2021 DC Leadership Conference Agendas
This year’s DC Leadership Conference will be held virtually from February 21st-23rd, bringing together affiliate leaders and advocates from across the country. Programming for the conference is split into two main events, a day-long presidents meeting, open to all, which provides best practices to strengthen affiliates, and a two day legislative seminar, which educates attendees on key issues facing our community and prepares attendees for meeting with Members of Congress and their staff for the remainder of the week. To access our Presidents' Meeting Agenda, visit: https://acb.org/2021-presidents-meeting-agenda. To access our Legislative Seminar Agenda, visit: https://acb.org/2021-legislative-seminar-agenda. Register for the DC Leadership Conference by visiting http://weblink.donorperfect.com/2021DCLeadershipmtgs.
DC Leadership Conference Legislative Imperatives
Our 2021 legislative imperatives represent several key issues in the 117th Congress that ACB believes will help us on our road to full independence and participation in our society. To learn more about this year’s legislative imperatives, visit: https://acb.org/2021-legislative-imperatives.
Legislative Imperative Community Events
ACB will be hosting three community calls next week to discuss our 2021 legislative imperatives:
Legislative Imperative 1: Secure Independence for Seniors and Medicare Beneficiaries
Monday, Feb. 8, 7:30 pm ET, 4:30 pm PT
Since 2013, ACB has advocated for coverage of low vision devices. On average, it takes eight years for a bill to become a law, so this might be the year! Join Clark Rachfal, ACB’s Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs to learn about the Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act.
Legislative Imperative 2: Disability Access to Transportation Act
Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7:30 pm ET, 4:30 pm PT
Last year, ACB advocated for accessible transportation and environmental access provisions to be included in the reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Act. This advocacy lead to the introduction of the Disability Access to Transportation Act. Join Clark Rachfal, ACB’s Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, to learn more about this critical legislation and how it will improve transportation and environmental access for people who are blind and experiencing vision loss.
Legislative Imperative 3: Exercise and Fitness for All Act
Thursday, February 11: 7:30 pm ET, 4:30 pm PT
ACB has experienced recent success working directly with individual exercise and fitness manufacturers to enhance accessibility. These efforts have proved that there are not fundamental barriers to increasing accessibility for exercise and fitness equipment. The time is right for a uniform framework to provide equal access to exercise and fitness equipment. Join Clark Rachfal, ACB’s Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, to learn how the Exercise and Fitness for All Act will help ACB members Get Up and Get Moving!
Scholarship Application Deadline: February 15th
ACB educational scholarships can be used to help with post-secondary education financial needs such as tuition, fees, room and board and other additional costs associated with adaptive technology. Scholarships range from $2,000 to $7500, and to be eligible, students must be legally blind, maintain a 3.0 GPA, and be a full-time student or working 32 hours a week or more and taking substantial course work. The deadline for submitting applications for ACB's 2021-2022 scholarship program is quickly approaching! Qualified candidates must apply by Monday, February 15, 2021 at 11:59pm (CST). Learn more about the scholarships we offer & how to apply by visiting: https://acb.org/scholarships.
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.
Talking Glucose Meters for Blind Diabetics: Online Community Event
Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind and Be My Eyes are hosting a free webinar about talking Glucose Meters for Blind and low vision Diabetics. We will be joined by Jeramie Rose from Prodigy Diabetes Care and he will be discussing their products and the role that Accessible Pharmacy and Be My Eyes can play to help support patients. All can get a free talking glucose meter to try! The Free webinar will be held on Friday February 12th at 12:00 EST / 9:00 PST. Please click the following link for more details and to register: https://www.bemyeyes.com/diabetes-care-webinar
Murphy v. Charles Tyrwhitt Settlement
A proposed settlement has been reached that would resolve the class action lawsuit Murphy v. Charles Tyrwhitt, Inc. The lawsuit alleges that Charles Tyrwhitt, Inc. Violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq. (“ADA”), by failing to take the necessary steps to ensure its online store, located at www.ctshirts.com/us, does not discriminate against blind or visually disabled consumers who use screen reader auxiliary aids to access digital content. Under the settlement, Charles Tyrwhitt, Inc. agrees to take additional steps to make its website and any new website or mobile application it develops or acquires accessible to Screen Reader Users. To learn more, visit: https://www.murphytyrwhittsettlement.com.