2021 ACB Leadership Conference
Thanks to everyone who participated in this past week’s ACB 2021 Leadership Conference. For those able to lead delegations for virtual visits with your member of Congress, please be sure to complete the Capitol Hill feedback form on Survey Monkey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021HillFeedback, or download the form in Word format by clicking this link.
While we miss having everyone together in DC this year, the virtual nature of the event allowed us to provide more content than ever before, and share it with participants across multiple platforms. Be sure to check out our YouTube Playlist for this year’s conference at https://tinyurl.com/2021-ACB-Leadership-Conference, which will host all the general and breakout sessions. We will also be posting the sessions in podcast form for download over the next couple of weeks. So, stay tuned and keep advocating!
For links to all of our 2021 Leadership Conference materials, visit https://acb.org/2021-leadership-conference.
Employee Announcement: Audio Description Project Coordinator & Grant Writer
On March 1st, Jo Lynn Bailey-Page will join ACB as our Audio Description Project Coordinator & Grant Writer. To read the full position announcement visit: https://www.acb.org/adp-coordinator-2-25-21.
Employee Announcement: ACB Advocacy and Outreach Specialist
On March 1st, Swatha Nandhakumar will join the ACB team as an Advocacy and Outreach Specialist. To read the full position announcement, visit: https://www.acb.org/advocacy-outreach-specialist-2-25-21.
Stop the Wait
Stop The Wait is the movement of Americans fighting to end Social Security Disability Insurance exclusions. COVID-19 is forcing thousands out of work and on to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Many of us have disabilities that will prevent us from working again. SSDI is a lifeline that we depend to pay rent and buy food. But the current system denies us SSDI for the first five months after we get sick, and makes us wait 24 months for insurance benefits we have earned. These exclusion periods are bankrupting and killing us. In the last 10 years, 110,000 people have died while waiting for disability insurance. ACB and the Stop the Wait Coalition are telling Congress: End the five-month SSDI exclusion AND the 24-month Medicare waiting period NOW. Read our open letter to Congress and take action to Stop The Wait by visiting: https://www.stopthewaitnow.org.
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.
Info Session and Recruitment for Intracortical Visual Prosthesis Project
On Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 7pm CST, learn from the researchers about an experimental device intended to restore visual perception for individuals who are blind. Learn about the intracortical visual prosthesis device, the study, expectations, possible risks and benefits, and post implant requirements hosted by The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Interested individuals will receive contact information to speak with study personnel after the educational session is over. For more information and to reserve your spot please contact Kelsey Stipp at (312) 567–5304, or [email protected]. For more details about this research project, go to www.chicagolighthouse.org/icvp.