Urge Congress to Cosponsor and Pass the DATA Act, HR 1697
This week, Representatives Jim Langevin and Dina Titus reintroduced the Disability Access to Transportation Act (DATA) as H.R. 1697, which would expand and improve transportation, especially paratransit programs, for people with disabilities. ACB members advocated for reintroduction of the DATA Act as one of our legislative imperatives during the ACB Leadership Conference. ACB urges our members to follow up with your Representatives to ask them to cosponsor and pass H.R. 1697. Read the full press release by visiting: https://acb.org/press-release-applaud-reintroduction-DATA-act.
ACB Advocacy & Outreach Specialist Interview
On March 1st, Swatha Nandhakumar joined the ACB team as our Advocacy and Outreach Specialist. This week, ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, Clark Rachfal, interviewed Swatha. Access the interview and get to know our new Advocacy and Outreach Specialist by visiting: https://youtu.be/S964WpnaLhI.
ACB Advocacy Update: Diversity & Leadership
On this week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, ACB Director of Advocacy & Governmental Affairs Clark Rachfal speaks with a plethora of ACB leaders regarding our ongoing efforts to make ACB a more representative and inclusive community while providing greater opportunities for future leaders. First, Clark is joined by Multicultural Affairs Committee (MCAC) Chair Peggy Garrett and MCAC Committee member Michael Garrett to discuss the intersection of diversity and disability. Then, as we discuss the organizational supports available to ACB members, Clark introduces Durward K. McDaniel Fund (DKM) Committee Chair Kenneth Semien and DKM Committee member Zelda Gebhard to share how the DKM Committee increases leadership opportunities, including the DKM First Timers’ Award and the JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows program. Applications for these two opportunities is April 5, 2021. To listen to this podcast online, visit: https://tinyurl.com/erx8prtt.
To learn more about the ACB Multicultural Affairs Committee, visit: https://acb.org/committee-mcac.
To learn more about the Durward K. McDaniel Fund Committee, visit: www.acb.org/dkm.
To learn how to apply for the DKM First Timer's award, visit: https://acb.org/2021-DKM-first-timers.
To learn how to apply for the JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows program, visit: https://acb.org/2021-leadership-fellows.
Air Carrier Access Amendments Act
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Representative Jim Langevin (D-RI) reintroduced the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act on March 9, to protect the rights of airplane passengers with disabilities, improve air travel safety and close service gaps that passengers with disabilities frequently encounter in air travel. For 35 years, the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) has prohibited discrimination based on disability in air travel. Despite this effort, too many travelers with disabilities encounter significant barriers—such as damaged assistive devices and wheelchairs, delayed assistance, ineffective communications, and lack of seating accommodations. Read the full press release by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/vnaprcff.
Say My Meme Podcast
Will Butler, VP of Community at Be My Eyes has created a new podcast called ‘Say My Meme' which describes some of the internet’s most famous memes. “I really, deeply believe that memes are important, and that blind people should be able to enjoy them and use them to enhance their social and cultural credibility,” says Will Butler. “This is how people communicate.” Learn more by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/4x6j6skf.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Accessibility
Senator Tammy Duckworth introduced a resolution calling on the National Park Service to improve the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial’s accessibility to blind and low-vision visitors and to create accessible education materials about the site’s history. Read the article by visiting: https://time.com/5943397/duckworth-fdr-memorial-braille-accessibility.
Arizona Council of the Blind Convention
The Arizona Council of The Blind (AzCB) is celebrating 50 years! Join them for this festive event via Zoom on Friday, April 16 and Saturday, April 17. This virtual convention will feature keynote speaker Joel Snyder, Director of the Audio Description Project at the American Council of the Blind (ACB). Plus, there will be other presentations, entertainment, games, and drawings for gift cards. AzCB started in 1971, and are an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. Register for their convention by visiting azcb.org/registration.
Holman Prize Applications Close March 14
This Sunday March 14, at 11:59 pm Pacific, submissions close for the fifth annual Holman Prize for Blind Ambition. The Holman Prize awards up to $25,000 to blind people anywhere in the world who have an amazing idea that will challenge perceptions about blindness worldwide. You have a few days left to plan and upload your 90-Second YouTube pitch describing what you’ll do if you win the Holman Prize. Apply by visiting: https://holman.lighthouse-sf.org/apply. Check out the Frequently Asked Questions or the recording of live Holman Prize Q&A for more info. Send any additional questions to [email protected].
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.