Belinda Collins
1. My name is Belinda Collins from St. Pauls, North Carolina. Blind since birth, I have always championed advocacy and independence for those who walk this path daily. I am a member of the American Council of the Blind, where I have been serving in various capacities since 2020. I feel that serving on the Board of Publications for ACB presents a unique and exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals who are blind or vision impaired. My desire to join this talented board stems from a profound commitment to advocacy, empowerment, and my love for all things media. My experience in content creation and editorial processes will enable me to contribute to high-quality, and relevant publications that not only inform, but also inspire readers. I am particularly motivated to address issues of accessibility in digital and print media, ensuring that all content is easily navigable and available in multiple formats to cater to varied needs. Additionally, as a Native American, I believe that serving on the Board of Publications will provide me with a platform to advocate for greater representation and visibility of blind individuals in media, helping to challenge stereotypes and promote a more inclusive society. By working collaboratively with fellow members of the Board of Publications, I hope to foster a vibrant, informed community where individuals feel connected and supported. My vision aligns with the ACB’s goals, and I am excited about the possibility of contributing to the organization’s continued success and innovation in the field of accessible publications.
2. I have been involved at the national level of ACB since I joined in 2020, where I quickly got involved with the thriving ACB Community. I have hosted countless Zoom meetings and webinars, and currently facilitate a few of my own. Learning to stream various events such as state and national convention programming for ACB Media has been one of my greatest enjoyments. I also rediscovered my love of writing and have written a couple of articles for ACB Voices:
https://acbvoices.wordpress.com/2021/08/12/community-spotlight-judy-wolgang/ and
and for the Braille Forum:
https://www.acb.org/four-ever-framily-four-years-celebrating-special-friendships.
In 2021 I was honored and privileged to be chosen as one of the recipients of the Durward K. McDaniel First Timers Award, attending my first national convention virtually that year, then in-person in 2022; an opportunity I will always treasure. In 2022, I was selected and took part in the first ACB mentoring program (MAPS). These experiences have propelled my desire to enhance my leadership skills and continued growth in ACB.
I currently serve on the Berl Colley Leadership Committee and the Community Support Committee, where my skills, ideas, and input are valued. And I continue my membership in Blind Information Technology Specialist where I began my journey with ACB, and have recently rejoined my state affiliate in North Carolina, where I hope to begin making contributions to the continued growth and success of our organization.
These many opportunities have given me a chance to foster meaningful relationships and make extremely vital connections within our organization. Every day I connect with the ACB membership and am reminded of the value of the principles of Community: Safe, Respectful, Welcoming.
3. I strongly feel that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are crucial components to our success on the Board of Publications and within the organization of ACB.
First, I will advocate for the implementation of more inclusive editorial practices that actively seek out and highlight the voices of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including different ethnicities, genders, ages, and experiences of blindness. This will guarantee that our content reflects the richness of the audience we serve.
To promote equity, I will encourage more impartial representation in our publications, ensuring that marginalized groups have ample opportunity to contribute and be represented in leadership roles.
Encouraging inclusion will involve developing partnerships with our affiliates and committees that serve diverse populations, to strategize and implement a broader exchange of ideas and perspectives. This will assist us in continuing to uphold a more inclusive environment.
Accessibility is one of our hardest fought challenges, and I will do my part by ensuring that publications are available in multiple accessible formats, including Braille, large print, audio, and digital formats that comply with the latest web accessibility standards.
To persuade members who may be hesitant about DEIA principles, I will share success stories from other organizations and individuals that have embraced DEIA, showing the positive impact on their missions and communities. My hope is that the principles of DEIA are not just an afterthought of our organization, but that they are aligned with the core values of ACB, illustrating that these principles not only align with our mission but also strengthen our community.
4. The most important challenge facing the American Council of the Blind today is ensuring full accessibility in a rapidly evolving technological society. As advancements in technology continue to affect every aspect of our daily lives, it is crucial that we, as individuals who are blind or vision impaired, are not left behind. This challenge encompasses ensuring that websites, devices, and services are designed and implemented with accessibility from the start, allowing us full and independent participation in society.
As a lover of technology and one who tends to be very resourceful, I will educate myself on the latest assistive technologies and share my knowledge with other members of the Board of Publications, in hopes of providing more tools needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
I also feel that we should begin prioritizing continuous education and training for our members, equipping them with the skills to navigate and leverage new technologies effectively.
It is imperative we work collaboratively with like-minded organizations and businesses in the public sector to ensure the technological needs of those who are blind or low vision are at the forefront of the development of products and services, not an after-thought. ACB must prepare and market ourselves to be the leading resource. “Nothing done for us without us.”
By addressing the challenge of accessibility in technology head-on, we can ensure that ACB remains at the forefront of advocacy and support, empowering our community to embrace and benefit from technological advancements, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all individuals who are blind or vision impaired.