From My Lips to Your Ears
25 years as an NLS Narrator
Wednesday, July 6, talking book narrator Martha Harmon-Pardee will speak at the 55th annual American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention in Minneapolis, MN.
Recently Archived
2016 ACB Conference and Convention Program
ACB
Land of 10,000 Dreams
Macular Degeneration Indoor Navigation
Thanks to a generous donation from MD Support and their partner Macular Degeneration Foundation, indoor navigation technology will be available once again to attendees at this year's ACB conference and convention in Minneapolis. The guidance system works by sending audible instructions and location descriptions to iDevices (iPhone 4S or later and iPad 4 or later). The information is electronically transmitted by beacons placed at meeting rooms, restrooms, elevators, and other venues.
ACB Board of Publications
Denise Colley, Chair, Lacey, WA
Ron Brooks, Phoenix, AZ
Tom Mitchell, Salt Lake City, UT
Doug Powell, Falls Church, VA
Judy Wilkinson, San Leandro, CA
Go for the Gold: ACB Conference and Convention 2011
by Carla Ruschival
ACB's golden anniversary conference and convention will be one of the best ever. Make plans now to be in Reno July 8 to 16 for all the special activities, information, exhibits, fun and friends.
Digital Information and Internet
ACB Radio - ACB Radio livestreams from all general sessions on the Mainstream channel; sessions are replayed around the clock. ACB Radio Mainstream at the convention sponsored by Humanware.
ACB Radio broadcasts from the Exhibit Hall on ACB Interactive. The FIA Performing Arts Showcase, BOP Candidates' Forum, and ACB Banquet are also livestreamed.
2016 10,000 Steps Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk
This year’s Walkathon web site is http://acb.donorpages.com/2016ACBWalk/. ACB would like to raise $60,000 from ACB’s 10,000 Steps Walkathon this year. You can help us reach our goal by registering as a walker, making a donation, or by becoming a sponsor. You may also form a Team and seek donations from friends and family.
2016 Paper Pre-Registration
Sponsored by:
2016 ACB Conference and Convention Program downloads
Below are the links to the available formats for downloading.
The MS Word .doc format includes text to all the ads. The .pdf format includes the color photo ads.
* * *
MS Word large print .doc 2016 Conference and Convention Program
Convention Standing Rules
Adopted by the ACB Board of Directors, May 2009
ACB Enterprises and Services Directors
Michael Garrett, Chair, Missouri City, TX
Mike Godino, Malverne, NY
George Holliday, Philadelphia, PA
Carla Ruschival, Louisville, KY
Dan Spoone, Orlando, FL
Jeff Thom, Sacramento, CA
David Trott, Talladega, AL
ACB in the Silver State: 2011 Conference and Convention
by Carla Ruschival
We're making plans. Excitement is building. The 2011 conference and convention of the American Council of the Blind is happening in Reno, Nevada, July 8-16. Plan now to be there to celebrate ACB's 50th birthday -- our golden past, our diamond future.
It is the end of January as I write this article. Already the national office and I are receiving lots of conference-related calls. Read on for answers to the most frequently asked questions from individuals, agencies and others.
Info for Guide Dog Users
Guide dog relief areas are built and maintained by Scoop Masters, and are located near hotel exits. Relief areas are open from noon on Thursday, July 7 until noon on Sunday, July 17. ACB volunteers and hotel staff will be happy to assist you to locate the areas.
It is your responsibility to relieve your dog at regular intervals. You are expected to pick up after your dog; trash receptacles are located near relief areas for your convenience.
Office 365 Usability Study with Microsoft
Microsoft will conduct a usability study at the 2016 ACB Conference and Convention to evaluate and enhance the accessibility of their Office 365 products (Word, Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, Skype, OneNote etc.). Participate in this session to help Microsoft better understand your needs and refine these productivity experiences to work seamlessly with assistive technologies.
A very big thank-you to Microsoft for their Emerald sponsorship at the 2016 American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention.
When - Tuesday, July 5, 2:45 to 5:30 PM
ACB Conference Gems
Many, many thanks to our 2016 corporate sponsors. Their continued generous support of the American Council of the Blind and our conference and convention is sincerely appreciated.
Look for the 2016 corporate sponsors on www.acb.org, in the conference and convention program and newspaper, on ACB Radio, on the convention T-shirt, and throughout the week. Be sure to thank them personally for their generous support.
General Session Agenda
American Council of the Blind
55th Annual Conference and Convention
Theme: ACB: Land of 10,000 Dreams
Sunday, July 3: Nicollet Ballroom
6:30 PM: Entertainment: Bruce Cottrell, Burnsville, MN
7:00 PM: Call to Order: Kim Charlson, President, American Council of the Blind, Watertown, MA
Invocation: Father John Sheehan, Executive Director, Xavier Society for the Blind, New York, NY
Presentation of Colors: Color Guard for the University of Minnesota, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corp (NROTC), Minneapolis, MN
ACB National Office Staff
Eric Bridges, Executive Director
Anthony Stephens, Director of External Relations & Policy
Kelly Gasque, Executive Assistant
Sharon Lovering, Editor, ACB Braille Forum
Tom Tobin, Director of Development
ACB Conference 2011: Golden Past, Diamond Future
by Carla Ruschival
Come to Reno, Nev., and celebrate gold at the 50th annual conference and convention of the American Council of the Blind.
Hotel Information
The twin-towered 29-story John Ascuaga Nugget Hotel Resort Casino is a family-owned hotel filled with friendly staff, lots of restaurants, comfortable meeting and sleeping rooms, indoor swimming pool and fitness center, and other amenities.
Hotel information such as lists of telephone numbers, hotel description, and room service menus will be available from the ACB/NIB Information Desk in braille, large print and electronic formats.
To get you started, here is an outline of the public areas: