Dear Members and Friends,
During this special time of year, I want to extend my personal thanks to each and every one of you for your membership and commitment to the American Council of the Blind. Each of you are important to ACB’s success and, as president, I appreciate the time, talent, and energy you have given to our critical work over the past year. If you have supported ACB financially, I thank you for your past generosity. If you are able to do so, I would appreciate any additional financial assistance you can provide. It is only through the support of people like you that our work can continue and flourish.
Let me highlight three of this year’s achievements that your support helped to make possible.
While we continue to advocate for fully accessible currency, inclusive of large print and tactile markings, I’m pleased to report that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is now distributing the iBill Talking Money Identifier as an interim step in this process. This fall, a program has been launched for individuals who are blind to obtain a money identifier free of charge. ACB members interested in receiving the currency identifier should contact their cooperating Talking Book Library, and they will place your name on the list. Currency readers will be mailed over the next three months by the National Library Service directly to your home address.
To enhance services to ACB members, ACB Radio became available over the telephone late last year, giving people who are blind or visually impaired yet another option to access valuable information, resources, and programming. This new service enables access to ACB Radio’s six channels of programming, anytime, from just about anywhere, and does not require using a computer. Since its launch, 28,000 individuals have listened to ACB Radio via the telephone! To access ACB Radio by phone, just call (231) 460-1047.
Finally, Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain, joined a growing trend among pharmacies providing accessible prescription labeling for customers who are blind or visually impaired. Walgreens is the first in the industry to offer an exclusive talking prescription device, the Talking Pill Reminder, at its retail locations across the nation. The device attaches to prescription containers and is provided free of charge with prescriptions that Walgreens dispenses to customers who are blind or who have visual impairments. The Talking Pill Reminder is also available for purchase at Walgreens locations.
These three accomplishments in 2014 represent only a few of the achievements we have all worked hard to see to fruition. With your financial support, we will build on these successes. Please help us continue our efforts with a gift today, at whatever level you can manage. Remember that no contribution is too small. Every dollar we receive will make a difference. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Sincerely,
Kim Charlson, President
P.S. There are several ways for you to donate this year:
- You can make a check payable to the American Council of the Blind and mail it to ACB at 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 195, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430;
- you can donate online by visiting acb.org/donate;
- or you can call our finance office at 1-800-866-3242.
However you choose to give, we thank you for your generous support!