For Immediate Release
Contact: Kim Charlson
(617) 501-5853
[email protected]
ACB Announces Election of Its First Woman President
WASHINGTON, July 11, 2013 – Delegates to the 52nd annual conference of the American Council of the Blind, being held in Columbus, Ohio, elected Kim Charlson of Watertown, Mass., to be the 11th president of the organization.
Kim Charlson is the director of the Braille and Talking Book Library at the Perkins School for the Blind and has been the organization’s first vice president for six years. Charlson has been heavily involved in advocacy efforts at the local, state and national levels for many years, including efforts to increase the number of talking ATMs nationwide and to promote audio description in theaters and on television. Ms. Charlson has also served as the president of several ACB affiliates, including the Braille Revival League, Guide Dog Users, Inc., and the Bay State Council of the Blind.
"It is truly an honor to be elected ACB president,” Charlson said. “The support I have already received from the membership has been very rewarding and totally amazing. There is so much advocacy work to do, and I am grateful that so many people want to help work on all of these important issues."
Elected to serve with her are Jeff Thom of Sacramento, Calif., first vice president; Marlaina Lieberg of Burien, Wash., second vice president; Ray Campbell of Glen Ellyn, Ill., secretary; and Carla Ruschival of Louisville, Ky., treasurer. David Trott of Talladega, Ala., and Patrick Sheehan of Silver Spring, M. were elected to the board of directors.
About the American Council of the Blind
The American Council of the Blind is the largest consumer-based organization of blind and visually impaired Americans advocating for the rights of blind Americans. Comprised of more than 70 affiliates across the United States, the organization is dedicated to making it possible for blind and visually impaired Americans to participate fully in all aspects of American society. For more information, visit www.acb.org; write to American Council of the Blind, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201; phone (202) 467-5081; or fax (703) 465-5085.
Last updated July 11, 2013.