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Dots and Dashes 9/6/19

“Dots and Dashes” is a short newsletter featuring a variety of topics and ACB stories. This issue features articles about the latest Advocacy Update podcasts; emergency preparedness, scams, and consumer tips from the FCC; a Microsoft Learning webinar about Microsoft Teams; BANA’s new podcast series; a podcast about grilling by Cooking Without Looking; and information on a blind golf tournament.

Accessibility Learning Webinar Series

Microsoft Teams is a unified communications platforms that combines chat, video meeting, file storing and document collaboration all using one application. Come register and join our next webinar on September 18th from noon to 1 p.m. Pacific (3 - 4 p.m. Eastern) to learn about Microsoft Teams and ask questions of  members of our engineering group.

  • Review the upcoming schedule and register for your favorite topic by visiting the Accessibility Webinars Sway. We will continue to update the Sway with more topics every quarter. Once we receive your registration, we will send you an email with a link to join the webinar.
  • Our presenters will be available to answer questions on the products and features they are covering towards the end of the webinar.

BANA Launches Podcast Series

The Braille Authority of North America (BANA) is introducing a new Podcast called BANA Braille Bits. The podcasts are designed to keep the braille reading and writing public informed regarding the activities of the Braille Authority of North America, including updates to codes and guidelines. The debut episode provides background that explains what BANA is and how the organization operates. It is available immediately and can be accessed at http://Brailleauthority.libsyn.com, or by searching for BANA Braille Bits with your favorite podcatcher. New episodes will be released and announced periodically.

Barbecue Tips for Weekends

If you plan to cook out this weekend, you may want to check out this podcast by Cooking Without Looking.  Ralph Smith, Community Outreach Manager for Vision World Foundation and account executive for the Cooking Without Looking TV show, has some excellent barbecue tips utilizing a grill that works for blind and sighted people! To hear it, go to www.cookingwithoutlookingtv.wordpress.com.

Blind Golf Tournament

The 14th Annual Florida Open Tournament for Golfers with Disabilities and-or Mobility Challenges, is being held Saturday Oct. 12, 2019 at 1 p.m. at the Long Marsh Golf Club, 20 White Marsh Road, Rotonda West, FL 33947; phone (941) 698-0918. For more details, call the tournament director, Joe Stine, at (863) 227-2751 or 863-294-2621 or email at [email protected].

To pre-register, visit http://www.floridagolfmagazine.com/open/pre-register.html.

Players with disabilities and/or mobility challenges will compete for low gross, and the new champion will get his or her name permanently inscribed on the tournament trophy. Everyone with a USGA Handicap is eligible to compete in the Low Net Award categories.

The $50 entry fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart fee, range balls, prizes, and dinner (award banquet). Additional buffets for non-competing attendees are $11 per person.

Advocacy Updates

The September 5th Advocacy Update features Sara Conrad, president of the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI). Sara shares her journey as an ACB member and the work of CCLVI. Listen via your favorite podcast player, or online at http://acbradio.org/acb-advocacy-update-9-5-19. To learn more about CCLVI, visit http://www.cclvi.org/. 

In the August 29th edition of the Advocacy Update, you’ll hear from Mark Richert about the ACB resolutions process. In addition to being the newly elected ACB First Vice President, Mark is the most recent past Chairman of the ACB Resolutions Committee and the voice of resolutions at the ACB annual convention. Mark shared insights regarding how resolutions are introduced, debated and passed. To learn more about the ACB resolutions, visit www.acb.org/resolutions. Listen via your favorite podcast player, or online at http://acbradio.org/acb-advocacy-8-29-19.

It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…No, It’s a Flying Dog! In the August 22nd ACB Advocacy Update podcast, Claire and Clark discuss the new final enforcement statement regarding service animals by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration. Listen and learn about what passengers with service animals should expect while flying, and what policies airlines may implement. If you experience discrimination due to your service animal during air travel, please contact ACB at [email protected]. Listen to this episode via your favorite podcast player, or online at http://acbradio.org/acb-advocacy-update-8-22-19.

Got an idea for a future podcast? Send it to [email protected].

Consumer Information and Tips on Emergency Preparedness, Scams and More

Beginning September 10, 2019, the FCC’s Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division (CAOD) will host a monthly conference call every second Tuesday of the month to provide consumer information and tips highlighting different topics and scams. 

Upcoming Calls:

September 10, 2019
2 p.m. Eastern
Call-in Number: 1-888-858-2144
Access Code: 4400448

Topics:

RSVP to [email protected].

October 8, 2019
2 p.m. EDT

Topics:

For October call, please email [email protected] to RSVP and receive the conference bridge telephone number.