The ACB Braille Forum Volume LXIV June 2026 No. 10 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. Copyright 2026 American Council of the Blind Scott Thornhill, Executive Director Sharon Lovering, Editor 225 Reinekers Ln., Suite 660, Alexandria, VA 22314 ***** ** Table of Contents Advocacy in Action: The Eyeglass Exclusion, by Claire Stanley Extras, Extras, Read All About Them, by Janet Dickelman Put Your Best Foot Forward! Ignite Your Potential! Apply to Become a Guide or an Explorer in the ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Program, by Kenneth Semien Sr. Want to Get the Scoop on Convention News? Come and Help with the Gateway Gazette! Affiliate News A Tribute to My Parents, by Deborah Armstrong Brenda Dillon: Keeping Her Spirit Alive, by Sara (Conrad) Alkmin From Friendship to Musical, by Mike Hally Sunday Edition Spotlight: The Hidden Gem of Tracking Orders in Apple Wallet, by Anthony Corona Here and There, by Sharon Lovering High Tech Swap Shop ACB Officers ACB Board of Directors ACB Board of Publications Accessing Your ACB Braille Forums ** 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 September 2026: Theme: TBA; Deadline: July 22, 2026 October 2026: Theme: TBA; Deadline: August 21, 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. ** Correction Due to an editing error, the city of Whittier, Alaska was listed as being the largest city in the state of Alaska. The largest city is actually Anchorage. We regret the error. ***** ** Advocacy in Action: The Eyeglass Exclusion by Claire Stanley Advocacy can come in so many different shapes and sizes. We could lobby Congress for a new piece of legislation, or we could bring a lawsuit against a company for an inaccessible website. Why do I bring this up? The tool an advocate uses can be influenced by the current environment. An advocate might be discouraged by the changing environment around them; the past tools they used may be less effective in the new environment. However, advocates should not be discouraged. Instead, they should shift their tactics based on what is currently available to them. An example of this has been used in the current administration. One of President Trump's practices has been to limit the development of new governmental regulations. As a result, in his second administration, he put out an executive order that said a new agency regulation could be developed only if 10 pre-existing regulations were rescinded. For advocates, this seems discouraging. We often want new regulations to accommodate people who are blind or have low vision. However, there are pre-existing regulations that work against the needs of the blind and low vision community. So, with that in mind, advocates thought they could use the current policy as a way to rescind regulations that do not benefit the blind and low vision community. A long-lasting rule known as the eyeglass exclusion is a policy ACB has worked to overturn for a long time. Related legislation has been a legislative imperative on more than one occasion. But, when advocates understood the new executive order, they thought they could use this opportunity to ask the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to eliminate an existing regulation. In 2026, a coalition of advocates met with CMS to propose this very idea. It is still unknown if CMS will move forward with the request. However, it was exciting to use a current policy to advocate for an issue we have been pushing for so many years. ***** *** Extras, Extras, Read All About Them by Janet Dickelman The 2026 American Council of the Blind conference and convention features many sessions from our special-interest affiliates and ACB committees. In this article we'll take a look at what our business partners and others are doing during the convention. Full descriptions and applicable pricing, along with information on how to RSVP to sessions with limited space, will be posted on the convention registration form and in the conference program. Convention registration will remain open until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, July 6. Register online at https://members.acb.org/, or call (651) 428-5059 for assistance. The following sessions are all in-person only, but will be available as podcasts after the convention. ** Breakfasts, Anyone? Tuesday, July 28, 7:00 - 8:15 a.m.: AFB Breakfast Join the American Foundation for the Blind at its annual breakfast, where guests will learn what's on the horizon for AFB and have an opportunity to meet with President & CEO Eric Bridges along with other members of the AFB team. Wednesday, July 29, 7:00 - 8:15 a.m.: NIB Breakfast Join National Industries for the Blind and learn what has been going on with NIB since last year's convention. ** Technology Sessions * Sunday, July 26 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.: Selvas BLV Demonstration Please join Selvas BLV for a demonstration on the new BrailleSense 7 tablet and its new features including: better organized user interface and menus, the Excel editor, touch Braille display, NVDA remote and more. 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.: APH Innovations New Braille Products and Teaching Tools for 2026 APH is excited to share new products and updates to our portfolio of braille and communication tools. Join Jim Sullivan and Katie Frederick for a fast-paced look at innovations that put braille and instruction front and center. * Monday, July 27 New Product Testing with NLS Experience the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled's fully fledged Patron Enrollment product in action and let them know what you think by using the NLS customer service prototype! To sign up for a spot, send an email message to sgarske@loc.gov. (Testing times are between 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.) * Tuesday, July 28 The Tech Juggernaut TTJ Mobile Help Desk Hours: 10:00 a.m. - noon and 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Stop by the TTJ Mobile Help Desk and get your Apple product questions answered by the TTJ Instructor Team. Talk with trainers Matt, Kliph, and Sarah about your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and more. Any Apple product or compatible app and accessory is welcome in the discussion. Get your questions answered by a team of experts. No appointment necessary. We look forward to being the only tech you'll ever need! 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.: How to Stay Safe in a Digital World Is that email legitimate? Have I been hacked? Is Alexa spying on me? Is my data secure? These are just some of the many questions people ask every day, and it is more important than ever to get the right answers and to know how to protect ourselves and our data. Join the TTJ Instructor Team as they explore and discuss best practices for keeping your identity and all of your data safe and protected. If you'd like to attend this session, please send an email to Info@ttjtech.biz. 7:00 - 8:15 p.m.: A Day in the Connected Digital Life Technology can be life-changing, but for some, it can also be overwhelming. Join the TTJ Instructor Team as we discuss and demonstrate how to use Apple devices with VoiceOver to perform a number of real-world tasks. Use VoiceOver with the touch screen and with a keyboard. Use Siri and AI, and experience how this awesome technology can help you with such tasks as shopping for groceries, ordering food, getting walking or driving directions, managing a smart home, reading the news, online banking, making travel arrangements, writing letters, and much more. If you'd like to attend this session, please send an email to Info@ttjtech.biz. 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.: Telecommunications Panel Several telecommunications companies that ACB has ongoing relationships with will participate on a panel to discuss various services of their organizations and how to best accommodate customers who are blind or have low vision. 5:00 - 6:15 p.m.: Meta session ** Other Tech Sessions Microsoft, Waymo, Vispero, and HumanWare all plan to host sessions in St. Louis. As of this writing, dates and times are pending. * Hotel Details Room rates at the Hyatt Regency Arch, 315 Chestnut St., are $104 single or double, $129 triple, or $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. The cut-off date for reservations is July 5, 2026. Don't delay, make your reservations today! * 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. The hotel is cashless; any purchases must be made with a credit or debit card. * Staying in Touch The convention announce list will be filled with information. To subscribe to the list, send a blank email to acbconvention+subscribe@acblists.org. If you received updates for the 2025 convention, you do not need to 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. ***** ** Put Your Best Foot Forward! Ignite Your Potential! Apply to Become a Guide or an Explorer in the ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Program by Kenneth Semien Sr. The ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Program is advancing into its fourth year of providing mentorship, access and peer support during the fall of 2026. This leadership development program, designed exclusively for aspiring leaders, is a nine-month exploration of learning and grasping new concepts. Online applications will be accepted from July 17th through August 19th. The 2026-2027 cohort will be selected by September 2nd, and the program year will begin on September 17th. Activities will conclude on June 17, 2027. The program culminates with a virtual graduation ceremony during the virtual week of the ACB conference and convention. Prepare to listen in on one of our presentations that will allow you to learn how the program works and ask questions that are important to you. We place an emphasis on the Explorer using the S.M.A.R.T. goal framework, meaning that your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timebound. Calendar of Presentations: • Affiliate Presidents Hump Day Happy Hour Presentation: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 5 p.m. Eastern • ACB Informational Community Call: Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 8 p.m. Eastern • ACB Informational Community Call: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 4 p.m. Eastern INSPIRE refers to "Imagine, Nurture, Support, Prepare, Influence, Reflect, and Evolve." The ACB INSPIRE mentoring program serves as a roadmap and places an emphasis on aiding and guiding potential leaders to expand their involvement at the local, state and/or national level. Members are urged to apply to become a Guide/Mentor or Explorer/Mentee. The INSPIRE Experience includes an introductory Guide-Explorer meet and greet; informative orientation training; personalized Guide-Explorer team meetings; interactive quarterly check point meetings; empowerment segments with leaders of the blindness community, as well as other collaborative partnerships; optional office hours feedback sessions; support meetings with the ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Team; sharing of inspirational books, articles, poems, quotes, and other material from the INSPIRE Library; participant communication on the designated ACB INSPIRE email list; and the end-of-program evaluation survey. * ACB INSPIRE Applicant Criteria To serve as a Guide or mentor, applicants must meet the following criteria: • An ACB member for 7 consecutive years or more • Current on membership dues • Have at least 5 years of confirmed leadership experience within ACB, one of its affiliates or chapters • Submit name and contact information for a reference when first applying to serve as a Guide • Have personal knowledge of ACB's history, mission, purpose, and core values • Agree to meet with designated Explorer/Mentee at least twice a month • Conduct effective goal-setting meetings with a designated explorer/mentee • Agree to keep all communication with Explorer/Mentee private and confidential • Agree to attend and participate in scheduled group empowerment sessions, including quarterly Check Point Meetings. Office Hours feedback sessions are optional. • Agree to submit a monthly report to the ACB Mentoring Team on Guide-Explorer progress • Agree to complete end-of-program evaluations To qualify as an Explorer or mentee, applicants must meet the following criteria: • An ACB member for at least 2 consecutive years (membership in an ACB state or special-interest affiliate, or chapter, is applicable) • Current on membership dues • Demonstrate an eagerness to learn and grow • Faithfully attend and participate in goal-setting sessions with a designated guide/mentor • Agree to meet with Guide/Mentor at least twice a month • Agree to attend and participate in group empowerment sessions, including quarterly Check Point Meetings. Office Hours feedback sessions are optional. • Agree to submit a monthly report to the ACB Mentoring Team on Guide-Explorer progress • Agree to complete end-of-program evaluations Now is the time to strongly consider becoming a Guide or Explorer! Just submit an application for consideration by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on August 19th. The link to the application will be placed in the "Dots and Dashes" newsletter, on various email lists, and on www.acb.org beginning on July 17th. Contact us by sending email to acb.mentoring@gmail.com. ***** ** Want to Get the Scoop on Convention News? Come and Help with the Gateway Gazette! Are you coming to convention? Do you like helping out where needed? The Marcia Nigro Dresser Communication Center is now seeking volunteers to help collate and staple papers, take ads and announcements, and staff the room. Sharon Lovering is the operations manager. She is seeking volunteers to fill two-hour shifts throughout the day (8-10 a.m., 10 a.m.-noon, noon-2 p.m., and 2-4 p.m.). The communication center will be open Thursday, July 23 through Wednesday, July 29, and be taken down Thursday, July 30; it will open daily at 8 a.m. and close to the public at 5 p.m. To sign up for a shift, contact Sharon at the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via email, slovering@acb.org. This year's convention newspaper will be called "The Gateway Gazette." If it rings a bell, that's because we used the name the last time we were in St. Louis. It will run from Friday through Wednesday in braille and large print. Announcements and other items intended for publication must be in the center's hands by 2 p.m. each day. Announcements should be 75 words or less. By a directive from the board of publications, ads will be allowed to run for three days maximum -- no exceptions. If you wish to advertise in the newspaper, please contact Sharon Lovering at the email address above. Newspaper announcements are black and white text only; no color, and no photos. Announcements run a maximum of 3 days; 75-word limit per announcement. Special discounts and advance announcement rates for individuals and affiliates. Sorry, no ads will be accepted for food sales on hotel property. Newspaper Announcement Pricing • 3 days announcement (reserved prior to conference): individuals, ACB affiliates and blind representatives of multi-level marketing companies, $50; exhibitors - $100; all others - $125; or • 3 days announcement (purchased on-site): individuals, ACB affiliates and blind representatives of multi-level marketing companies, $60; exhibitors - $110; all others - $140 Submit announcements electronically by June 13, 2026. Email to slovering@acb.org, in PDF, Word, text, or .jpeg. During the late afternoons and evenings, we need people to help burst, collate and staple the braille papers. Thanks to HumanWare, we will have several braille embossers this year. Are you a braille reader? Are you good at separating braille copies from each other, separating the pages, collating and stapling? Drop by and see if the communication center needs help. If you have signed up for home delivery of "The Gateway Gazette," drop by the information desk and give them your name, room number, and format preference once you arrive. This will ensure that you don't miss an issue. Hold onto your Friday issue; it will include all the phone numbers and room changes, plus last-minute updates. If your committee or affiliate needs something brailled, we will be able to do that. Make certain to label your thumb drive before bringing it down to the communication center, and tell us how many copies you will need, by what time, as well as how we can reach you (email address, cell phone, etc.). Save yourself a trip back to your hotel room by making sure that your document(s) are on the drive before you come down. Want to beat the crowds? Bring your items down in the morning before the general session to help us fit them in. This is an election year, and as such, a reminder about Board of Publications policy is due. The convention newspaper and other convention-related publications will not include campaign statements for candidates running for ACB national office, nor may the resources of the communication center be used to reproduce campaign statements intended to promote any candidate for office. The convention newspaper and other convention-related publications will not accept paid advertisements from candidates regarding their candidacy. ** Affiliate News ** Come On In -- the Water's Fine! Splash into summer with ACB Next Generation! Dive into our NextGen Auction on Sunday, June 14. We will have a pool full of wonderful items up for bid at our fourth annual auction. This includes everything from one-of-a-kind experiences to handmade items to gift cards and the very popular food items. There is truly something for everyone. Your bids help us make an ever-growing ripple as we continue our convention and D.C. Leadership assistance, tech grants, and our efforts to develop the future leaders of ACB. Registration is open now! Simply fill out our Google Form (see link below), or reach out and one of our Fundraising Committee members will be happy to assist you. 1. Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftiGNlx_9Pi4XX015oQe5nqsvYA6DPOm8lg_zrt2AZdk6Tfw/viewform 2. Email our committee: fundraising@acbnextgeneration.org 3. Call us: (202) 524-0909 ** ACB Diabetics in Action at Convention Come and learn about all things diabetes with ACB Diabetics in Action! Thursday, July 16, 2:30-3:45 (Zoom only): The Power of Small Behavior Changes to Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes One out of every three adults in the United States is living with pre-diabetes, and 50% of those people over age 65 have this condition. It is estimated that 90% of these people do not know it. There is a common misconception that a person can do very little at this point to avoid or delay a progression to a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. Brenda Jagatic, BScN, RN, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, will share information about small behavior changes that can have a huge impact on slowing or preventing the progression of this disease. Two members of our group will also share their experiences. Monday, July 27, 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.: What Is Late and Great in Managing Type I and Type II Diabetes (hybrid) Cleveland-based diabetes professionals will discuss the latest changes/recommendations in managing Type I and Type II diabetes. Come prepared to learn how to best manage your disease with confidence and independence. Tuesday, July 28, 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.: Turning Diabetes Stigma into Strength (hybrid) Join us to listen to Shae Puckett from Diatribe share how Diatribe is working hard to build a world where people with diabetes are seen with dignity, approached with curiosity instead of judgment, and welcomed with compassion. Have you ever encountered any of the following situations which are examples of diabetes stigma? People who assume that you caused your own diabetes; people telling you that you should not be eating what you are eating; people telling you that you should perform tasks to manage your diabetes, such as testing your blood glucose or taking insulin, only in private; people who assume that you cannot do certain jobs because you have diabetes. In this presentation, we will discuss how, along with Diatribe and others, we can advocate for better understanding, acceptance and support of people who have diabetes. ** ACB Families: Braille Devices, Virtual Campfire, Breakfast, and Bingo! Come and learn about low-cost braille devices, sit around the virtual campfire, enjoy a breakfast, and play Bingo with us! July 18 (Zoom only) 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.: BRL and ACB Families Share Low-Cost Braille Devices Enhance your use of braille with four low-cost braille devices. The Braille Doodle is a device with raised braille letters and a method of drawing. The VersaSlate is a paperless slate and stylus. The Hable is a device with braille input that can connect to other devices. Braille LEGOs are a fun way to learn more about braille. Presenters: Lucy Edmonds, retired, Michigan Braille and Talking Book Library, Lansing, MI; Audrey Schading, Braille Instructor, Lighthouse Guild of New York; Shanell Matos, assistive technology program leadership, Lighthouse Guild, New York. 5:30 - 6:45 p.m.: ACB Families Goes to Camp It's summertime -- time to sit around the virtual campfire and eat hot dogs and s'mores. Whether you're a kid or a kid at heart, camp is a special experience. Paul Edwards, storyteller extraordinaire, is back this year with campfire stories. A virtual treasure hunt, camp trivia, and easy snack ideas also fill this finale to the virtual convention week. July 27, 7:00 - 8:15 a.m.: ACB Families Breakfast -- Feel Better with Energy Medicine (hybrid) Are there ways to feel better beyond or alongside our typical ways of prescription medicines? There are many ways, including hands-on or hands above the body, emotional freedom technique, Bach Flower Remedies, homeopathy and more. Debbie Hazelton from Dothan, Ala., has been involved with energy medicine for over 30 years. She is certified in the emotional freedom technique, in the Bach flower remedies, and is a Reiki master. She will explore many of these, giving a few techniques, websites and ways to learn more. July 28, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.: Bingo -- It's a Families Tradition (in-person only) Braille cards, large print cards, and lots of great prizes! Bring yourself, bring a friend, bring your family -- fun for all ages! Doors open at 7:30; games begin at 8:00. ** What's Happening with ACB Next Generation? ACB Next Generation has a lot of sessions planned that may be of interest to many of you. Check them out below! Friday, July 17 (Zoom only) 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.: Why You Need a Better Money Plan and How YNAB's Five Questions Can Help Your Finances Soar Does your budget look good on paper but fall apart in real life? Join MOe Carpenter, AFC and Certified YNAB Spendfulness Coach, to discover a better way to manage your money. We'll examine YNAB's five questions and how they can help you build a stronger plan, spend more mindfully, and make your finances truly soar to new heights. 5:30 - 6:45 p.m.: Boomers versus NextGen It's the Generational Showdown of the year! Prepare for trivia questions that bridge the age gap. Prepare to be challenged and even learn a thing or two. Non-members welcome. Friday, July 24 (in person only) 5:30 - 6:45 p.m.: Leadership Linkup 2.0 -- Ready, Set, Network Step into the leadership arena and network with leaders of the American Council of the Blind. This is your opportunity to connect directly with the heart of ACB leadership. You will be paired with an emerging leader and move through fast-paced and meaningful conversations with dynamic ACB leaders all in one room. This is an invitation-only event, and signing up ahead is required as space is limited. To sign up, send an email to ACBNextGen@gmail.com. Please be sure to include your name, email address, and phone number when signing up. Location details will be shared with confirmed participants prior to the event. This session is sponsored by ACB Next Generation and ACB's Berl Colley Leadership Institute. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.: Rise Together Convention Kickoff Join ACB Next Generation and ACB Students for a high-energy Convention Kickoff that brings together the spirit of a pep rally with the fun of a dance -- all packed into two unforgettable hours. This interactive event is designed to uplift, energize, and connect attendees from across the ACB community. Hear from some of your favorite ACB leaders as they share words of encouragement and inspiration. Then, get up and get moving with fun, audio-described dances that everyone can enjoy. No experience needed, just bring your enthusiasm! Throughout the event, you'll also have plenty of opportunities to socialize with friends, meet new people, and build meaningful connections. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime member, this is the perfect way to jumpstart your convention experience. Come ready to move, connect, and celebrate. Sunday, July 26 5:00 - 6:15 p.m.: Becoming WELL: What We Can Do to Help Build Each Other Up in Life and Community (hybrid) WELL is an acronym that stands for wisdom, encouragement, listening, and learning. Life can be demanding and exhausting, but even in the midst of busy days and personal challenges, you can still be W.E.L.L. and treat others well too. These four areas can help guide us in how we show up for one another, strengthen our relationships, and create meaningful connections within our communities. Join us as we explore practical ways to lead with wisdom, offer encouragement, truly listen, and remain open to learning from the people around us. Together, we'll discover how these simple, yet powerful practices can help us build each other up, foster belonging, and create a stronger, more supportive community. This session is sponsored by ACB Next Generation. ACB Next Generation is also co-sponsoring sessions with the Employment Committee: • Thursday, July 16 at 11:30 a.m.: Moving Forward from Job Loss • Friday, July 17 at 11:30 a.m.: Workplace Etiquette • Monday, July 27 at 3 p.m.: Interviewing Skills Workshop ** Calling All Hams to a Virtual Session ACB Radio Amateurs will host a digital session on Thursday, July 16 from 1:00 to 2:15 p.m. It will feature a brief discussion of amateur digital communication modes and a presentation on the SharkRF M1KE radioless digital hotspot. The presenter will be John McCann, an ACBRA board member. (This session will be via Zoom only.) ** ACB Students: Exploring AI Tools, Self-Defense and More Thursday, July 16, 10:00 - 11:15 a.m.: Exploring AI Tools: Opportunities and Risks for Blind Students and Beyond (Zoom only) Join us for an engaging and practical conversation on how artificial intelligence is transforming accessibility, education, and opportunities for blind students. This session will demystify how AI works, explore its real benefits and risks, and share actionable strategies students can use right now to learn, create, and lead with confidence. The discussion will highlight responsible AI use, ethical considerations, and real-world applications. Participants can expect practical tips, real examples, and an open conversation designed to build confidence, awareness, and innovation. Friday, July 17, 4:00 - 6:45 p.m.: Film Preview: Brailled It Every year, the best under-18 braille readers and writers in the English-speaking world come to Los Angeles to compete in the Braille Challenge. Empowering them to become filmmakers, BRAILLED IT gives these kids cameras and has them document the event on their own. Their often-disorienting cinematography challenges sighted audiences to follow the action on their terms, with audio description and binaural sound helping audiences understand this unique cinematic world through non-visual cues. Ultimately, the kids' honest, personal, and emotional footage makes the human drama of their experience -- and the true power of literacy -- accessible for all. Co-sponsored by ACBS and the Audio Description Project Committee. Saturday, July 18, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.: Strong Minds, Safer Lives: Mental Health and Self-Defense Fundamentals I (Zoom only) Build confidence from the inside out in this engaging virtual session that explores the powerful connection between mental well-being and personal safety. In the first half, participants will learn practical strategies to manage fear, set boundaries, and develop assertiveness skills that support emotional resilience in everyday situations. July 24, 5 - 6:15 p.m.: Strong Minds, Safer Lives: Mental Health and Self-Defense Fundamentals II (in-person only) Take your confidence to the next level in this dynamic in-person session focused on practical self-defense skills you can use in real life. Building on the fundamentals introduced in the virtual session, participants will engage in guided, interactive exercises designed to strengthen awareness, reaction time, personal boundaries, and assertive communication in challenging situations. This hands-on experience emphasizes empowerment, safety planning, and realistic strategies for navigating everyday environments with greater confidence. Participants will have the opportunity to practice simple defensive techniques, explore scenario-based responses, and develop both physical and mental readiness. Monday, July 27, 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.: Health, Knowledge, Accessibility, and Empowerment: Navigating HIV Awareness with Confidence This session offers a safe and informative space to explore HIV awareness, sexual and reproductive health, accessibility, and personal empowerment. Participants will receive clear, science-based information that helps reduce stigma, build confidence, and support informed decision-making about health and well-being. Attendees will gain practical knowledge about accessing healthcare resources, understanding their rights, and advocating for their needs with confidence and dignity. ACBS will also co-sponsor three sessions with the employment committee: Thursday, July 16, 11:30 a.m.: Moving Forward from Job Loss; Workplace Etiquette on Friday, July 17 at 11:30 a.m.; and the Interviewing Skills Workshop on Monday, July 27 at 3 p.m. ***** ** A Tribute to My Parents by Deborah Armstrong With Mother's and Father's Days soon to arrive, it is with fondness that I recall stories about my happily married parents. Before I entered kindergarten, my mom decided I would not attend the school for the blind. This was 1963, when mainstreaming was a future dream. But she set out to make it a reality. After contacting various local school districts, she learned an experimental mainstreaming program was being set up about 20 miles away in another city, and I could enroll there in the first grade. But I was only four years old. So instead, my mom enrolled me in the local nursery school, and a year later, the local kindergarten, without telling the authorities her child was blind. After some arguments with the schools, I was enrolled, and learned to play with blocks, fingerpaint, print my name, color with crayons and even get in a fight. By the time first grade rolled around, the experimental program had finished two years and was more than ready for me. I was taken out of P.E. and art periods to work with a blind resource teacher to master Braille and very basic steps towards O&M. One happy memory is how my blind special ed teacher would hide a ticking wind-up clock in her room, and I was invited to play the game of trying to find it by orienting to its sound. She would time me and I got to compete with myself as the hiding places became more and more clever. Being exposed to an adult blind role model when I was only six, and also able to make both friends and enemies with other sighted kids my age, helped me build a great deal of self-confidence. Because the only mainstream program was miles away, I had to ride a special bus for two hours. With nothing else to do, I read, and I thank the special bus for making me a rapid and confident Braille reader. When I was seven, my mom decided I needed to learn to type. Each afternoon, as I returned home from school, I'd sit at a folding card table with a little red Royal typewriter and a reel-to-reel tape recorder. On the tapes, Mom would record lessons from a secretarial training manual she had received in 1948. At first, I typed simple sentences like "Dad is sad," but later on they became much harder. My favorite one was, "Gladys Williams picked six quarts of very juicy strawberries." But mostly I hated the lessons, believing I had the meanest mom in the world. That was because she had a single rule: I had to type a perfect page before I could go outside to play. As I churned out little practice sentences, I fantasized about getting out my skate key, screwing those roller skates onto my shoes, and gliding down the neighbor's extra-steep driveway. But eventually, the page would get typed, the skates installed, and I'd be outside getting into trouble like any other kid. Though my lower middle-class parents had very little education, I was rarely overprotected. I got spanked for climbing the neighbor's tree and walking around on his roof, but nobody tried to keep me indoors. When I was 10, the San Francisco Bay area completed work on its ambitious subway project, BART, the Bay Area Rapid Transit. I had just begun to learn cane travel and wasn't allowed yet to cross streets independently. But my dad wanted to ensure I felt comfortable with BART. He walked me around our local station describing everything, showing me how to buy a ticket and how the escalators worked. He even took my hand and had me walk along the platform, my cane tip dropping off the edge, reasoning that if I could "see" the edge with my cane I would not fall off the platform. By the time I could ride it independently as a teen, I felt far more confident about it than many blind adults. My dad also devised a cool trick for helping me learn to walk in a straight line. He ran a long rope down our driveway, taped it down and had me practice walking along it with my toe just touching the rope. When he tried it himself, blindfolded, while the rest of the family scored us, he never got very good at it, so I was super proud to always beat him. My mobility instructor was the first African-American hired by our school district, and my parents were forever getting calls telling them their blind child was being followed around by a large black man. They adored him and were quick to sing his praises and remind people how their prejudiced attitudes were not appreciated. That early exposure helped me to become open-minded and inclusive. When I was in high school, I was permitted to take public transportation home instead of riding the special bus. I had to transfer and walk two blocks downtown. One afternoon, after I'd exited the first bus, a man grabbed me from behind with his arm around my neck. I had taken a self-defense course for disabled youth, and I kicked out with my right leg while jumping up to hang off the arm encircling me. I was taught doing this could prevent the attacker from choking. For good measure I also punched the guy in the nose. He let go and began to simultaneously howl with pain and laugh. It was my dad, checking to see if I took the self-defense class seriously. Now he felt confident having me take those buses home. My mom scolded him for doing something that could have gotten him arrested, but he always said my quick response gave him the peace of mind he needed. When I was in college and no longer qualified for mobility instruction, I had a terrible dilemma. My friends all went to a favorite restaurant across the street from the college, but I could never find it to join the party. In desperation, I called my dad, though as a young adult, asking my parents for help was embarrassing. He drove out to the school and discovered that though it was indeed across the street, I had to cross two intersections which were not lined up with each other. Understanding that I would be mortified to have my father leading me around, he gave me precise directions over the phone that no mobility instructor could have topped. And after that I joined my buddies nearly every day after class! My dad was the family cook, and when he prepared supper, he always brought out knives, cutting boards and bowls to all kids watching TV and instructed each person to chop a vegetable for the meal. This happened when we were children and much later when my college friends hung out at our house. When he had a stroke at age 85, and could no longer walk, I, now in my sixties, often cooked when he came to visit. And I'd always hand him a cutting board and knife as he sat in front of my TV while he pretend-complained about the unfairness of doing chores. It was our private game. His early insistence on delegating taught me how to become a leader, and that was one of the best gifts he gave me. ***** ** Brenda Dillon: Keeping Her Spirit Alive by Sara (Conrad) Alkmin Reprinted from "The ACB Braille Forum," September 2013. When I was asked to write this memoir for Brenda Dillon, I pondered where to begin. Should I tell you about her tireless advocacy efforts? How about her contributions to the leadership in ACB and its affiliates? Certainly, Brenda Dillon made immeasurable impacts within the blindness community as well as disabled communities across the country. Many of us experienced her enthusiasm for fundraising, her heart for service, and her diligence in every project. Her obituary explains many of the adventures Brenda enjoyed as she paved a way for blind and visually impaired people, overcoming obstacles and standing up for the defenseless every time. Still, there was far more to Brenda Dillon than the outer shell of an advocate, leader, and colleague. Many of us knew Brenda on a personal level, Brenda our friend. During her 58 wonderful years of life, Brenda was a loving wife, mother, and supporter; she was a foster mom for many children and was very involved in her church. This was all apparent at her memorial service, as blind and sighted friends came together, sharing light-hearted and insightful stories of the many marks Brenda made on this world. That said, all of these relationships can be found in previous articles and speeches about Brenda; many people have written and spoken about her dedication. There was far more to Brenda Dillon's impact on us than can be explained in mere words. I will, however, try to share some of the less obvious qualities Brenda possessed. First, Brenda had a heart for others, especially the younger generations. Brenda spent many years as an advisor to ACB Students and as a mentor to future ACB leaders. She took it upon herself to encourage future lawyers, teachers, and professionals from the blindness community, making it clear that students do not need sight to have a vision. Brenda's personal mission for student success has seen many students through undergraduate and graduate studies and helped connect young people to ACB, a place to belong. In addition to her undying love for students, Brenda was as genuine as humanly possible. She was never afraid to stick up for the underdog, as long as she believed in their story. Brenda supported people and organizations who would otherwise fall "under the radar." Her focus was always on justice and fairness rather than popularity or power. Instead, she used whatever power she gained from those who saw her genuine heart to extend her gifts and talents in support of those in need. Brenda was a true warrior for those who could not fight for themselves and an honest friend to all. The final quality that comes to mind when thinking of Brenda Dillon was her faith. Brenda was never without determination or passion for success, whether in advocacy efforts, raising and sustaining a family, or battling cancer. She was a woman of prayer and insight, reaching out to the faith of others in difficult times. It is said that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, and Brenda saw many mountains move due to her unending perseverance. She never left a job unfinished. After all, many noted that Brenda died at the exact moment her term as vice president of ACB was completed. As I do not believe in coincidences, I found this to be our comic relief in losing her, a smile to remember her persistent participation in all areas of life. Although all of these attributes speak to Brenda's character, I want to close with a personal tribute to her. I had the honor of working with Brenda Dillon for four years in ACB. These four years were not average years of one's life; these were my four years of undergraduate studies. I met Brenda at the 2009 ACB convention in Orlando, Fla. I was a scholarship winner traveling on my own for the first time, and I found myself amidst a sea of blind and visually impaired people I did not know. I received my registration information, and glancing at the calendar, saw that there would be a 5K walk and run the next morning. I thought to myself, "I've done fundraisers like this before. I'll just show up and see if I can participate." I met the small group of ACB participants in the hotel lobby, the first of whom to greet me being Brenda Dillon. I'll never forget her big smile and unmatchable excitement when she heard a student was attending the walk. Needless to say, I received the trophy for youngest participant at the walk in Orlando as well as at the walk the following year in Phoenix. I will add that the ACB board of directors proudly changed the walk's name to the Brenda Dillon ACB Memorial Walk, beginning with the walk the following year in Las Vegas. While I was uncertain of my travel and independence abilities that first convention in Orlando, I was even more unaware of the bond I'd share with Brenda. Over the following years, she became one of the most influential people in my life. I was elected secretary of ACB Students that summer in Orlando and was president for the following three years. During that time, Brenda mentored our various committees as well as our board, sharing her experiences in leadership and nonprofit work. More than that, she shared her love. Brenda was the woman anyone could turn to in time of need. I recall my first time attending the midyear presidents' meeting and legislative seminar in Arlington, Va. I was 19 years old at the time, just a sophomore in college. After many flight delays due to snowy weather (the joys of flying from Michigan in February), I finally arrived at the hotel around 2:30 a.m. Although I had made my hotel reservation, I was told by the hotel staff that I could not stay there, as I was under 21. The matter was resolved after a call to my sleepily awoken parents. The next morning, still flustered from my journey and awaiting the arrival of my luggage that was still in Detroit, I shared my story with my fellow ACB colleagues. Brenda proceeded to put her hands on her hips and lecture me, scolding me for not calling her in the middle of the night to help. She said, "Darlin', don't you know I'm your convention mama?" She was exactly that, the person I, and others, could turn to for any problem. Needless to say, I always contacted Brenda in the future for any travel needs! Besides showing Brenda's comical and exuberant personality, these are just two of many stories within the tapestry of Brenda Dillon's life. Her joy, grace, energy, and influence will remain ever present in our organization and our hearts. ***** ** From Friendship to Musical by Mike Hally In the spring of 2022, I was reunited with my childhood friend Joe Mauer. Our story started when we were both seniors at Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul. At that time, Joe was an athlete in three sports: football, basketball, and baseball. One day, he noticed that I was sitting alone at the lunch table. He invited me to sit with him and his friends, who were also athletes. This was what one might call the cool table. It made me feel very happy to know that this athlete would invite me to sit with him and his friends at lunch. After lunch, he would make sure I got to my next class. Over time, other people at the table would do the same. After graduation, Joe was drafted by the Minnesota Twins, with whom he spent his entire 15-year career. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. in 2024. In the spring of 2022, Joe Schmit, a long-time sports reporter in the Twin Cities, arranged a reunion at the same table with Joe and me. It was very emotional to see him again and thank him for his kindness back in high school. A year after the reunion, Joe Schmit called to let me know that a children's book about Joe Mauer had been written, "The Right Thing to Do: the Joe Mauer Story." I was mentioned, along with Joe's philosophy of being kind to others who may need help. My mom and I attended the signing at Target Field, where I was asked to say a few words. This was a few days before the Hall of Fame announcement in 2024. I thanked Joe for being kind to me back in high school. I was also presented with an Emmy Award for the reunion segment, which had been transcribed into Braille. In November 2024, Joe Schmit called to let me know The Right Thing to Do was being turned into a musical. He wanted Michael, the playwright, to get some information. Michael asked me several very specific questions. For instance, how old was I when Joe and I first met? Also, what had my time at Cretin-Derham Hall been like before then? Fast forward to April of this year. I was given the chance to meet Noah, the young man portraying the high school version of me. In addition to being blind, he is also autistic. We discussed everything from what it was like to meet Joe Mauer, to what cane tip I used in high school. On April 19, 2026, I attended a special performance of the play at Stages Theater in the Twin Cities. The cast was a very talented group of young actors. In addition to telling Joe's story, it also incorporated excerpts from his Hall of Fame speech, as well as from my reunion. By far, my favorite musical number was "The Only Blind Kid in High School," the solo sung by Noah. He is a very talented young man. Afterwards, there was a post-show discussion. I talked about how talented Noah was, and what a memory he has for statistics. My mom observed that Noah has some of the same mannerisms that I do. Overall, the experience of going from a long-time friendship to a stage musical was very unique. I never thought I would see my life portrayed on stage by someone else. All proceeds from "The Right Thing to Do: the Joe Mauer Story" benefit two charities: Thumbs Up, which helps those experiencing mental health issues, and Highland Friendship Club, which is special to Joe Mauer. They provide assistance to those with intellectual disabilities. If you wish to obtain a copy of the book, go to Amazon, or joemauerbook.com. The book is not yet available in accessible formats. ***** *** Sunday Edition Tech Spotlight: The Hidden Gem of Tracking Orders in Apple Wallet by Anthony Corona There are features that whisper instead of shout, tucked quietly into the corners of our devices, waiting for the right moment to become indispensable. Order tracking in Apple Wallet has long been one of those features. For years it felt like a promise that never quite arrived. With recent updates, it finally steps into the light and becomes something genuinely useful, especially for blind and low vision users navigating the constant flow of deliveries in everyday life. Let us break this down, verify what works, and walk through it in a way that is clear, practical, and fully accessible with VoiceOver. ** What This Feature Does Apple Wallet can now pull order tracking information directly from emails in the Apple Mail app and organize those orders in one central place. Instead of digging through cluttered inboxes, shipping confirmations, and tracking links, your orders live in a single, structured list inside Wallet. This works best when your device has Apple Intelligence enabled, your email is set up in the Apple Mail app, and the Mail integration for order tracking is turned on. ** How to Turn on Order Tracking 1. Open Settings. 2. Swipe right with one finger until you hear Wallet and Apple Pay and double tap. 3. Swipe right until you hear Order Tracking and double tap. 4. Find the Mail toggle and make sure it is turned on. VoiceOver Tip: When navigating toggles, VoiceOver will say on or off. Double tap to change the state. If you are unsure, swipe left once after toggling to confirm the current state. Important Note This feature relies on Apple Mail. If you primarily use Gmail or another app, you will need to add your account to Apple Mail for this to work. ** How to Track an Order from Email 1. Open the Mail app 2. Navigate to an email that contains an order confirmation or shipping notice 3. At the top of the email, VoiceOver may announce a Track button 4. Double tap Track 5. If prompted, choose Allow to let Wallet access the order details 6. Once you do this, the order is saved into Apple Wallet VoiceOver tip: Use the rotor set to headings or buttons to quickly jump to the Track button if the email is long. This can save a lot of time when scanning messages. ** Where to Find Your Orders in Wallet 1. Open the Wallet app 2. Swipe until you reach the More button or three dot icon and double tap 3. Find and select Orders 4. You will now see a list of current and past orders Each order typically includes merchant name, status updates, and tracking progress. VoiceOver tip: Orders are presented as a list. Swipe right to move through them. Double tap on any order to explore more details. Use the back button in the top left to return to the list. ** Managing and Cleaning Up Orders If an order appears that does not belong or is not useful, such as a quick restaurant pickup, you can remove it. 1. Open the order 2. Look for options such as Remove Order or Block Merchant 3. Double tap to confirm your choice VoiceOver tip: If you do not immediately find the remove option, try exploring by touch near the bottom of the screen or use the rotor set to actions if available. ** Real-World Examples * UPS Delivery You receive a shipping email from UPS. You tap Track, and now instead of hunting for updates, you can open Wallet and hear your package progress from label created to out for delivery. * Best Buy Order You order a new pair of headphones. The confirmation email is automatically recognized. Wallet shows your order status and updates without needing to log into your account. * Bath and Body Works You place a seasonal order. Wallet gathers the shipment details and keeps everything in one place, which is especially helpful during busy holiday seasons when multiple packages are arriving. * Chewy Pet Supplies Your recurring delivery of dog food or treats is tracked seamlessly. You can quickly check when it will arrive without opening multiple emails or apps. * Why This Matters For blind and low-vision users, this feature reduces friction. It turns scattered information into a single, predictable experience. No more jumping between apps, copying tracking numbers, or navigating cluttered websites. * Anthony Says: This is one of those features that finally caught up to the promise. It takes something that used to be a chore and makes it feel almost effortless. Anything that cuts down on the number of steps, the number of apps, and the amount of guesswork is a win in my book. This is about efficiency, independence, and just a little more peace of mind. * Final Thoughts Order tracking in Apple Wallet is no longer a forgotten experiment. With the right setup, it becomes a quiet assistant that keeps your deliveries organized and accessible. It is not perfect, and not every merchant is supported, but when it works, it works beautifully. For more Sunday Edition Tech Spotlights like this, visit my Substack and explore more tools, tips, and conversations designed with accessibility and real-world use in mind. ***** ** Here and There by Sharon Lovering 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. * New Version of the BrailleNote HumanWare has recently launched its new BrailleNote evolve -- a breakthrough in accessible technology and a new era of braille computing. BrailleNote evolve is a braille-first, all-in-one companion computer, designed to grow with you. It is built on Windows 11 Pro and powered by the trusted KeySoft experience, it brings together the simplicity of braille with the power and flexibility of a full computer. Thanks to collaboration with Vispero, BrailleNote evolve can now be used with JAWS, offering users the option of a powerful, widely trusted screen reader for even greater flexibility and opportunity. For more information, visit https://store.humanware.com/hus/braillenote-evolve-32.html, or call 1-800-722-3393. * Essentially Braille Now Offers Repairs Essentially Braille has always been well known for their fair prices and transcription products. They now offer braille writer, braille display, and some limited embosser repairs. Repairman Benjamin Drew does fair work for a fair price. Essentially Braille 7478 Sulphur Rd. Sulphur, KY 40070 Office: (502) 706-5007 Benjamin Drew, Repairs@essentiallybraille.com Also, to keep prices fair, we accept donations of old braille writers (working or not), braille displays (even if they don't work), and certain embossers that are no longer in service. Send your items to the address above or contact us for more information. Receiving these items allow us to help others without having to charge for parts. * Introducing the Perkins Braille Bloom Perkins School for the Blind recently announced the release of the Perkins Braille Bloom (TM), designed to connect the Perkins Brailler to the Internet. By clipping the Perkins Braille Bloom onto the bottom of a classic Perkins Brailler, a Perkins Brailler can be connected to the Internet via USB or Bluetooth and become a plug-and-play braille keyboard for any computer, tablet or mobile device. Key features include: • Powers braille literacy: Brings children's braille learning to life on any screen • Classroom integration: Powers braille instruction for any teacher in real time • Protects the warranty: The only official accessory to the Perkins Brailler • Universal compatibility: Works with smartphones, tablets and computers • Seamless setup: Connects via Bluetooth 5.0 or USB; no special apps or drivers required For more information, visit Perkins.org/Bloom. * Why Not Me? "Why Not Me?" follows Christopher as he comes out of a state of limbo: being half-alive and half-resting for a while longer than a man would like to remain asleep. Even though time had stopped for him, it did not for others. So, when the coma finally ended, nothing and no one seemed to be the same. Feeling like a foreigner in his own body, Christopher tried to make sense of his new reality. The life he once knew was nothing but a blurry memory now. Was he able to leave that life behind? Did he suffer at the hands of the people he loved so dearly? Did he ever return to a normal life after he opened his eyes? A memoir of a blind visionary, of how a broken man experiences a rebirth and struggles of having to overcome a physical disability and a visual impairment to fit in a world that sees him differently, this book is bittersweet and achingly realistic. This book is available in hardback, paperback, and as a Kindle book, all on Amazon. Visit https://www.amazon.com/Why-Not-Me-Memoir-Visionary-ebook/dp/B0CLK3Q1SY for more details. * Searching for TSBVI Classmates Ryan Swatsell of Austin, Tex., is looking to reconnect with his classmates from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He attended the school from 1993 through 2003, and attended a mainstream school nearby from 1994 through 2002. You may contact him via phone or text at (512) 779-3103. * USA Goalball Men's National Team Competes at Berlin Nations Cup The USA Goalball Men's National Team delivered a competitive showing at the Berlin Nations Cup as part of their preparation for the Goalball World Championships, set for June 6-16, 2026 in Hangzhou, China. Team USA opened the tournament with a 5-3 victory over Denmark, led by Josh Welborne's three goals, while Christian King and Jordan Maine each added one. The U.S. carried that momentum into their second match, earning a 10-6 win over South Korea behind another standout performance from Welborne, who recorded six goals, with additional contributions from King and Matt Simpson to secure a 2-0 start. Advancing to the knockout stage, the Americans faced Sweden in a tightly contested quarterfinal, narrowly falling 4-3 in one of their most competitive matches of the tournament. In the consolation round, Team USA met South Korea for a rematch but was unable to replicate their earlier result, falling 14-7 to close out their tournament run. Despite the final results, the team demonstrated strong offensive capabilities and gained valuable international experience that will be critical as they continue their build toward the World Championships this June. * New from National Braille Press Now available is "The Book That Almost Rhymed," by Omar Abed. It comes in contracted UEB for ages 3 to 8. Another new title is "Love Found: 50 Classic Poems of Desire, Longing, and Devotion." It comes in hard-copy braille (one volume) and as a BRF. Over in the technology department, check out "3D Printing: What to Know and How Blind Users Can Make Their Own Objects," by Judy Dixon. It's available in braille (1 volume), BRF, or Word. Another new book by Judy Dixon is "Braille Screen Input." It comes in braille (1 small volume), BRF, or Word. For more information, call toll-free (800) 548-7323 or (617) 266-6160 ext. 520, or visit shop.nbp.org. ***** ** High Tech Swap Shop * For Sale: One Juliet Classic braille embosser and one Bookmaker braille embosser. Both machines turn on, but we are unable to test them further due to incompatibility with Windows 11. The Juliet was last used in 2023, mainly for creating labels on the sticky embossable paper. The Bookmaker was last used around the same time. Asking $200 each plus shipping. If interested, contact Sharon Lovering in the national office, (202) 467-5081 or 1-800-424-8666. Payment must be received before items are shipped. * For Sale: Several Olympus LS-100 recorders. The Olympus LS-100 is a portable, 8-track digital PCM recorder featuring built-in 90-degree directional stereo condenser microphones. Key features include 4 GB of internal flash memory; SD card slot for recording directly onto memory cards; external memory option supports SD cards up to a capacity of 64 GB; lithium-ion rechargeable battery; AC adapter with USB cable; and carrying case. Asking $166 plus shipping. Contact ACB's Minnesota office, (612) 332-3242, if interested. Payment must be received before items are shipped. * For Sale: Brand-new HumanWare Mantis Q40 Braille display/notetaker/book reader with 40 cells of Braille and a regular laptop keyboard. It is easy to use. It comes in the original box, with the carrying case. You can use it as a Braille display with a phone or computer, or for taking notes, or you can read all the NLS and BARD books with it. It has its own talking voice for notes and menus, etc. Or you can just use its braille display with the voice off. Very nice keyboard feel. Asking $1,850 or best offer. Email Chris at cs567eml@gmail.com or call/voicemail at (949) 257-2670. * For Sale: HumanWare Brailliant BI-20 braille display. Purchased in 2021. Barely used. Comes with original packaging, adapter and case. Asking $1,000 or best offer. First generation Victor Reader Stream. Seldom used. Comes with charger, strap, software CD, and original packaging. Asking $250 or best offer. Contact Brian Miller at (610) 500-4545, or email him, briantheinvincible@icloud.com. * For Sale: Orbit Reader 20 Plus, gently used, leather case included, in great condition. Asking $450; serious inquiries only. Also selling a Focus 40, gently used, only connects to PC via USB-mini, not Bluetooth. In great condition. Asking $450. Serious inquiries only. Contact Mike at vijafanye@gmail.com, or call (980) 253-9490. ***** ** 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 (1st 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. ###