks like me, but, I will tell you this, it takes a really dedicated Braille reader to be willing to run his/her fingers across those Brailled copper plaques after they've been heated up a few hours by our ferocious tropical Texas sun. One big advantage of Braille is that you can read your presentation to an audience while looking straight at them. However, some sighted people are confused by this. Recently I delivered a short talk to a group of seniors at an inauguration ceremony. As I was speaking, a woman turned to a friend and commented: "Do you notice how nervous he is? He keeps fumbling with his papers." The friend replied, "Silly, he's not fumbling with his papers, he's reading Braille." On another occasion in college, as the professor turned to the blackboard and began writing and speaking, I began taking notes in Braille. She stopped and turned around. So, I stopped writing. After a pause, she turned again to the blackboard and resumed her lecture and writing. I resumed my note-taking. Stopping this time in mid-sentence, she turned to the class and demanded to know who was making that tapping noise while she was talking. I lifted my slate off my desk and showed it to her. "It's me," I said. She had never before seen Braille or a slate and stylus. She was embarrassed. But, that day, she was also educated. For some, Braille may be a "bumpy road to knowledge," but for me, it has been a wonderful way to keep in touch. ***** ** Connecting the Dots through Life, Part One by Penny Moss Many people think of "connecting the dots" as a term for understanding difficult concepts or complex situations. But for the purpose of this article, connecting the dots simply describes my lifelong relationship with Braille. In this three-part series, I want to share how Braille has been an integral part of my life. I cannot imagine how I would have functioned without it. In this article, I will discuss how Braille has impacted my life through college. In the next article, I will share how I used Braille through employment. In the last article, I will talk about how I use Braille with current assistive technological devices. In 1953, I was born two and a half months early. I developed RLF, now known as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), resulting in total blindness. I only had some light perception. I was educated in the Atlanta public schools, long before mainstreaming was recognized as a viable educational alternative. I had a resource teacher, Miss Christine George, who introduced me to Braille in kindergarten. I didn't understand why I had to leave class to learn Braille, but Miss George continued to work with me. When I entered first grade, I was introduced to Braille books and learned to read along with the rest of the class, which I thought was cool. In second grade, I had trouble learning to read books that had Braille on both sides of each page. But Miss George insisted I learn that skill, which I mastered after three weeks. By the time I reached third grade, I was reading at an eighth grade reading level, and was in the most advanced reading group. During this time, I learned to use a Braille writer. My parents bought my first braille writer when I was in kindergarten, which cost $80. By the time I entered second grade, I knew Grade Two Braille, and was able to write Braille efficiently. I used to make Miss George so mad because I would write full cells over any mistakes I made. I was briefly introduced to the slate and stylus. But I hated using them because you had to punch braille characters in separate holes. Needless to say, I didn't try to become proficient using the slate and stylus because writing with it was so slow! I could write much faster on the braille writer. At the time, resource teachers considered the Braille writer to be a replacement for the slate and stylus. I did all my homework on the Braille writer. My mother learned Braille so she could "ink in" my work for the teachers. Then in third grade, I started learning to type so she would not have to do this. All my textbooks were in Braille, from the beginning of elementary school through high school. Most of them came from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). Others were transcribed by the Mizpah Sisterhood in Chattanooga, Tenn. This group of Jewish women considered Braille transcription as their service project. I was grateful for their services, especially when I needed the current edition of a new textbook. Resource teachers brailled any assignments I needed. Braille helped me learn concepts in geography and mathematics. In fifth grade, I was introduced to a puzzle map of the 48 states. Alaska and Hawaii had not been added to this map yet. I loved taking the map apart then putting it back together. If the states had not contained Braille labels, I would not have been able to learn their proper shapes, and could not have put them back in the right place. Braille math books made it easier to learn the correct math signs for writing math equations. My Braille geometry book contained tactual shapes of all the figures we had to learn such as right angles, parallel, and perpendicular lines. This exposure through Braille explanations and tactual learning made it easier to grasp these concepts, which served me well when I began O&M training. I loved reading Braille books for pleasure. I thought it was so much fun to take a book to bed with me and read under the covers with the lights out, so no one else in the family would know I was up late reading. However, my sister got wise to me. If she thought I wasn't giving her enough attention, she'd grab the bed covers off me, pull the book out from under my fingers and throw it across the room! Once in study hall, I was so excited I was able to pass a Braille note to one of my blind friends. Imagine my horror when Mr. Heath, our high school resource teacher, came over and read the note with his eyes! I didn't know anyone could read Braille with their eyes. I thought you could only read it with your fingers. It never occurred to me that anyone sighted would do that, especially my resource teacher! Before I graduated from high school, I attended a summer college prep program at Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind (AEB), which is now known as World Services for the Blind, located in Little Rock. While there, I was introduced to Grade Three Braille. I had to do all my work on the slate and stylus, which I hated! Although I could write Braille at 33 words per minute on the braille writer, I was only able to write on the slate and stylus at 11 words per minute. I struggled to increase my speed on the slate and stylus, but was never able to write fast. When I entered college I was in for a rude awakening! There were no Braille textbooks, because they simply were not available. I had to learn from audio books, which was a difficult transition. When I took statistics, I had to make up my own math signs, because there were no braille statistics books. I had to tape record my classes, because I did not have the skills to use the slate and stylus for notetaking purposes. I ended up borrowing notes from friends, then spending hours having readers dictate them so I could copy them in Braille. I did this so I would not have to laboriously take notes from the recorded classes. I would Braille papers, then type them, editing while typing. Then I paid someone else to type them, so they would not contain typographical errors. Somehow, I made it through college. I earned a concentration in social work with a minor in psychology. In part two, I will discuss how I used Braille in employment. ***** ** More Pegs! by Audrey Schading "More pegs! More pegs!" Our teacher, Miss Lustig, heard this from us all day long! We three first-graders were busily at our desks, making Braille letters by eagerly filling up our 4-lined, 10-cell peg board. Although the attached tray where we kept our pegs was secure, we were always inadvertently dropping pegs onto the floor, constantly running out of them, and asking for more! Miss Lustig dutifully gave us more, as she checked our alphabet work, all the while retrieving the pegs from the floor with a magnet attached to a very long stick. (I wonder if that was her invention, or if she learned it from another Braille teacher?) Writing Braille letters with pegs was such an exciting adventure for me, as I knew it would lead to actually learning how to read! But I kept wondering and wondering, "How did a person learn to read? How did it work? Would I be able to read stories like my Dad read to me, such as 'The City Mouse and the Country Mouse,' or books like my Mom had read such as 'Mr. Popper's Penguins?'" I kept thinking of this as I boarded the school bus for the very first time on Wednesday, September 9, 1959. After changing buses, I finally arrived at my destination, school 71! As I walked into the school, I was met by my teacher who introduced herself to me. I said in the best voice I knew how, "Audrey Bardotz, first grade!" "Yes, I know!" replied Miss Lustig, as she guided me to my classroom. She showed me the room, including my very own desk with my name Scotch taped on it in Braille. I could open it, put things inside and marvel at the open circle on the left-hand side, an inkwell, which of course we did not need to use. There were three of us in that first-grade class, and directly across from us were four second-graders, who immediately began our morning by reading a story! I sat there mesmerized, listening and pondering. Of course I was listening, because I wanted to hear the story! However, I was also earnestly pondering, as I had absolutely no idea of how they were reading! How did this work? How, how, how? How indeed! I wanted to read so, so, so much! We mastered a-b the first day, which happened to be a half day. That evening, all I could talk about to my Dad and my brother Paul was learning Braille and wanting to read. I took a pencil and made holes in a piece of paper, hoping I could somehow re-create the Braille that I had touched that day! The next day, another half day, we learned c-h, and on Friday, a full day, we were introduced to i-x. By that time, I'd acquired my own peg board at home. My dad, a Wonder Bread deliveryman, happened to deliver bread to Batavia, N.Y., which is approximately one hour outside of Buffalo, where I grew up. Batavia is also the home of the New York State School for the Blind, and my dad purposely got to know the principal, Mr. Paul Ruland. Over that first year, Mr. Ruland happily provided me with a peg board and a 6-inch paper ruler to keep, as well as many Braille reading books to borrow. My Dad had acquired a Braille alphabet card, and over the weekend, he taught me the letters "y" and "z," so that when I got back to school and showed my teacher what I had learned, she said: "How did you know that?" Thus, the journey of reading began during the second week, as we were given large alphabet books, lovingly hand-copied and put together by my teacher! Thus, my reading adventures began, as my question was clearly answered, and I began to understand that words were made by putting these wonderful letters together. My imagination soared! It became fun, natural and so easy to read Braille! I loved taking my turn! Soon we were reading about marvelous happenings with Alice and Jerry, Mr. Carl, the little monkey and the organ grinder, and mischievous David from "Anything Can Happen!" I could never (and still can't) get enough books! I'd take out a book for the summer, and have it finished in two days! So, let's keep carrying and passing this torch, and never put it down! ***** ** Standing Up for the White Cane Law by Lenny McHugh In 1985, Pennsylvania passed a new Pedestrian Right-of-Way Law. It stated that if anyone was standing in a crosswalk, all cars had to stop. For me, that sounded like freedom. The White Cane Law had already been around for many years, requiring drivers to stop for anyone holding out a white cane. Together, these laws meant greater safety and independence for those of us who are blind. Crosswalks were also required to be clearly painted, and any city that failed to do so risked losing federal funds. It felt like real progress -- laws that finally recognized our right to travel safely. There was a little store I enjoyed visiting just two blocks from my home, across a busy highway that ran through town. With the new law in place, I was eager to give it a try. I went to the corner, found the crosswalk, and proudly raised my cane. I was ready to cross, confident that traffic would stop. Instead, one car sped by so close that it struck my cane. The driver yelled out, "What's the matter with you, are you blind?" I stood there stunned -- hurt, angry, and disappointed. I wasn't looking for trouble, just the simple right to cross the street safely. I went home, still shaken, and called the police to report what had happened. I asked the officer if they could publish something in the paper to help people understand these laws. When I mentioned the White Cane Law, he asked, "What's the White Cane Law?" That question said it all. After explaining it to him, he told me that if someone came in saying I hit their car with a stick, he would arrest him. Then he added that since Market Street was a state highway, I'd need to call the state police. So, I did. The trooper who answered told me to get the license plate number and make a citizen's arrest. I couldn't help myself. I said, "Do I reach up and feel the plate as the car runs over me?" His only advice was to have someone else get the number next time. At that time, I worked at PennDOT in the computer center and knew several department directors. I spoke with the Director of Driver Licensing and asked if he could add information about the White Cane Law to the driver's manual. He told me, "Lenny, I'd do it in a minute if I could, but it's controlled by the legislature." He encouraged me to contact my state senator -- and I did, again and again. It took more than four years of persistence, but eventually, the law was added to the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual. * Blind Pedestrians When driving near a blind pedestrian who is carrying a white cane or walking with a guide dog, you must slow down, always yield the right-of-way, and proceed with caution. Be prepared to stop your vehicle to prevent injury or danger to the pedestrian. That day I learned that change doesn't happen just because a law is written -- it happens because someone speaks up and keeps pushing until things improve. I may not have crossed the street that first day, but I did help pave the way for others to cross more safely in the years to come. Please visit my web page. It's motivational, inspirational with a touch of humor. There is also a very extensive resource list for the blind. https://www.LennyMcHugh.com International Brotherhood of Magicians member #43990 ***** ** Walking the Camino de Santiago Blind by Richard Rueda We often call the things we yearn to do in life items on our bucket list. For some, that list may be full of adventures; for others, it might be a single dream that lingers quietly in the background. At 51, I admit I had never clearly defined mine, yet I knew that when opportunities for travel or new experiences arose, I would always jump at the chance. In mid-October 2025, one of those long-held aspirations came to life as friends and I walked the Camino de Santiago from Sarria to Santiago, Spain. This is the minimum 116 kilometers that one must complete by foot to be considered a pilgrim. Over five days, we crossed city streets, forest paths, open farmlands, and quiet villages, ending our 62-mile journey in the heart of Santiago before the magnificent cathedral. In preparation for this journey, I walked three to six miles daily, sometimes on the treadmill, but more often around my neighborhood and downtown Sacramento. I preferred the quieter residential routes, where there were fewer obstacles and less wait time at crossings, allowing me to maintain a steady pace. As the departure date neared, I planned to walk the Camino using my white cane. However, I soon discovered that the changing terrain, gravel roads, uneven hills, and rocky trails made the cane less effective. Walking with a trusted friend familiar with my stride and blindness, we decided that hiking poles would serve better. They not only supported balance and endurance over seven to eight hours of walking each day, but also proved invaluable for navigating natural terrain. When crossings or boulders presented challenges, I would lightly hold my friend's backpack as we worked our way through. The experience reminded me that adaptation is a form of independence, not a limitation. When I took my first steps on day one, I wasn't sure if I could truly complete the journey. Carrying only a backpack and the essentials, I felt a sense of liberation. The simplicity of what I carried forced focus and intention. It reminded me how much lighter we travel, both physically and mentally, when we let go of what no longer serves us. As a professional and leader, this lesson resonated deeply. We often carry too much in our work lives, worry, outdated habits, or resistance to change. The Camino reminded me to move forward with clarity and trust, taking only what is essential to purpose and progress. Throughout the walk, I met fellow pilgrims, each with their own story, challenge, or hope. Some sought healing, others renewal, and many simply wanted to reconnect with themselves. Listening to their stories gave me perspective on my own path. It reaffirmed that empathy, patience, and shared experience are what strengthen teams, friendships, and understanding. By the time we reached Santiago, I felt both humbled and renewed. The walk helped me slow down, reflect on challenges at work, and uncover new possibilities that had been obscured by the noise of daily life. It reinforced a quiet truth: when we show up with purpose and consistency, clarity follows. The Camino gave me faith in people, in process, and in persistence. It reminded me that leadership, like pilgrimage, is not about speed or perfection, but about endurance, humility, and trust in the path ahead. What path is calling you to take your next step? ***** *** Affiliate News ** Announcing the R. Creig Slayton Memorial Scholarship for the 2026-27 Academic Year The Iowa Council of the United Blind is a consumer-run organization dedicated to improving the equality, opportunity, and independence of blind Iowans. Through education, advocacy, and a firm belief in the potential and abilities of people with vision loss, we help each other become fully participating members of our families, communities, and workplaces. We are pleased to offer a one-year, non-renewable $2,500 college scholarship to be available for the 2026-2027 academic year. The scholarship will be awarded to a blind or visually impaired individual planning to attend on a full-time basis a fully accredited community college, college, or university. The ICUB membership invites eligible students with a broad range of business, professional, skilled/technical, or service career aspirations to apply. Applicants may be recent high school graduates, those already enrolled in two- or four-year undergraduate programs, or those pursuing graduate study, and we welcome both traditional and non-traditional students. All application materials should be submitted to the ICUB president by April 15, 2026. The Scholarship Committee will select a recipient who will be formally recognized and honored in a brief ceremony attended by the student and members of his/her family at the annual ICUB convention luncheon on Saturday, August 29, 2026. * Eligibility Applicants for this scholarship must: • Be a legal resident of the state of Iowa; • Be blind or visually impaired; and • Have a minimum cumulative grade of B from the school from which they have most recently graduated or in which they are currently enrolled. * Application Procedures Applicants must submit to the president: • A completed ICUB scholarship application form; • Documentation of legal blindness by a certified medical professional; • Verification of acceptance by, or current enrollment in, an accredited post-secondary institution; • An essay of approximately 650 words discussing briefly educational or career goals and explaining why the applicant should be considered for the scholarship; and • Three reference letters from individuals sufficiently knowledgeable to address the applicant's academic ability or other characteristics or experiences relevant to probable future success. Additional details and an application form can be found on the Iowa Council of the United Blind website, iowacounciloftheunitedblind.org. Any questions may be addressed to President@icublind.org. The ICUB membership is pleased to provide this scholarship, to be paid directly to the eligible college of choice, for an entire year provided the student maintains an average grade point average of 2.5 or higher in the fall semester for first-year college students and a 3.0 for those already enrolled in a post-secondary or graduate program. If the student elects to transfer to another educational institution at mid-year, scholarship support for the spring semester is transferable provided he/she had maintained the required grade point average and otherwise demonstrated sustained commitment to his/her educational goals. ***** ** Here and There edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. "The ACB Braille Forum" cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, send a message to slovering@acb.org, or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering's mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date. * Helen Keller Achievement Award Recipients for 2026 Are ... The American Foundation for the Blind announces the 2026 recipients of the Helen Keller Achievement Awards: social influencer and author Molly Burke, nationally recognized teacher and author Kathy Nimmer, and T-Mobile US Inc. These outstanding honorees, who have made significant strides in expanding independence and opportunity for people who are blind, deafblind, and low vision, will be recognized during AFB's annual celebration the evening of April 23rd at the prestigious Harvard Club in New York City. As a social influencer with millions of followers across her YouTube and Instagram channels, Molly Burke routinely creates content that pushes back against ableism, breaking down negative misconceptions about people who are blind. In September 2025, she published her memoir, "Unseen: How I Lost My Vision and Found My Voice." A motivational speaker, writer, teacher, and pianist, Kathy Nimmer spent 29 years teaching English at William Henry Harrison High School in West Lafayette, Ind. In 2015, she was recognized as "Teacher of the Year" for the state and was a national finalist that same year. It was there that she founded SEED, a mentoring program for new teachers, which earned her the "Excellence in Leading & Learning" award from the State of Indiana in 2024. A published author, she has written two books: a nonfiction work celebrating the relationship between service dogs and their handlers, and a book of poems. Receiving the organizational award this year is T-Mobile US Inc., one of the world's leading telecommunications companies. Branded as the "Un-carrier," T-Mobile places significant focus on customer service, and the accessibility team has made notable advancements in creating a more digitally accessible universe for smartphone users with disabilities. In recent years, they launched MagentaA11y, a powerful toolkit for designers, developers, and testers. The site, which is free to access for all, is a valuable resource to ensure that digital content is accessible for all. * Candle in the Window Turns 40 Next Year Candle in the Window is turning 40 next year, and we'd love to have you join us. The dates for next year's retreat are Wednesday, August 26 through Sunday, August 30. We will again be meeting at the Dogwood Conference and Retreat Center near Charlotte, N.C. Prices: $530 for a double occupancy room; $780 for a single occupancy room. Price includes all meals and incidentals, and transportation between the airport and the retreat center. For more information, contact one of our board members: Carlos Taylor Email: candleinthewindow1@gmail.com Phone: (765) 208-0882 Becky Davidson Email: beckyb1120@gmail.com Phone: (914) 393-6613 Kathy Szinnyey Email: joyfulrenegade@gmail.com Phone: (502) 759-1288 Gene Chelberg Email: generaleyez@gmail.com Phone: (415) 269-9454 Peter Duffy Email: wharfratpete@gmail.com Phone: (904) 294-9375 * Notorious Bakersfield Podcasts Do you enjoy reading books and articles about notorious crimes? You may want to check out the Notorious Bakersfield podcasts. They're written by Robert Peterson, who has also written two books: "Notorious Bakersfield: The Book" and "Notorious Bakersfield: The Book Volume II." The books and podcasts look back in time to some of the most notorious crimes, events and characters of yesteryear. Episodes include "The Clown That Terrified Kern County," "The Matchmaker Murder," "The Pearl Harbor Survivor's Wife," "Secret Witness," and many more. Also available is the Halloween Tour, a driving tour of the crime scene locations and spooky places in Bakersfield. For more information, visit https://www.notoriousbakersfield.com/. ***** ** ACB Officers * President Deb Cook Lewis (2nd term, 2027) 1131 Liberty Dr. Clarkston, WA 99403 * First Vice President David Trott (2nd term, 2027) 1018 East St. S. Talladega, AL 35160 * Second Vice President Kenneth Semien Sr. (1st term, 2027) 8445 Allison Way Beaumont, TX 77707-1506 * Secretary Katie Frederick (1st term, 2027) 160 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Apt. 40 Worthington, OH 43085-2679 * Treasurer Michael Garrett (2nd term, 2027) 7806 Chaseway Dr. Missouri City, TX 77489-2333 * Immediate Past President Kim Charlson 57 Grandview Ave. Watertown, MA 02472 ** ACB Board of Directors Christopher Bell, Bloomington, MN (2nd term, 2028) Donna Brown, Romney, WV (2nd term, 2028) Cheryl Cumings, Seattle, WA (partial term, 2028) Peter Heide, Baraboo, WI (1st term, 2028) Gabriel Lopez Kafati, Miami Lakes, FL (1st term, 2026) Cecily Laney Nipper, Covington, GA (1st term, 2028) Terry Pacheco, Silver Spring, MD (1st term, 2026) Rachel Schroeder, Springfield, IL (1st term, 2026) Koni Sims, Sioux Falls, SD (1st term, 2026) Jeff Thom, Sacramento, CA (2nd term, 2026) ** ACB Board of Publications Zelda Gebhard, Chair, Edgeley, ND (3rd term, 2026) Deborah Armstrong, Milpitas, CA (partial term, 2026) Jeff Bishop, Tucson, AZ (1st term, 2026) Belinda Collins, Saint Pauls, NC (1st term, 2026) Ralynn McGuire, San Antonio, TX (1st term, 2027) ***** ** Accessing Your ACB Braille Forums The ACB Braille Forum is available by mail in braille, large print, NLS-style digital cartridge, and via email. To subscribe to the email version, contact Sharon Lovering, slovering@acb.org. It is also available on ACB's web page, and on ACB Media, channel 10. Subscribe to the podcast versions from your 2nd generation Victor Reader Stream or from https://pinecast.com/feed/acb-braille-forum-and-e-forum. ###