The ACB Braille Forum Volume LXIV November-December 2025 No. 4 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 2025 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: Winter -- Are You Kidding?, by Deb Cook Lewis Advocacy in Action, by Claire Stanley A Look at the Hyatt St. Louis Arch, by Janet Dickelman ACB Media Holiday Auction Right after Thanksgiving Live Translation on AirPods: Conversations Without Borders, by Anthony Corona Literacy by Any Other Name, by Cheree Heppe Legal Access: Thanksgiving: A Respite from Workplace Rage, by Charles D. Goldman Remembering St. Kateri Tekakwitha, by Peter Heide Thanksgiving, by Anthony Corona I Wish I Could Shovel Snow Again, by Carla Hayes Snowplow, by Ann Chiappetta Holiday Recipes from Our Readers Affiliate News Here and There, edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins 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 January 2026: theme TBA; deadline: November 25, 2025 February 2026: Theme: unknown; Deadline: December 19, 2025 March 2026: Theme: unknown; Deadline: January 23, 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: Winter -- Are You Kidding? by Deb Cook Lewis I admit, our Braille Forum themes are a bit challenging, but this one might take the cake for me. As you might expect, articles are submitted well ahead of publication to allow time for preparation and formatting for ACB's magazine. Writing about winter hacks at the end of September, with temperatures at a warm 85 degrees while I am preparing food for a barbecue, makes it hard to imagine winter is fast approaching and scheduled to arrive before the end of the week. My husband says that here in the Lewis and Clark Valley (named after the famous expedition, not us), we get a full 12 days of fall. They are not necessarily consecutive either; I think we have already had two of them. Ice is one of the most treacherous aspects of winter in our valley, as it is in many places. Our first encounter with ice happens just a few feet from our front door, where a poorly placed downspout drips water onto the top of our driveway. I used to dump pounds of rock salt on this spot for years until I discovered a simple and effective hack: we purchased a textured rubber door mat, slightly raised off the ground. The mat is stiff rubber with slots where the water runs through. The water from the spout flows underneath the mat, but we can walk safely across it, staying dry while ice forms below. Someone mentioned we started a trend, because everyone else on our block with similar spouts now has a mat as well. I wonder if I should put one of these things in the holiday auction. ***** ** Advocacy in Action by Claire Stanley The national office has been so excited by the overwhelming response to the use of the Speak4 platform. If you are not familiar with the tool, the platform enables us to share a brief summary of a bill before Congress, then provides a letter template for members to send to their Congressmembers. By quickly typing in your address, the Speak4 system will direct your letter, either the pre-drafted letter or an edited version of your own with a personal anecdote, to the correct office. It's that easy. Every time I look at the response numbers, I am filled with excitement; you are all responding in great numbers. It is so important to let our voices be heard in Congress, and this tool makes it easier than ever. Thank you all for using the tool and letting your voices be heard. Additionally, state and special-interest affiliates are now using the platform as well. ACB can work with affiliates to create their own campaigns. The Bay State Council was the inaugural affiliate to utilize the platform. The Speak4 platform enables campaigns to be sent to legislators at the state level as well as the federal level. If your affiliate would like to create a state or topic-specific campaign, please reach out to Claire Stanley, cstanley@acb.org. Let's keep using our voices to tell our legislators how we feel about proposed legislation. * Active Speak4 Campaigns: Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act: https://speak4.app/lp/h7015nuz/?ts=1756984525 EDVI and See the Board: https://speak4.app/lp/sm01zs8u/?ts=1749836152 The Older Americans Reauthorization Act: https://speak4.app/lp/mh013ssr/?ts=1749834101 Disaster Relief Medicaid Act: https://speak4.app/lp/ju011nuo/?ts=1753193980 Disability Access to Transportation Act: https://speak4.app/lp/n1013sp1/?ts=1754056480 Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act: https://speak4.app/lp/9801enwx/?ts=1754592515 ***** ** A Look at the Hyatt St. Louis Arch by Janet Dickelman As you read this, the ACB board will be holding their fall board meeting. The convention committee will also be in St. Louis, wandering the hotel, visiting potential tour venues, meeting with organizations for possible volunteer sources, and meeting with the local host committee. The dates for our 2026 convention are July 24-31. Here is some information regarding the convention hotel. * Hotel Restaurants The Hyatt Regency Arch features five restaurants: Starbucks: Open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Brewhouse (Lunch and Dinner): Open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily Red Kitchen (Breakfast): Open Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Red Bar: Open 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily Ruth's Chris: Open Monday through Thursday, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday, 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Sunday, 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. * 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. Some fun facts about the city of St. Louis and the state of Missouri (reprinted from the February 2018 convention article): The state bird of Missouri is the eastern bluebird, and the state flower is the white hawthorn blossom. Missouri's nickname is the "Show Me" state; you will definitely see a lot and learn many new things during convention week. The state motto, adopted in 1822, is "Salus populi suprema lex esto." Translation: "The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law." Pierre Laclede Liguest, recipient of a land grant from the King of France, and his 13-year-old scout, Auguste Chouteau, selected the site of St. Louis in 1764 as a fur trading post. Named for Louis IX of France, the site was chosen because it was not subject to flooding and was near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. In the January issue, we will have a rundown of our 2026 tours. * Hotel Details Room rates at the Hyatt are $104 single or double, $129 triple or $154 quad, plus applicable state and local taxes (currently 17.92%). Reservation details will be available shortly. * Staying in Touch The conference and convention announce list will be filled with information. If you received updates for the 2025 convention, you do not need to re-subscribe. If you are not subscribed to the list, send a blank email to acbconvention+subscribe@acblists.org. For any convention-related questions, please contact Janet Dickelman, convention chair, at (651) 428-5059, or via email, janet.dickelman@gmail.com. May you have the best holiday ever, whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another celebration. Wishing you a season of joy, love, good food, and time with friends and family. ***** ** ACB Media Holiday Auction Right after Thanksgiving It is time to get ready for the 14th annual ACB Media Holiday Auction! The Holiday Auction will be held on Sunday, November 30 at 5 p.m. Eastern. There will be Sneak a Peek Appetizer Auctions on Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29. We look forward to everyone participating in the ACB Media Holiday Auction this year. Let's celebrate ACB and the holidays in style! If you have any questions, please reach out to Leslie Spoone at lesliespoone@cfl.rr.com, or call (407) 929-9837. Happy bidding! ***** ** Live Translation on AirPods: Conversations Without Borders by Anthony Corona (Author's Note: To receive daily reflections, think pieces, editorials and tips like this subscribe to Anthony's Substack.) I have been playing with Apple's new live translation feature using my AirPods Pro 2 and let me tell you, it is one of those things that feels futuristic but also takes a little getting used to. Think of it as the cousin of Siri, Translate, and your AirPods all rolled into one, helping you bridge the gap in those moments when you and the person in front of you do not share a common language. * How It Works At its simplest, live translation listens to what someone is saying in one language, translates it on the iPhone in real time, and then plays the translated version into your ear. You hear it in your preferred language and you also see a transcript on the screen. When you respond, your words are translated back into their language and can be read on the screen or spoken out loud through the iPhone's speaker. The important thing to know is that translation is not word by word, it happens in little chunks. That means there is a pause while the person speaks, then a moment later you hear the translation. When you are just trying to understand something being said, this feels pretty seamless. The challenge comes when you want to have a full back and forth conversation because then you are juggling earbuds, the iPhone, and making sure the other person can see and hear their side of the translation. Everything stays on device for privacy. Apple supports Live Translation with AirPods Pro 2 and newer, and AirPods with active noise cancellation when you have iOS 26 or later with Apple Intelligence turned on. * My Uber Ride Experiment Picture this: You hop into an Uber in Miami and realize quickly that your driver speaks only Spanish. You need to tell him to drop you at a very specific side driveway entrance of your building. This is the perfect chance to put live translation to the test. I set the languages in the Translate app, pressed and held the stems of my AirPods to start the feature, and told my driver in English exactly where I needed to go. My phone spoke out in Spanish a few moments later, and the driver nodded. He replied in Spanish, and soon enough my AirPods whispered in my ear. He asked if I wanted him to pull into the driveway. Success. * Tips and Best Practices Here is where things get interesting. If you just want to listen to someone else and understand them, it really is as easy as putting in your AirPods and letting the system do the work. But if you want to be part of the conversation, there are some tricks worth knowing. Ask the person you are speaking with to slow down a little at least at the beginning. This gives the system time to capture, translate, and relay before you both fall into a rhythm. Memorize a few key phrases in the other language such as can you repeat that and can you repeat that a little more slowly. These become handy shortcuts when the translation stalls. It can also be helpful to keep a running Notes file or document of phrases you pick up as you go. Add new ones when they come up in real conversation and practice them later so they start to become second nature. Download the languages ahead of time so you are not fumbling in the moment. Speak clearly and pause when the other person finishes so the app can catch up. Practice by yourself or with a friend so you can get used to the pace and latency before you really need it. If you are blind like me, turn off your screen curtain temporarily so the other person can read the translated text. Hold your phone in a steady way that lets the microphone pick up their voice without you accidentally tapping the screen and disrupting the translation. Think about placement so the phone is close enough to capture their words and angled so they can glance at the screen when you respond. One more tip: after you have completed your conversation, it can be helpful to review the translated text and practice a few of the phrases. A quick three finger quadruple tap over a chunk of text will copy it to the iPhone's clipboard history. From there you can paste it into Notes or another document to refer back to and use as practice. * Latency and Noisy Environments Live translation does a lot in just a couple of seconds, but latency is part of the experience. The system needs a small pause to collect the spoken phrase, run the translation, and play it back. That can feel like a beat or two of silence before you hear the other language in your ear. Noise can also throw it off. Busy airports, train stations, or those big raucous family dinners where you are just trying to get someone to pass the paella can all be tricky. The microphones may grab background chatter or clatter instead of the person speaking. In these cases, holding the phone closer to the speaker and politely asking them to repeat more slowly can make all the difference. * Final Thoughts Live translation is not magic. There will be moments of delay, misheard words, and a little juggling act as you hand your phone back and forth or tilt it just right. But there is something genuinely exciting about being able to have a conversation that would have been impossible before. With AirPods in and a little patience, you can turn that language barrier into nothing more than a small pause in the conversation. And that feels pretty incredible. ***** ** Literacy by Any Other Name by Cheree Heppe There is a staggering drop in literacy for braille reading in the blindness community. Could that have to do with the fact that it is very difficult to get braille? Braille books take up three times as much space as printed books occupy. They also weigh more; it's like carrying around huge, old tomes for just part of a book. Small, portable braille devices already exist with braille teaching materials and interesting books with note-taking capabilities. That access would improve interest in use of braille in practical, actionable ways by giving very portable, powerful, modern tools that interface with computers and iPhones and use a writing system that blind people read and use. Is it that we blind people have to realize that we don't have economic leverage and be grateful for any crumbs sighted people send us, even when it isn't modern and won't really do the full, competitive job? Or is it actually the case that blind individuals are not being trained to teach the blind, and sighted people sent to teach the blind don't know braille themselves and don't want to bother? I call BS. How literate would most able-bodied, sighted people be if they could not get access to pen and paper and, instead, carried around a notebook-sized slate board and chalk for any written communication? If kids in India and other places make braille displays and braille devices and get them to market, how is it that the United States of America keeps putting out the vibe that braille displays and notetakers that blind people already use effectively and readily in very small form factors, that offer braille in all sorts of written, mainstream access to articles and printed materials with them whenever we need it, remain out of reach? And those blind people have to be so, so, so deserving. No. No. And no. Braille devices are not like buying a candy bar at the convenience store, but they are available, and we should not be discouraged and prevented from getting them. Service groups should help us to obtain braille notetakers and displays. Use recordings, yes, use whatever works because we have to use all the tools we can get to achieve parity. Just try hearing your audio device blabbering in the middle of a professional meeting. Try listening to travel directions in really loud ambient settings, like train stations and subway platforms, where tactile contact with a braille display would give directions and information silently and effectively. Federal- and state-funded rehab services meant to bring blind people into mainstream work and living fail to provide necessary equipment and services. The gatekeeper mentality needs to go. There are blind individuals using these devices who have enough knowledge of what they do and how they work to keep devices clean, free of grit and in order, as that old expression goes. Blind people should have braille displays. Why not give blind people special equipment that directly benefits the blind? Where, in fact, are all those dollars going, if not directly to blind consumer services? ***** ** Legal Access: Thanksgiving: A Respite From Workplace Rage by Charles D. Goldman (Editor's Note: This article was originally printed in "Horizons," November 1998. We reprinted it with permission in the November 1998 issue of "The Braille Forum," and are sharing it again now. Those of you who have been with ACB awhile will remember Chuck Goldman as the lawyer who leased space in the ACB national office. He has since retired, and has a new title: grandpa.) Thanksgiving is the truly American holiday. In the tradition which flows from the Pilgrims, we take time out to appreciate family, friends, and a sumptuous turkey dinner. Thanksgiving at the end of the 20th century means taking a few days off work and driving to visit our loved ones who are dispersed in different cities. Along the way we encounter monster traffic jams, which sadly have evolved to encompass the phenomenon of the angry driver, "road rage." Let me suggest that "road rage" is not the only element of anger in our midst. There is growing evidence of similar feelings in the workplace, what I call "workplace rage." Do you recall the horrific instances of disgruntled postal service workers literally shooting co-workers? The situation led to the expression "going postal," to mean a worker who freaked out and took violent, even lethal revenge on a supervisor and co-workers. "Going postal" is the most extreme example of workplace rage. In the context of employer-employee relations, a new visceral anger is emerging. The new rage at work is not the Internet but anger. Workplace rage manifests itself not only in the lack of warm, friendly jobs but also in cases where employees challenge discrimination. The September 1998 cover of "Workforce" magazine, "Why Employees Are So Angry," with headlines reading "Griping, lawsuits and even violence are on the rise because there's a gap between expectations and reality." There are, according to author Gillian Flynn, "mountains of unmet expectations." That is certainly true for people with disabilities. Nolan Crabb, editor of "The Braille Forum," unequivocally states that "the day of being grateful to just have a job is past." He's right. It's been past for many years. Laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act have promoted a sea change in attitudes and expectations. Along with equal employment opportunity and reasonable accommodation should have come such basics as adaptive technology, such as a talking computer for a person with carpal tunnel syndrome or a vision impairment, and accessible communications, e.g. readers and interpreters, for people with communication-related disabilities. The expectation was that unemployment rates for people with disabilities would go down. For people who are legally blind or have other significant vision impairments it is still, conservatively, almost 75 percent! No disability advocacy group is hailing the ADA as a law which has led to full employment for its members who can and want to work. The rising of expectations in the context of our litigious society is visible in the process of redressing employment discrimination. A recent study conducted by Barry Goldman (no relation, never met him) of the University of Maryland, "I'll See You In Court! Why Employees File Discrimination Claims," documented the anger expressed by people filing discrimination charges at offices of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). EEOC is the administrative agency at which to file charges of employment discrimination under the ADA and other federal civil rights laws. Professor Goldman observes that 71 percent of the people who filed with EEOC felt "angry, mad, or vengeful." He observes, "When an employee perceives that he or she is treated unfairly, this may send a signal to the employee that the organization (or its agents) do not view him or her as 'just like them,' sending a signal of exclusion." He recalls for us the vivid scene in the movie "Network," in which the fired newsman screams out, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" Barbara Veldhuizen, deputy director of the EEOC Baltimore District Office, confirms much of what is in the study. EEOC gets calls from people in crisis, financial and/or emotional, to whom something bad has happened at work. That something bad can be a firing, not being promoted, or even not being able to take a planned vacation. The something may have happened just recently or may have been festering for some time. Often by the time the person calls or comes to EEOC, the person is anguished and frustrated at having been unsuccessful in trying to resolve the matter with their employer, as Professor Goldman observes. But remember EEOC is not an omnipotent workplace ombudsperson. It can only address statutorily based discrimination, such as race, sex, religion, national origin, or disability, not plain unfairness or even gross mismanagement. Also, EEOC's trained staff have large caseloads, commonly exceeding 90 cases, which does not bode well for the individual who wants and needs his/her one situation addressed NOW! The anger which Professor Goldman notes in a person in crisis who gets no relief from his employer and then comes to EEOC but who gets no relief from EEOC will not be dissipated. In fact, it may become rage. Before disability advocates run out to embrace this study, they should be aware of the statement by Goldman that says "... the ADA is unusually vague in several key areas including such key terms as what exactly constitutes a 'disability' and 'reasonable accommodation' ... These definitional vagaries may force employers to endure unusual amounts of uncertainty for years until the courts resolve many of these issues ..." Here the professor is clearly wrong. When the ADA was enacted, it built on almost two decades of history and evolution under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act related to those key terms. To reiterate such a biased criticism is totally inappropriate at best. There is constant learning, constant evolution in the workplace, as managers and employees cope with new dynamics, including people with impairments who, especially as a result of laws enacted in the 1970s, namely the Rehabilitation Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as well as the ADA, are actively striving to be taxpaying members of society. The increasing service orientation and white collar/computer-based nature of the workplace does not make reasonable accommodation impossible to provide or disability incapable of definition. As a society we need to take a good hard look at what these articles are highlighting. We dare not let Professor Goldman's error lead us to disregard his study or cause us not to discuss the issue. The worst thing we could do would be to continue to silently rage. Clearly, as "Workforce" notes, more must be done to bring reality -- not illusions -- to the workplace. As we pause for Thanksgiving, let us take some time for introspection, to reflect at the holiday. We need to grasp what is truly happening, what we each bring to the work (as well as dining) table, what each of our responsibilities are, what is realistic to expect from ourselves, our co-workers, our employers. How can each of us, in the true Judeo-Christian ethic, make the workplace better? Reality with humanism would be my motto as an employer. It is a creed which I think is consistent with the true meaning of Thanksgiving. * Postscript, 2025 As we move forward in the 2lst century, the reality with humanism spirit of Thanksgiving is even more important. That spirit embodies good will toward friends, family and co-workers. The opportunity to cocoon around a table filled with good food and enjoy good conversation is a respite from the daily grind and attacks on the workplace. Those attacks have included job cuts, especially to Federal employees and those working under Federally funded (grants) programs. Working at home as a reasonable accommodation, a well-established concept under disability discrimination law, is also under serious siege. As we celebrate and share the holiday, in addition to giving thanks, now more than ever remember, as Edmund Burke said years ago, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men [(sic) and women] to be silent." Let us all make the Thanksgiving holiday a catalyst to not be silent and to act to preserve and protect all that has been good (including in the workplace). Grandpa Chuck ***** ** Remembering St. Kateri Tekakwitha by Peter Heide November is Native American history month, and, as we approach Thanksgiving Day, we drag out the old stories of the Pilgrims and the two Natives, Samoset and Squanto. We recall that the Indians were the ones who taught the Pilgrims agricultural practices in the "New World." We revisit documents like the Mayflower Compact and rhapsodize over the Puritan Work Ethic. It's on the news. It's in our schools. It even creeps into our worship spaces: The Great Thanksgiving banquet. Yet, as we acknowledge the part Native Americans played, the focus is on "How the White settlers survived the elements and made this Great America possible." The story told tends to forget that this new nation was already an old nation of nations for the Native Americans who lived here. We gloss over the diseases brought by the Europeans that then ravaged the native population, who had no immunity. We remain ignorant of many of the atrocities inflicted on Native Americans. We even forget that Native American people had a major presence in the Eastern states before they were pushed West. Many of these Eastern native nations played a significant role in European warfare as France and England fought over control of what is now the United States and Canada, and later when the colonists fought the English. When I started looking for a Native American person who was of significance and blind, I discovered Kateri Tekakwitha (pronounced gaderi geda'gwidah). Tekakwitha means "she who bumps into things." She was born into the Mohawk tribe in 1656. Her parents and siblings died in the smallpox epidemic of 1660, which was when she lost most of her eyesight; hence her name Tekakwitha. Smallpox left her face so badly scarred that she covered her face to hide the unsightliness. In reaction to the violence of her time, Tekakwitha turned from the pain and suffering experienced among the Mohawks to a more hopeful faith life as a Christian after she met three members of the Society of Jesus when she was 11. Even among the Christians she advocated against flagellation and other forms of mortification of the flesh as a means of penance. When Tekakwitha was baptized, she was renamed Catherine, Kateri in Mohawk. As a child, Kateri had witnessed a brutal rape of a captive girl, and, in part because of this, she made a vow of chastity. She worked among the sick and the poor and found peace among a group of women whom she met during her life. Her work and devotion were so obvious to others that they named her "The Lily of the Mohawks." She died on Maundy Thursday 1680; when she died, it is reported that her face changed from being terribly scarred to a beautiful, clear complexion. (The lily is a symbol of purity.) She was beatified in 1980 by Pope John Paul II. After a young Native American boy prayed to her in 1981 and experienced remission of a flesh-eating bacterial infection that had temporarily made him blind. She was granted sainthood in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI, the first Native American woman of North America to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Today churches and community centers are named after her. She is not the only blind Native American of note, but she set the bar high for those who came after her. As we honor November's Native American history month, let us consider the major contributions Native Americans have made in our lives and remember St. Kateri Tekakwitha stood against the violence of her time and made a place of peace and healing for others. An historical fiction account of her life can be found on BARD, "Lily of the Mohawks," by Jack Casey, DB22440, read by Madelyn Buzzard, time 12:56. This book contains graphic violence, but it is consistent with enemy treatment of the time. * My Country My country 'tis of thee, This too we sing. Sweet land of liberty! Land where our fathers died, Victims of Pilgrims' pride. Yes, we still sing! -- DeAnna Quietwater Noriega ***** ** Thanksgiving by Anthony Corona Reprinted from "The ACB Braille Forum," November 2023. I can almost smell the pies baking, feel the heat of the oven radiating through the kitchen and wafting through the house. I can see the beautifully appointed table in my mind, and of course I can taste the dark and white meat. I can hear the cheering of the big game from the family room and kiddos playing with the dogs and counting the minutes until they get their pie and ice cream. Thanksgiving has always been a holiday for gathering and sharing, a time to reflect and give thanks for bounty and life. It's a holiday that can bring us all together in love and celebration. This year, as I ponder my thankful list, I remember those days past and those gone to a better place. I peruse my mind and feelings to lift and celebrate all the blessings I have been given. I remember my parents and other loved ones who made Thanksgivings past so memorable. I list the many ways my partner and our doggy family have changed me for better. I celebrate friends who make me smile, think and even drive me a little crazy, LOL. I also charge myself to remember I am blessed and some may not be so. I charge myself to reach out to those in my life who may not have the memories of bounty, who may not have a celebration to attend. I charge myself this season to reach out and share my love with the people in my life, both on the personal and the global. As we all give thanks this season, let us remember we are all blessed to have each other and the opportunity to carve another bird and slice another pie. This year along with giving thanks I charge my ACB brothers, sisters and non-binary siblings to not only give thanks and share the bounty around your tables, but to share the blessings with those around you who may not be as fortunate. I implore each of us to remember the spirit of this season and spread it around. The more love in this world, the better off we all will be!! And please indulge me as I thank each and every one who is reading this for your commitment to our organization and community. I am thankful for you all!! Happy Thanksgiving!! ***** ** I Wish I Could Shovel Snow Again by Carla Hayes (Author's Note: This is a poem that I wrote after my cardiologist told me that I was never allowed to shovel snow again.) I wish I could shovel snow again. Slowly, carefully, I would bend And shove the shovel under a big pile of snow And push it and heave it as far as it could go. I wish I could shovel snow again And enjoy that moment of accomplishment when Beneath my feet, I'd feel that vast empty space And know that the snow had once been in that place. I wish I could shovel snow again. Peaceful hours I would spend. Stillness and silence all around, Punctuated by faraway sound. I wish I could shovel snow again, And go back to the time when I was nine or ten And discover anew God's symmetry and truth In each long, fragile icicle hanging from the roof. I wish I could shovel snow again. Now all I can do is dream and pretend. I long for the breeze of the brisk winter air Gently blowing through my long blonde hair. I wish I could shovel snow again. I'd make a snowman who would be my friend. Even though I have no man, that snowman would be there. I'd let him melt my heart and pretend that he cared. I wish I could shovel snow again. I'd work my way down to the driveway's end. The snow and the ice would crunch under my feet And after awhile, I would reach the street. I wish I could shovel snow again. And not worry about the effort I expend And not think about my heart that might attack. I'd just shovel a path and follow it back. ***** ** Snowplow Prismatic chips clatter against glass frames blacktop and tarmac await the scrape chink-a-chink chink-a-chink chink-a-chink Steel maw cleaves the twilight, metal dentures rumbling. -- Ann Chiappetta ***** ** Holiday Recipes from Our Readers Nothing says it's the holiday season better than the food. Whether it's an old family recipe for cookies, pie, green bean casserole or whatever, it wouldn't be the holiday season without it. Below are some of our readers' favorite holiday recipes. * Corn Casserole Submitted by Scott Thornhill 1 can cream-style corn 1 can whole corn, undrained 1 box Jiffy Corn Muffin mix 8 oz. sour cream 1 stick butter or margarine, melted 2 eggs, slightly beaten Mix all together, pour into 13" x 9" pan, and bake at 350°F for 45 to 55 minutes (325° if using a glass pan). You can add sugar to taste, as well as cayenne pepper. If you have a big crowd coming, double the recipe. * Chickpea Salad 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped 1/2 green/red/yellow pepper chopped (or a mix of the three) 1 Tbsp. white vinegar 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1 clove garlic, minced Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 can (16 oz.) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained 1/3 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (I use a small can of diced tomatoes instead, drained, any flavor) 2-3 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley or tarragon 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice Bring a small sauce pan of water to a boil. Add the onion, and cook 30 seconds. Drain, and toss with white wine vinegar. Mix together the red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper and gradually whisk in the oil. Toss the chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, and onion with the dressing and let marinade 1 hour. Add the chopped parsley or tarragon and lemon juice, toss to mix, and serve at room temperature. * Cherry Jell-O Salad 1 large pkg. (6 ounces) cherry Jell-O 2 cups boiling water 1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple, undrained 1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling Mix all together and refrigerate several hours to let it set. Cut into squares. * Vegetable Salad This recipe could be cut in half if you are serving a smaller group of people. 5 cups chopped broccoli florets 5 cups chopped cauliflower florets 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup raisins or cranberries 2/3 cup minced onion 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup mayonnaise 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar or raspberry vinegar 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled, or 1/2 cup bacon bits 1/4 cup shelled, toasted sunflower seeds Chop broccoli and cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, add vegetables, cheese, raisins, minced onions and mix well. In another bowl, combine sugar, vinegar and mayonnaise. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until all vegetables are coated well. Sprinkle the bacon and sunflower seeds over the top. Tip: This salad can be made ahead; add the bacon and sunflower seeds just before serving * 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Donuts by Brittanie Pyper Servings 20 Donuts Reprinted From Simplistically Living You'll need: Piping bags Domino powdered confectioners sugar Pure Vermont maple syrup Canned organic pumpkin puree Betty Crocker Super Moist Spice Cake Mix Wilton non-stick 6-cavity donut baking pans Cooking spray For The Pumpkin Donuts: 1 box spice cake mix, 15.25 oz. 1 cup pumpkin puree 1/3 cup heavy cream For The Maple Glaze: 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 2 Tablespoons maple syrup 4-6 Tablespoons heavy cream Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a doughnut pan with cooking spray. Mix together the cake mix, pumpkin puree, and heavy cream in a large mixing bowl with a hand or stand mixer until combined. The batter will be thick. Using a piping bag, pipe batter into each donut well, filling it about 1/2 full of batter. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and the top of the donuts bounce back if gently tapped. Remove the donuts from the oven and allow them to cool for 3-5 minutes before turning them out onto a cooling rack. Allow the donuts to cool completely, and then make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and maple syrup in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Gradually pour in the heavy cream, 1 Tablespoon at a time, until you reach a thick, spreadable consistency. Spread frosting onto the top of each donut. Serve and enjoy. * If making mini donuts, bake at 350 degrees for 5 to 7 minutes. * Pumpkin Spice Pancakes From The Seeing Eye Yield: 8 – 10 pancakes Celebrate autumn with these delicious pumpkin and spice pancakes topped with warm maple syrup and a dollop of fresh whipped cream. 2 cups pancake mix of choice 1 Tablespoon brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/4 cups milk (or more as needed) 3/4 cup pure pumpkin puree Whipped cream and pure maple syrup for topping In a large bowl, whisk together the pancake mix, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt until well blended. In a separate bowl, combine the milk and pumpkin puree. Slowly add milk mixture to dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Batter should be thick and lumpy. Lightly grease griddle with oil and heat on medium-high. Drop 1/3 cup batter onto griddle and cook about 90 seconds until pancakes are golden on the bottom and bubbly on top. Flip pancakes and cook about 90 seconds more until bottoms are browned. Serve with warmed maple syrup and a dollop of whipped cream. * No-Bake Peppermint Pie Reprinted from Princess Pinky Girl You'll need: One Oreo pie crust 1 cup heavy cream 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 2 8-oz. packages of cream cheese, softened 10 drops red food coloring 2 tsps. vanilla extract 1 tsp. peppermint extract 1/2 cup peppermint candy or mints, crushed 1 tub Cool Whip Crushed peppermint candy for decoration Whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside. Cream together the powdered sugar and cream cheese. Add the food coloring and vanilla & peppermint extract to the cream cheese/powdered sugar bowl and mix. Mix in the peppermint candy bits with the cream cheese/powdered sugar. Then, add the powdered sugar/cream cheese mixture to the bowl of heavy whipping cream and mix together on low speed until combined. Pour into crust. Top pie with Cool Whip and crushed peppermint. Chill for 1-2 hours or until ready to serve. * Turtle Cheesecake Dip Submitted by Nancy Christine Feela Prep 15 min. Total 1 hour 15 min. (including refrigerating) Makes 26 servings, 2 Tbsp. each Ingredients: 30 Kraft caramels 2 1/4 cups (about 3/4 of 8 oz. tub) thawed Cool Whip, divided 2 oz. Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped 2 packages (8 oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened 1 1/2 cups chopped Planters pecans Microwave caramels and 1/2 cup Cool Whip in medium microwavable bowl on high 1 minute 40 seconds, stirring after 1 minute. Stir until caramels are completely melted and sauce is well blended. Cool 10 minutes. Meanwhile, microwave chocolate and 3/4 cup of the remaining Cool Whip in small microwavable bowl for 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and sauce is well blended. Beat cream cheese in separate medium bowl with mixer until creamy. Add 2/3 cup caramel sauce; beat until blended. Gently stir in remaining 1 cup Cool Whip. Spread cream cheese mixture onto serving plate; drizzle with chocolate sauce and remaining caramel sauce. Sprinkle with nuts. Refrigerate 1 hour. Serve with pretzel twists. ***** ** Affiliate News * Kick Off 2026 with Nutrition 101: Building a Healthier You Submitted by Tammy Robbins & Becky Dunkerson As the holiday season winds down and we step into a brand-new year, many of us find ourselves thinking about making healthier choices. While resolutions may come and go, the start of a new year is still a perfect time to refocus on well-being. That's why the American Council of the Blind Diabetics in Action (ACBDA) is excited to launch our Nutrition 101 Basics Workshop in January 2026. This 10-week series is designed to encourage a happier, healthier lifestyle for all participants. Whether you are living with diabetes, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for new ways to eat and feel better, this workshop is for you. The program will take place on Thursday evenings at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, beginning January 8 and running through April 2. Each session will last no more than 90 minutes and will focus on a different area of nutrition and wellness. The full lineup includes: • Week 1 (Jan. 8): A Fresh Start – Introduction to Nutrition Basics • Week 2 (Jan. 15): Rise & Shine – Building a Better Breakfast • Week 3 (Jan. 29): Midday Magic – Lunch That Lasts • Week 4 (Feb. 5): Dinnertime Done Right – Balanced Evening Meals • Week 5 (Feb. 12): Sweet Balance – Desserts Without the Guilt • Week 6 (Feb. 19): Smart Bites – Snacks That Satisfy • Week 7 (Mar. 5): Move to Improve – Activity & Movement • Week 8 (Mar. 12): Mindful Moments – Eating with Awareness • Week 9 (Mar. 19): Tech Tools – Accessible Apps & Nutrition Facts • Week 10 (April 2): Cheers to Health – Celebration & Wrap-Up Membership in ACBDA is required to participate. Annual membership is just $10, which also includes access to our quarterly newsletter and other resources. Once your 2026 membership is active, you can register for the workshop for a one-time fee of $15 per participant, covering all 10 sessions. Registration is easy: simply complete the Nutrition 101 registration form on our website, acbda.org, or reach out for assistance if you need help signing up. The deadline to register is January 2, 2026. We invite you to join us for this exciting workshop series -- an opportunity to learn, share, and grow alongside others in our community. Let's start the year by investing in our health and building habits that can last well beyond the season of resolutions. * Discover ACB Families by Carla Ruschival Looking for a place to connect, share, and grow with others who understand the unique joys and challenges of family life? ACB Families is here for you! As a special-interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, ACB Families brings together people of all ages and backgrounds who value family, friendship, and support. Whether you are raising children, caring for loved ones, or simply want to build lasting friendships, you'll find a welcoming community with us. We host fun and informative Zoom calls each month. You might join us for a lively discussion on parenting tips, family history, technology topics, holiday traditions, or accessible resources. Our program meetings are held on the third Sunday of each month, and our business meetings, usually held on the first Sunday, gives everyone a chance to share ideas and help plan upcoming activities. Now's the perfect time to join or renew your membership! Everyone who joins or renews by November 30 will be entered into a drawing to win one of four exciting gift cards valued at $25, $50, $75, and $100. Don't miss your chance! Membership is just $10 per year, or you can become a life member for $100. A life membership ensures your support lasts for years to come and shows your commitment to keeping our ACB Families community strong. For more information, and to join using your credit or debit card, call us at (502) 897-1472. Or make a check payable to ACB Families and mail to: ACB Families, 148 Vernon Ave., Louisville, KY 40206. Want to stay connected? Subscribe to our email list by sending a blank message to families+subscribe@acblists.org. Come discover what makes ACB Families such a special part of the ACB community. We'd love to have you with us! * Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America (R) Sagebrush 2026 National BEP Training Conference Announcement Theme: "Sagebrush 2026: Randolph-Sheppard -- Celebrating 90 Years of Blind Entrepreneurship" The RSVA Sagebrush National BEP Training Conference online registration is available. The deadline for registering online is February 16, 2026 -- no exceptions. In-person registration begins on Monday, February 23 at 3 p.m. Registrants can pick up their hard-copy agendas, the Sagebrush bag, and other handouts. The "Welcome to Sagebrush Reception" starts at 7 p.m. The conference ends on Friday, February 27 with our special outing. NOTE: Special Sagebrush hotel rates apply from Saturday, February 21 through Saturday, February 28. Sagebrush Events: • Welcome to Sagebrush networking opportunity • Break-out sessions for BEP administrators and Vendor Committee Chairs, in person and on Zoom • Inspirational Speaker at Sagebrush Randolph-Sheppard 90th Anniversary Luncheon: Tricia Waechter, CEO, Blind Girl Designs • Hybrid Live Auction -- Would you like to donate? Contact Scott Eggen, Linda Allison, or Ardis Bazyn at rsva@randolph-sheppard.org. • Sponsors and exhibitors highlighting products and services • Special Friday outing. Join us for a fun end to the busy week. Invited Speakers and Topics: • National Automatic Merchandising Association • Rehabilitation Services Administration • Social Security Administration • National Council of State Agencies for the Blind • Topics: Updates for micro markets, iOS and Mac AI, Office 365 AI updates, moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11, Improving BEP Training to retain managers, combatting price increases, healthy vending options, benefits of generic machines, and vending machine repair. • Codes will be given at each session to validate attendance. Our expert speakers will meet your every expectation at this year's conference!!! The conference hotel is the Golden Nugget Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, a four-star conference center. Room reservations must be made directly with the hotel by January 22. Special Sagebrush hotel rates apply from February 21 through Saturday, February 28. Rates differ by tower, starting at $69 per weeknight at the Carson tower. A fee for one night's stay will be charged when you register for your room. If you cancel your reservation at least 72 hours before the conference, there will be no charge. A daily resort fee of $20, plus applicable 13% tax, will be added to each guest room account which entitles each guest to the following items: • Access to the fitness center for two people daily; does not include wet areas inside of the spa • In-room Internet access; up to two (2) devices per day • Printing of boarding passes -- at Front Desk or Box Office Only • Free self-parking • Two (2) free bottled waters per day, by request For hotel reservations, please call 1-800-331-5731. When booking reservations via phone, it is essential to tell them you are with the Randolph-Sheppard 2026 conference to ensure the room rates and other amenities are applied. All who attend the event in person and register by January 1st will have their name entered into a drawing for a free in-person registration for the 2027 event. Conference updates will be placed on the RSVA website, https://www.randolph-sheppard.org. For further information, contact RSVA by email, rsva@randolph-sheppard.org. * Iowa Holds 37th Convention The Iowa Council of the United Blind (ICUB) celebrated its 37th annual convention August 22-23 in Des Moines and via Zoom. Our luncheon speaker was Stacy Cervenka, newly appointed director of the Iowa Department for the Blind. Claire Stanley, ACB's Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, updated us on legislative happenings during her banquet speech. The Marie Hoenig Memorial Braillewriter award was presented to Raelyn Miller-Ramirez, a 6th grader at Sudlow Middle School in Davenport. Carol Flickinger of Rockwell City was presented with the Linda Dietrich Volunteer Award, and the Seliger-Slayton-Stratton long-time service award went to Arlo and Elsie Monthei of Des Moines. Elections were also held, and the following were re-elected to our board: Dr. Bob Martin of Cedar Falls (Vice President), Liz Soenen, Goldfield (Secretary). Directors: Donna Seliger, West Des Moines; Elantra Van Gorkom, Des Moines, and Don Wirth, Ames. Attendees enjoyed hearing from a variety of speakers and visiting with our exhibitors. We also welcomed several first-time in-person attendees and celebrated a significant increase in our membership. It was another great ICUB event filled with learning, fun and fellowship. ***** ** 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. * Social Security Administration (SSA) Update SSA has announced the addition of 13 new conditions to the agency's Compassionate Allowances (CAL) list. With the inclusion of these 13 conditions, the CAL list now includes 300 conditions in total. The CAL initiative accelerates the disability application process for individuals with the most serious diseases and medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security's statutory standard for disability benefits. The newly added conditions are: Au-Kline Syndrome; Bilateral Anophthalmia; Carey-Fineman-Ziter Syndrome; Harlequin Ichthyosis – Child; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; LMNA-related Congenital Muscular Dystrophy; Progressive Muscular Atrophy; Pulmonary Amyloidosis – AL Type; Rasmussen Encephalitis; Thymic Carcinoma; Turnpenny-Fry Syndrome; WHO Grade III Meningiomas; Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim Syndrome. For more information about the initiative, including a list of all CAL conditions, please visit www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances. * 2025 Touch of Genius Prize Winner National Braille Press (NBP) awarded the 2025 Louis Braille Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation to See3D, Inc. founded by Caroline Karbowski. See3D is a collaborative, volunteer, community initiative to design, print and distribute globally free 3D printed models for blind people. See3D is revolutionizing the way blind and sighted people collaborate to create tactile learning tools and therefore increase tactile literacy. Ms. Karbowski, who is sighted, is a certified braille transcriber and an O&M Specialist at Perkins School for the Blind. * National Braille Press Celebrates a Long-Term Employee National Braille Press recently celebrated employee Christopher (Chris) Devin for his 49th anniversary with NBP. Chris, who is blind, has worked as a proofreader since 1976. It is estimated that he has proofread over 836,000 braille pages. Chris is fondly referred to as the NBP human archive thanks to his phenomenal memory. He is still working full-time. Congratulations, Chris! * New from National Braille Press Looking for maps? These tactile maps and descriptions are in English Braille: American Edition (EBAE). Here's what's currently available (in alphabetical order): Alaska; Americas vol. 1: Canada & U.S.; Americas vols. 2-3: United States; Americas vol. 4: Central & South America; Bible Lands -- Old Testament; British Isles; California; Central & South Asia; Connecticut & Rhode Island; East Asia; Eastern & Central Africa; Eastern Europe; Florida; Hawaii; Illinois; Kansas; Maine; Massachusetts; Michigan; Middle East; Morocco; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York State; Northern Africa; Outline Maps of the World; Pennsylvania; Russia & former Republics; South Carolina; Southeast Asia; Southern Africa; Texas; Vermont; Western Africa; and Western Europe vols. 1 & 2. Now available: "Staying Safe: Tips and Tools for a Secure Home, Body, and Spirit," by Kim and Chris Nova. It is available in hard-copy braille, Word, or as a BRF. This book contains resources and tips to help those with low or no vision be safe inside and outside of the home. The authors share their technical expertise and personal experience with home security systems, ride-share services, and much more. The book includes personal assessments of the accessibility and capability of various apps, websites, videos, and other digital tools, as well as ways to physically and mentally fortify against possible danger. Trying to focus on your health? Several new books are available. Check out "Safe & Easy Steps to Lower Your Blood Pressure," by Nutrition Action Healthletter. It comes in braille (2 vols.) and BRF. CookingLight's "Healing Foods: 70 Recipes for Wellness" is also available in braille (2 volumes) and BRF. And if you've ever wondered how to understand all the A1Cs, CBCs, etc. of bloodwork, take a look at "A Consumer Guide to Interpreting Your Bloodwork" by Dr. Daniel T. Wagner. It comes in braille (3 volumes) and BRF. Over in the children's section, take a look at "When I Am Old with You," by Angela Johnson, illustrated by David Soman. It's a print-and-braille picture book in contracted UEB, geared to ages 4 through 8. In it, a small child imagines being old with his grandpa. For more information about any of these books, call toll-free 1-800-548-7323, or visit shop.nbp.org. * New Guide Dog Product! Memorialize the guide dog that means or meant so much to you with Danny's Guide Dogs' Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd pewter statue -- complete with harness. The statue weighs one pound and is 4.5 inches tall, 2 inches wide and 5.5 inches long. The dog is in a sitting position, looking slightly upward. The front of the pedestal allows room for an optional engraved message. The statue is made with lead-free pewter and is produced by master craftsman George Kysor, owner of the Baker Art Foundry in Placerville, Calif. For more information, contact Dan Kysor at (916) 706-1431, or email him, dankysor@comcast.net. ***** ** High Tech Swap Shop * For Sale: One Orbit Reader 20 Plus, in very good condition. I'll make sure firmware is up to date. Asking $300, which includes UPS shipping. Or you can take your chances with Free Matter for the Blind. I prefer payment by PayPal, but I'll also take a money order. Contact John Wesley Smith via email, john.wesley.smith@outlook.com. * For Sale: Top-of-the-line OrCam. Comes with everything -- including glasses and scissors. Best reasonable offer. Also selling a Lyric for $1,600. It is 6 months old, and in perfect condition. It has been used 3 times. Contact Robert Lewis at (443) 414-9169, or shmebob01@gmail.com. ***** ** ACB Officers * President Deb Cook Lewis (2nd term, 2027) 1131 Liberty Dr. Clarkston, WA 99403 * First Vice President David Trott (2nd term, 2027) 1018 East St. S. Talladega, AL 35160 * Second Vice President Kenneth Semien Sr. (1st term, 2027) 8445 Allison Way Beaumont, TX 77707-1506 * Secretary Katie Frederick (1st term, 2027) 160 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Apt. 40 Worthington, OH 43085-2679 * Treasurer Michael Garrett (2nd term, 2027) 7806 Chaseway Dr. Missouri City, TX 77489-2333 * Immediate Past President Kim Charlson 57 Grandview Ave. Watertown, MA 02472 ** ACB Board of Directors Christopher Bell, Bloomington, MN (2nd term, 2028) Donna Brown, Romney, WV (2nd term, 2028) Cheryl Cumings, Seattle, WA (partial term, 2028) Peter Heide, Baraboo, WI (1st term, 2028) Gabriel Lopez Kafati, Miami Lakes, FL (1st term, 2026) Cecily Laney Nipper, Covington, GA (1st term, 2028) Terry Pacheco, Silver Spring, MD (1st term, 2026) Rachel Schroeder, Springfield, IL (1st term, 2026) Koni Sims, Sioux Falls, SD (1st term, 2026) Jeff Thom, Sacramento, CA (2nd term, 2026) ** ACB Board of Publications Zelda Gebhard, Chair, Edgeley, ND (3rd term, 2026) Deborah Armstrong, Milpitas, CA (1st term, 2027) 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. ###