Eric Bridges Appointed Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind

Contact:
Kim Charlson, President
(202) 467-5081
[email protected]
 
WASHINGTON — The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Bridges as the organization’s new executive director effective Nov. 1, 2015.
 
In June of 2007, Eric joined the ACB staff as the director of advocacy and governmental affairs, representing ACB’s legislative and regulatory priorities on Capitol Hill and in the executive branch. His contributions were critical in the passage and implementation of such key legislation as the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act, and the Prescription Drug Labeling Act that was incorporated into the FDA Safety and Innovation Act in 2012.
 
Since 2013, Bridges has served as ACB’s director of external relations and policy. In this role, he has cultivated countless key relationships with representatives of business, industry, ACB members, and the general public, as well as government officials, policy makers and agency staff. These types of relationships have become essential to ACB and its success in advocacy and legislative arenas.
 
“The ACB officers and board of directors are thrilled to welcome Eric Bridges into this new role for the organization. His knowledge and experience with ACB, his commitment to membership services and advocacy, his enthusiasm, energy, and dedication to ACB all make Eric the right leader for our organization,” said ACB president Kim Charlson. “Eric’s experience, depth of understanding of the critical issues of the blindness community, and his ability to collaborate with key players from government and industry, all make him the right leader for ACB in these changing times.”
 
ACB and its affiliates look forward to working with Eric to build on the solid foundation he has carved out, continuing to work with him to forge new alliances to advance ACB’s advocacy and public policy agendas, as well as partnerships with industry, for a stronger and more accessible future for all people who are blind or visually impaired in the country or around the world.
 
About the American Council of the Blind (ACB)
 
The American Council of the Blind is a national consumer-based advocacy organization working on behalf of blind and visually impaired Americans throughout the country, with members organized through 70 state and special-interest affiliates. ACB is dedicated to improving the quality of life, equality of opportunity and independence of all people who have visual impairments. Its members and affiliated organizations have a long history of commitment to the advancement of policies and programs which will enhance independence for people who are blind and visually impaired. For further information about ACB, visit www.acb.org.