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2023 Resolutions

Table of Contents

 

Summary of 2023 Resolutions

 

Resolutions 2023-05 and 2023-08 were withdrawn.

Resolution 2023-01 directs ACB to support the passage of H.R. 1328, the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act, and urges the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Food and Drug Administration to require that all exercise equipment and medical devices provide output of health data and other information in an accessible format. Also instructs ACB to urge exercise equipment manufacturers to enable such devices to provide information in an accessible manner.

Resolution 2023-02 directs ACB to support legislation that would require all health care insurers to cover the cost of needles and other means of injecting insulin.

Resolution 2023-03 instructs ACB to support the passage of any legislation that caps or reduces the cost of insulin for people with diabetes. Also strongly encourages affiliates and members to contact their legislators to urge support of these bills.

Resolution 2023-04 instructs ACB’s Board of Directors to establish a policy for referring members at large to state and special-interest affiliates by the opening date of the 2024 convention in Jacksonville, Florida.

Resolution 2023-06 directs ACB to urge each affiliate to adopt a Prohibited Conduct Policy and accompanying implementing procedures in order to enable affiliates to act upon complaints of prohibited conduct, and send each affiliate a copy of this resolution with a link to the Prohibited Conduct Policy.

Resolution 2023-07 instructs ACB and the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss to work with the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition and other entities for the introduction and passage of Teddie-Joy’s Law and legislation that would amend the Older Americans Act to explicitly recognize seniors with vision loss as a group whose needs must be specifically addressed by allocations of OAA funds.

Resolution 2023-09 directs ACB, in conjunction with the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International, to request that the National Library Service undertake a study to explore the feasibility of making large print books available. ACB and CCLVI stand ready to work with NLS in this effort; NLS is encouraged to report on its progress at the 2024 ACB national convention.

Resolution 2023-10 directs ACB and the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss (AAVL) to commend the Biden Administration for including the $5 million increase in OIB funding in its proposed fiscal year 2024 budget, and asks that these organizations aggressively advocate with the appropriate Congressional leaders and committees to secure inclusion of this proposed increase in the final fiscal year 2024 spending legislation.

Resolution 2023-11 instructs ACB to urge the Rehabilitation Services Administration and the Office of Management and Budget to eliminate the prohibition against a state using federal and matching funds for the purchase of equipment valued at less than $1,000.

Resolution 2023-12 encourages ACB affiliates to advocate for funding of professional visual interpretation services at the state level for people who are blind or who have low vision.

Resolution 2023-13 directs ACB to initiate discussion with ride-share service providers to seek changes in the service platform that would allow passengers who are blind or have low vision to communicate their preferred language and to ensure that drivers who may take their ride requests are limited to those who speak the preferred language of the passenger who is blind or has low vision. 

Resolution 2023-14 directs ACB and Guide Dog Users, Inc. to request that the U.S. Department of Justice judiciously determine whether the ongoing lack of effective action by ride-share companies to prevent drivers from denying service to guide dog users equals a discriminatory pattern of practice, as defined under the ADA. Also urges the U.S. Department of Justice to take immediate action to address this ongoing pattern of illegal discrimination. 

Resolution 2023-15 instructs GDUI, ACB, and its officers, directors and staff to advise the Department of Transportation that inconsistencies across the airline industry with regard to the content and implementation of the current attestation forms have meant that passengers with disabilities bear a burden that is unreasonable, and in some cases, insurmountable; and recommends that the current attestation form requirements be rescinded.

Resolution 2023-16 directs ACB’s executive director to write a letter to the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP), with the Board’s approval, expressing our profound objection and disappointment that ACVREP is moving forward with the certification and training of occupational therapists without having offered a formal invitation for ACB and all stakeholders to participate in their stakeholder listening process, and calls upon the staff and Board of ACVREP to formally act in meaningfully and engaging dialogue with ACB and all stakeholders in any further development of the new OT training and certification.

Resolution 2023-01

Medical and Exercise Equipment 

 

Whereas, maintenance of good health requires regular physical exercise and monitoring of chronic health conditions; and 

Whereas, equity and equal opportunity require that people who are blind or who have low vision should be able to use exercise equipment (e.g. treadmills and stationary bicycles), and monitor chronic health conditions (e.g. diabetes, pulmonary or cardiac illness), to the same extent sighted people can do so; and 

Whereas, a significant number of people who are blind or have low vision cannot afford smart device technology which is often used as a means of accessing screen output and controls on exercise equipment and medical devices; and 

Whereas, technology exists that would enable manufacturers to provide accessible output of information for exercise equipment and medical devices; and, 

Whereas, H.R. 1328, the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act, was reintroduced by Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowski on February 21, 2023, which, if passed, will require that all medical devices providing digital readouts that document the results of medical tests will also provide accessible output of the information; 

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 20th day of June, 2023, that ACB strongly support the passage of H.R. 1328; and  

Be it further resolved that ACB urge Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require that all exercise equipment and medical devices provide output of health data and other information in an accessible format; and  

Be it further resolved that ACB urge manufacturers of exercise equipment and medical devices to enable such equipment and devices to provide information in an accessible manner. 

Adopted.

Denise Colley's signature

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2023-02

Coverage of Needles for Insulin Injections  

 

Whereas, in order to avoid significant health problems, such as vision loss, loss of limbs, and organ failure, diabetics who require insulin must inject it in the prescribed dosage and at the times required; and 

Whereas, such injections must often be made several times a day; and 

Whereas, many diabetics who require insulin have minimal income; and 

Whereas, in order to inject insulin contained in an insulin pen, diabetics must separately purchase and attach needles, which may not be covered by insurances; and 

Whereas, because of the cost of needles, many diabetics reuse needles, putting them at risk of additional disease, or they skip dosages altogether; and 

Whereas, several municipalities throughout the United States provide needles free of charge to other populations to control the spread of HIV and other diseases;  

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 20th day of June, 2023, that this organization support legislation that would require all health care insurers to cover the cost of needles and other means of injecting insulin. 

Adopted.

Denise Colley's signature

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2023-03

Reduction of Insulin Cost 

 

Whereas, in 2022, the United States Congress passed a bill which reduced the out-of-pocket cost of insulin to a maximum of thirty-five dollars ($35) per month for Medicare patients, but not for other diabetics who require insulin; and

Whereas, Senator Josh Hawley has introduced Senate Bill S. 146, the Cap Insulin Prices Act, which would reduce the maximum out-of-pocket cost for all diabetics who require insulin to twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per month regardless of insurance coverage; and 

Whereas, other bipartisan bills are in development that are supported by the American Diabetes Association and other leading diabetes advocacy organizations, which would reduce the cost of insulin and also provide other protections for diabetics who require insulin; and 

Whereas, a large number of diabetics who require insulin, including diabetics who are blind or have low vision, have the difficult daily choice of paying for the prescribed quantity of insulin or using the funds for other necessities of life; and 

Whereas, some HMOs and health insurance companies have required patients to use generic or less expensive insulin which do not comply with the treating endocrinologist prescribed insulin; and 

Whereas, the proposed legislation would prohibit health insurance carriers from requiring the individual with diabetes to use an insulin other than the type prescribed by the treating physician; 

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 20th day of June, 2023, that ACB support the passage of any legislation that caps or reduces the cost of insulin for people with diabetes; and  

Be it further resolved that ACB affiliates and ACB members be strongly encouraged to contact their legislators to urge support of these bills; and 

Be it further resolved that ACB consider adoption of the passage of a bill which would reduce the cost of insulin for all diabetics as a future legislative imperative. 

Adopted.

Denise Colley's signature

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2023-04

Establishing an ACB Policy for Member Referrals

 

Whereas, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) is a member-governed organization; and

Whereas, the ACB has 66 state and special-interest affiliates, which are also governed by members; and

Whereas, the constitution and statutes of the ACB allow for several categories of members, including general members; and

Whereas, one area that the Membership Engagement program focuses on is member growth and engagement; and

Whereas, it is generally recognized that interactions between members and state affiliates, special-interest affiliates, and local divisions are more frequent compared to ACB membership in general; and

Whereas, when a general member of the ACB becomes a member of a state or special-interest affiliate, such membership results in greater commitment to the organization;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 20th day of June, 2023, that the ACB Board of Directors establish a policy for referring members at large to state and special-interest affiliates;

Be it further resolved that this policy shall be an opt-out policy such that no action is required by the member at large to be referred; and

Be it further resolved that referrals of members at large shall occur no less than annually; and

Be it further resolved that this policy and any associated procedure be established by the opening date of the 2024 ACB annual Conference and Convention in Jacksonville, FL; and

Be it further resolved that all state and special-interest affiliates create their own such opt-out referral policies.

Adopted.

Denise Colley's signature

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2023-06

Encouraging Affiliates to Adopt a Prohibited Conduct Policy 

 

Whereas, the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) has adopted a Policy on Prohibited Conduct, and Applicable Complaint Investigation Procedures; and 

Whereas, the general purpose of this document is to maintain the integrity of its events and online forums by creating a welcoming, professional, safe, and respectful environment for all who attend or participate; and 

Whereas, such a Prohibited Conduct Policy is intended to ensure that event participants have a procedure under which to direct complaints about conduct that may rise to the level of a serious violation of law or that might be less serious in nature, but inimical to the values of the organization; and 

Whereas, it is commendable that some ACB affiliates have chosen to adopt their own versions of a Prohibited Conduct Policy; and 

Whereas, the appropriate content for an affiliate’s Prohibited Conduct Policy will certainly differ based upon circumstances that may be unique to that affiliate; and 

Whereas, a Prohibited Conduct Policy may help to alleviate legal liability which might arise in the absence of such a policy; 

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 5th day of July, 2023, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill., that this organization urge each affiliate to adopt a Prohibited Conduct Policy and accompanying implementing procedures in order to enable affiliates to act upon complaints of prohibited conduct; and  

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution shall be sent to each affiliate along with a link to ACB’s Prohibited Conduct Policy, and information on how to request assistance, if desired, to develop such a policy. 

Adopted.

Denise Colley's signature

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2023-07

Amendment of Older Americans Act 

 

Whereas, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) has gone on record decrying the underfunding of services for seniors, including vision rehabilitation services provided under the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) program, as well as other health, social, and transportation services; and 

Whereas, as an example, the OIB program has not been provided with a funding increase in nearly 20 years, and current program funding is estimated to meet less than 3% of the national need; and 

Whereas, this organization, both on its own and as part of the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition, is exploring ways in which additional funding can be obtained for OIB and other services for older Americans with vision loss; and 

Whereas, the primary legislative vehicle developed by the Coalition to comprehensively address federal policy and funding for the OIB and other critical national programs is Teddie-Joy’s Law, legislation which ACB has endorsed and for which ACB and the Coalition are pursuing congressional champions; and 

Whereas, one of the primary funding sources for senior services is the Older Americans Act (OAA) which must be reauthorized by the U.S. Congress by September 30, 2024, in order for the many programs and services made available under the Act to continue to receive federal funding; and 

Whereas, funds under the OAA are distributed to each state for allocation to local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) to fund local programs for prescribed purposes specified in the Act; and 

Whereas, very little funding is ultimately obtained through the OAA for services specifically targeted to older Americans who are blind or have low vision largely because the OAA does not explicitly designate vision loss as a purpose for which funds are allowed to be specifically expended; and  

Whereas, in order to enable funds to be targeted for programs and services for people with vision loss, the OAA must be amended to recognize “aging with vision loss” as a distinct and sizeable population of older Americans with unique and specialized needs;  

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 21st day of June, 2023, that the American Council of the Blind and its affiliate the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss work with the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition and other entities for the introduction and passage of Teddie-Joy’s Law and legislation that would amend the Older Americans Act to explicitly recognize seniors with vision loss as a group whose needs must be specifically addressed by allocations of OAA funds. 

Adopted.

Denise Colley's signature

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2023-09

Large Print Books and NLS

 

Whereas, ninety percent of individuals who have significant vision loss have useful vision; and

Whereas, many individuals with residual vision can and do read books that are available in large print; and

Whereas, many public libraries and a few regional libraries in the National Library Service (NLS) system make large print books available; and

Whereas, many so-called large print books available through public libraries are not of sufficient font to be readable by people with significant vision loss; and

Whereas, there is no consistent system for production and distribution of large print books specifically aimed at meeting the unique needs of people with low vision; and

Whereas, NLS currently distributes talking books and braille books and some circulars in large print; and

Whereas, we recognize that the extent to which NLS can make available large print books is impacted by copyright implications; and

Whereas, the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) is a national organization dedicated to championing the needs of people with some existing vision;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 21st day of June, 2023, that this organization, in conjunction with its affiliate CCLVI, believes that making large print materials available to people with residual vision is just as important as making recorded and braille materials available; and

Be it further resolved that ACB and CCLVI hereby request that the National Library Service undertake a study to explore the feasibility of making large print books available; and

Be it further resolved that the American Council of the Blind and CCLVI stand ready to work with NLS toward achieving this outcome; and

Be it further resolved that NLS be encouraged to report its progress to the 2024 Conference and Convention of the American Council of the Blind and annually thereafter.

Adopted.

Denise Colley's signature

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2023-10

Funding Increase for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind Program

 

Whereas, the only major program that provides specialized services to seniors with vision loss is the federal Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) program; and

Whereas, this program provides funding to every state, territory and the District of Columbia for services that include daily living skills, assistive technology devices and services, orientation and mobility, home modifications, and self-determination; and

Whereas, less than 3% of program-eligible older Americans experiencing vision loss receive OIB services; and

Whereas, the number of older Americans with vision loss is expected to double by 2050; and

Whereas, the federal funding level of approximately $33 million has not been increased in nearly 20 years; and

Whereas, the Biden Administration, in its 2024 fiscal year budget, has proposed a $5 million increase in OIB funding; and

Whereas, Congressional action to provide for this increase would be an initial step toward ensuring that seniors who are blind or have low vision receive the specialized services they need in order to maintain or increase their independence;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 21st day of June, 2023, that this organization along with its affiliate, the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss (AAVL), commend the Biden Administration for including the $5 million increase in OIB funding in its proposed fiscal year 2024 budget; and

Be it further resolved that these organizations aggressively advocate with the appropriate Congressional leaders and committees to secure inclusion of this proposed increase in the final fiscal year 2024 spending legislation.

Adopted.

Denise Colley's signature

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2023-11

Vending Facility Equipment

 

Whereas, historically, Randolph-Sheppard vendors did not pay for equipment used to operate the vending location, such as appliances, cash registers, and card readers; and

Whereas, instead, states purchased equipment using federal funds, along with matching funds from various sources; and

Whereas, in some states, the required match for the purchase of equipment is obtained through funds collected from Business Enterprise Program (BEP) vendors by state licensing agencies, with these funds being known as set-aside funds; and

Whereas, the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), in the U.S. Department of Education, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) adopted a regulatory requirement which limited a state’s ability to purchase BEP equipment to the amount of $5,000 or more; and

Whereas, the result of this decision required a BEP vendor to make purchases of equipment under $5,000; and

Whereas, in light of the pandemic, RSA and OMB subsequently revised this requirement by reducing the threshold which must be met before the state may purchase equipment from $5,000 to $1,000; and

Whereas, due to such equipment expenses for the vending facility, and in light of shrinking operator income due to fewer patrons because of the pandemic, the $1,000 maximum remains a burdensome cost when a vendor must purchase such equipment as coffee makers, cash registers, card readers, and microwave ovens that are below the $1,000 threshold;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 21st day of June, 2023, that this organization urge the Rehabilitation Services Administration and the Office of Management and Budget to eliminate the prohibition against a state using federal and matching funds for the purchase of equipment valued at less than $1,000.

Adopted.

Denise Colley's signature

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2023-12

Funding of Visual Interpreting Services at the State Level

 

Whereas, access to information, in all its forms, is very possibly the largest impediment to the independence of people who are blind or have low vision; and

Whereas, technological advancements have brought about new visual interpretation services, such as AIRA, that provide professional and confidential services for a fee; and

Whereas, such visual interpretation services are designed to provide a variety of assistance to customers with vision impairments, including, but not limited to, reading mail and other materials, helping to administer and read the results of at-home medical tests, reading computer screens, and providing environmental information that enables individuals to travel safely; and

Whereas, the cost of such visual interpreting services is generally unaffordable for low- and middle-income individuals with vision loss;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 5th day of July, 2023, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill., that this organization encourage its affiliates to advocate for funding of professional visual interpretation services at the state level for people who are blind or who have low vision.

Adopted.

Denise Colley's signature

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2023-13

Ride-Sharing and Communication 

 

Whereas, on-demand transportation services such as Lyft and Uber have had an extremely positive impact on the independence of people who are blind or have low vision across the country; and

Whereas, the use of these services requires effective, direct, and clear communication between driver and passenger; and 

Whereas, a passenger who is blind or has low vision is negatively impacted by language barriers and absence of verbal communication; and  

Whereas, the lack of effective, direct, and clear communication has resulted in the following: 

  • Unmet requests for a driver to communicate verbally to the passenger of their presence and to identify their location; 
  • Failure of a driver to follow passenger instructions; 
  • Passengers being dropped off in incorrect and often unsafe locations.  

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 5th day of July, 2023, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill.,  that this organization initiate discussion with said service providers to seek changes in the service platform in order to allow passengers who are blind or have low vision to communicate their preferred language and to ensure that drivers who may take their ride requests are limited to those who speak the preferred language of the passenger who is blind or has low vision.  

Adopted.

Denise Colley's signature

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2023-14

Ride-Share Denials of Service to Guide Dog Users 

 

Whereas, ever since the ride-share companies began making rides available to the general public, guide dog users have experienced denials of service from drivers who refused to provide service to individuals who are accompanied by guide dogs; and 

Whereas, despite many complaints having been filed with the ride-share companies, as well as with the U.S. Department of Justice over many years, and despite legal actions having been taken by blind and low vision individuals who have been denied service, as well as by organizations representing people with disabilities, and despite settlements having been reached, ride-share drivers persist in discriminating against guide dog users by denying them service; and 

Whereas, Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) and the American Council of the Blind (ACB) recently conducted an online survey asking members to report any denial-of-service complaints filed with the ride-share companies and with the U.S. Department of Justice between November 11 and December 31, 2022, which found that 80 individual complaints had been filed over a period of just six weeks; and 

Whereas, on January 31, 2023, GDUI and ACB shared these survey results which confirm continued and ongoing discrimination by ride-share drivers against survey respondents. GDUI and ACB asked the Civil Rights Division in the Department of Justice to conduct a pattern of practice investigation, and receipt of the request was acknowledged by the department; 

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 22nd day of June, 2023, that the American Council of the Blind and its affiliate, Guide Dog Users, Inc. request that the U.S. Department of Justice judiciously determine whether the ongoing lack of effective action by ride-share companies to prevent drivers from denying service to guide dog users equals a discriminatory pattern of practice, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); and  

Be it further resolved that GDUI and ACB strongly urge the U.S. Department of Justice to take immediate action to address this ongoing pattern of illegal discrimination.  

Adopted.

Denise Colley's signature

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2023-15

Air Travel Attestation Forms

 

Whereas, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) promulgated regulations in 2020 that allow airlines to require passengers traveling with guide or service dogs to fill out and submit forms prior to travel attesting to the good health, training and appropriate behavior of their dogs; and 

Whereas, airlines operating in the U.S. have now taken advantage of the opportunity to require passengers traveling with guide and service dogs to submit these forms; and 

Whereas, two years after the imposition of these requirements, Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) continues to receive reports from passengers who travel with guide dogs that they are unable to independently complete and submit the required forms because airline websites continue to present accessibility barriers for screen reader users; and 

Whereas, GDUI continues to receive reports from guide dog users that when they contact airlines by telephone, approach gate agents in person to ask questions about the required forms, or request assistance with completing the forms, they have received inaccurate information or inadequate assistance; and 

Whereas, inconsistencies across the airline industry with regard to the content and implementation of the current attestation forms means that passengers with disabilities bear a burden that is unreasonable, and in some cases, insurmountable; 

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 22nd day of June, 2023, that GDUI, and the American Council of the Blind (ACB), its officers, directors and staff, advise DOT that inconsistencies across the airline industry with regard to the content and implementation of the current attestation forms have meant that passengers with disabilities bear a burden that is unreasonable, and in some cases, insurmountable; and

Be it further resolved that GDUI and ACB recommend to DOT that the current attestation form requirements be rescinded.

Adopted.

Denise Colley's signature

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2023-16

ACVREP and OT Certification

 

Whereas, the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) was established in order to enhance the stature and recognition of the highly specialized professional disciplines in the field of blindness and visual impairment; and

Whereas, ACVREP’s role is to ensure that available certification options, and the particular requirements for specific practices, reflect and preserve consensus concerning the need for and value of specialized services provided by properly prepared professionals; and

Whereas, it is essential for ACVREP to embrace a continuum of specialized services without certifying practitioners who are not primarily involved in serving people with vision loss; an

Whereas, without consultation from the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and other stakeholders, ACVREP recently announced determination to establish a new certification open only to occupational therapists (OTs) who acquire vision-related training to provide specialized services; and

Whereas, if this certification effort is to continue, ACVREP should demonstrate a compelling justification for this additional certification;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on the 5th day of July, 2023, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill., that ACB will have the Executive Director write a letter with ACB Board approval to ACVREP expressing our profound objection and disappointment that ACVREP is moving forward with this certification and training without having offered a formal invitation for ACB and all stakeholders to participate in their stakeholder listening process; and

Be it further resolved that this organization call upon the staff and Board of ACVREP to formally act in meaningfully and engaging dialogue with ACB and all stakeholders in any further development of the new OT training and certification. 

Adopted.

Denise Colley's signature

Denise Colley, Secretary

Addendum:

Text of the Withdrawn Resolutions

 

Resolutions 2023-05 and 2023-08 were withdrawn.

We include the text of these resolutions solely for your information.

 

Withdrawn

Resolution 2023-05

DOJ Complaints

 

Whereas, during the past year more than 150 complaints have been filed with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) by people who are blind or have low vision against ride sharing companies; and

Whereas, this organization is not aware of any of these complaints being accepted for investigation or further action; and

Whereas, it is our expectation that issues of concern to people with vision loss that are the subject of complaints to DOJ be given an appropriate level of investigation and action by that agency;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that this organization direct its staff to write a letter to the Department of Justice requesting data on the number of complaints filed during the 2021 and 2022 fiscal years on issues relating to discrimination against people who are blind or have low vision and the number of such complaints that have been investigated or about which additional action has been taken; and

Be it further resolved that the letter seek to obtain this information in a timely manner so that it can be shared with the ACB Advocacy Steering Committee by the end of the 2023 calendar year.

Withdrawn.

 

Withdrawn

Resolution 2023-08

Dominion Voting System Accessibility

 

Whereas, in 2016, the disability community was asked by the Michigan Bureau of Elections to test three accessible voting machines that would replace the aging Auto-marc voting machines; and

Whereas, those who are blind, visually impaired, or have a dual sensory loss consistently supported and preferred the ES&S and Hart Voting Machines over the Dominion Systems machine when testing; and

Whereas, each county independently purchased these voting machines; and

Whereas, a high percentage of Michigan counties chose to purchase the Dominion Systems voting machine over the ES&S and Hart machines; and

Whereas, since the Dominion machines were installed for the 2018, elections to present, a number of accessibility issues were reported, but never resolved; and

Whereas, after the 2020 elections the Dominion Systems report claimed they met all accessibility standards; and

Whereas, Dominion Systems do not specify which standards they are following; and

Whereas, many of the issues persons who are blind, visually impaired, or who have a dual sensory loss, encountered difficulties relating to understanding speech and other hearing challenges as well as difficulty understanding how to use the Dominion machine; and

Whereas, significant challenges were found when determining the candidate voters selected when using the Dominion machine; and

Whereas, the poll workers are not adequately trained to assist voters to use the accessible voting machines; and

Whereas, chapters within the Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI) have met with their city and county clerks to advocate that the poll workers be adequately trained to use various accessible voting machines; and

Whereas, both blind organizations have met with state senators and representatives from the Bureau of Elections and the Secretary of State to discuss accessibility issues pertaining to the Dominion system; and

Whereas, the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) representatives have met with the Michigan Bureau of Elections representatives to discuss accessibility of voting machines; and

Whereas, the advocacy process has not resolved accessibility issues regarding the Dominion System;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the American Council of the Blind (ACB) will compile statistics about the accessibility of the Dominion Voting System; and

Be it further resolved that, after the research results have been reviewed, ACB will advocate for accessibility of the Dominion System as well as for adequate training of poll workers.

Withdrawn.