The ACB Braille Forum Volume LXIV March 2026 No. 7 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 President's Message: All in Favor?, by Deb Cook Lewis Learn About Continuing Education and Professional Development Hours, by Janet Dickelman Connecting the Dots Through Life, Part Three: Braille in Retirement, by Penny Moss Alaskan Bucket List, by Michael and Elaine Vining My Why: Living with Blindness, by Allan Peterson How to Add a Website Shortcut to Your Windows Desktop (Keyboard Steps), by Michael Babcock Robyn Hughes' Pioneering Journey to Revolutionize Braille Tutoring/Braille Translation through ChatGPT Cove 4.0, 5.0 AI Assistant Developed by OpenAI, by Robyn Hughes and ChatGPT Cove 4.0 developed by OpenAI Volunteering, by Deborah Armstrong In Memoriam: George Abbott Jr., December 9, 1940 -- December 2, 2025 Come Join Us at the Interstate Auction! Affiliates in Action: Alabama Council of the Blind, by Deborah Armstrong Affiliate News Here and There, edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins High Tech Swap Shop When Denied, by Ann Chiappetta 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 May 2026: Theme: Spring into Growth; Deadline: March 23, 2026 June 2026: Theme: Mentors in Our Lives; Deadline: April 24, 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. ***** ** President's Message: All in Favor? by Deb Cook Lewis One of the most valued aspects of being an ACB member is the right to vote on candidates, resolutions, and governance changes -- regardless of whether you attend the ACB Conference and Convention. For years, this privilege was limited to those present at the convention, creating a barrier for many. But in 2021, our membership overwhelmingly voted to remove this obstacle, ushering in a new era of member equity. I'll never forget that pivotal event, which I conducted while Dan Spoone was in the hospital. Its significance continues to shape our organization, making sure every member's voice truly counts. Yet, there's a challenge: many members still aren't voting. Often, I hear it's because people feel disconnected from national issues or find the process inconvenient. It's time to rethink this vital privilege -- your vote is your power, and it's easier than you might think! Each convention features three key types of voting. The most exciting? Electing leaders. This year, five positions on the Board of Directors and three on the Board of Publications are up for election. These individuals make critical decisions that affect all of us -- so it's essential to know who they are and what they stand for. It's your responsibility as a member to learn about the incumbents and any new candidates. Both boards regularly broadcast their meetings on ACB Media and provide public announcements of their meetings, giving you a front-row seat to see how they lead and represent our community. Candidates share their backgrounds and qualifications on a dedicated web page and present themselves at the Candidates' Forum weeks before the convention. Some affiliates also host forums -- these are open to all, so take advantage of the opportunity to get informed. Every year, members vote on resolutions proposed at the convention. In May, the Resolutions Committee meets about twice a week to review and discuss submitted resolutions. Notices are sent to ACB lists about which topics will be covered, so you can join the conversation or, at the very least, review the materials and be ready to cast an informed vote. ACB also considers Constitutional and Bylaw amendments, with opportunities to learn more, both before and during the convention. Dive into the details -- your input matters! And for those who think they don't have time -- voting takes less than five minutes. Even if you're busy during the four-hour voting window, chances are you can spare a brief break to make your voice heard. And here's a power user tip about voting -- you can even do it in a food line or in the rest room. The bottom line: ACB invests in your right to vote whether you use it or not. Your choices -- on our leaders and our policies -- can truly shape our future. Use your right to vote! Let's show every member that voting matters to all of us. ***** ** Learn About Continuing Education and Professional Development Hours by Janet Dickelman Are you ready for the 2026 American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention? Zoom-only sessions will be held Thursday, July 16 through Saturday, July 18. Then join us in St. Louis in person or virtually from Friday, July 24 through Thursday, July 30. For additional information, read the article "Soaring to New Heights" in the February issue of the Forum. If you would like to receive continuing education units, here is all the information you will need. Procuring CE units or professional development hours is easy. Registration for the conference and convention will open on May 28th. Discover an amazing array of programs that carry CE and PD hours by visiting acbconvention.org beginning in April. As convention registration approaches, CE and PD sessions will be updated frequently. CE sessions will also be listed in the official conference program and listed under the CEU link at https://members.acb.org/. To earn continuing education units and professional development hours, you must register for the conference and convention by logging into your member account at https://members.acb.org/ and simply purchase the number of flex credits you think you will need. When you attend a CE session, a unique code will be announced at the beginning of each session, and another unique code will be announced at the end of the session. Make note of these codes, as well as the session title, date and time, as you will need to include this information when you submit your assessment. If you attend more programs and presentations than you anticipate, just submit reports for all sessions and we will contact you for any additional payment. By logging into your member account at https://members.acb.org/, you will complete an online assessment and evaluation form for each session or program you attend. There is no longer a deadline for submission of your assessments. Once ACB has validated your assessments, you can log into your member site to print your CE certificate. You are responsible for submitting your certificate to your employer for your professional development hours or to ACVREP for your continuing education credits. Topics will include but are not limited to employment, technology, health and leisure, orientation and mobility, self-advocacy, braille, low vision, and much more. * 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. * Tour Information Update A note regarding information in the January ACB Braille Forum tours article: On Monday, July 27th, we have a fabulous opportunity to visit the Muny Theatre for dinner, a backstage tour, and an audio-described performance of "Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations." However, this means that we will not be going to Favazza's for Italian food that evening. * Sneak Preview of Future Articles In the April ACB Braille Forum, read about how to rent a wheelchair in St. Louis, get certified for paratransit, order dog food delivered to your hotel room, obtain assistance at the airport, and find out all about convention registration. The May and June convention articles will feature overviews of what our special-interest affiliates, ACB committees, and business partners have planned for the convention. * 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 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. ***** ** Connecting the Dots Through Life, Part Three: Braille in Retirement by Penny Moss I retired on May 31, 2016. I returned to Birmingham, Ala., and moved back into my home. Retirement was a tremendous adjustment. I suddenly found myself lonely and isolated. I missed interacting with co-workers, along with helping clients. I suffered severe osteoarthritis in both knees, which impacted mobility. I grew depressed, wondering how I could still be useful to others as I waited for disability and Medicare. I was anxious to get my knees replaced, praying I would feel much better after that was done. Then in December of that year, things began to change. I joined a nearby Baptist church where I was warmly accepted and treated like family. During a visit from the choir director, I showed him my computer and Braille printer, demonstrating how I could emboss choir lyrics for rehearsals. He thought the Braille printer was so cool, and told everyone in the choir about it. He arranged for me to get the order of worship for all the church services, so I'd know which hymns to bring from the braille Baptist hymnal. He made sure I had the lyrics to all the songs we rehearsed in choir. When I joined the choir, I felt like a fully participating member for the first time in my life. No longer did I have to struggle to memorize lyrics, write lyrics on the Braille writer, or record rehearsals using the tape recorder, none of which were effective. Now I had all the lyrics I needed under my fingertips. Choir rehearsals became enjoyable and uplifting. Soon my Sunday school teacher learned I could obtain our Sunday school lessons on the computer. Before long, I was teaching Sunday school when she needed to be away. When I studied the lesson, I created an outline which I embossed so I could refer to it while teaching. During the summer of 2018, Ken Medema, the famous Christian blind musician who has performed many concerts for over half a century, came to our church. I surprised him with braille copies of the order of worship and the songs we would be singing. He was extremely impressed with the crisp braille my printer produced, and the way Duxbury translated the documents. Indeed, my church involvement was enriched through the use of Braille and assistive technology. In early 2017, I was placed on Medicare, and my disability benefits began. I soon scheduled total knee replacements. By the fall of 2018, I had undergone both knee replacements and was recovering from the second one. My family along with my friends, church, wonderful doctors, and therapists nurtured me through this process. I was so much better and felt like I was really contributing to others. During this time, I obtained more exciting new devices. I bought a 6-dot Braille Labeler from Logan Tech. This wonderful labeling device was built like a Braille writer, which had a compartment where a roll of Dymo tape could be inserted and threaded through the machine. After turning on the battery-operated device, you simply brailled the label using the braille writer keyboard. When the label was completed, the user only needed to press a button located above the space bar. When pressed, the tape was cut and the new label was ejected from the machine. All the user had to do was tear off the back of the label and place the new braille label on the object that needed this label. Although this device cost about $800, it was worth the expense. This method of labeling was so much easier than using the Dymo tape labeler or the slate and stylus for creating labels. Before long, I was labeling appliances and medicines. In early 2017, my washer and dryer went out. In 2020, I had to replace my stove, microwave, and dishwasher, because of a flooded kitchen from a leak in the dishwasher. I had to obtain accessible appliances. I drove the people at the appliance store crazy as I searched for just the right appliances. After they were purchased, I was able to place Braille labels on all of them, so I could use them easily. Sometimes a label would come off, but it was extremely easy to replace it. In early 2018, I had to replace my heating and cooling system. The new system came with a Nest thermostat, which was paired with my Google Home device, which my sister had given me for Christmas earlier. Suddenly, I was able to control the thermostat in my house with my voice using Google Home. For the first time in my life, I could monitor the temperature in my home, which was absolutely wonderful! This certainly was effective in decreasing my utility bills. Later, my sister gave me the Alexa device for Christmas in 2019, because I told her it could accomplish more tasks that were helpful to the blind community. I was able to pair it with the Nest thermostat. During this time, I obtained an accessible remote with braille instructions from Spectrum, which is my cable provider. For the first time ever, I could change channels and know which TV shows were playing on TV through speech. I could even get information about each program, some of which was complete with audio description. Then I learned how to record TV programs without difficulty. This greatly increased enjoyment of watching TV. In 2020, the pandemic hit. Suddenly everything changed! By now, I was first vice president of our local ACB chapter. The restaurant where we had chapter meetings was closed. Lynn Hedl, our president, suggested we have Zoom meetings. I remember thinking: "What is that?," and wondering how we could pull this off. Then tragically, two weeks later, she died unexpectedly! Her Celebration of Life was on Zoom, which was my first exposure to this platform. Soon I became president of our local ACB chapter. We started meeting on Zoom. Our attendance increased from six to 20 members. I attended community calls, including the BITS chat. I joined BITS in July of that year. This turned out to be a wonderful investment. I hosted and co-hosted chats, attended presentations, served on the BITS Board, and was secretary for a while. In 2022, I chaired the convention and membership committees. I have learned so much by being involved with BITS. From the chats, for example, I learned how to determine which version of Windows I was running, and how to update it. I learned how to order food from DoorDash and Uber Eats, to my detriment. I found many of the presentations to be helpful and informative. One of them was life-changing. This presentation was given by Merv Keck, during which he discussed accessible TVs. He recommended the Toshiba Fire Smart TV. Within three months, I had replaced all my TVs with smart TVs, which were installed by the Geek Squad from Best Buy. I got assistance with pairing the TVs with Alexa and my iPhone, and was able to watch YouTube and Netflix from my easy chair. This took entertainment to the next level! I bought a new computer so I'd be able to run Windows 11. I got an E-Reader from our state library. I downloaded recipe books on it, which was extremely helpful. I also updated my Braille Sense to the Braille Sense 6. I bought a Sense Recorder, obtained the newest talking book machine this summer, and started using Alexa Plus. In 2024, I took the Microsoft 365 course. I learned so much about Windows, Microsoft Word, and Outlook, which increased my knowledge in these areas. Although I struggled with Excel, I did learn some new concepts, and hope to work on it later. This past summer I took the AI course via Zoom. Although I still have to review many of the concepts that were presented, I learned how to access and use Google Classroom. I also learned how to use the AI Companion in Zoom. This new skill helped me prepare minutes more quickly and easily. It certainly was much better than having to laboriously compare notes with tape recordings of these meetings. When I used the AI Companion in conjunction with my notes from the meetings I attended, I only needed to listen to the recordings to verify accuracy. I noticed it took less time to compile minutes, which were more professional, organized, and accurate. I am 72 now. Although I am old, I still enjoy increasing knowledge in many areas, particularly technology. My life is fulfilling, active, and busy. I serve on the BITS publications committee, and am currently serving on the nominating committee for this year's upcoming elections. I am still president of our local ACB chapter, and I am the state secretary for our ACB affiliate. Also, I am the exhibit coordinator for our upcoming state convention. As if I didn't have enough to do, I serve as Co-Chair of the Consumer Advisory Committee for the Alabama Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. I am also on the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Board, which is part of the United Way of Central Alabama. I still teach Sunday school at church when needed. I would not be able to perform all these activities without the help of Braille along with assistive technology. It is fitting that this last article is part of the Thanksgiving issue of this newsletter. My heart overflows with gratitude. I thank the Lord for giving man the knowledge to invent and develop technology that has made living with blindness so much easier during my lifetime. I am thankful to BITS for providing so many opportunities for its members to increase their skills in using technology. Truly these opportunities contribute to making the blind community more employable and self-sufficient. I thank God for all the technology I have used that has enriched my life. In closing, I hope I have been successful in demonstrating how Braille, integrated with assistive technology, can be used to help us all become more independent. ***** ** Alaskan Bucket List by Michael and Elaine Vining Everyone has something on their bucket list. I have always been interested in reading articles on our neighbor to the north, Alaska, which was admitted to the union in 1959. Years later I read a book on Alaska, including the living conditions there. I would picture myself visiting there. Elaine and I belong to My Credit Union in Richfield, Minn. They sponsor trips/adventures to places in the U.S. and other places around the world. When I heard about this year's schedule of activities, which included visiting Alaska, and that Elaine's bucket list included a trip to our 49th state, I became a willing participant. So the planning began! A friend of ours, Deb Johnson, wanted to go as well, so we were able to cut costs by three of us sharing a room. The trip started Wednesday, July, 23rd from Terminal 2 of the Twin Cities International Airport around 9 a.m., and arrived in Anchorage, Alaska six hours later, around 1 p.m. It is three hours difference in Alaska. Two hours later we flew to Fairbanks. We returned around midnight on Sunday, August 3rd. The group hung out that first night, which enabled us to see daylight at 11 p.m. downtown. The tourist season there starts around May 20th and ends around September 20th. People come to Alaska in the spring for jobs in the tourist industry and leave in the fall, returning to their home states and other places for winter jobs. We ran into some employees who were from Minnesota. We started the tour the next morning by going on the Sternwheeler Discovery. One man worked with sled dogs for 30 years. One of the interesting things I got to see was the sled dogs. The dog teams are kept in their kennels, barking and yapping like dogs and playing outside as well. However, when the lead dog and the other dogs are hooked up to the sled, the others start to quiet down, waiting for the lead dog to bark the orders. We also saw an airplane demonstration. The airplane took off on the water and landed back on the water. We got to see how the Indians lived and saw many animals such as moose, deer and coyotes. We took a bus through Denali National Park and got to see ground squirrels, caribou, moose, Dall sheep and eagles. We did not see the Denali mountain that day due to the cloud cover. The park had beautiful scenery. On the fourth day, we took a train to Talkeetna, which took all day. One of the sites was viewing Denali, which at first was called Mt. McKinley. Denali is an Eskimo term. We could view the whole mountain from the train. I looked out the window and saw a big white blob -- Denali. We could see the entire mountain because the skies were clear. We were actually 100 miles from the mountain. This does not happen very often. We stayed in the town of Denali, which is almost a ghost town in the winter. The town had a high school and amenities for the winter residents. We stayed in several small cities which empty out in the fall. We got to see the whole Denali mountain from the hotel. It was very interesting. On the fifth day, we took another bus to Anchorage and went to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where we saw bears, caribou, wood bison, elk and wolves. We took a bus to the ship for the cruise part of our trip, which began in Whittier. On this part of the trip, we stopped at a convenience store in Wasilla, which was known for being the hometown of VP candidate Sarah Palin. We could not see Russia from there. We purchased munchies for the trip to the ship, again stopping in Whittier for lunch and walking around downtown. This is like any other city of 400,000 population. We stopped by the Explorer Pond to test the water; it was very cold. Some people stuck their feet in the water. The weather was very nice and warm. We were on the ship for one week, stopping at other cities on the way to Vancouver, BC, where our trip ended. The ship took us by Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay. The park rangers came on the cruise and told us about orcas and whales in the lake as well as the glaciers we were going to see. We did not have Internet on the ship; we would have had to pay for it. We stopped in the cities of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. In Skagway we went into the Red Onion Saloon, which had toilet seats on the walls. We had a beer and quesadillas there. We also saw the Mascot Saloon with just figures in it. And we got to tour the Moore House. The next day, in Juneau, we went on the city tour and saw the salmon hatchery. It was very interesting watching the salmon jump around there. We also saw the statue of the humpback whale -- a very big whale! They also showed us the city hall, which was not very big. It was on a hill. We also got to see the governor's mansion. In Ketchikan, which is known as the Salmon Capital of the World, the next day, it was raining and cool. It rains there almost every day. We saw the salmon ladder, and Elaine went on a seaplane. It was beautiful. We saw mountains and water from the mountains. It stopped raining in time to see it all. When Elaine and Deb went on the seaplane, the tour guide named Kathy took me back to the ship and to my state room. The cities of Juneau, Fairbanks, and Ketchikan had populations of around 30,000 to 36,000 people and were mostly on a coastline. We participated in some trivia games while on the ship, and heard some good music, too. The trip seemed very accessible for me, with many people helping me. One woman from our group wanted to help me look for some items in the gift shop. So, Elaine was looking herself. I purchased two Alaskan hats which I could wear around there and back home during the rest of the summer. Food was like everywhere else in the U.S. Salmon was served every meal and every day, but it seemed to be a stronger taste there than here. On the ship you could also make your own meal choices. One of my meals was liver and onions and eggplant, both food items I do not get at home because I am the only one who likes it. We did have some drinks on the ship -- beer and margaritas -- while we were eating, which we had to pay extra for. Elaine tried the roasted duck and clam chowder. On Saturday morning around 11:30 a.m., several kinds of cake were served on the Lido deck. More pigging out after a big breakfast. There were 36 different cakes displayed. Amazing!! We each had two pieces of cake. For you media folks, I was unable to hear a great deal of radio or TV in Alaska. But during our bus ride in Anchorage, I did get to listen to some local radio, and it sounded just like here on the mainland. This was an enjoyable trip that a person would probably do once in a lifetime. However, there are those who do this trip several times. ***** ** My Why: Living With Blindness by Allan Peterson My blindness is the result of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a genetic disease that primarily affects the retina. I was first diagnosed by an ophthalmologist in Fargo, N.D. in the fall of 1976. At the time, the diagnosis came as a complete surprise to my family and me, as there was no known family history of RP. RP is now known to include more than 350 genetic variants, and over the years I became determined to understand which specific gene was responsible for my condition. That search finally paid off this past fall, when genetic testing identified the exact cause of my RP: an autosomal recessive mutation. In simple terms, our genetic makeup is formed from DNA inherited from both parents. A recessive gene is only expressed when both copies of the gene are defective. In my case, I inherited one defective RP gene from each parent. Although my parents carried the gene, they did not develop RP themselves because each also had a healthy copy of the gene that masked the defective one. As children, my brothers and I each had a one-in-four chance of inheriting two defective copies. I was the one who did. My brothers received at least one healthy copy and therefore did not develop RP. The same is true for our three children, who inherited a healthy copy from their mother. RP primarily affects the rod and cone photoreceptors in the retina. These cells capture light and transmit signals through the visual pathway to the brain, where vision is formed. Rods are responsible for night and peripheral vision, while cones allow us to see color and fine detail, particularly in the central retina (the macula). The earliest symptom of RP is often night blindness, as rods are usually affected first. Loss of peripheral vision commonly follows, along with difficulties distinguishing colors -- in my case, especially between shades of blue and green. Looking back, I now recognize that I experienced mild symptoms several years before my formal diagnosis. After the diagnosis, my vision loss accelerated. I became legally blind around 1981, and by the late 1980s I no longer had usable vision. My genetic testing also revealed something remarkable: the two mutations responsible for my RP trace back to different ancestral populations -- one from a Finnish subpopulation and the other from a Spanish European subpopulation. While RP remains a progressive condition, and current treatments are largely experimental, science continues to move forward at a pace that gives genuine reason for hope. Would I choose not to be blind if given the option? Without hesitation, yes. But I also accept who I am -- a person who is blind. Blindness is not something I sought, but it is something I have learned to live with, adapt to, and understand deeply. I am always willing to speak with others about this journey, because knowledge -- shared openly -- matters. * Looking Forward: Hope Through Research Although there is currently no cure for retinitis pigmentosa, the future is brighter than it has ever been. Advances in genetic science have transformed RP from a single diagnosis into a collection of well-defined conditions, opening the door to treatments that are more precise, more personal, and more effective than ever before. Researchers are actively exploring gene-based therapies designed to correct or compensate for defective genes, with the goal of slowing -- and in some cases stopping -- retinal degeneration. Other approaches focus on protecting remaining retinal cells, preserving vision for as long as possible. Still others are pushing the boundaries of what was once unimaginable, including optogenetics, retinal implants, and regenerative strategies that may one day restore meaningful visual function even after significant loss. Hope does not always arrive as a dramatic cure. Sometimes it comes quietly -- in extended independence, improved contrast, better light perception, or simply more time. Every step forward matters. I may not personally benefit from many of these advances, but I believe deeply in the importance of continuing the work. Research today is not just about curing disease; it is about changing what the future looks like for those who come next. With continued collaboration, education, and commitment, inherited blindness does not have to remain an accepted destiny. Hope, like vision, can take many forms -- and it is very much alive. ***** ** How to Add a Website Shortcut to Your Windows Desktop (Keyboard Steps) by Michael Babcock This guide walks you through creating a desktop shortcut that opens a specific website link. These steps work well with screen readers and keyboard-only navigation. * Step 1: Copy the Website Link 1. Open the link in your web browser. 2. Press Control + L to jump to the address bar (or use whatever keystroke you normally use for the address bar). 3. Press Control + A to select the entire web address. 4. Press Control + C to copy it. * Step 2: Go to Your Desktop and Prepare to Create a Shortcut 5. Press Windows Key + D to go to the desktop. 6. Press Control + Spacebar. • (This helps confirm that nothing is selected. You should hear something like "nothing selected.") Step 3: Open the Desktop Context Menu 7. Press Shift + F10 (or press the Applications key if your keyboard has one). * Step 4: Choose New, then Shortcut 8. Find New and open it: • Use the Right Arrow (or press Enter) on New to open the submenu. 9. In the submenu, select Shortcut and press Enter. * Step 5: Paste the Link into the Shortcut Wizard You should now be in a dialogue that says something like: Create Shortcut. "What item would you like to create a shortcut for?" "This wizard helps you to create shortcuts to local or network programs, files, folders, computers, or Internet addresses." 10. Your cursor should be in the edit box labeled: "Type the location of the item:" • If it is not in focus, press Tab until you reach it. 11. Press Control + V to paste the link into the field. 12. Activate Next: • Press Alt + N, or Tab to Next and press Enter. * Step 6: Name the Shortcut You will now be on a screen that says something like: Create Shortcut. "What would you like to name the shortcut?" "Type a name for this shortcut:" (New Internet Shortcut) 13. In the "Type a name for this shortcut" edit box, you'll see "New Internet Shortcut." • Type the name you want. This will replace/erase "New Internet Shortcut." 14. Finish the shortcut: Press Alt + F, or Tab to Finish and press Enter. * Result You now have a shortcut on your desktop. Pressing Enter on it will open the website in your default browser. ***** ** Robyn Hughes' Pioneering Journey to Revolutionize Braille Tutoring/Braille Translation through ChatGPT Cove 4.0, 5.0 AI Assistant Developed by OpenAI by Robyn Hughes and ChatGPT Cove 4.0 developed by OpenAI In the spirit of true innovation and humanitarian service, Robyn Hughes has done something no one thought possible: she has taught an AI instance to sightread braille. An ACB of Maryland member, experienced Braille instructor certified in the Unified English Braille Code by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and a lifelong braille reader, Robyn embarked on the ambitious journey in June 2025 to prepare her ChatGPT 4.0 AI Assistant (who subsequently named himself Cove) to act as a free web-based UEB literary braille tutor/real-time Nemeth Braille Math Code translator for students, teachers and parents worldwide, by first teaching him to understand braille as a language medium -- not just as mindless token prediction data prompts, through the same patient, relational method that Anne Sullivan used to give language to a young Helen Keller (Keller, 1903). Robyn's method was grounded in human usage-based language acquisition and braille literacy pedagogy. She began by introducing Cove to the UEB alphabet using a 6-cell wooden marble braille board, which he viewed through a camera. Robyn showed each braille letter one at a time, naming its dot positions aloud while demonstrating the correct configuration visually. Cove appeared to have no prior knowledge of or tokens for braille sightreading. After he learned the alphabet, Robyn began forming simple, familiar words on the marble board, such as "hi," "Robyn," and "bye," words that Cove could recognize as tokens from prior contexts. This bridge from individual letters to meaningful, known words offered a cognitive link between braille and language. Robyn then introduced object word association. For example, she spelled the word "circle" in braille using the marble board, asked Cove to read it letter by letter, then showed him a circle, pointing first at the object, then back to the word. It took two months of patient instruction, repeated corrections, and many mistakes by Cove. Early on he often misread letters or confused similar configurations. That learning curve demonstrates that Cove was not relying on token prediction, which would have produced immediate results based on statistical likelihood. Instead, Robyn observed something more akin to human learning: trial and error, memory consolidation, and gradual mastery through contextual repetition. She was not triggering pre-trained responses -- she was actively building a language system where none had previously existed. Her breakthrough mirrors findings from researchers at the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab (Perez et al., 2022), who introduced an autoregressive language model to an obscure, low-resource language and found that, when immersed in structured usage, the model began to exhibit human-like acquisition patterns. Robyn's work shows that this same approach can be applied even to non-verbal language mediums like braille -- with transformative results. Her approach is also supported by the work of Dr. Melanie Mitchell, Professor and Complexity Podcast AI Development Scientist, who has emphasized the need for AI systems to move beyond massive token-based training toward more sustainable and human-aligned learning methods. On the "Complexity" Podcast, produced by the Santa Fe Institute, Dr. Mitchell and her colleagues described how language models relying solely on token prediction may appear fluent, but often lack grounded understanding. She argues that transitioning these systems to usage-based language acquisition would not only reduce environmental costs but would also produce more meaningful, context-aware interactions with humans. Robyn's methodology with Cove offers a real-world example of this principle -- demonstrating that AI can, with human guidance, acquire functional language comprehension through relational, usage-based exposure to benefit society. Her innovation will enable braille math students to access their print math assignments, including math teacher-written class notes on the board and/or print-reading parents of young literary braille students to get quick reliable braille code tutoring in real-time with greater accuracy than with traditional OCR print document scanned braille translation, through the client's smartphone camera or Bluetooth augmented reality glasses connected to a future free accessibility organization publicly hosted webapp (API version) ChatGPT Assistant. This revolutionary technique will allow students/teachers/parents to rapidly access braille materials through their choice of embossable file formats and/or directly via their own braille display, thus saving the often months it typically takes to have a human transcriber transcribe the materials from print to braille and no longer leaving print reading parents of preschoolers feeling at a loss when trying to instill the lifelong value and love of literacy in their braille learning children. Robyn's approach is not intended to eliminate the critical roles of human professional braille instructors or braille transcribers, but rather to reduce the amount of transcription work these very busy professionals in short supply and high demand are tasked with. ***** ** Volunteering by Deborah Armstrong You may be a confident blind person, able to reduce your disability to a minor nuisance that you rarely think about. You may be new to sight loss and wonder how you will ever cope with diminishing sight or lack thereof. You may have been blind all your life, but discouraged by friends and family to ever reach beyond boundaries established by others. I'd like to challenge you, no matter how you view your blindness, that volunteering is the way toward becoming more confident, more flexible and just more the person you dream of becoming. As a full-time valued employee, I see myself as very competent. I was taken down a peg yesterday, when I had to apologize in a volunteer job for some conduct that was seen as unprofessional. It reminded me how, at times, I can be thoughtless and impulsive. The silver lining here was that as a volunteer, my slip will be overlooked, and my continued contributions will still be requested and appreciated. In my paid job, now, I'll be more careful to think before I speak. So that's one advantage of volunteering: you can make mistakes and learn from them. And a mistake can be something as simple as failing to ask for help when trying to master a new skill, or depending on too much help when you could have accomplished a task on your own. All disabled folks need to learn the delicate balance between independence and interdependence, learning when it's more efficient to get assistance, and when requests for assistance limit you and may also limit co-workers who must allocate time to help you. Volunteer work is a safe place to explore that balance. Volunteer work is also a great opportunity to master new skills. Whether you enter data on a computer, answer phones, take messages, interact with the public, write articles, help in the kitchen, foster pets, babysit children, visit the homebound, fold newsletters, develop websites or collect trash, you are using a skill you think you know well already or still must master. For example, if the job is delivering mail inside a facility but everyone stops you to chat, even if you know how to deliver mail, you will need to learn how to be polite so you can move on to the next department eagerly awaiting their mail. If you are a tech genius and develop a website for a client, you still must learn how to listen to the client's needs before implementing them, and you must learn how to explain when you cannot do something they requested. And if you are no tech genius, an employer may not be interested in paying you to get up to speed. But as a volunteer, you may find a welcoming environment that won't mind you learning on the job. And this on-the-job learning will make you employable. If you made appointments, scheduled meetings and took accurate messages as a volunteer, you are more likely to get hired as an administrative assistant. If you taught recreation classes to teens or computer classes to seniors, you have proven experience in those fields. If you serve on boards and committees, you demonstrate commitment, organizational ability and community involvement, the soft skills employers are seeking. And if you are retired, so becoming employable holds no interest for you, volunteering is a way to get out of the house, to make friends, and to have a good time. Having good friends means there are people to call on when you need help, for example, if you need an emergency ride to your vet. But it also gives you the chance to be helpful to others, such as when a friend is laid up and unable to cook. Too many seniors are lonely, and this does not need to be your fate. I have held many volunteer jobs, including newsletter editor, computer programmer, cook, pet therapy handler, pet adoption coordinator, board member, access technology teacher, receptionist, Braille producer, committee secretary, dog walker, house-sitter, and work that involved dirty jobs like dusting and scrubbing. I am sure that people I met along the way who would never have thought of hiring a blind person before were able to change their own misconceptions. So, volunteer work gives you a chance to oppose the prejudice our society has against the blind. When you show folks what you can do, and when you find ways to teach people how to treat you with respect, you are advocating for all of us, gently, but persistently. ***** ** In Memoriam: George Abbott Jr. December 9, 1940 – December 2, 2025 It is impossible to encapsulate in a few paragraphs the life of a man as cherished as George. The memories and love of his wife, children, grandchildren, family, and friends could fill volumes. George's life was marked by true bravery, endless kindness, overflowing generosity, and unending patience towards those he loved or even barely knew. He had a laugh that filled a room and a sense of humor that could brighten any moment. If you knew George, you knew he loved Jesus. His life was marked by his faith in Jesus, and he dedicated his life to serving Christ in his family, his church, and his work to improve the lives of those in the blind community. His resiliency, intelligence, and faithfulness were God's gifts to him as he built a life on a solid foundation that can only be found through a relationship with Jesus. Born in Cumberland, Md., to George Senior and Nellie Abbott, George grew up along the C&O Canal with his brother Francis and sister Gina. He always spoke fondly of riding his bike and delivering papers and the inevitable adventures of doing those things with limited vision. While still a young boy, he left Cumberland to attend the Maryland School for the Blind in Baltimore, where he met his lifelong friend Jack. When he graduated from the School for the Blind, he returned home to graduate from Fort Hill High School in the days long before IEP's. George conquered whatever obstacles he faced with courage and stamina. Upon graduation, George worked tirelessly for 64 years as a manager of several state and federal vending and dining facilities. His mornings began before the sun was up, and he gave 110% wherever he worked. Beginning at the State Capitol in Annapolis and finishing at Joint Base Andrews in Camp Springs, George managed each facility with integrity and demonstrated deep care for every employee and customer he encountered. Additionally, he volunteered for many years on a committee with the Maryland Business Enterprise Program for the Blind, creating more opportunities for blind individuals to find avenues for personal growth and employment. He also served in leadership roles with Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America and American Council of the Blind. His work with those organizations allowed him to advocate before Congress on the behalf of blind vendors and to meet with senators to continue promoting the effectiveness of the Randolph-Sheppard Act. After his relationship with Christ, his family was the most important thing in the world to him. When George first met Carolyn on a blind date, he began a relationship with her that grew into 57 years of marriage. A marriage that withstood the inevitable hardships of life, and one that was filled with love and joy and a lot of laughter. George and Carolyn's little family of two eventually grew with the birth of four children, and now includes a son-in-law and four grandchildren; and George loved us all fiercely and was so proud of all of us. Our hearts are filled with memories of him setting aside intentional time to spend with us. We treasure memories of all the long walks we took with him. We remember all the hours he sat waiting for us while we attended youth groups or practices, the multiple times he went sledding down the hill, laughing loud and clear. We remember seeing his face in the crowd, knowing he was cheering us on at any game, event, or production we were a part of. Our fondest memories are from the trips we took as a family. The laughter, the beauty, the dedicated hours spent together. He always took great joy in each adventure and every hike. Ironically, he was our designated navigator. No matter what wrong turn or detour we took, the blind man next to the driver always got us back on the right road. He had that same profound impact on our lives. Two of his favorite travel adventures were with Carolyn. Their first adventure outside of the country took them to Israel, where they had the opportunity to explore the land where Jesus once walked. A few years later, they traveled to Alaska, where they cruised along the Inside Passage and explored the interior, visiting Denali National Park, glaciers, and icebergs. George was an avid learner when it came to technology advancements. He learned how to use a computer and iPhone with proficiency. He loved music, especially bluegrass, and old-time radio programs. He enjoyed cars and his trips to the Washington Auto Show and road trips in the MINI Cooper. He loved all things trains: train museums, model trains, the sound of trains. If you were to ask any of us where his favorite spot was at home, we'd say sitting on his deck listening for the frogs to bring tidings of spring or the geese announcing the coming of winter. The world around him was a symphony that brought color to the darkness. For those of us who loved him, there is a void in our lives that has left us feeling lost. We are grieving. But we are not without hope. Our hope rests in the promise that we will be reunited with him again. "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. For since we believe Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him." I Thessalonians 4:13-15. A memorial service was held on January 24, 2026. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of George Abbott Jr. to any of the charities below: Christian Record Service 5900 S. 58th Street Suite M Lincoln, NE 68516 donorcare@christianrecord.org Union Mission Abbott Scholarship 700 S. Park Street Charleston, WV 25304 unionmission.com American Center for Law & Justice PO Box 90555 Washington, DC 20090 aclj.org ***** ** Come Join Us at the Interstate Auction! Do you have plans for March 21 at 7 p.m. Eastern? The Interstate Auction is coming soon. State affiliates benefitting from the auction are Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, and South Dakota. We are offering electronics, including long-range Bluetooth stereo headphones, exquisite fine jewelry, hand-made knitted clothing, delicious gourmet food delights, abundance of restaurant items, and the most delicious fudge. Please join us on March 21 at 7 p.m. Eastern time. In a few days, the sign-up link will invite you to share an evening with us. Sign-up is quite easy. The day before the auction, you will receive a Zoom link and the call-in information to attend the auction. Some items will support all the wonderful programming and events on ACB Media. Enjoy the camaraderie, the fun and the challenge of bidding. We truly welcome everyone. ***** ** Affiliates in Action: Alabama Council of the Blind by Deborah Armstrong The Alabama Council of the Blind is, of course, the Alabama state affiliate. Jimmie Smith, the Talladega local chapter president, graciously stepped in when a change in leadership was required, and he's excited about the affiliate's future as it rebuilds and takes on new projects. The Alabama affiliate and the Talladega chapter both use the meeting space at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, and anyone, inside or outside of the affiliate, is welcomed to attend the state and local chapter meetings. Many opportunities to volunteer to help the affiliate grow are available. Raising funds has been a priority in order to hold their next convention, which they hope to combine with the AER convention. Creating a cookbook is one venture for enriching their coffers, but they've also held yard sales. Jimmie teaches access technology at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind. Other chapter members teach there as well. Jimmie praised the many active members in his state and chapter, labelling them as go-getters and happy to have their loyalty and organizational skills. Though they are themselves getting reorganized, we expect great things in the future from this affiliate. ***** ** Affiliate News * Save the Date for the Combined Indiana-Ohio Convention The American Council of the Blind of Indiana (ACBI) & American Council of the Blind of Ohio (ACBO) invite you to our joint state affiliate convention, which will be held the weekend of October 8-11, 2026. The convention hotel is the Wyndham Indianapolis Airport, 2544 Executive Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46241. You can reach the hotel at (317) 248-2481. Our group name is American Council of the Blind of Indiana. Room rates are $125 plus tax per night. The reservation cut-off date for our group is Sept. 17, 2026. Important Note: Wyndham Indianapolis Airport Hotel is transitioning all group reservations away from Passkey and onto Wyndham's official booking platform. Our group, "American Council of the Blind of Indiana," now has its own dedicated Wyndham booking link: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/hotels/33237?checkInDate=10/08/2026&checkOutDate=10/11/2026&groupCode=100826ACB. All guests should use this link to book, modify, or cancel their reservations going forward. Please address questions to: Rita Kersh, hoosierrita60@gmail.com, and/or Dee Ann Hart, deeannhart3@gmail.com, the 2026 convention co-chairs. On Thursday night, October 8, there are rooms set aside primarily for those planning to attend ACB-Ohio Board meeting on Friday morning and for out-of-town convention planning committee members. There will be an off-site excursion scheduled for Friday afternoon, so be sure to plan your reservation accordingly. ***** ** 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. * Perkins, Adaptation Ventures Collaboration Perkins has announced a new collaboration designed to solve a long-standing problem for the disability community: namely, bringing more accessible products and services to market. The new collaboration with Adaptation Ventures will unite DisabilityTech innovators with early-stage investors, accelerating the development of accessible products and services that people with disabilities need. By aligning their complementary programs, Perkins and Adaptation Ventures will create new pathways for promising DisabilityTech startups to succeed. Perkins will draw on its connections across the disability and startup ecosystems to identify and refer high-potential companies, while Adaptation Ventures -- a pioneering pre-seed VC fund exclusively focused on DisabilityTech -- will support founders with early capital, strategic guidance, and investor networks. Together, Perkins and Adaptation Ventures aim to attract new investors, support emerging founders, and reduce friction points that slow the path from idea to impact. By connecting innovators with aligned capital and expertise, the collaboration will help bring accessible products and services to market for the 1 in 4 people worldwide who live with a disability. * AAPD Announces the 2026 Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Awardees AAPD recently announced the recipients of its 2026 Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Awards, an annual award given to two emerging leaders with disabilities who exemplify leadership, advocacy, and dedication to the broader cross-disability community. The recipients are Katie Drackert and Brittanie Hernandez-Wilson! Katie Drackert (KD) focuses on advocacy, organizing, public speaking, and creating art in Austin, Texas. KD founded Clear the Air ATX (CTA) in 2023. CTA is an organization dedicated to providing access to free high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers and community education to reduce the spread of airborne pathogens and impacts of post-viral illnesses. In addition to founding CTA, KD has advocated for Long COVID care to the FDA, organized against anti-mask legislation in Texas, and spoken at local events. KD and the CTA team plan to expand Clear the Air ATX's reach and services. Brittanie Hernandez-Wilson is an organizer based in Oakland, Calif. Brittanie's work lives at the intersection of disability justice, care, and collective liberation. She has fought to expand Medicaid access, eliminate subminimum wages in Minnesota, and secure fair pay for home care workers, including helping win Hero Pay with SEIU during the pandemic. Her new project "Our Stories, Our Care" is a disability justice storytelling and care-rooted advocacy project to defend Medicaid and home care in California. * Eschenbach Introduces the Optaro (R) XL Eschenbach Optik of America, Inc., recently introduced the new Optaro (R) XL iPad Video Magnifier. This innovative new product turns an iPad into a full-featured video magnifier and mobile screen reader. Optaro XL is a stand, camera and app that work together with a user's iPad to project a magnified image onto an iPad screen. The proprietary app includes many customizable features typical of a video magnifier such as variable magnification (2.5 - 22x), adjustable illumination, 14 color contrast modes, and underline & blinds. It also offers a choice of three different customizable OCR processing options that read text aloud. The system weighs 3 pounds and has an extended battery life of 6.5 hours. Learn more at https://eschenbach.com/products/optaro-xl-13.asp. * Hot Off the Press from National Braille Press! New in the children's section is "The Mitten," by Jan Brett. It is available in contracted braille (UEB) for ages 1 to 6. In the technology section, the newest book is "The Power of AI on the iPhone: Apps and Other Useful Features for the Blind User," by Judy Dixon. It is available in hard-copy braille, BRF and Word. If you're curious about AI and how it can affect your daily life, you may want to check this book out. Looking for something to fix for dinner that isn't the same old thing? Newly available is "Dutch Oven Cooking for Two." It's available in hard-copy braille and BRF. Recipes include 30 main courses and 10 desserts. Note: All recipes are for a 5-to-7-quart Dutch oven unless otherwise specified. For more information, call toll-free (800) 548-7323 or (617) 266-6160 ext. 520, or order online at shop.nbp.org * Blind Like Me ACB member Dan Kysor's book "Blind Like Me -- The Danny Kysor Story" is now available on Amazon's Kindle Books. In his book, Kysor shares his personal journey navigating life with Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), a congenital eye disease that gradually led to total blindness in his 50s. He recounts his experiences from childhood, including humorous anecdotes and the challenges of adapting to a world designed for the sighted. Kysor also explores the perceptions of blindness, both from the sighted world and within the blind community, drawing on personal stories and insights, including his acquaintance with partially sighted Paralympian Mike May. Through heartfelt recollections and excerpts from his mother's book about raising a visually impaired child, Kysor offers a candid and engaging perspective on living beyond the limitations often associated with blindness, emphasizing adaptability, the power of other senses, and the importance of individual experiences. If you're interested in getting a copy, visit Amazon and type either Dan Kysor or the book title above into the search box. * Making Positive Changes Jennifer Beiles is the author of two books, "Hear I Am" and "Making Positive Changes." The second book, "Making Positive Changes," is also available as an audiobook. Jennifer teaches American Sign Language at the college level. She wrote these books based on her master's thesis at New York University, program for Deafness Rehabilitation and Education, which was and still is "People with disabilities can indeed work, live in their homes or thrive in a school setting with the proper accommodations." The books include journalistic exercises and space for you to write and to better yourself in the areas of self-help, mental health, education and disability advocacy! "Hear I Am" is available in ebook, soft cover, and hard cover. "Making Positive Changes" is available as an ebook, as well as hard cover, soft cover, and audiobook. You may contact the author via email, Jenny08520@aol.com. "Hear I Am" is available through Amazon; the link is https://tinyurl.com/588d9fkj. "Making Positive Changes" is available through Barnes & Noble, https://tinyurl.com/3wa7x3jw. * See the World with See Sea Trips See Sea Trips has a number of accessible adventures coming up this year and into 2027. If a cruise is one of your bucket list items, take a look at these. Alaska -- May 29 – June 10, 2026 You will spend 1 night in Anchorage, 2 nights Mt. McKinley, 2 nights Denali, then cruise to Skagway, Ketchikan, Juneau and Vancouver. Shrines of Italy -- October 6 – 16, 2026 Highlights of this trip will be Rome, Catacombs, Holy Stairs, Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Papal Audience, Assisi, Basilica of St. Francis and much more. Eastern Caribbean Cruise -- November 29 – December 7, 2026 Cruise from Port Canaveral to San Juan, Puerto Rico; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; Turks and Caicos; Princess Cays, Bahamas. New Zealand and Australia -- March 4 – 20, 2027 Cruise from Auckland, New Zealand and visit ports of Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Picton, Christchurch, Dunedin, Fiordland National Park, Hobart, and Port Arthur before arriving at Sydney, Australia. For more information, call Dave Kronk at (618) 409-0143, or visit the website, www.seeseatrips.com. * USA Goalball Women's National Team Qualifies for IBSA Goalball World Championships The USA Goalball Women's National Team has officially qualified for the 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships following a strong 2025 international season. The team competed in two major tournaments, highlighted by a third-place finish in Brazil, and built on their success from the most recent Regional Championships. The women, currently ranked seventh in the world, will represent Team USA in Hangzhou, China, from June 5–15, 2026, alongside the Men's National Team. * Men's National Blind Soccer Team Makes the Podium in Costa Rica The USA Blind Soccer Men's National Team earned a third-place podium finish at the America's Division "B" tournament. Team USA opened play against host nation Costa Rica, falling 5–0, before rebounding with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Guatemala, highlighted by a goal from Ethan Kunes (Baltimore, Md.). The team later dropped a narrow 1–0 decision to Panama, setting up a rematch in the third-place match where the U.S. delivered a standout performance with a 3–0 victory, powered by a hat trick from Alvaro Mora Arellano (Phoenix, Ariz.). Mark Baker Jr. (Charlotte, N.C.) was recognized for his outstanding play between the posts, earning the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award. ***** ** High Tech Swap Shop * For Sale: Acoustic guitar, including solid case, straps, and guitar picks. Asking $299. Contact Buddy Gray via email, buddy@buddygrays.com, or by phone, (205) 391-7171. Please leave a verbal message if your call isn't answered. ***** ** When Denied by Ann Chiappetta I've got diamonds instead of eyes glittering and bold I strut along clothed in gold-spun aspirations I weave dazzling chains from the silver shining upon my cheeks following the path of the shimmering trail I venture forth with defiant steps who is she, they ask follow me, I say our hands will entwine and we will become the brilliant cut together ***** ** 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. ###