The ACB Braille Forum (R) Volume LXV October 2026 No. 3 Published by the American Council of the Blind (R) ***** * Be A Part of ACB The American Council of the Blind (R) 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 (R) Scott Thornhill, Executive Director Sharon Lovering, Editor 225 Reinekers Ln., Suite 660, Alexandria, VA 22314 ***** ** Table of Contents Advocacy in Action: Boot Camp, the Big Data Project, the ADA, and Telecommunications, by Grace Hart Thank You for Supporting the 20th Anniversary Auction -- Now It's Time to Look Ahead to the Holiday Auction!, by Leslie Spoone Happy 65th Anniversary, ACB!, by Ana Martinez Understanding Blindness, by Bob Branco The Power of Today, by Deborah Armstrong A Servant's Heart, by Cachet Wells A Leader Is ... by Patty L. Fletcher From Vine to Sip: Leadership Is More than the Pour, by Gabriel Lopez Kafati The Empty Chair, by Jennifer Bazer Vision and Balance: How Two Symbols Guide My Leadership Journey, by Kenneth Semien Sr. Thank You for Inviting Me to Use an Absentee Ballot, by Kate Chamberlin Passings ACB Membership Committee Seminar, compiled by Ardis Bazyn Here and There, by Sharon Lovering High Tech Swap Shop Beyond the Sightless Lens, by Dee Ann Hart 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 2027: theme TBA; Deadline: November 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. ***** ** Advocacy in Action: Boot Camp, the Big Data Project, the ADA, and Telecommunications by Grace Hart By the time this article is published, it will have been nearly three months since the close of the 2026 ACB conference and convention. However, as I am writing this in mid-August, the convention is still fresh in my brain. This was my very first convention, and I had a great time meeting people in person and attending cool sessions. However, this segment is called Advocacy in Action, so I would be remiss if I didn't address the many advocacy sessions we held at convention. First, Claire Stanley and I held a session called Advocacy Boot Camp. This was a great session for new and seasoned advocates alike. We discussed the three branches of the federal government, what advocacy looks like at each branch, and ways to advocate outside of the federal government. This includes using social media as a tool for advocacy (shoutout to Speak4!), as well as going directly to corporations to advocate when their products and experiences are not accessible. This session also included reminders to reach out to advocacy@acb.org for any advocacy needs. We rounded out the session with a Q&A and, of course, candy for participants. Jason Eckert from VisionServe Alliance gave a rousing talk about the data obtained from the Big Data Project, including employment statistics for people who identify as blind or low vision. One thing this session taught me is that I should have paid better attention in my high school statistics class! In all seriousness, the information that Jason shared was invaluable, and I know Claire and I will be using it when we meet with people on Capitol Hill. Next, our new legal counsel Brian Kempfer participated in a panel with co-panelists Chris Bell and Matt Handley surrounding the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Claire Stanley and Jeff Thom moderated this panel, which covered the impact of the ADA, what is in store for the fight for accessibility moving forward, and what additions could be beneficial to the ADA. This session was a celebration of how far we have come with the ADA and an acknowledgement of how much disability rights must be improved. Finally, our telecommunication and broadcasting panel brought together professionals from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and the National Association of Broadcasters for a discussion regarding the telecommunication and broadcasting landscape of today. These are companies and organizations that ACB has great relationships with, and our panelists were kind enough to do a Q&A at the end and take questions from audience members on Zoom and in the room. Overall, the advocacy sessions at the convention were incredibly informative -- I know I certainly learned a lot! Whether you attended in person, via Zoom, or you have listened to the recordings of the advocacy sessions, thank you for your participation and your advocacy! ***** ** Thank You for Supporting the 20th Anniversary Auction -- Now It's Time to Look Ahead to the Holiday Auction! The Auction Committee would like to say, "Thank You!" We appreciate all of the wonderful donations from affiliates, vendors, members, and friends of ACB. There were 225 items, featuring homemade goodies, jewelry, technology, and crafts. Your support strengthens our community and helps make a lasting impact on our everyday lives. Once again, thank you for supporting ACB's 20th Anniversary Auction with your generous contributions; we raised over $47,000. Now it is time for our annual ACB Media Holiday Auction, which will start with the Sneak-a-Peek appetizer auction on Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28, with the main auction being held on Sunday, November 29 starting at 5 p.m. Eastern. The deadline for descriptions and pictures is Monday, October 5, 2026. Happy bidding! Leslie Spoone, ACB Auction Chair (407) 929-9837 lesliespoone@cfl.rr.com ***** ** Happy 65th Anniversary, ACB! by Ana Martinez My name is Ana Martinez, I am 28 years old, and I am a guide dog handler. I work as a youth minister in Minnesota, and I am a member of ACB Next Generation. I've been involved with ACB since June of 2025, and my experience with ACB has been great! So why did I start getting involved, and what keeps me in the organization? In honor of ACB's 65-year anniversary, here are 65 reasons why I love ACB and why ACB is the blindness organization I am choosing to affiliate with. 1. ACB is a member-driven organization. I love that the organization is shaped by the members and not by a hierarchical government. 2. I feel welcomed at ACB as a devout Catholic. 3. ACB's approach to being family-friendly in their activities and programs 4. ACB has been the first national consumer organization of the blind where I've felt welcomed as a guide dog user. 5. The people who make up ACB are awesome! My first experience with ACB was at the 2025 national convention, and everyone that I met at convention was so welcoming, especially the Next Gen crowd! 6. Speaking of convention, I loved the activities geared towards guide dogs and their handlers! From a doggie playroom, multiple sessions regarding the guide dog lifestyle on the agenda, Deb Cook Lewis and her guide dog's convention suggestions on the agenda, info on emergency vets on the agenda, and much more, my dog and I felt truly welcomed! 7. Convention is just so fun! Sure, there is business involved, but ACB truly knows how to have fun at their convention!! From tours to interesting workshops, there was always something going on that didn't involve sitting in long and boring meetings. 8. Joining ACB was so easy! Back in June of 2025, I joined GDUI and ACB Next Gen, and the process was easy and straightforward; I filled out an application, paid my dues, and boom, I was a member! No need to be voted in! 9. Speaking of membership, I love that in ACB, people can actually vote to elect ACB leaders. That's right, we don't just get to say "Aye!" when voting ... No, we get a ballot and actually vote for individual leaders. 10. Affiliates care about individual members' preferences; we not only get our personal ballot to vote, but affiliate leaders when it's time for an affiliate vote regarding a candidate or a resolution, affiliate leaders honor the members' wishes, and vote based on what the members of their affiliate actually want. 11. ACB advocates for the environment to be more accessible for blind people Accessible pedestrian signals? Tactile dots in crosswalks and on train stations? We have those thanks to ACB! 12. ACB is a leader in audio description. Thanks to ACB, I can better enjoy movies and TV shows! 13. Candidates' Forum? Yeah, we get to hear from those running for ACB's board of directors before we actually vote for them. 14. Speaking of candidates, there are actually options to choose from. 15. ACB Community calls have something for everyone! Feeling isolated? Wanting to make new friends? Or wanting to practice your leadership skills? ACB has lots of community calls every week on a variety of topics, and they are always open to new ideas! 16. At ACB, we are encouraged to use all our tools at our disposal, including our residual vision. 17. I feel safe at ACB's activities and conventions. 18. ACB members have membership perks, including Bookshare discounts! 19. ACB does not tell their members how to be a blind person; ACB values all its members regardless of their blindness skills or lack thereof. 20. ACB's leadership changes every few years. This gives members an opportunity to assume leadership positions within the organization, and keeps ACB from glorifying the leadership, and from becoming close-minded. 21. At ACB, there are opportunities for everyone to serve and give back regardless of skill or other disabilities. We don't wait for members to be perfect, or to have everything figured out. Every member has something to contribute. 22. ACB does not adhere to a strict philosophy of blindness. This makes room for different points of view, experiences, and resources regarding our blindness. 23. ACB maintains its main focus and priorities on our common characteristic which is blindness. 24. At ACB, there is no judgment on how you choose to live your life. Do you use a guide dog? Awesome! Do you take paratransit to get around? That's great! Do you choose to be assisted at the airport? Fantastic! We all have different skills and experiences, and we are all welcome here. 25. ACB Next Generation affiliate! 26. ACB Next Gen membership perks 27. ACB not only advocates for things like employment and transportation, but we also advocate for audio description, accessible sports, etc. ACB recognizes that employment and transportation are important, but we are so much more than our work and getting around. We have hobbies and want to have fun like everyone else! So, advocating for sports and the ability to watch movies is equally important. 28. ACB convention swag bags. Imagine picking up your convention registration and not only receiving an agenda but also a bunch of goodies! 29. ACB convention T-shirts 30. ACB convention pins 31. ACB does not frame parents as enemies of their blind children. 32. ACB does not frame the general sighted population as enemies of the blind. 33. ACB does not frame blindness agencies as enemies of our cause or our organization. 34. ACB's national convention locations are different every year. 35. ACB's banquet speeches are given by someone different every year, making banquets more interesting. 36. ACB's Leadership Seminar has something for everyone. 37. ACB has state affiliates all across the country, making it easy for anyone to get involved. 38. ACB Media 39. ACB email lists 40. ACB has a bunch of interesting podcasts. 41. ACB's general sessions feel like a family meeting. 42. ACB has helped me become more humble. 43. ACB has helped me realize that a person's worth is not based on their skill levels. 44. ACB has given me a bunch of new friends! 45. ACB has given my guide dog Splash a few guide dog friends. 46. ACB has helped me realize that it's OK to ask for help when I need it. 47. ACB Community calls have given me a platform to express myself and help others. 48. ACB convention breakfast opportunities with different groups and affiliates 49. ACB Next Gen T-shirt by Blind Girl Designs! 50. ACB's Braille Forum! 51. There is a place for everyone to get involved at ACB's chapters. 52. All ACB's national board meetings are live-streamed for everyone to tune in. 53. ACB Mini Mall has great items! 54. ACB Next Gen's committees have a place for all young adults to get involved. 55. ACB's transportation committee 56. ACB's Dots and Dashes newsletter 57. ACB email lists 58. Guide Dog Users, Inc. shop! 59. ACB's convention program is well-rounded, and it is family-friendly for the most part, which I love! 60. Learning from fellow ACB members about the organization as well as techniques they use in their daily life has been great! 61. ACB has taught me that it's OK to not have it all figured out when it comes to my blindness. 62. ACB recognizes that our organization is just one aspect of our life; ACB members know that we all have other things we are involved in, so our lives do not revolve around ACB. 63. ACB has given me the freedom to be myself. I know now that I don't have to fit a mold as a blind person. 64. ACB's daily convention newspaper 65. I will say it again: ACB makes sure that safety is a priority in all their events and programs, including convention. ***** ** Understanding Blindness by Bob Branco During a late November phone chat, a very familiar topic came up which prompted me to express my opinions more strongly. Two particular blind people continue making the following accusations: Restaurants don't know how to treat blind people. Hospitals don't know how to treat blind people. Doctor's offices don't know how to treat blind people. This generalization frustrates me. I understand why some blind people have these bad experiences, but I need to say what I always say: There are a lot of sighted people out there who simply don't know enough about blindness. That is not a criticism. As blind people, we need to be proactive when in a situation that appears frustrating to us. Alan Dalton, a member of the Perkins class of 1968, put it best: There are times when blind people should provide teachable moments. During many conversations about this issue, it appears as though it doesn't seem to matter what these two individuals say or do in an environment where they are being maltreated. As a result, one of them suggested that the Commission for the Blind provide training sessions at facilities where it appears that sighted people don't understand blindness. I think it's an interesting suggestion, but here's my question. Does the Commission for the Blind have time? The Commission is a state agency providing services to blind clients. Do they have time to hear about which clients are not being treated properly, and where this maltreatment is taking place? No matter where we go, there is the possibility that a waitress, a nurse, an orderly, a doctor, a teacher, a secretary, or someone in another profession will not be familiar with blindness. This is where we are proactive. If it appears that someone doesn't understand sighted guide, patient advocacy, how to tell us where the food is on our plates, or any other accommodation, I would much rather work with these sighted people rather than criticize the establishment that they work for. Basically, it comes down to the individuals who provide the service, and not the establishment itself. I will gladly speak for myself when I say that for the most part, I receive excellent service at restaurants, medical facilities, and lots of other places. No matter where we go, we're going to have excellent service, decent service or poor service. Should the Commission for the Blind go out of its way to train all of these agencies and businesses about blindness protocol? What if all the people that the Commission trains leave their jobs next week? Does the Commission have to come back and do another training? I've often said that the major consumer organizations of the blind should continue to provide as much public awareness as possible where blindness is concerned. I maintain that opinion. However, I think part of this public awareness is to encourage blind people to do their own training. We certainly know how we want to be treated in society. However, a sighted person should not be criticized for not having enough understanding of what blindness is all about. There are many things that we are unfamiliar with. Is that something we should be criticized for? No. It just means we can learn what we don't understand. ***** ** The Power of Today by Deborah Armstrong I am a born-again organizer. I wasn't born organized. In fact, I got fired from my first real job because I was disorganized. I planned a horseback riding adventure for children with disabilities and forgot to schedule a bus driver. So when the day came, 20 moms and kids waited in front of our office for hours, and no bus ever arrived. That was five decades ago. Today as a born-again organizer, things like that do not occur! For me, the most powerful tool I use is my Today file. It's a simple text file that lives on my desktop. It could also live on your smartphone or even in paper Braille. Each morning, I look at my calendar, and enter everything I need to know, schedule or do into that Today file. Unlike a to-do list, I don't need a special app to open it. If I have a Zoom meeting scheduled, I put the link in there. If I have a phone number to call, I put it in there. If I have an address I need to be at, or an email address I need to respond to, it also goes in the Today file. I never put general items in the file like "answer email" or "catch up on returning calls." This file is very specific for today. Though I have to exercise, cook dinner and make sure the dog's water bowl is full, those are chores, and habit is what maintains them. The Today file is for specifics I need to complete a task. If I'm going to be away from my computer, I copy that file on to my phone and/or Braille display. For example, I had to speak at the candidates' forum, and my ride was late. But I had the Zoom link on my phone, so I didn't panic. Even though I wasn't home yet when the meeting started, I could participate on Zoom on my phone. As ACB leaders, we often have a variety of commitments we need to track. Plus, if you have paid employment and family responsibilities, there's even more. Take meat out of the freezer, call the affiliate president, schedule a ride for Friday, check in with a new member, email the neighbor, take out the trash, do that spreadsheet for the boss, attend three meetings, begin planning a celebration -- you know what it's like to have these jobs all awaiting your attention. But remember it's just today -- you might be able to put some of it off until tomorrow, and that's OK. You can only do so much. You need time for yourself, so being organized helps give you that time. If you spend just a couple of morning minutes creating a Today file, and remember to delete everything completed from it in the evening, you are less likely to forget anything you have to do that day or has to be worked on that day. For example, I might have a project due next month, but I want to do a little work on it today, so of course a note about it goes in my Today file. I might have to plan an event, but it's OK if I work on that over the weekend, so it doesn't need to be in the Today file. Long to-do lists can be counterproductive, because you spend more time making notes and checking off things on the list than you actually spend time doing things. They can also cause depression because you get overwhelmed by the huge list of unfinished items. That's why I like my Today file. It's quick, it's short, and keeps me efficient and effective. ***** ** A Servant's Heart by Cachet Wells The ability to conceptualize what it really means to serve goes beyond false words and temporary actions. The art of genuinely serving others with respect, integrity and accountability to every person must lead the way. Accountability in its highest form will stand in truth and for the justice of all. Boundless of friendships and unspoken rules that apply to only a few. A responsible measure holds one to a standard that cannot be bought. It's a culture in which people can trust those who are leading the charge. An awakening awareness that all of the puzzle pieces are shaped, designed, pictured and configured differently, but with the knowledge that they all work cohesively together to create something beautiful. Working together, with sincerity, to build and develop a community focused on continued growth and commitment is the greatest assignment of a leader with a servant's heart. Have the foresight that is open to actively listen. Engage with honesty. Learn the lessons only empathy can teach. Be open to solutions that yield positive results. And don't underestimate the power of healthy healing habits that can transform you as a leader to impact those you serve and the way in which you effectively serve. The impact of kindness and empathy is priceless and only requires your time and energy to offer to someone. Learning is half the battle. Listening is your greatest asset. But living as the example of leadership to which you desire others to emulate is the highest level of gratitude for your influence of servitude. Leaders: 1. Earn respect, not demand it. 2. Celebrate all contributions, even those that are diverse. 3. Be the example you look for in others. 4. Lead with respect and dignity. 5. Fairness is not about friendship. 6. Resolve conflict with integrity and fairness, without bias of person or position. 7. Create a culture where everyone feels they belong. 8. Value perspectives and feedback with intent to make meaningful actions. 9. Allow your words and actions to match. 10. The message you teach doesn't always come from your words. A servant's heart is representing as a leader others would want to emulate. "Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." -- Mark Twain ***** ** A Leader Is… by Patty L. Fletcher A leader is someone who takes the time to truly know those they are leading. A leader is thoughtful, caring, kind, and considerate of others -- someone willing to listen and take all sides of an issue into consideration before making decisions. To me, the word LEADER itself says something about what leadership should be. A leader: • Loves, • Examines all issues, • Acknowledges the needs and contributions of others, • Delights in the successes of others, • Excels in reinforcing positive growth, and • Raises the standards of the people, places, and things entrusted to their stewardship. Above all, a leader understands that leadership is not about putting oneself first. I never truly understood what a leader was -- or how to become one -- before I became part of the American Council of the Blind. It was during an ACB Leadership Conference that I was first bitten by the leadership bug. That experience drew me more deeply into the organization, and since then, I have never looked back at the kind of leader I once was without recognizing how much I still had to learn. When I was younger, I took on leadership roles, but I did not always understand leadership in its truest form. In fact, I continue learning what it means today. As I began observing leaders such as Cindy Hollis, Dan and Leslie Spoone, Sarah Calhoun, and, most recently, Kaila Allen, I began to grow. I accepted leadership positions. More importantly, I began thinking and acting like a leader not only while attending a meeting or working on a project, but in my everyday life. Sometimes I find myself thinking, "What would Kaila think if she heard that I said or did this?" That kind of accountability matters. The people we respect can become mirrors through which we examine ourselves. They challenge us to bring forward our better qualities while letting go of those that no longer serve us -- or the people we have agreed to serve. As I continue seeking leadership roles within the American Council of the Blind, its special-interest affiliates such as Guide Dog Users, Inc., and other organizations, I hope to become the kind of leader people feel comfortable approaching with their ideas, thoughts, feelings, and needs. But I hope for something more than that. I hope those I lead discover, through the work they are doing, leadership qualities within themselves. Because one day, I will step down. One day, I will hand the work to someone else. If I have done my job correctly as a leader, those who come after me will rise to the challenge with great vigor and strength, passionate energy, and a deep desire to take their people, places, and organizations to an entirely new level. Then, when their time comes, they too will pass the leadership torch forward. That is how leadership grows. That is how it blooms. And that is how it continues. ***** ** From Vine to Sip: Leadership Is More Than the Pour by Gabriel Lopez Kafati Leadership, much like the making of a great wine, is a long and intentional process. It is shaped by patience, vision, adaptability, and the understanding that extraordinary results are never achieved by chance. As someone who has served in leadership roles within nonprofit and advocacy organizations, and as someone deeply passionate about the art and science of wine, I have often reflected on how remarkably similar these two worlds truly are. The more I study winemaking, the more I recognize the lessons it offers about leading people, cultivating talent, embracing diversity, navigating adversity, and creating something that endures long after our direct influence has ended. Every great wine begins long before the first grape is harvested. It begins with the vineyard. A winemaker carefully studies the land, the climate, the soil composition, the drainage, the elevation, and countless environmental factors before ever planting a vine. Success is determined not simply by selecting the right grape variety, but by creating the conditions in which that variety can thrive. Leadership begins in much the same way. Before organizations can flourish, leaders must intentionally cultivate an environment where people have the opportunity to succeed. They establish culture before expecting results. They invest in trust before demanding performance. They create psychological safety before expecting innovation. One of the most fascinating aspects of modern viticulture is that the healthiest vineyards are rarely monocultures. Many vineyards intentionally plant olive trees, roses, lavender, mustard flowers, cover crops, fruit trees, and native vegetation throughout the property. These complementary plants attract beneficial insects, enrich the soil, improve biodiversity, reduce erosion, and create a more resilient ecosystem. Diversity is not viewed as a distraction from producing exceptional wine. It is recognized as one of the very conditions that allows exceptional wine to exist. Organizations operate in much the same way. Strong leadership recognizes that excellence is strengthened by diversity of thought, experience, culture, background, perspective, and talent. The strongest teams are rarely composed of individuals who all think alike. Rather, they are built from people whose unique strengths complement one another, challenge assumptions, solve problems creatively, and collectively produce outcomes that no single individual could accomplish alone. Just as biodiversity strengthens the vineyard, diversity strengthens organizations by making them healthier, more innovative, and better prepared to adapt to changing conditions. As the vines mature, they require constant care. They must be pruned carefully, trained onto trellises, protected from disease, and monitored throughout every season. Contrary to what many might assume, pruning is not an act of limitation but of empowerment. By removing excess growth, the vine can focus its energy on producing fewer but higher quality grapes. Leadership requires similar discernment. Effective leaders understand that saying yes to everything often means saying no to excellence. They establish priorities, remove unnecessary obstacles, help people focus on meaningful work, and understand that growth often requires letting go of habits, processes, or even traditions that no longer serve the organization's mission. Sometimes leadership is not about adding more. Sometimes it is about intentionally removing what prevents people from reaching their fullest potential. Harvest season eventually arrives, but determining the perfect moment to harvest is one of the most delicate decisions a winemaker makes. Harvest too early, and the fruit lacks maturity. Harvest too late, and freshness and balance begin to disappear. There is no universal calendar that guarantees success. Each vineyard, each season, and each block of vines develops differently. Leadership likewise demands sound judgment and patience. Every individual develops at a different pace. Some team members are ready for greater responsibility sooner than others. Some require additional mentorship before assuming new challenges. Great leaders resist the temptation to apply identical timelines to everyone. Instead, they recognize potential, invest in development, and know when the time is right to empower someone to take the next step. After harvest comes crushing and fermentation, perhaps the most transformative stage of winemaking. Here, grapes are broken open, yeast begins converting sugar into alcohol, temperatures must be carefully managed, and countless chemical reactions occur. What appears from the outside to be turbulence is actually transformation. Leadership often unfolds in the same way. Organizations inevitably encounter change, uncertainty, conflict, setbacks, and periods of intense pressure. These moments can feel uncomfortable, but they are often the very experiences that refine individuals, strengthen teams, and reveal hidden capabilities. Effective leaders do not seek hardship for its own sake, but neither do they fear it. They understand that growth frequently emerges through challenge, provided that people are supported, encouraged, and guided with purpose. Fermentation itself is a lesson in collaboration. While the winemaker provides vision and oversight, countless other contributors shape the final wine. Vineyard managers, cellar workers, laboratory specialists, equipment technicians, agricultural scientists, harvest crews, and many others each bring distinct expertise to the process. Every role matters. Every perspective contributes. Excellence is never the product of one individual alone. The same is true in leadership. Organizations thrive when leaders recognize the value of every member of the team. Success is not created solely in boardrooms or executive offices. It is built through the collective contributions of individuals with different skills, backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints working together toward a shared purpose. Inclusive leadership recognizes talent wherever it exists and understands that diverse teams consistently produce stronger, more resilient organizations. Once fermentation is complete, many wines continue aging in barrels. This stage cannot be rushed. During aging, the wine gradually develops greater complexity, softer structure, richer aromas, and deeper character. Time itself becomes an ingredient. Leadership also matures through experience. Wisdom is not acquired overnight. It develops through victories and disappointments, through difficult conversations, through mistakes honestly acknowledged, through mentorship received, and through lessons learned over many years. Leaders who embrace lifelong learning often become more thoughtful, more patient, more compassionate, and more effective precisely because time has refined them. Even after the wine is bottled, its story is not over. The bottle, the cork, the storage conditions, temperature, humidity, and the passage of time all continue influencing its evolution. A truly exceptional wine continues developing long after it has left the winery. Leadership leaves a similar legacy. The greatest leaders understand that their ultimate success is not measured solely by what they accomplish during their tenure, but by what continues flourishing after they step aside. They build cultures that endure. They mentor future leaders. They create systems that continue serving people. They establish values that remain firmly rooted even as new generations bring fresh ideas, perspectives, and talents. Like a fine wine, leadership is never simply about reaching the finish line. It is about cultivating something with the resilience to continue growing, adapting, and improving over time. It is about recognizing that excellence is the product of intentional cultivation, thoughtful stewardship, meaningful diversity, patient refinement, and shared purpose. Every person, every challenge, every perspective, and every season contributes to the final result. Perhaps that is why both great leadership and great wine leave such lasting impressions. Neither is created overnight. Both require vision, humility, discipline, collaboration, and trust in a process that often unfolds gradually. When nurtured with care, both possess the extraordinary ability to enrich the lives of others long after their own journey has begun. P.S. This essay was born from an unexpected intersection of two passions. Earlier this year, I completed my Champagne Specialist certification through Comité Champagne. Coincidentally, part of the training took place on the same day as a Board of Directors meeting for one of the nonprofit organizations I have the privilege of helping lead. Although I was fully immersed in the rigorous Champagne program, my thoughts repeatedly drifted to my responsibilities as a leader. During every break, I found myself reflecting on how remarkably similar the journeys of winemaking and leadership truly are. Those ideas became intertwined in my mind and have continued to evolve over the past several months. With the encouragement of my partner and with the participation of our closest friends, I recently produced the first episode of my new podcast, Sip and Learn with Gabriel. To celebrate its debut, I wanted to share this essay in advance of the inaugural episode, premiering on July 1st, where we explore and taste a selection of champagnes paired with complementary foods. So cheers to everyone who enjoys the world of wine, whether you are a winemaker, wine professional, connoisseur, enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates sharing a great bottle with others; and cheers to all leaders who, like great wines, continue to grow, inspire, and leave a lasting legacy. ***** ** The Empty Chair by Jennifer Bazer Every organization has an empty chair. Not because someone left. Because someone new is waiting to grow into it. Sometimes it's literally empty. More often, it's the chair waiting for the next chapter or affiliate president, committee chair, board member, mentor, volunteer, or convention coordinator. Eventually, someone will sit in that chair. The real question isn't who. The real question is whether we've been helping someone prepare for it. Too often, we think leadership development begins when there's a vacancy. A resignation. A retirement. An election. A crisis. Suddenly we look around the room and ask, "Who can do this?" By then, we're already late. Leadership isn't something we build overnight. It's something we cultivate over time. Looking back over my own life, I can trace my leadership journey to people who saw something in me before I saw it in myself. They invited me to serve. Trusted me with responsibility. Encouraged me to speak up. Gave me opportunities to learn -- and sometimes permission to fail. None of them simply handed me a title. They helped me grow into one. That lesson has stayed with me. Whether leading workforce development programs, serving in affiliate leadership, or working alongside members throughout ACB, I've realized leadership isn't about standing in front of people. It's about walking beside them. It's noticing the person quietly volunteering after every meeting. The member with thoughtful ideas who has never spoken at the microphone. The first-time convention attendee who keeps coming back, hoping someone will ask them to get involved. Potential rarely announces itself. It waits to be noticed. I've learned that many people don't step forward because they don't care. They hold back because they're unsure whether they have anything to offer. Sometimes the greatest act of leadership isn't convincing someone to serve. It's helping them see gifts they've overlooked in themselves. Sometimes all it takes is a simple invitation. "Would you be willing to help?" "I think you'd be great at this." "Would you consider serving on this committee?" Those few words can change the direction of someone's life. I know because they changed mine. Leadership isn't measured by how many people follow us. It's measured by how many people are ready to lead because we took the time to invest in them. That's also how communities grow. Strong leaders inspire strong communities. And strong communities help develop future leaders. Every invitation to serve is also an invitation to connect. Every opportunity to lead strengthens not just one person, but the entire community. When people feel seen, valued, and encouraged, they don't just become volunteers. They become invested. They become mentors. They become leaders who will one day invite someone else to take a seat beside them. Every organization has an empty chair waiting for its next leader. Our responsibility isn't simply to fill it. It's to notice potential, extend an invitation, and help someone become ready to sit in it tomorrow. Because one day, they'll be the ones inviting the person who comes next. ***** ** Vision and Balance: How Two Symbols Guide My Leadership Journey by Kenneth Semien Sr. I used to watch friends display their personal collections. Inspired, I asked them why they started collecting particular items. One collected unique dolls in honor of her grandmother's attraction to dolls. Another collected motorcycle replicas out of a love for sport. Others had no specific reason at all. If I started a collection, it had to be meaningful. I wanted it to spark conversations and inspire others, as well as myself. A presentation on the eagle captivated me. I related to its keen vision, mirroring my own desire to look beneath the surface and solve challenging circumstances. I also admired how it rises above danger, and I was reminded about soaring above obstacles and temporary challenges. I began my collection by placing miniature eagles on my office shelf. Visitors noticed them and asked about the display. I explained that they represented my drive to improve and achieve. Over the years, friends gifted me various designs, and now small and large eagles surround my home as I continue my collection. I resonate deeply with maintaining balance. Because most of us know what it is like to swing between extremes based on our circumstances. That instability fosters neither fairness nor peace. To keep that reminder close, I started a small collection of the scales of justice. A friend of mine gave me one of the greatest gifts when she handed me a neat table top design of the scales of justice that had an eagle sitting on top in the center. ***** ** Thank You for Inviting Me to Use an Absentee Ballot Dear Board of Elections, Thank you for your recent letter inviting me to use an absentee ballot. As a totally blind voter, I could put the ballot on my computer's optical scanner and read all the information, but then how would I be able to find the correct little box for my "X"? Once scanned into my computer, I could mark my choice and print it out; however, then it becomes a facsimile and a bit illegal to mail in! If I had someone assist me to put my "X" on my selection, it is no longer a secret ballot. I suspect that one machine could not possibly be able to meet all the needs of all the people with handicapping conditions. Why not develop a system whereby one could vote from their home computer or touch pad telephone using security PINs or secure electronic registration methods, such as are used for e-banking? Each functioning person with a handicapping condition already has adaptive equipment for his/her needs. Others can probably use a telephone. That would mean no transportation barriers; no use of fossil fuels; no trees felled for paper; and complete confidentiality. It might even cost a whole lot less. Thank you for your concern; however, until such a phone system is available, I'll continue to struggle with the handicap accessible machine that the Walworth polling location utilizes, in spite of its annual problems. One of these years we'll get it right. Sincerely, Kate Chamberlin ***** ** Passings We honor here members, friends and supporters of the American Council of the Blind who have impacted our lives in many wonderful ways. If you would like to submit a notice for this column, please include as much of the following information as possible. Name (first, last, maiden if appropriate) City of residence (upon passing) State/province of residence (upon passing) Other cities/states/countries of residence (places where other blind people may have known this person) Occupation Date of death (day if known, month, year) Age ACB affiliation (local/state/special-interest affiliates or national committees) Deaths that occurred more than six months ago cannot be reported in this column. * Michael Joseph Hoenig November 20, 1963 -- July 22, 2026 Michael "Mike" Joseph Hoenig, 62, of Davenport, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, surrounded by loved ones, following a long battle with cancer. A funeral service was held Thursday, July 30, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Burial followed at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Mike was born on November 20, 1963, in Ft. Madison, Iowa, to the late Adrian and Marie (Becker) Hoenig. Following graduation from the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in 1980, he earned a BA in psychology from Central College (Pella, Iowa) in 1984 and an MA in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Iowa in 1987. Mike devoted his career to advocating for the rights and equal treatment of people with disabilities. In his early 33-year tenure as a program coordinator at the University of Iowa Health Care Center for Disabilities and Development, he had the privilege of teaching people with disabilities how to speak up for themselves and to help students and practicing professionals understand how to support them. In semi-retirement, Mike found his niche as a volunteer. He served as a member of the Iowa Commission for the Blind and Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council and as a secretary of Friendship Force of the Quad Cities. He was part of the "Caring Companions" team at St. Paul Lutheran Church and enjoyed volunteering at Hope at the Brick House where he read print/braille books to early elementary school students. Mike loved life with a zeal which only grew as he aged. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, and especially enjoyed catching up with friends and former players each year on the team-hosted cruise. An "old soul," Mike gravitated toward big band music, classic Broadway productions, and a good stiff Manhattan. He enjoyed playing cards with the proverbial "marked" braille deck, reading, and lively conversation. Mike is survived by two sisters, Joyce (Hoenig) Patterson of Lake Placid, Fla. and Janet (Hoenig) St. Clair of Rock Springs, Wyo.; aunts Rosemary (Becker) Burden of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Betty (Freesmeier) Becker of West Point, Iowa, and Patricia (Fedler) Becker of Blue Grass, Iowa; numerous cousins; and special friend Phyllis Ahlstrand. Memorial contributions may be made to the Quad City Sled Hockey Association or University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. * Kenneth W. Jessup March 25, 1948 -- August 10, 2026 Kenneth "Ken" Jessup, 78, of Virginia Beach, Va., passed away on August 10, 2026 after a long and passionate life full of adventure and advocacy. He was born in Greensboro, N.C., and raised by his parents, Robert and Lillian Jessup. After only a few weeks, he and his parents relocated to Virginia Beach. During his adolescent years, he took up the sport of wrestling, and graduated from Cox High School. He also continued to wrestle through his college years at Virginia Commonwealth University. Out of college, Ken became an entrepreneur of sorts. He was the proud owner of 5 ARCO gas stations in the '70s. During that time, he often biked to work since he could not drive. He then became self-employed through Business Opportunities for the Blind (B.O.B.), operating several coffee shops located in the Tidewater area in the '90s. He found great joy in "doing what he can, because he could." Ken was not one to let anything in life stop him. He became a lobbyist for environmental causes in Tennessee, where he created and started up many business opportunities for people with visual impairments. He participated in and led several commissions and councils for the blind. He was president of the Virginia Beach Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities. Ken wrote a book called "It Was Just a Phase" based on his life experience as a lobbyist. He loved chatting with his friends online called "Al's Blind Cafe." He was a Master Mason with Princess Anne Chapter No. 25 in Virginia Beach. While Ken had no children of his own, he had two loves in his life: his loving wife, Faye, with whom he spent 38 years of pure bliss and adventure, and his beloved cat, Beaux. He and Faye loved to travel. Ken loved to listen to Jimmy Buffett, and Faye remembers taking many memorable trips together. One of Faye's fondest memories is when they took ballroom dance classes together in their early years of marriage. They capped this off with dancing the waltz at the annual Christmas recital at the Fred Astaire Studio in 1992 to the song, "Greensleeves." Left behind to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Faye Adams; his cat Beaux; sister Evelyn Watkins; and sister Joy Rowland (Al); brothers Marty Ayscue (Ann), and Randy Ayscue (Faye); and nephew Jay Ayscue (Jessica), as well as countless cousins and other friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice in Ken's honor, or to the Parkinson's Foundation. ***** ** ACB Membership Committee Seminar Compiled by Ardis Bazyn, ACB Membership Chair The theme for the conference and convention seminar was "What outreach mechanisms work for growth." The first panel was "What interactive activities and awards might encourage more participation?" Becky Dunkerson of ACB Diabetics in Action talked about their classes related to diabetes or pre-diabetes. She outlined how they partner with new diabetics to assist them while they are still learning. She also described their other outreach mechanisms: newsletter for members, email lists, and open community calls. Sheila Young from Florida Council of the Blind mentioned their various state awards, chapter awards, and positive topics for monthly calls. She talked about their interactive sessions at their state convention and the many related activities. They also encourage new participation. Some other offerings are new member orientation, open board meetings where they allow questions, inviting members to join committees, announce list, member list, social events, stipend for transportation for events, invitations to local chapters, talks about ACB involvement, spotlight member articles, and special podcasts. To receive stipends for attending events, the criteria is: they must attend at least two meetings in person, write a 500-word article after convention or other event, and have to be an active member. Pamela Loch from Bay State Council of the Blind explained their free membership for first-year affiliate members. They also have email lists, social media posts sharing information about upcoming events, and in-person events. They get large print and Braille business cards and brochures from Perkins School for the Blind. They circulate a speaker list for other organizations. They ask new people to spread the word about their activities. Their membership application asks them to share their interests and what opportunities they'd like. Ardis Bazyn from Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America talked about RSVA activities. They have a quarterly newsletter for members, but additions are placed on the website after the next issue is published. They have several email lists: one for the board, one for announcements, one is an open discussion list, and another for BEP staff, as well as a members-only list for the Vendorscope to be sent. They give awards for various levels of distinction, hold two conferences -- one with ACB in the summer, and the Sagebrush BEP training conference, generally held in February. They also have a monthly community call called the RS Vendor check-in call for anyone to join on various topics related to the BEP program or general blindness-related topics. They give a free membership to new members. The second panel topic was "What website links or call to action items would draw people to respond." Steve Longmire from the Georgia Council of the Blind mentioned important things to consider for your website: interactive links -- surveys, convention links (including registration), invitations to join including an application link, invitations to participate in committees or chapters, and a calendar of events. A donation button is necessary, too. Place a list of your chapters with contact information and a map link so that people can find the nearest chapter. Websites can have a link to past newsletters and social media links. The site should be easy to navigate and have a contact form so that interested people can get in touch with you. Georgia has a communications committee to decide on what should be on the site. Its app can be downloaded from Apple or Google. Sheila Young outlined the information available on the Florida website: an "about us" link, chapter list with contact information and meeting place, past newsletters, timely info on upcoming events, annual convention dates and registration, Facebook link, advocacy information, history of the organization link, a resource link, a donate page, and a membership page that includes an application to join. Jeremy Johansen from the Independent Visually Impaired Entrepreneurs said there should be a list of resources for members, a link for new people to join with a payment link, and a contact form. IVIE has a membership directory on its website that provides information about each member as well as what business they run. There are links to the calendar of events and articles about conventions and other activities. The website should be usable by both visually impaired and blind people, and it should include a contact email for the web designer, just in case there are issues with the site. Contact the ACB Membership Committee via email, abazyn@bazyncommunications.com, if you have questions or suggestions for upcoming activities or calls. ***** ** Here and There by Sharon Lovering The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. "The ACB Braille Forum" cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, send a message to slovering@acb.org, or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering's mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date. * NBP's Volunteer Award Winners National Braille Press (NBP) recently celebrated its volunteer award recipients for both Individual and Group volunteer awards at their annual meeting in June. Kate Crohan received the Sue Ammeter Individual Volunteer Award. The Norfolk Lions Club received the Group Volunteer Award. Both were recognized for their steadfast dedication to advancing accessibility and promoting braille literacy. In 1983, Kate shared with NBP's publisher and editor how difficult it was to return her children's favorite braille books to the library. This conversation led to the creation of the Children's Braille Book Club. The Norfolk Lions Club has volunteered annually with NBP for the past 10 years. The team has helped produce and assemble more than 4,000 braille books and materials for blind and visually impaired children and adults. They did this while also contributing over $10,000 in support of NBP's mission and programs. * Free Nationwide Access Technology Help Desk Now Open Need help with JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack, ZoomText, or another access technology tool? Blind and low-vision Americans can call the FREE Access Technology Help Desk at (404) 500-9082, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. This 12-week demonstration project is sponsored by the Georgia Task Force for Empowering Blind Independence, in partnership with World Services for the Blind. Calls are answered by talented professionals with vision loss who have completed -- or are completing -- World Services for the Blind's Assistive Technology Instructor program. Reliable technical support can be especially important during the first 90 days of a new job, when quick assistance can increase confidence, reduce anxiety, and help employees remain productive. Please call when you need help. Strong call volume will help us demonstrate the need for funding to continue the Help Desk as a full-time service. Call (404) 500-9082, Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. * New at National Braille Press National Braille Press has a number of new books and other items available. Over in the children's section is "School's First Day of School," by Adam Rex. It's the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone's nervous, especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him? The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees that he's not the only one going through first-day jitters. It's available in contracted UEB for ages 5-8. Now available is "Perfect Picnic Foods," which comes in braille and as a BRF. The book includes 10 picnic ideas with a total of 40 recipes. Newly available is "Weight Loss Strategies for Every Body: Beyond Diet and Exercise," by Lisa Salinger. This book provides tips and resources to start and maintain a healthy weight loss journey. It includes information on GLP-1 medications, bariatric surgery, common diet plans that have proven effective, and more. The book is available in braille, BRF, and as a Word file. New in the technology section is "The Apple Watch: It Can Do So Much More Than Tell Time," by Judy Dixon. Whether you're a longtime user of the Apple Watch or curious to learn if it's worth the hype, this book is sure to be informative. Technology writer Judy Dixon describes the hardware and layout of the three main screens (Watch Face, Control Center, and Smart Stack). She also walks the reader through the different watch models and accessories, what apps are already installed and how to install and remove other apps, how to pair the watch with your iPhone and enable VoiceOver, how to customize the watch and connect it to a braille display, and so much more. The book also includes two appendices that cover various gestures for the Apple Watch. It is available in braille and as a BRF. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-548-7323, or visit shop.nbp.org. * Kysor Releases Reflections Album Dan Kysor has recently released his first album, Reflections. These are 13 creations done with suno.ai and Dan's song writing. Songs include Spangle, Perkins Braille Writer, George, James, Apple, Shirley, and the Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind song. To listen, visit https://tinyurl.com/4djknsx6. Dan has recently released his book "Recreating Yourself -- Recreational Options for Blind and Visually Impaired People in Today's World" to Bookshare. It is also in production with Audible, and is already available from Kindle Books. The book explores the diverse landscape of accessible leisure and fitness. It details how traditional sports like baseball, basketball, and skiing are transformed through auditory cues, tactile markers, and sighted guides to empower individuals with visual impairments. Kysor provides practical resources for hobbies such as amateur radio and knitting, while also highlighting modern DIY technological adaptations like audio beacons and haptic navigation. By cataloging specialized equipment, support organizations, and inclusive community programs, this work serves as a vital roadmap for fostering independence and physical well-being within the blind community. * Resilient Clinical Counseling Resilient Clinical Counseling, LLC, is a new private counseling practice founded by Karen Cummings-Wedding, LAPC, NCC. Karen is legally blind herself, and one of the driving purposes behind Resilient Clinical Counseling is to provide meaningful, accessible mental health support for individuals who are blind, low vision, or adjusting to vision loss. She understands firsthand that blindness and low vision can bring emotional, relational, practical, and identity-related challenges that are not always fully understood by providers outside of the community. While low vision support is one of the practice's specialties, Resilient Clinical Counseling is open to everyone. Karen will be offering individual counseling, couples counseling, and public speaking opportunities when requested. For more information, visit the website, www.ResilientClinicalCounseling.com. * Insightful Publications Statewide Directories Founded in 2009 by Christine Chaikin, who lives with low vision, Insightful Publications is a Hawaii-based company committed to supporting the blind and visually impaired communities throughout the country. The company has produced a statewide accessibility directory connecting the blind and visually impaired to vital resources across the United States. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to provide clear, helpful, and accessible information that empowers individuals to live more independently and with confidence. At the heart of Insightful Publications is a series of state-specific resource handbooks. These handbooks are carefully curated for both individuals and professionals seeking trusted information on services and support available for those with vision loss. Each edition is customized to reflect local resources while also including contact information on the local, regional, and national levels. The Statewide Accessibility Directory covers a wide range of essential topics, including Employment, Housing, Transportation and more. Whether someone is newly adjusting to low vision or has been living with blindness for years, these guides are designed to be easy to use, practical, and empowering. Each handbook provides the tools needed to make informed decisions, find support networks, and access the services that can improve everyday life. To learn more about pricing, available formats, or to request a handbook, contact Insightful Publications by email at insightfulpub@gmail.com; phone at (808) 329-9512; or visit http://www.in-sightful.com. ***** ** High Tech Swap Shop * For Sale or Donation: One Romeo Attache braille embosser and one Index Basic braille embosser. They belonged to my father, who recently passed away. Contact Dina Boules at (571) 326-6241, or via email, kmboules@gmail.com. * For Sale: Jumbo braille writer in excellent working condition. It has not been used in three years, but was serviced and in its original box. Asking $375. Serious offers only. Email Margie Donovan, margie.donovan1@outlook.com, or call (916) 293-9505. * For Sale: One fiberglass straight cane without a tip. Asking $50. Dell laptop with JAWS already installed. Battery doesn't hold its charge well, but it comes with a power cord. Asking $100. I accept Venmo. Contact Ernest Tomes at (512) 934-2655, or email him at ernestlt@hotmail.com. * For Sale: SensePlayer ET OCR. Comes in a plastic box; has leather case made by Turtleback, earbuds, and a stand that has never been out of the box. Asking $600 or best offer. Contact Stephanie Pruitt at (620) 330-7356, or via email, stephaniepruitt0917@gmail.com. * For Sale: Brand new BlindShell Classic 3 phone. Fully vocalized and voice controlled. Apps include: Tandem App, Luna (AI assistant), Observo, WhatsApp, and web browser. Color: Ocean Blue. Asking $575. Contact Daisy Rodriguez via email, daisyerod@gmail.com, or call (804) 750-9133. ***** ** Beyond the Sightless Lens by Dee Ann Hart You see the cane, a slender white divide, And assume the world has shrunk away inside. You offer pity like a heavy, folded shroud, And speak your wonders just a bit too loud, As if the absence of a flickering light Has numbed the mind and hollowed out the height. But walk a mile within this textured grace, Where gravity and wind define the space. The city isn't dark; it's a rhythmic roar, The scent of roasted beans by the open door, The sun is not a shimmer, but a sudden heat, The map is in the friction of the street. You think of "void," a canvas wiped of ink, But pause a moment -- stop, and breathe, and think. The fingers read the braille like dancing feet, Where Hemingway and winter's chill can meet. The "shadow" you imagine is a vibrant field, Where logic blooms and inner truths are sealed. There is no "bravery" in a morning walk, No "tragedy" in how a friend might talk. Just different tools to navigate the gale, A different wind to fill the spirit's sail. The eyes are only windows, thin and small, But vision? Vision is the greatest sense of all. So drop the lens of "lesser" or "bereft," And look at all the brilliance that is left. A life not dimmed, but rendered in a key That those who only look may never truly see. ***** ** 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 Jennifer Bazer, West Columbia, SC (1st term, 2030) Christopher Bell, Bloomington, MN (2nd term, 2028) Donna Brown, Romney, WV (2nd term, 2028) Cheryl Cumings, Seattle, WA (1st term, 2028) Peter Heide, Baraboo, WI (1st term, 2028) Cecily Laney Nipper, Covington, GA (1st term, 2028) Rachel Schroeder, Springfield, IL (2nd term, 2030) Koni Sims, Sioux Falls, SD (2nd term, 2030) Melanie Sinohui, Phoenix, AZ (1st term, 2030) Sheila Young, Orlando, FL (1st term, 2030) ** ACB Board of Publications RaLynn McGuire, Chair, San Antonio, TX (1st term, 2027) Lucy Arguijo, Saint Augustine, FL (1st term, 2028) Deborah Armstrong, Milpitas, CA (1st term, 2028) Jeff Bishop, Tucson, AZ (2nd term, 2028) Meka White, Cortlandt Manor, NY (1st term, 2028) ***** ** 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. ###