ACB Audio Description Awards Gala
Details are out for the 2021 Audio Description Awards Gala brought to you by ACB on November 18th, 2021 at http://ow.ly/d2x250GqkrZ. Come help us celebrate the importance of AD with special guests Jason Momoa, Thomas Reid, Charlie Cox, Nesta Cooper, Christian Camargo, and more! Please follow us on Instagram or on Twitter @ADAwardsGala to stay up to date on the event. Help us celebrate in our own words!
ACB and Walmart White Cane Day Collaboration
October 15th, 2021 we celebrated White Cane Day, by announcing that the American Council of the Blind and Walmart we are teaming up to raise awareness about the importance of physical activity and getting routine eye exams for those who are blind and visually impaired. Find out more at www.acb.org/GUGM-Walmart.
Facebook Accessibility Casting Call
Sugar Star Films is hosting a casting call for a series of videos about Accessibility Features on Facebook.
Casting Details:
- People of all ages and ethnicities are welcome to submit a video.
- Participants must be based in the US.
- People with mobility disabilities as well as vision and hearing loss should be encouraged to submit an application.
The deadline to apply is 10/21 with production scheduled to take place between 11/15-12/10. For more details on how to apply, visit: https://acb.org/facebook-accessibility-casting-call-2021.
ACB’S Advocacy Update Celebrates White Cane Day
Last week on the ACB Advocacy Update, ACB's Advocacy and Outreach Specialist Swatha Nandhakumar and ACB's Director of Development Tony Stephens spoke with Koni Sims, South Dakota Association of the Blind President, about White Cane Safety Day on October 15th. They went into the history of the white cane, talk about its importance as a tool for independence and visibility, and discuss how the day ties into broader efforts for inclusion and equity, including ACB’s Get Up and Get Moving Campaign. Listen by visiting http://ow.ly/WmEs50GrGqH. To watch our video celebration of White Cane Day that features content from this podcast, visit https://youtu.be/chnq2neNvQA.
My Beloved World Sotomayor Bilingual Book Discussion
The Multicultural Affairs Committee (MCAC) invites you to join their first bilingual Spanish and English Focus Call via Zoom on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 8:30pm ET/7:30pm CT/5:30pm PT. The members of MCAC chose this memoir of our first female Hispanic Supreme Court Justice because it tells a story that seems familiar but yet is unique to the life and experiences of Sonia Sotomayor. They also chose this book because it's available in audio, braille, English and Spanish. MCAC invites you to read the book, join them and have a great conversation. ACB members will be on hand to facilitate the translation between the two languages so that all in attendance can participate. The Zoom information for this call will be available on our community event email list which you can subscribe to by sending an email to: [email protected]. For more information about the book and to read this announcement in Spanish, visit: https://acb.org/MCAC-Sotomayor-book-discussion.
Vaccine Access for People Who Are Blind
In a Kaiser Health News article, ACB's Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs Clark Rachfal said a new settlement over vaccine website accessibility is vital, as it puts “other jurisdictions on notice that this is a violation of the civil rights of people with disabilities.” Read the article by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/ymx2vzht.
Social Security Benefit Increase for 2022
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 5.9 percent in 2022, the Social Security Administration announced last week. Learn more by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/4ru2e3nv.
Becoming Helen Keller
On Tuesday, October 19 at 9 pm ET, PBS will premiere the documentary American Masters: Becoming Helen Keller. Check your local PBS station to learn if it will be aired locally for you. This film rediscovers the complex life and legacy of the human rights pioneer, Helen Keller, who was deaf and blind since childhood, exploring how she used her celebrity and wit to advocate for social justice, particularly for women, workers, people with disabilities and people living in poverty. The documentary features narration by Rebecca Alexander, American Sign Language interpretation as well as audio description and closed captioning. On Monday, October 18th, at 7pm ETD, a virtual panel event will include highlights from the documentary, followed by a conversation about Helen Keller's trailblazing advocacy and the evolution of the disability rights movement with Kirk Adams, President and CEO, American Foundation for the Blind (AFB); Alexandria Wailes, actor and dancer; and Kathi Wolfe, writer and poet; moderated by Rebecca Alexander, author, psychotherapist and disability rights advocate. RSVP at: https://bit.ly/39Mav4r.
Disability Answer Desk Accessibility Webinars
The Microsoft Disability Answer Desk is adding new webinars in 2021 and 2022 to meet demand for learning what's new for accessibility in Windows 11, Teams, and more. Each webinar will provide an interactive online event where any customer with a disability can learn about the latest Microsoft accessibility features, productivity tips for school and work, or technology that enables a more independent and full life. Each webinar will last one hour and is divided into two parts. First, guest presenters from Microsoft product teams will demonstrate how to use technology through a live video broadcast. Then, attendees and presenters will participate in a moderated question and answer session. Learn more about exciting new events and register by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/3hjy5ey3.
ACB at the M-Enabling Summit
On the ACB Advocacy Update podcast, Clark and Swatha met with Katie Fredrick, ACB Board of Publications Chair, in person at the M-Enabling Summit in Arlington, VA. They discuss the key events at the summit, highlights from the past three days, and the joys of being at an actual in person conference after almost two years. Listen by visiting: http://ow.ly/tGxH50GnVPL.
USABA 12th Annual Breakfast with Champions
As a wrap up to a fantastic Paralympic year, the United States Association of Blind Athletes will be hosting its 12th Annual Breakfast with Champions presented by Anthem on Friday, October 29, at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs with a virtual option for those unable to attend in person. This year’s program will feature the on-the-court and off-the-court accomplishments of several of our USA Goalball athletes who competed for Team USA at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. To further recognize October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month & National Blindness Month, their Paralympic panelists include world-class athletes and parents who also serve in the workforce as government contractors, administrative assistants, and law firm partners. To RSVP to the virtual livestream of this event, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PL7QNTY.
Employer Assistance Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN)
EARN is a website created to help employers of all sizes recruit, hire, retain and advance people with disabilities in the workplace. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), EARN’s resources, tools and events incorporate the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion into every aspect, ensuring all people with disabilities are represented. Webpages such as Neurodiversity in the Workplace, Strategies for Disability Inclusion and the Mental Health Toolkit provide supports that employers can use to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
WBU Chief Executive Officer Job Opening
The World Blind Union (WBU) is looking for a new Chief Executive Officer. Reporting to the President of the World Blind Union, the Chief Executive Officer manages the operations of the WBU Office, provides support to the Offices of the Secretary General and Treasurer, manages WBU communications and fund development programs, and provides Senior level support to the WBU Officers, the Executive and the Assembly. The full description of the responsibilities and requirements is available here: https://tinyurl.com/wvmc2ckx. The application deadline is October 29th 2021.