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2012 Resolutions

 Table of Contents 

Summary of 2012 Resolutions

This document reflects only those resolutions that were adopted. ACB resolutions that were referred, tabled, or withdrawn are not included. This document contains the summaries of the 2012 resolutions with links to the full text.

Summaries

Resolutioon 2012-01 This organization demands that the centers for Medicare and Medicaid make these packets available in accessible formats to persons who are blind or who have low vision, at the same time as they are offered to others.
 
Resolution 2012-02 This organization works to ensure that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services adopts, at the earliest possible time, a policy whereby case correspondence is provided to Medicare applicants and recipients in accessible formats.
 
Resolution 2012-03 This resolution discusses the importance of strengthening 508 compliance and ways that strengthening 508 can occur. (See resolve clauses for specific information)
 
Resolution 2012-04 Failed. Autonomous Vehicles
 
Resolution 2012-05 This organization strongly encourages Sirius XM Incorporated to work in collaboration with ACB’s Information Access Committee and with the Technical Division of IAAIS (International Association of Audio Information Services) to create a truly accessible stand-alone radio.
 
All of the parties named above are asked to work to make Android, IOS, and internet versions of XM and/or Sirius Radio applications accessible as well.
 
Resolution 2012-06 This organization commends the long overdue recognition of Anne Sullivan Macy, a capable role model for all the teachers who are blind or have low vision who have followed her.
 
The content of this legislation with its emphasis on the specific needs of children who are blind or have low vision constitutes an exciting opportunity to focus the attention of administrators, teachers, and parents on the specific needs of students who are blind or have low vision.
 
This organization enthusiastically endorses all the components of the current draft legislation and encourages our affiliates to work for the immediate introduction of this bill and for this eventual adoption.
 
Resolution 2012-07 This resolution outlines very specific conditions that must occur in order for our BANA representative to vote yes for the adoption of UEB.  (See Specific conditions in the resolve clauses)
 
Resolution 2012-08 This organization calls upon the President of the United States as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to become directly involved in the issues raised by this resolution.
 
Resolution 2012-09 This organization strongly urge the Obama administration to take steps to alleviate the danger to pedestrians, including those with visual impairments, created by its policies of using Hybrid vehicles.
 
At a minimum, these steps include retrofitting of Hybrid vehicles to comply with the standards that will be adopted by the United States Department of Transportation pursuant to the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act.
 
Resolution 2012-10 This organization strongly supports the Lions Clubs Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act.
 
The officers, directors, and staff of this organization are hereby requested to convey the sense of this resolution to members of Congress.
 
A copy of this resolution shall be sent to Lions Clubs International.
 
Resolution 2012-11 This organization demands that OPM adopt and implement a policy, at the earliest possible time, to provide federal retirees who are blind or visually impaired with all appropriate documentation in accessible formats.
 
Resolution 2012-12 Failed. Regarding issues relating to sub-minimum wage
 
Resolution 2012-13 This organization thanks the transportation committees of the House and Senate and in particular, Senator Barbara Boxer, for their efforts on behalf of the retention of the Randolph-Sheppard Priority.
 
This organization reaffirms our continuing support for the Randolph-Sheppard priority and pledges to work with our affiliate, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America.
 
Resolution 2012-14 This organization strongly urges the United States Senate to ratify this treaty.
 
This organization directs its staff and advocates speaking on its behalf, to express the sense of this resolution to members of the United States Senate with all due promptness.
 
Resolution 2012-15 Failed. Banning the Use of Cell Phones.
 
Resolution 2012-16 Commendation of Convention Hotel.
 
Resolution 2012-17 Commending the Host Committee.
 
Resolution 2012-18 Commending Volunteers.

Resolution 2012-01

Medicare Open Enrollment

 

WHEREAS, the Medicare program is the sole or primary provider of health care coverage for tens of thousands of Americans who are blind or visually impaired; and,

WHEREAS, the 60-day annual open enrollment period for Medicare services commences on October 1; and,

WHEREAS, although Medicare recipients receive a print version of the Medicare enrollment packet, prior to October 1, the Braille version is not available until November 15; and,

WHEREAS, in fact, a recipient seeking a Braille version of the enrollment packet cannot even request it until November 15;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council Of The Blind in convention assembled on this 11th day of July, in Louisville, Kentucky, that this organization demands that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, make accessible format versions of this packet available to recipients who are blind or have low vision at the same time as these materials are available for others.

Adopted.
Marlaina Lieberg, Secretary

Resolution 2012-02

Medicare Accessible Formats

 

WHEREAS, the Medicare program is the sole or primary provider of health care coverage for tens of thousands of Americans who are blind or visually impaired; and,

WHEREAS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services does not provide Medicare program applicants and recipients with copies of case correspondence in accessible formats; and,

WHEREAS, failure to provide such correspondence in accessible formats can result in loss of services or complete denials of Medicare benefits; and,

WHEREAS, failure to provide case correspondence in accessible formats violates federal law; and,

WHEREAS, this organization, has worked tirelessly to advocate for the provision of correspondence to applicants and recipients of federal programs, as evidenced by its recent victory with the Social Security Administration;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by The American Council Of The Blind in convention assembled on this 11th day of July, in Louisville, Kentucky, that this organization work to ensure that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, adopts, at the earliest possible time, a policy whereby case correspondence is provided to Medicare applicants and recipients in accessible formats.

Adopted.
Marlaina Lieberg, Secretary

Resolution 2012-03

Methods for Encouraging 508 Compliance

 

WHEREAS, the federal government is both the largest employer in the United States and the largest purchaser of information and communications technology (ICT) and;

WHEREAS, the services and information provided by the federal government impact everyone in the United States including people with disabilities, and;

WHEREAS, the federal government provides an immense range and quantity of information and services to the general public, much of which is inaccessible to individuals with disabilities and;

WHEREAS, numerous unnecessary and unlawful barriers to the employment and career advancement of persons with disabilities persist due to the federal government's procurement, development, and deployment of inaccessible (ICT) equipment programs, websites, and other resources in direct violation of section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 as amended section 508 and;

WHEREAS, hardware, software, and other components of ict have been changed with the result that many individuals with disabilities have been unable to obtain or retain employment and;

WHEREAS, virtually all decisions made under section 508 are implemented at the agency level, thereby making enforcement cumbersome, inefficient, and inconsistent and;

WHEREAS, while several agencies have developed individual approaches for measuring compliance, There are no uniform centralized metrics that can be used to meaningfully assess agency performance or create accountability.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council Of The Blind, in convention assembled on this 13th day of July, at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville Kentucky, that this organization urge Congress to conduct rigorous oversight of the current state of affairs respecting section 508 with the objective of drafting and adopting strengthening amendments to this statutory provision including but not limited to:

  1. the designation of a central agency for the investigation of Section 508 complaints and the enforcement of Section 508 remedies along the lines of Section 502 of the rehabilitation act applicable to architectural barriers and;
  2. the allocation of specific funding to this agency for the education, training, and provision of technical assistance  to all federal departments, thereby reducing the need for complaint resolution and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that  any strengthening of Section 508 contain objective standards and uniform metrics for effectively measuring and verifying compliance with its mandates and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization urge Congress to express its strong displeasure to the Department of Justice for its failure to provide the statutorily mandated biennial congressional reports on the state of section 508 implementation in the federal government since 2000 and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization call on the President and his administration to take all permissible actions to enforce Section 508 in every federal agency including but not limited to:

  1. releasing an executive order mandating enforcement of existing law;
  2. re-establishing the ability of the General Services Administration (GSA) to promote best practices  for evaluating procurement purchase and implementation of (ICT) and;
  3. consult people with disabilities to acquire greater knowledge of their accessibility concerns toward the goal of designing more effective solutions for addressing and resolving Section 508 issues and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization urges  the ACB staff to consider making the objectives of this resolution a legislative imperative for the 2013 national legislative seminar and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization will share this resolution with and work cooperatively with other organizations and persons interested in and advocating for the objectives set forth herein.

Adopted 7-13-12

Marlaina Lieberg
Secretary

Resolution 2012-05

XM Radio

 

WHEREAS, Sirius XM Radio Inc. is the only satellite radio provider in the United States and;

WHEREAS, stand alone receivers, web-based solutions and applications for devices running ios and android operating systems are all available through Sirius xm radio and;

WHEREAS, all of these receiver types are capable of displaying information about channels and content being currently broadcast
And;

WHEREAS, none of the information concerning channel content and virtually none of the controls that allow for the operation of such products are accessible to people who are blind or have low vision and;

WHEREAS, there are standards for creating accessible web applications, ios apps and android apps;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of The Blind in convention assembled on this 11th day of July, at the Galt House Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky, that this organization strongly encourages Sirius XM incorporated to work in collaboration with ACB’s information access committee and with the technical division of IAAIS, (international association of audio information services) to create a truly accessible stand-alone radio and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all the parties named above are asked to work to make android, ios and internet versions of XM and/or Sirius radio applications accessible as well.

Adopted.
Marlaina Lieberg, Secretary

Resolution 2012-06

Ann Sullivan Macy Act

 

WHEREAS, by her ground-breaking achievements in the education of Helen Keller, Anne Sullivan Macy became an iconic figure in the field of education for students and teachers with Disabilities and;

WHEREAS, these efforts conclusively demonstrated the great potential which students with visual impairments can unlock when properly prepared and educated and;

WHEREAS, it is fitting that this famous teacher with a visual impairment is honored by having a proposed piece of legislation named after her and;

WHEREAS, this piece of legislation has now been drafted and should be introduced soon and;

WHEREAS, the Anne Sullivan Macy Bill is intended to provide specific direction as to how services should be delivered to students who are blind or have low vision and;

WHEREAS, at the heart of this bill is the Expanded Core Curriculum which provides a blue print of the comprehensive range of services that children who are blind need if they are to be successful and;

WHEREAS, blind students often graduate from high school with excellent academic records, but still find themselves unable to either find work or to be independent and well-adjusted as people who are blind and;

WHEREAS, the draft legislation can be found at www.afb.org/macyact

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 13th day of July, at the Galt House Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky, that this organization commends the long overdue recognition for Anne Sullivan Macy, a capable role model for all the teachers who are blind or have low vision who have followed her and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the content of this legislation with its emphasis on the specific needs of children who are blind or have low vision constitutes an exciting opportunity to focus the attention of administrators, teachers and parents on the specific needs of students who are blind or have low vision and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization enthusiastically endorses all the components of the current draft legislation and encourages our affiliates to work for the immediate introduction of this bill and for its eventual adoption.

Adopted 7-13-12

Marlaina Lieberg
Secretary

Resolution 2012-07

Braille Code Reform

 

WHEREAS, Unified English Braille, (UEB)offers the opportunity to share braille books in the future, among many English-speaking countries and will avoid the duplicate production of the same title and;

WHEREAS, there has been considerable concern that UEB does not effectively support Science, technology, Engineering and mathematics, (STEM) and;

WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind, Library Users of America and the Braille Revival League have worked together over the past two decades to determine what the best course for braille code reform needs to be and;

WHEREAS, all the member countries of the International Council on English Braille, except the United States have now adopted UEB and;

WHEREAS, at its April 2012 meeting, BANA (The Braille Authority of North America), requested its members to seek guidance from the organizations they represent about how to proceed with code reform;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of The Blind in convention assembled on this 13th day of July, at the Galt House Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky, that the Braille Revival League, Library Users of America and the American Council of the Blind hereby authorize our representative to BANA to vote for the adoption of UEB only if the following conditions are met 1. This organization will only support the adoption of UEB if BANA retains and supports the use of the Nemeth Code for mathematics and science notation; and 2. BANA develops and implements a plan which clearly defines how Nemeth Code can effectively be incorporated into UEB; and 3.  BANA's plan specifically outlines a deliberate and gradual introduction of UEB so as to provide a minimum of disruption to current braille readers and to the teaching of braille to children and adults.

Adopted 7-13-12

Marlaina Lieberg
Secretary

Resolution 2012-08

Accessibility Waiver

 

WHEREAS, Title 10 USC. Subpart E Chapter 1201 Subpart 1205 Paragraph C states in part “the Secretary of any branch may waive any physical defect provided the Secretary concerned determines that physical defect will not interfere with the duties that person may be assigned” and;

WHEREAS, the military has demonstrated through its retention of three persons on active duty who are blind that, when placed in appropriate assignments, such individuals can function effectively in the positions they currently hold and;

WHEREAS, the American Council of The Blind has consistently maintained there are jobs in the military that can be effectively handled by individuals who are blind and;

WHEREAS, in all of the uniformed services this organization believes people who are blind or have low vision can effectively perform a broad range of jobs and;

WHEREAS, there are currently nine individuals serving in a distinguished manner in the Coastguard Auxiliary where they function in uniform and perform many of the same jobs as are currently being done by individuals on active duty or in the Reserves and;

WHEREAS, there are a number of other military entities including the Civil Air Patrol where people who are blind are also serving and;

WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind believes that, given the existence of the waiver and ample evidence that individuals who are blind or have low vision can function effectively in uniform services and should have the right to serve the United States of America since their talents amply demonstrate their competence;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 13th day of July, at the Galt House Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky, that this organization calls upon the President of the United States, as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to become directly involved in exploring the issues raised by this resolution with a view to making a career in the military as a reservist, at least, available to individuals who are blind or
have low vision and have demonstrated their competence.

Adopted 7-13-2012

Marlaina Lieberg
Secretary

Resolution 2012-09

Hybrid Vehicles

 

WHEREAS, the American Council of the Blind has been a leader in the effort to combat the safety issue posed by hybrid vehicles, due to the absence of sufficient noise emissions to make their presence known to pedestrians, including those with visual impairments and;

WHEREAS, this effort culminated in the enactment, in 2010, of the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act and;

WHEREAS, this federal law requires that the United States Department of Transportation adopt prospective mandatory noise emission standards that will require hybrid vehicles to have sufficient noise emissions to alleviate these safety concerns and;

WHEREAS, since taking office, the, Obama Administration has adopted a policy requiring federal agencies to lease and purchase large numbers of hybrid vehicles and;

WHEREAS, this policy has resulted in the number of hybrid vehicles used by the federal government, doubling in 2010 and;

WHEREAS, it is the stated goal of the Obama Administration that, by 2015,  all vehicles leased or purchased by the federal government will be hybrid vehicles and;

WHEREAS, because the United States Department of Transportation has not yet adopted the standards required by the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act, large numbers of hybrid vehicles will be in use by the federal government that pose serious safety issues for pedestrians, including those with visual impairments and;

WHEREAS, this outcome violates the spirit and intent of the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 13th day of July, at the Galt House Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky, that this organization strongly urge the Obama Administration to take steps to alleviate the danger to pedestrians, including those with visual impairments, created by its policies of using hybrid vehicles and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, at a minimum, these steps include retrofitting of hybrid vehicles to comply with the standards that will be adopted by the United States Department of Transportation pursuant to the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act.

Adopted 7-13-12

Marlaina Lieberg
Secretary

Resolution 2012-10

Urging Support for Lions Clubs Century of Service Coin Legislation

 

WHEREAS, the Lions Clubs Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act (H.R.2139 and S.1299) has been introduced in the United States Congress and;

WHEREAS, if passed, this legislation would authorize that a commemorative coin be produced by 2017 in time for the 100th anniversary of the founding of Lions International and;

WHEREAS, for the vast majority of their history, Lions from throughout the United States and across the world have dedicated themselves through their service to improving the lives of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in Convention Assembled on this 13th day of July, at the Galt House Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky, that this organization strongly supports the Lions Clubs Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act And;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers, directors and staff of this organization are hereby requested to convey the sense of this resolution to members of Congress and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution shall be sent to Lions Clubs International.
Adopted 7-13-12

Marlaina Lieberg
Secretary

Resolution 2012-11

Office of Personnel Management

 

WHEREAS, the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) administers retirement benefits for Federal retirees including federal employees who retire because of disabilities and;

WHEREAS, the OPM does not provide case correspondence to persons who are blind or visually impaired in accessible formats and;

WHEREAS, failure to provide such correspondence in accessible formats may preclude retirees who are blind or visually impaired from making informed and independent benefit decisions and;

WHEREAS, the failure to provide such case correspondence in accessible formats violates federal law;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind, in convention assembled on this 13th day of July, at the Galt House Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky, that this organization demands that OPM adopt and implement a policy, at the earliest possible time, to provide federal retirees who are blind or visually impaired with all appropriate documentation in accessible formats.

Adopted 7-13-12

Marlaina Lieberg
Secretary

Resolution 2012-13

Thanking Congress for the Retention of the Randolph Sheppard Priority

 

WHEREAS, during the negotiations leading to the passage of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act there were substantial efforts made to broaden the commercialization of roadside rest areas which would have constituted a serious loss for Randolph-Sheppard vendors and;

WHEREAS, the Randolph-Sheppard priority was protected and even extended in the Act;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 13th day of July, at the Galt House Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky, that this organization thanks the transportation committees of the House and Senate and in particular, Senator Barbara Boxer, for their efforts on behalf of the retention of the Randolph-Sheppard Priority and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization reaffirms our continuing support for the Randolph-Sheppard priority and pledges to work with our affiliate, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America.

Adopted 7-13-12

Marlaina Lieberg
Secretary

Resolution 2012-14

Convention Treaty on People with Disabilities

 

WHEREAS, President Obama has signed the United  Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and;

WHEREAS, The United States will not be considered a signatory to this important treaty until it is also ratified by the United States Senate and;

WHEREAS, The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has long supported this treaty;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 13th day of July, at the Galt House Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky, that this Organization strongly urges the United States Senate to ratify this treaty and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization directs its staff, and advocates speaking on its behalf, to express the sense of this resolution to members of the United States Senate with all due promptness.

Adopted 7-13-12

Marlaina Lieberg
Secretary

Resolution 2012-16

Commendation of Convention Hotel

 

WHEREAS, the Galt House Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky has provided essential services and important accommodations to the members of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) attending its 2012 convention and;

WHEREAS, the staff of the Galt House has been friendly and helpful and;

WHEREAS, the success of a convention is dependent upon the quality of the services provided by the hotel;

 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 13th day of July, at the  Galt House Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky, that this organization express its thanks and appreciation for the services and accommodations provided to its members by the Galt House Hotel and its staff.

Adopted 7-13-12

Marlaina Lieberg
Secretary

Resolution 2012-17

Commending the Host Committee

 

WHEREAS, the handling of local arrangements for an American Council of the Blind (ACB) National Convention is a mammoth undertaking and;

WHEREAS, the host committee and ACB members in the state of Kentucky have met every challenge in hosting the 2012 ACB National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky and have welcomed and assisted ACB members in a friendly, helpful, and grand fashion;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 13th day of July, at the Galt House Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky, that this organization wholeheartedly thanks and commends the host committee for their fine work.

Adopted 7-13-12

Marlaina Lieberg
Secretary

Resolution 2012-18

Commending Volunteers

 

WHEREAS, volunteers, under the most able stewardship of Volunteer Coordinator, Sally Benjamin, have provided superb services in all ways to attendees of the 2012 American Council of the Blind (ACB) Convention;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 13th day of July, at the Galt House Hotel, in Louisville, Kentucky, that this organization warmly and most sincerely express its appreciation to all volunteers who worked to assist the attendees of the 2012 ACB convention and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization request yet one more accommodation from Ms. Benjamin, that being to assist in communicating this resolution, or its sense, to all volunteers.

Adopted 7-13-12

Marlaina Lieberg
Secretary