Last Chance to Take the ACB Consumer Survey
ACB has put together a brief survey to gain a better understanding of those throughout our network. Help us out by taking time to complete the survey. Your responses will help guide our advocacy and program services. You can also enter a drawing at the end to win an Amazon gift card. Take the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ACBConsumerSurvey2020.
ACB Leadership Conference
This week, we highlighted the exciting programming in store for this year’s ACB Leadership Conference during a live stream presentation. Access the video recording of the live stream by visiting: https://youtu.be/Ih6QnONApY8. To listen to the podcast recording, visit: https://tinyurl.com/y2gpvs9l. The conference will be held virtually from Sunday, February 21st to Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021. Registration is open for the conference, which will include our annual President’s Meeting and Legislative Seminar. Register for the DC Leadership Conference by visiting http://weblink.donorperfect.com/2021DCLeadershipmtgs.
ADP Coordinator & Grant Writer Job Announcement
The American Council of the Blind has a position opening for an Audio Description Project (ADP) Coordinator & Grant Writer in Alexandria, VA. To access this job announcement on our website, visit: https://tinyurl.com/y5e2bzf3.
ACB Members at Large Connect
If you are not currently a member of one of ACB’s state or special interest affiliates and are currently, have been previously, or are considering becoming a member at large of the American Council of the Blind, please connect with us on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 1pm Eastern/10am Pacific times for an hour of sharing. This event will be facilitated by ACB’s Membership Services Coordinator, Cindy Hollis who is anxious to share with each of you all ACB has to offer and to learn from you how we can make your membership in ACB even more meaningful to you. Join our community email list to receive our daily list of community call information by sending an email to [email protected].
Apply to Become a 2021 DKM First-Timer
Come along with us on a new leadership journey as we take things higher in 2021! We’re making exciting plans to join in solidarity to celebrate together throughout the 60th annual ACB conference and convention in a virtual setting. If you are an ACB member who has never attended an in-person ACB convention and you meet the criteria, we invite you to elevate your commitment and participate in ACB’s primary leadership development program. You have the opportunity to attend virtually in 2021 and meet us in person at the ACB conference and convention in Omaha in 2022. For more information on how to apply, visit: https://acb.org/2021-DKM-first-timers.
Amtrak Settlement Agreement
Amtrak is accepting claims for monetary compensation for people with mobility disabilities who traveled or wanted to travel from or to one of 78 stations and encountered accessibility issues. Claims must be submitted by May 29, 2021. On December 2, 2020, the Department of Justice and Amtrak entered into an agreement that Amtrak will fix its inaccessible stations and pay $2.25 million to victims hurt by inaccessibility at 78 stations. To read the full press release about the Fund, please click here. For more information on the ADA or this settlement, please visit ADA.gov or call the toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TTY 800-514-0383).
Aira Plans for ACB Members
Aira is a service that connects blind and low vision people to highly trained, remotely-located agents. Through an app on your smartphone, Aira delivers instant access to visual information at the touch of a button – enhancing everyday efficiency, engagement, and independence. Aira offers two special pricing plans for ACB members. The Intro Power Plan includes 30 minutes per month for $20.00, and the Standard Power Plan includes 140 minutes per month for $99.00. These plans are available for ACB members in good standing who sign up through December 31, 2021. Please contact Customer Care at (800) 835-1934 for more information and to confirm your status to purchase a plan.
White House Accessibility Statement & Request for Feedback
Among the many changes the new administration made in its first week was to make a commitment to ensure its site is accessible to all Americans. A White House Accessibility Statement released this past week says its Whitehouse.gov site will conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1, level AA criteria — guidelines that not only help make web content accessible to users with sensory, cognitive and mobility disabilities, but ultimately to all users, regardless of ability. One big website design change implemented by the new administration that many will appreciate is the inclusion of a dark mode, or high contrast mode, and a large type toggle. Users with disabilities are encouraged to send comments on how to improve the site’s accessibility, and here’s how you can:
- Switchboard: 202-456-1414
- TTY/TDD Phone Numbers (for the Hearing Impaired Only): 202-456-6213
- Visitors Office: 202-456-2121
iOS 14.4 Mantis and Chameleon Issues
The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) recently announced that there are connection issues for Mantis and Chameleon braille displays after upgrading to iOS 14.4. They recommend that you turn off automatic updates and do not upgrade to 14.4 until a resolution has been found. This is a regression introduced by Apple in this release. APH alerted them to this issue during 14.4 beta testing and hope they will correct it in a possible 14.4.1 release. Learn more by visiting: https://www.aph.org/ios-14-4-mantis-and-chameleon-issues.
RespectAbility Brings Accessibility and Inclusion Series To Sundance
RespectAbility, a disability advocacy non-profit that works to combat stigmas and promote opportunities for people with disabilities, is making a strong virtual presence at Sundance this year. Through its Accessibility and Inclusion Lab, the organization is holding a virtual conversation series from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 focusing on the intersection of filmmaking and disability-related topics. To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/yyyghga7.