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2007 Resolutions

Table of Contents

 

Summary of 2007 Resolutions

 

This publication reflects only those resolutions which were adopted by the convention. Resolutions which were referred to other ACB entities for further consideration, tabled or withdrawn are not included in this document.

Resolution 2007‑01 directs ACB officers, directors and staff to work with Congress to seek sponsorship for legislation that requires school districts to provide parents who are blind or visually impaired access to all educational materials; that affiliates seek the same legislation to achieve the same goals; and that a report be given on implementation at the 2008 convention.

Resolution 2007‑02 directs ACB to support the use of destination elevators when and only when the information provided by the elevator control panel is understandable and available via tactile, audible and visual means; full accessibility means tactile information in the form of a refreshable braille display; in addition to the braille display at the control panels, tactile information identifying the elevator car must also be provided; and there should also be consistency in the placement of the elevator control panel in all elevator banks.

Resolution 2007‑03 directs the organization to encourage the U.S. Access Board to update the Section 508 standards, to urge federal agencies to establish well‑documented accessibility validation procedures prior to procuring or deploying any technologies; defines adequate evidence of accessibility; requires that validation procedures include objective evaluation by a qualified third party; and that updated accessibility standards provide clear guidelines to streamline the complaint process to facilitate prompt resolution, and to remove the onus from the disabled user to prove that technologies are not inaccessible.

Resolution 2007‑04 directs that this organization initiate and participate in discussions with legislators and healthcare administrators concerning the establishment of paperless healthcare record systems so as to ensure that their design will enable consumers who are blind and visually impaired have equal access to such systems.

Resolution 2007‑06 directs that this organization commend the outstanding efforts put forth by Chelsea Ross, and that a suitably prepared copy of this resolution be sent to her.

Resolution 2007‑08 directs ACB staff and strongly encourages ACB members and affiliates to urge the FCC chairman to add consumers and producers who are knowledgeable advocates to the FCC Consumer Advisory Committee and to add information regarding the implementation and dissemination of video description within digital broadcasts.

Resolution 2007‑10 directs ACB to look at revising the pedestrian safety handbook and advises the involvement of the necessary entities which will affect the satisfactory outcome.

Resolution 2007‑11 directs that ACB advocate for federal requirements which would withhold federal highway funds from any state that fails to adopt legislation requiring a firm deadline after which date any motorist operating a motorized vehicle failing to have significant, measurable sound emission, which is emitted during moving and idling phases, shall be subject to a fine, in the same manner as a motorist may be fined for driving without headlights after sundown. ACB will provide assistance to all its state affiliates who wish to advocate for legislation at state levels in order to implement the sense of this resolution. Directs its national staff to provide model legislative language implementing the sense of this resolution before the end of 2007.

Resolution 2007‑12 directs that ACB call upon its officers, directors and staff to seek introduction and adoption of federal legislation which will require cost parity of telecommunication equipment and services between non‑disabled users and blind, low vision, or disabled users to require accessibility features in order to achieve full access.

Resolution 2007‑13 directs ACB officers and staff to take all appropriate actions to encourage the Bush administration to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; that ACB place all possible influence on the executive branch concerning support of this treaty; and that this organization adamantly suggest that a treaty of this magnitude warrants prominent dissemination throughout the White House media.

Resolution 2007‑17 directs that this organization, in conjunction with its affiliate Visually Impaired Veterans of America (VIVA), demand that the Department of Veterans Affairs comply with its legal obligation by providing correspondence and other printed material to veterans who are blind or visually impaired in accessible formats.

Resolution 2007‑18 directs officers, directors and staff to set a goal, when working with appliance manufacturers, of universal accessibility of all brands and models of large and small gas and electrical appliances.

Resolution 2007‑21 directs that this organization strongly urge the United States Department of Justice to apply Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act to web site proprietors who deny access to their web sites by users who are blind and visually impaired through the use of inaccessible CAPTCHA; and directs officers, directors and staff of ACB to engage in consultation and provide technical assistance to web site designers to ameliorate the current egregious barriers to web access caused by current applications of CAPTCHA.

Resolution 2007‑24 directs ACB to join with its affiliate, the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI), in encouraging that any solutions ultimately achieved in terms of accessibility to United States currency consider both tactile markings or adaptation of currency, as well as the placing of enlarged print font denomination numbers on all eight corners of each bill of legal tender.

Resolution 2007‑25 commends the task force on rehabilitation issues for its white paper on rehabilitation and training, and ratifies the action of the board, adopting the white paper on rehabilitation training as the statement of the official position of the American Council of the Blind.

Resolution 2007‑26 directs that this organization encourage its members to seek seats on federally mandated rehabilitation councils and also seek seats on blindness-specific rehabilitation advisory boards, as well as seeking seats on appointed boards and commissions for the blind in states that offer this governance over blind services.

Resolution 2007‑27 directs ACB to communicate to Apple its extreme displeasure at Apple’s increasing pattern of exclusion of potential customers who are blind or visually impaired, to express its willingness to consult with Apple on future software and hardware design to include universal design principles, and directs its staff to provide assistance to any member or affiliate who has experienced the lack of accessibility of the iPhone and who therefore wishes to file a complaint for the United States Federal Communication Commission under Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Resolution 2007‑28 directs ACB to urge Comcast to immediately begin the process of making bills and other print materials available to its blind and visually impaired members in accessible formats.

Resolution 2007‑29 directs that this organization urge the United States Congress and the President of the United States to enact legislation implementing the rulings of District Court Judge James Robertson in American Council of the Blind v. Secretary of The United States Treasury. 

Resolution 2007‑30 directs this organization to urge Congress to strengthen and revitalize the Randolph‑Sheppard Program.

Resolution 2007‑33 expresses ACB’s thanks and appreciation for the services and accommodations provided by the Hyatt Regency Hotel and its staff during the 2007 ACB national convention.

Resolution 2007‑34 thanks and commends the host committee and the ACB of Minnesota for their fine work.

Resolution 2007‑35 directs that this organization warmly and most sincerely express its appreciation to all volunteers who worked to assist the attendees of the 2007 ACB convention, and that this organization requests yet one more accommodation from Ms. Beaman, that being to assist in communicating this resolution, or its sense, to all volunteers.

Resolution 2007-01

Accessible Educational Materials for Parents Who Are Blind and Who Have Sighted Children

 

Directs the organization’s officers, directors, and staff to work with Congress to seek sponsorship for legislation that requires school districts to provide parents who are blind or visually impaired access to all educational materials; that affiliates seek same legislation to achieve same goals; and that a report be given on the implementation at the 2008 convention.

WHEREAS, decades of research confirm that family involvement is one of the most powerful influences on children’s achievement in school, resulting in higher test scores, higher grades, better attendance, and a more positive attitude toward education, thereby facilitating better behavior in the classroom; and

WHEREAS, family participation in education is twice as predictive an indicator of students’ academic success than is family socioeconomic status; and in fact, some of the more intensive parent participation programs had effects that were 10 times greater than other factors; and

WHEREAS, the most effective forms of parent involvement are those which engage parents in working directly with their children on learning activities at home; and

WHEREAS, lack of parental involvement is one of the most significant problem facing public schools; and

WHEREAS, increasing family involvement in the education of their children is an important goal for schools and also an important goal of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA); and

WHEREAS, parents who are blind or visually impaired have the same interest in the educational success of their children as do all other parents; and

WHEREAS, parents who are blind and visually impaired often lack access to the print materials used by their children; and

WHEREAS, this lack of access precludes parents from integrally participating in their child’s education; and

WHEREAS, technological innovations have enabled the easy transformation of print-based educational materials into formats accessible to parents who are blind or visually impaired;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 3rd day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization direct its officers, directors, and staff to initiate contact with members of the United States Congress to seek sponsorship and support of legislation requiring school districts to provide parents who are blind visually impaired access to all educational materials; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that affiliates seek state legislation to achieve these same goals; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a report be given on the implementation at the 2008 convention.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-02

Destination Elevators

 

Directs that this organization support the use of destination elevators when and only when the information provided by the elevator control panel is understandable and available via tactile, audible and visual means; full accessibility means tactile information in the form of a refreshable braille display; in addition to the braille display at the control panels tactile information identifying the elevator car must also be provided; and there should also be consistency in the placement of the elevator control panel in all elevator banks.

WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind advocates for complete accessibility of the built environment, for people who are blind visually impaired and deaf-blind; and

WHEREAS, a new type of elevator, known as a destination elevator, is designed in a way that the destinations of several elevators may be controlled by one or more control panels located outside of the elevators, and

WHEREAS, such elevators may move vertically or horizontally to locations that cannot be selected from within the elevator; and

WHEREAS, destination elevators are currently being installed in buildings in many cities; and

WHEREAS, manufacturers of destination elevators have not made these elevators accessible to people who are blind, visually impaired and deaf-blind;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled on this 5th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization support the use of destination elevators when and only when the information provided by the elevator control panel is understandable and available via tactile, audible and visual means, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that full accessibility, in the case of these elevators, means tactile information in the form of a refreshable braille display at each elevator control panel; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in addition to the Braille display at the control panel, tactile information identifying the elevator car must also be provided (this can be accomplished by the use of an additional placard on the elevator door jam); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in keeping with universal design, there should also be consistency in the placement of the elevator control panels in all elevator banks.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-03

ACBGE Resolution on Section 508

 

Directs the organization to encourage the U.S. Access Board to update the Section 508 standards, to urge federal agencies to establish well-documented accessibility validation procedures prior to procuring or deploying any technologies; defines adequate evidence of accessibility; requires that validation procedures include objective evaluation by a qualified third party; and that updated accessibility standards provide clear guidelines to streamline the complaint process to facilitate prompt resolution, and to remove the onus from the disabled user to prove that technologies are not inaccessible.

WHEREAS, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended requires that all federal agencies that develop, procure, maintain or use electronic and information technologies must make said technologies accessible to people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the Access Board is required to periodically update the Section 508 standards; and

WHEREAS, a process is currently underway by the Access Board in collaboration with representatives of organizations of people with disabilities (including ACB) to draft updated Section 508 standards; and

WHEREAS, the systemic failure of federal agencies to comply with existing standards to validate the accessibility of technologies prior to their development or procurement, many blind employees cannot use such technologies even with adaptive equipment, and thus find their jobs in jeopardy; and

WHEREAS, the only remedy available to blind federal employees is a very burdensome complaint process that shifts the responsibility of validation by the agency to a challenge of the abilities of blind employees to perform their jobs, with such complaints often taking years to resolve;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 7th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization encourage the U.S. Access Board to update the Section 508 standards, to urge federal agencies to establish well-documented accessibility validation procedures prior to procuring or deploying any technologies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that adequate evidence of accessibility means that the equipment and/or software can be operated by blind employees using keyboard navigation or spoken commands as efficiently as non-disabled co-workers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such validation procedures include objective evaluation by a qualified third party; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that updated accessibility standards provide clear guidelines to streamline the complaint process to facilitate prompt resolution, and to remove the onus from the disabled user to prove that technologies are not inaccessible.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-04

Health Care Record Systems

 

Directs that this organization initiate and participate in discussions with legislators and healthcare administrators concerning the establishment of paperless healthcare record systems so as to ensure that their design will enable consumers who are blind and visually impaired have equal access to such systems.

WHEREAS, the need for privacy with respect to health care records, as well as the need for consumers to have access to these records, are important concerns; and

WHEREAS, the federal government, through the enactment of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, recognized these concerns, as well as the need for privacy exceptions to enhance the quality of care being provided and to ensure that state, county and municipal governments have the information they need to prevent epidemics and other health disasters; and

WHEREAS, progress is rapidly being made toward creating a paperless system for health care records; and

WHEREAS, this system must similarly have protections against undue privacy invasions, while ensuring adequate consumer access; and

WHEREAS, such a paperless system, if designed improperly, could make it difficult, if not impossible, for consumers who are blind and visually impaired to access their health care records; and

WHEREAS, many states are exploring what their roles should be in establishing this system;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization initiate and participate in discussions with legislators and healthcare administrators concerning the establishment of paperless health care record systems so as to ensure that their designs will enable consumers who are blind and visually impaired to have equal access to such systems.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-06

Congratulating Chelsea Ross

 

Directs that this organization commend the outstanding efforts put forth by this exceptional young lady, and that a suitably prepared copy of this resolution be sent to Miss Ross.

WHEREAS, Chelsea Ross, a low vision student, from Bellevue, Neb., at the age of 17 wrote a resolution for the Nebraska Federal Student Congress, championing the cause of accessible currency; and

WHEREAS, Miss Ross initially wrote the resolution for the purposes of her debate class, but ultimately worked to convince her fellow students of the necessity for accessible currency; and

WHEREAS, Miss Ross demonstrated her commitment to equality for people who are blind or visually impaired;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 5th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization commend the outstanding effort put forth by this exceptional young lady; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitably prepared copy of this resolution be sent to Miss Ross.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-08

Representation of Video Description Matters on the FCC’s Consumer Advisory Committee/Revision of www.dtv.gov

 

Directs ACB staff and strongly encourages ACB members and affiliates to urge the FCC chairman to add consumers and producers who are knowledgeable advocates to the FCC Consumer Advisory Committee and to add information regarding the implementation and dissemination of video description within digital broadcasts.

WHEREAS, television is an integral part of family life and American culture; and

WHEREAS, television broadcasts rely upon visual effects and images to convey critical informational, situational, and emotional elements; and

WHEREAS, this reality means that people who are blind or vision impaired often cannot access television broadcasts in a meaningful way; and

WHEREAS, video description, involving a narrator describing visual elements during the natural pauses that occur in dialogue, enables persons who cannot access the visual image to know what is happening; and

WHEREAS, the Consumer Advisory Committee of the Federal Communications Commission, (FCC) provides important counsel to FCC Commissioners on issues involving people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the current Consumer Advisory Committee includes no representation by people who are consumers and producers of video description and who are generally accepted to be knowledgeable advocates on behalf of video description; and

WHEREAS, the transition from analog to digital television broadcasts is scheduled for completion by February 2009; and

WHEREAS, the FCC’s web page, www.dtv.gov, provides no information regarding the implementation and dissemination of video description within digital broadcasts;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 3rd day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization direct ACB staff and strongly encourage ACB members and affiliates to urge the FCC Chairman to 1. add consumers and producers of video description who are generally accepted as being knowledgeable advocates on behalf of video description to the FCC’s Consumer Advisory Committee, and 2. add comprehensive information to www.dtv.gov regarding the implementation and dissemination of video description within digital broadcasts.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-10

Pedestrian Safety

 

Directs that this organization look at revising the pedestrian safety handbook and advise the involvement of the necessary entities which will affect the satisfactory outcome.

WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind has a long history of leading the nation in pedestrian safety issues including the publication of two editions of the Pedestrian Safety Handbook (most recently in April of 2000); and

WHEREAS, the safety and protection of all pedestrians is of paramount importance; and

WHEREAS, much new data, adaptive and inaccessible technologies, rules, regulations, and guidelines have been developed and/or implemented since 2000; and

WHEREAS, traffic patterns and intersection design seem to be ever-changing and evolving; and

WHEREAS, new technologies such as countdown displays are causing difficulties for people with low vision due to lack of color contrast, for example; and

WHEREAS, these new pedestrian signals are being widely used in major cities today; and

WHEREAS, the proliferation of quiet cars and hybrids poses an additional range of potentially dangerous circumstances;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 5th day of July, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that the American Council of the Blind take the following steps:

  1. Update the Pedestrian Safety Handbook and publish a third edition within the next year. This process should include input from ACB’s Pedestrian Safety Specialist staff person, ACB’s Environmental Access Committee, representatives who use white canes, guide dogs, and people with low vision.
  2. Other stakeholders, such as orientation and mobility specialists, traffic device manufacturers, members of other disability organizations, and any professionals in related fields that this group deems valuable in the successful completion of this work should also be consulted.
  3. Additionally, particular attention should be given to methods of achieving public education outreach to both the disabled and non-disabled communities.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-11

Quiet Cars

 

Directs that ACB advocate for federal requirements which would withhold federal highway funds from any state that fails to adopt legislation requiring a firm deadline after which date any motorist operating a motorized vehicle failing to have significant, measurable sound emission, which is emitted during moving and idling phases, shall be subject to a fine, in the same manner as a motorist may be fined for driving without headlights after sundown. ACB will provide assistance to all its state affiliates who wish to advocate for legislation at state levels in order to implement the sense of this resolution. Directs its national staff to provide model legislative language implementing the sense of this resolution before the end of 2007.

WHEREAS, motor vehicles which can operate some of the time, or all of the time, without the use of an internal combustion engine, are rapidly increasing in popularity; and

WHEREAS, many pedestrians are accustomed to depending, at least in part, on the engine sound of a nearby vehicle to become aware of it; and    

WHEREAS, the ability to hear sound emitted by an idling and/or moving vehicle is important not only for blind pedestrians, but also for such groups as: children, people who have vision impairments, pedestrians momentarily distracted, and bicyclists; and

WHEREAS, vehicle manufacturers have not yet begun installing a sound-emitting feature on these vehicles despite the availability of simple, aesthetically acceptable, and low-cost means for doing so;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that ACB advocate for federal requirements that would withhold federal highway funds from any state that fails to adopt legislation requiring a firm deadline, after which date any motorist operating a motorized vehicle failing to have significant, measurable sound emission, which is emitted both during moving and idling phases, shall be subject to a fine, in the same manner that a motorist may be fined for driving without headlights after sundown; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, with or without the adoption of the federal provisions described herein, ACB shall offer encouragement and assistance to all of its state affiliates in advocating for legislation at state levels to implement the sense of this resolution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization directs its national staff to provide for its affiliates, prior to the end of 2007, model legislative language implementing the sense of this resolution.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

 

Resolution 2007-12

Telecommunications 255

 

Directs that ACB call upon its officers, directors and staff to seek introduction and adoption of federal legislation which will require cost parity of telecommunication equipment and services between non-disabled users and blind, low vision, or disabled users to require accessibility features in order to achieve full access.

WHEREAS, Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 provides that accessible telecommunications equipment and services must be available across a broad spectrum of products and enhanced services; and

WHEREAS, there are no provisions in the Telecommunications Act of 1996 requiring parity of costs for telecommunications equipment and services between non-disabled customers, and disabled customers who require specialized accessibility features; and

WHEREAS, the result is that quite often, blind and low vision users of telecommunications products and services pay higher costs than their non-disabled peers for identical levels of equipment performance and service access; and

WHEREAS, on the other hand, Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act provides for approximate parity of cost of telecommunications access services, offered through telecommunications relay services for deaf and speech impaired telephone users; and

WHEREAS, it is a reasonable expectation that blind and low vision users of telecommunications equipment and services should also be afforded as approximate parity with non-disabled customers in terms of the overall costs of equipment and enhanced services;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization call upon its officers, directors, and staff to seek introduction and adoption of federal legislation which will require cost parity for telecommunications equipment and services between non-disabled users, and blind, low vision, or disabled users who require accessibility features in order to achieve full access.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-13

United Nations Treaty

 

Directs ACB officers and staff to take all appropriate actions to encourage the Bush administration to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; that ACB place all possible influence on the executive branch concerning support of this treaty; and that this organization adamantly suggests that a treaty of this magnitude warrants prominent dissemination throughout the White House media.

WHEREAS, the U.S. has been recognized by the United Nations as a world leader with regards to the fair and appropriate treatment of citizens who have disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the United Nations has adopted: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the Bush administration has expressed unwillingness for the United States to become a signatory to this treaty;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that officers and staff take all appropriate action to encourage the Bush administration to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ACB place all possible influence on the executive branch concerning support of this treaty; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization adamantly suggests that a treaty of this magnitude warrants prominent dissemination throughout the White House media.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-17

Veterans Affairs: Accessible Correspondence

 

Directs that this organization, in conjunction with its affiliate Visually Impaired Veterans of America (VIVA), demand that the Department of Veterans Affairs comply with its legal obligation by providing correspondence and other printed material to veterans who are blind or visually impaired in accessible formats.

WHEREAS, the Department of Veterans Affairs provides services to thousands of veterans who are blind or visually impaired; and

WHEREAS, these veterans receive correspondence including, but not limited to, letters about their benefits, appointment reminders, surgical preparation and treatment instructions, and information about medical conditions only in regular print; and

WHEREAS, the failure to provide correspondence in a format that satisfies the veteran's needs violates federal law;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 5th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization, in conjunction with its affiliate Visually Impaired Veterans of America (VIVA), demand that the Department of Veterans Affairs comply with its legal obligations by providing correspondence and other printed materials to veterans who are blind or visually impaired in accessible formats; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Honorable Jim Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-18

Accessibility of Electrical and Gas Appliances (presented by ACB of Ohio)

 

Directs officers, directors and staff to set a goal, when working with appliance manufacturers, of universal accessibility of all brands and models of large and small gas and electrical appliances.

WHEREAS, people who are blind or visually impaired are compelled to purchase appliances that are inaccessible because computer-driven technology installed in these units has features which are inaccessible due to the inability to obtain audible or tactile feedback from these devices; and

WHEREAS, people who are blind or visually impaired are often unable to operate controls on such machines; and

WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) has worked tirelessly with manufacturers to advocate for full access; and

WHEREAS, the direction of much of this work has been on making only certain models accessible; and

WHEREAS, ongoing advances in the development of access technology, software and hardware make it possible for manufacturers to apply universal design standards to appliances without unreasonable costs;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization direct its officers, directors and staff, when continuing negotiations with appliance manufacturers, the goal must be to work toward universal accessibility for all brands and models of large and small appliances as opposed to accepting the reality of only a very limited selection of accessible models.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-21

CAPTCHA

 

Directs that this organization strongly urge the United States Department of Justice to apply Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act to website proprietors who deny access to their websites by users who are blind and visually impaired through the use of inaccessible CAPTCHA; and directs officers, directors and staff of ACB to engage in consultation and provide technical assistance to website designers to ameliorate the current egregious barriers to web access caused by current applications of CAPTCHA. 

WHEREAS, proprietors of websites have found it necessary to use graphical image verification (CAPTCHA) to enhance website security and to ensure consumer privacy; and 

WHEREAS, the use of CAPTCHA on websites has recently increased for purposes relating to identity verification; and 

WHEREAS, the images and codes that are used for CAPTCHA are inaccessible to people who are blind and visually impaired; and 

WHEREAS, Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which addresses the obligation of places of public accommodation to make their goods and services accessible to people with disabilities, has not been consistently applied to websites; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization strongly urge the United States Department of Justice to apply Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act  to website proprietors who deny access to their websites by users who are blind and visually impaired through use of inaccessible CAPTCHA and to establish appropriate enforcement mechanisms that assure compliance with web access guidelines by website proprietors; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that officers, directors and staff of ACB are directed to engage in consultation and provide technical assistance to website designers and standard-setting bodies to ameliorate the current egregious barriers to web access caused by current applications of CAPTCHA.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-24

Access to Currency

 

Directs ACB to join with its affiliate, the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI), in encouraging that any solutions ultimately achieved in terms of accessibility to United States currency consider both tactile markings or adaptation of currency, as well as the placing of enlarged print font denomination numbers on all eight corners of each bill of legal tender.

WHEREAS, the United States Treasury has, within the past five years, made changes to the appearance of various denominations of United States currency; and

WHEREAS, the changes made have included the placing of the denomination amount in enlarged print on one of the eight corners of each United States bill of legal tender, starting with the five-dollar denomination and higher denominations; and

WHEREAS, other subtle improvements were made at the same time in the visual appearance of money; and 

WHEREAS, having the enlarged print denomination marking on only one of eight corners of currency means that users of enlarged print must organize currency very carefully, which is a time-consuming process resulting in a lack of efficiency in handling money, and resulting in it usually remaining impossible for low vision people to work competitively at jobs requiring handling of cash; and 

WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) has filed suit against the United States Treasury alleging that failure to create a United States currency accessible to all blind and visually impaired United States citizens is a violation of Section 504 of Public Law 93-112; and

WHEREAS, although a favorable decision has been rendered with regard to that suit at the district court level, the United States Treasury has appealed this ruling, which is now awaiting review from a higher court; and 

WHEREAS a system of tactual marking of bills alone may not improve accessibility to currency for individuals who may experience neuropathy or other tactual insensitivity in addition to visual impairments; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization join with its affiliate, the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI), in encouraging that any solutions ultimately achieved in terms of accessibility to United States currency, consider both tactile markings or adaptation of currency, and also the placing of enlarged print font denomination numbers on all eight corners of each bill of legal tender; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ACB joins with CCLVI in encouraging increased use of bright and contrasting colors as future changes are made to United States currency.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-25

White Paper on Rehabilitation

 

Commends the task force on rehabilitation issues for its white paper on rehabilitation and training, and ratifies the action of the board, adopting the white paper on rehabilitation training as the statement of the official position of the American Council of the Blind.

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the American Council of the Blind has established a Task Force on Rehabilitation Issues; and

WHEREAS, this task force has prepared and presented to the ACB board of directors a White Paper on Rehabilitation and Training; and

WHEREAS, this white paper contains a compilation of the principles and policies related to the rehabilitation of people who are blind and visually impaired that have been set forth in resolutions adopted by ACB conventions since the inception of this organization; and

WHEREAS, this white paper was approved by the ACB board of directors as an official statement of ACB’s position with regard to rehabilitation and training of people who are blind and visually impaired in January of 2007;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization commend the ACB Task Force on Rehabilitation Issues for its White Paper on Rehabilitation and Training; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization ratify the action of the ACB board of directors and adopt the White Paper on Rehabilitation and Training as the statement of the official position of the American Council of the Blind on rehabilitation and training of people who are blind and visually impaired.

  • Blind and visually impaired clients of state rehabilitation services should have the right to informed choice in terms of the methods used in the provision of rehabilitation training.
  • Blind and visually impaired clients are best served by state units of government that specialize in working with people who are blind and visually impaired exclusively, and that have budgetary authority specifically to that end.
  • Informed choice includes the right to make a selection, after receiving information concerning the approaches that will be used in providing training; this may range from pedagogical approaches to structured discovery learning, but shall be driven by the client’s goals, desires, and preferences.
  • Training in use of residual vision, and in maximizing use of remaining vision, must be available; while blindfold training is not rejected as a viable training option for people who have residual vision, this training methodology must be one of a range of options, and never a training requirement, or a pre-requisite to the receipt of low vision training.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-26

Participation in State Rehabilitation Councils

 

Directs that this organization encourage its members to seek seats on federally mandated rehabilitation councils and also seek seats on blindness specific rehabilitation advisory boards, as well as seeking seats on appointed boards and commissions for the blind in states that offer this governance over blind services.

WHEREAS, the last three Commissioners of the United States Rehabilitation Services Administration have come from a background of being active leaders in the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), and, consistent with NFB’s positions have supported and fostered extensive mandatory blindfold training and a strict adherence to structured discovery learning as being acceptable and appropriate for State rehabilitation entities that serve people who are blind and visually impaired; and

WHEREAS, state rehabilitation programs for the blind and visually impaired that embrace the above model usually offer few or no services in low vision rehabilitation, teaching the  use of residual vision to maximum levels, training with low vision based on assistive technology, and other proven low vision rehabilitative strategies; and

WHEREAS, over the past 20 years, alarming increases have occurred in the number of states who have adopted these narrow, restrictive, and often draconian one-size-fits-all rehabilitation strategies;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization encourage its members to seek seats on federally mandated state rehabilitation councils, whether the council oversees a combined services program or a blindness specialty program, and also seats on other blindness specific rehabilitation services advisory boards which may exist in states that operate under a combined federal rehabilitation plan, in each state so that increasing opposition to such narrow, restrictive and often draconian rehabilitative practices may be mounted and voiced; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization urge its members to seek seats on appointed boards and commissions for the blind in states that offer this form of governance over their blind services.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-27

Access to Cell Phones

 

Directs ACB to communicate to Apple its extreme displeasure at Apple’s increasing pattern of exclusion of potential customers who are blind or visually impaired, to express its willingness to consult with Apple on future software and hardware design to include universal design principles, and direct its staff to provide assistance to any member or affiliate who has experienced the lack of accessibility of the iPhone and who therefore wishes to file a complaint for the United States Federal Communication Commission under Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

WHEREAS, Apple is a company that produces computers, software, and multimedia devices which have a reputation for excellence throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind is an advocacy organization whose members fully expect to be able to use computers, software and multimedia devices with the same level of access, and efficiency as their sighted peers; and

WHEREAS, Apple engendered a feeling of hope and optimism by including a screen reader in its operating system, which was a stark contrast to their development and release of the totally inaccessible iPod which precluded access by users that are blind or visually impaired; and

WHEREAS, Apple has now released a touch-screen-based cell phone/PDA/multimedia device known as the iPhone; and

WHEREAS this device, like the iPod, has no accessibility features to accommodate people who are blind and visually impaired; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that the American Council of the Blind communicate to Apple its extreme displeasure at Apple’s increasing pattern of exclusion of potential customers who are blind and visually impaired from their market place; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ACB acknowledge that Apple has produced a few products that are accessible, or which have limited accessibility for people who are blind or visually impaired; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ACB expresses its willingness to consult with Apple on future software and hardware designs to include universal design principals.  be it further resolved this organization direct its staff to provide assistance to any ACB member or affiliate who has experienced the lack of accessibility of the iPhone, and who therefore wishes to file a complaint with the United States Federal Communications Commission under Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-28

Access to Print Materials from Comcast

 

Directs ACB to urge Comcast to immediately begin the process of making bills and other print materials available to its blind and visually impaired members in accessible formats.

WHEREAS, Comcast is one of the nation’s largest providers of cable television services, and

WHEREAS, Comcast has also become a major provider of Internet services and wireline telephone services; and

WHEREAS, Comcast does not make its bills, program guides, and other materials available to people who are blind or visually impaired in accessible formats; and

WHEREAS, this lack of accessible materials for customers who are blind or visually impaired not only violates federal law, but stands in sharp contrast to the accessibility initiatives that have been made by many companies, including many telecommunications providers;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 7th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization urge Comcast to immediately begin the process of making bills and other print materials available to its blind and visually impaired customers in accessible formats; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization engage in advocacy efforts, through structured negotiations or other means, to attempt to ensure that the concerns expressed in this resolution are addressed.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-29

Access to Currency

 

Directs that this organization urge the United States Congress and the President of the United States to enact legislation implementing the rulings of District Court Judge James Robertson in American Council of the Blind v. Secretary of The United States Treasury. 

WHEREAS, people who cannot read print, including people who are blind or visually impaired, are denied the opportunity of determining the denominations of paper currency issued by the United States Treasury; and

WHEREAS, extensive modifications are periodically made in United States paper currency to improve security within the monetary system; and

WHEREAS, people who are blind or visually impaired ultimately must rely on sighted persons or electronic money identifiers to tell them what denominations are on United States paper currency; and

WHEREAS, the ability to transact business using cash is fundamental to an independent lifestyle; and

WHEREAS, 180 other countries have made modifications to their currency in an attempt to make their money accessible to persons who cannot read the denominations; and

WHEREAS, Representative Pete Stark (D-Calif.) has introduced the Catherine Skivers Currency for All Act in an attempt to remedy this problem;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization urge the United States  Congress, and the President of the United States, to enact legislation implementing the ruling of District Court Judge James Robinson, in American Council of the Blind  v. Secretary of the United States Treasury; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization commend Representative Stark for his groundbreaking work in addressing this issue.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-30

Randolph-Sheppard Vendors Program

 

Directs this organization to urge Congress to strengthen and revitalize the Randolph-Sheppard Program.

WHEREAS, the Randolph-Sheppard Act, passed by Congress in 1936, provides the opportunity for people who are blind to own their own businesses and be self-employed; and

WHEREAS, the Randolph-Sheppard Act is one of the most successful programs that employs people who are blind; and

WHEREAS, more than 2,500 people who are blind are employed in this outstanding program; and

WHEREAS, a “living wage” is earned by managers, who are blind, and opportunities for “upward mobility” exist for experienced managers involved in the program to be promoted to sites with greater earning potential; and

WHEREAS, over the past ten years the number of Randolph-Sheppard locations has decreased from 3,500 to 2,500 sites employing managers who are blind;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that the American Council of the Blind join with its special-interest affiliate the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America to urge Congress to strengthen and revitalize the Randolph-Sheppard program by taking all of the following actions:

1.  Adopt initiatives by Sen. Barack Obama and other members of Congress to reinvigorate the Randolph-Sheppard Act by establishing a demonstration project with innovative components such as:

A.  Establishing not-for-profit “Nominee” agencies with influential board members, with large private businesses, and charging the “Nominee” agency with establishing new Randolph-Sheppard locations;

B.  Infuse new federal money to stimulate the creation of additional Randolph-Sheppard locations reversing the troubling decline in employment opportunities in the Randolph-Sheppard program and utilizing the “Nominee” agency board and its other resources to find new location;

C.  Partner with National Industries for the Blind and/or its associated agencies to engage in the sale of Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act products;

2.  Establish a “line item” in the “Budget” of the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration for the Randolph-Sheppard program and restrict those Rehabilitation Services Administration funds by mandating that such funding be spent exclusively on the Randolph-Sheppard program for the purpose of training new vendors, creating new sites, refurbishing and replacing existing equipment, for funding business consultants whose mission is to assist vendors with business plans, marketing plans, and other activities to assist vendors with being “successful” on their self-employment site.

3.  Provide means, opportunities and incentives to generate upward mobility career paths for people who are blind participating in the Randolph-Sheppard Program;

4.  Providing ways and means to secure health care, pension and other benefits for people who are blind participating in the program;

5.  Retaining the priority and exclusivity of the Randolph-Sheppard program for people who are blind;

6.  Providing support for the establishment of programs that create new “additional” employment opportunities for people with other disabilities without taking Randolph-Sheppard jobs away from people who are blind;

7.  Provide safeguards to correct and prevent abuses in the intent, mission and purpose of the Randolph-Sheppard Act, thereby preserving this valuable program for future generations of people who are blind.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-33

Commendation of Convention Hotel

 

Expresses ACB’s thanks and appreciation for the services and accommodations provided by the Hyatt Regency Hotel and its staff during the 2007 ACB National Convention. 

WHEREAS, the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., has provided essential services and important accommodations to the members of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) attending its 2007 convention; and

WHEREAS, the staff of the Hyatt Regency Hotel have been friendly and helpful; and

WHEREAS, the success of a convention is dependent upon the quality of the services provided by the hotel;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization express its thanks and appreciation for the services and accommodations provided to its members by the Hyatt Regency Hotel and its staff.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-34

Commending ACB of Minnesota

 

Thanks and commends the host committee and the ACB of Minnesota for their fine work.

WHEREAS, the handling of local arrangements for an American Council of the Blind (ACB) national convention is a mammoth undertaking; and

WHEREAS, the host committee and ACB members in the state of Minnesota have met every challenge in hosting the 2007 ACB national convention in Minneapolis, Minn. and have welcomed and assisted ACB members in a friendly, helpful, and grand fashion;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization wholeheartedly thank and commend the host committee and the ACB of Minnesota for their fine work.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary

Resolution 2007-35

Commending Volunteers

 

Directs that this organization warmly and most sincerely express its appreciation to all volunteers who worked to assist the attendees of the 2007 ACB convention, and that this organization requests yet one more accommodation from Ms. Beaman, that being to assist in communicating this resolution, or its sense, to all volunteers.

WHEREAS, volunteers, under the most able stewardship of volunteer coordinator Margarine Beaman, have provided superb services in all ways to attendees of the 2007 American Council of the Blind (ACB) convention;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 6th day of July, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis, Minn., that this organization warmly and most sincerely express its appreciation to all volunteers who worked to assist the attendees of the 2007 ACB convention; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization request yet one more accommodation from Ms. Beaman, that being to assist in communicating this resolution, or its sense, to all volunteers.

Adopted.

Donna Seliger, Secretary