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2020 Resolutions

Table of Contents

 

Summary of 2020 Resolutions

 

The following are brief summaries of the resolutions adopted by the ACB Board of Directors at its telephonic meeting on August 27, 2020. Two resolutions were withdrawn by their makers; those were Resolutions 2020-08 and 2020-09. They are not included in this compilation. Resolution 2020-13 was considered by the board, but did not pass; we have included it at the end of this document for your information. Please note that these summary statements are not the authoritative voice of the ACB board of directors; they are simply meant to capture the overall scope and intent of the resolutions. You can find the full text of resolutions at www.acb.org.

Resolution 2020-01 directs ACB to work with the advocacy steering committee to expand its advocacy efforts toward compliance with the ADA and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended with respect to accessibility to website and other digital platforms, urges affiliates to engage in similar actions, and instructs ACB to lend its assistance to affiliates taking such advocacy efforts.

Resolution 2020-02 instructs ACB to advocate for the inclusion of specialized services, including the use of assistive technology, learning braille, orientation and mobility, cooking, cleaning and other activities of daily living, self-advocacy, and counseling for people with vision loss among the services reimbursable under the Older Americans Act, the Medicare and Medicaid programs and other appropriate programs, and urges ACB’s affiliates to seek funding sources in their states for non-vocational specialized services for people with vision loss.

Resolution 2020-03 directs ACB, in conjunction with Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI), to commend NLS for its quick response and its commitment to full and equal access to LGBTQ materials, and instructs ACB to urge the library to continue to expand the number of fiction and non-fiction titles in the LGBTQ topic area, as well as to collaborate with members of BPI and ACB to select quality titles of interest to, and that accurately represent, the LGBTQ community.

Resolution 2020-04 requests that ACB work in collaboration with the Braille Revival League and Library Users of America to urge the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) to contract to produce “Reader’s Digest” in braille, and to urge NLS to implement the decision as soon as possible so that the gap between the September 2020 issue and the first issue produced by NLS is as small as possible.

Resolution 2020-05 urges ACB to send letters to the head of the Administration on Community Living and the head of the Administration on Aging to express ACB’s concern over the growing number of seniors who are experiencing vision loss and the lack of adequate home- and community-based services available to this population. It also directs ACB to call upon these agencies to explore ways in which programs and services overseen by these entities can be better targeted to address the needs of the older blind population, and urges ACB’s state and local affiliates to advocate with public and private agencies serving seniors under the Older Americans Act for the inclusion of specialized services for persons with vision loss in their senior programs.

Resolution 2020-06 instructs ACB to demand that the United States Postal Service make all features of the USPS mobile app, including the Informed Delivery feature, accessible to people with disabilities including users of screen readers, and directs ACB to provide guidance and testing with regards to accessibility of Informed Delivery.

Resolution 2020-07 directs that ACB support the right of students with visual disabilities to use the notetaking method of their choice, including the right to record classroom instruction and small group discussions for personal use, in any situation in which a sighted student would take written notes, and urges state and local affiliates to advocate for the adoption of educational policies that ensure equal access to information for all students when working with school districts and special education entities.

Resolution 2020-10 directs that ACB, in consultation with the Multicultural Affairs Committee, work with its state, local and special-interest affiliates in advocating for meaningful and comprehensive explicit and implicit bias training for law enforcement agencies nationwide, including specific training in the areas of visual disabilities, deaf-blindness and people with cognitive disabilities who are also visually impaired. Also instructs ACB to support legislation that requires the tracking and reporting of law enforcement encounters with people with disabilities in general and people with vision loss in particular, and collaborate with its state, local and special-interest affiliates as they identify and engage with other organizations and state and local governing bodies to design and implement comprehensive explicit and implicit bias training in law enforcement.

Resolution 2020-11 directs ACB’s board of directors and staff, in consultation with the Multicultural Affairs Committee, to develop and implement a policy encouraging African-Americans and other people of color to become involved in the leadership of this organization. Also instructs ACB to develop a mentoring program designed to seek out and elevate African-Americans and other people of color into leadership positions, including a provision for recruitment of members from the population of African-Americans and other people of color who are blind or have low vision. Directs the Multicultural Affairs Committee to prepare a seminar to be presented at the 2021 D.C. Leadership Meetings on recruiting and mentoring of African-Americans and other people of color, along with an article to be published in “The ACB Braille Forum” on recruiting and mentoring African-Americans and other people of color who are blind or have low vision. Finally, this resolution instructs ACB to undertake an ACB census to better understand the diversity of this organization at all levels by February 1, 2021 and that collecting data on ACB’s diversity be incorporated into the membership certification process moving forward.

Resolution 2020-12 asks that ACB recognize the extreme importance of smartphone-based informational and wayfinding technologies which provide independent access to transportation systems, government services, and public accommodations, especially during periods of public emergency; directs the organization to encourage transit systems, government services, and public accommodations to supplement existing informational and wayfinding technologies through the deployment of technology-based accessibility tools and strategies as one means of providing access to the built environment for people who are blind or have low vision; instructs ACB to call upon these systems to take affirmative steps to ensure equal information and wayfinding access are provided to individuals who do not or cannot now make use of these technology solutions; and urges ACB to support long-term investments in the development, testing, deployment and maintenance of technology-based approaches that address informational and wayfinding access barriers while ensuring equity for those who do not or cannot make use of these technology solutions.

Resolution 2020-01

Compliance with Digital Accessibility Requirements

 

Whereas, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as many state statutes, require private entities meeting the definition of public accommodations and governmental entities to make their websites and other digital platforms accessible to persons with disabilities, including people who are blind or have low vision; and

Whereas, it has long been an important priority of the American Council of the Blind to advocate for compliance with the ADA in the realm of digital platform access; and

Whereas, despite these efforts, both the public and private sectors have varied widely with respect to the degree to which they have complied with the legal mandate of the ADA to make their digital platforms accessible to people with vision loss; and

Whereas, the failure of both government and industry to make all websites and other digital platforms accessible to people who are blind or have low vision has not only limited access to information for this population, but also decreased the availability of equal opportunities for people with vision loss in all aspects of their daily lives;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind, assembled telephonically on the 27th day of August, 2020, that this organization work with its advocacy steering committee to significantly expand its advocacy efforts toward compliance with the ADA and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended with respect to accessibility to website and other digital platforms; and

Be it further resolved that this organization urge its affiliates, to the extent possible, to engage in similar advocacy efforts; and

Be it further resolved that this organization lend its assistance, where feasible, to affiliates undertaking such advocacy efforts.

Adopted.

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2020-02

Non-Vocational Services for Persons with Vision Loss

 

Whereas, the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) regulations preclude states from expending funds for services to rehabilitation clients who do not have an employment goal; and

Whereas, many individuals who are blind or have low vision, especially seniors and others who have experienced recent vision loss, require a number of specialized services in order to continue to live independently; and

Whereas, due to age and other circumstances, many of these individuals may never attempt to enter the employment market, while others will require a regimen of non-vocational services as a pre-condition to re-entering the labor market; and 

Whereas, these non-vocational services include the use of assistive technology, learning braille, orientation and mobility, cooking, cleaning and other activities of daily living, self-advocacy, and counseling; and

Whereas, the only major source of funds for these services is the federal Older Individuals who are Blind program, supplemented with small amounts of funds by a few states; and

Whereas, it is estimated that the funding for this program meets less than 3% of the national need for such services; and

Whereas, the importance of these services in enabling people with vision loss to remain independent and avoid institutionalization has been heightened by the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic; and

Whereas, people with other disabilities receive home- and community-based services under the Older Americans Act, state Medicaid programs and under the federal Medicare program; and

Whereas, specialized services for persons who are blind or have low vision have seldom been funded as home- and community-based services under any of these programs; and

Whereas, it is long past time to incorporate the funding of specialized services for people with vision loss into Medicare, Medicaid and the Older Americans Act, in order to begin to address the ever-increasing unmet need for these services;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind, assembled telephonically on the 27th day of August, 2020, that this organization advocate for the inclusion of specialized services, including the use of assistive technology, learning braille, orientation and mobility, cooking, cleaning and other activities of daily living, self-advocacy, and counseling for people with vision loss among the services reimbursable under the Older Americans Act, the Medicare and Medicaid programs and other appropriate programs; and

Be it further resolved that this organization urge its affiliates to seek funding sources in their states for non-vocational specialized services for people with vision loss.

Adopted.

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2020-03

Thanking NLS

 

Whereas, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), a program of the Library of Congress, has provided reading materials in accessible formats since 1931, thereby supporting education, employment, independence, and quality of life for millions of individuals who are blind or who have low vision; and

Whereas, as a result of the dedicated work and recent advocacy of Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI), an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, NLS added navigational features making it easier to locate and download materials about LGBTQ topics; and

Whereas, the number of LGBTQ patrons of the NLS is growing, and materials about the LGBTQ experience are of interest to all readers; 

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind, assembled telephonically on the 27th day of August, 2020, that this organization, in conjunction with Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI), strongly commend NLS for its quick response and its commitment to full and equal access; and

Be it further resolved that this organization strongly urge NLS, in its collection development, to continue to expand the number of fiction and non-fiction titles in the LGBTQ topic area; and

Be it further resolved that ACB encourage NLS to collaborate with members of BPI and ACB to select quality titles that are of interest to, and accurately represent, the LGBTQ community; and

Be it further resolved that this organization encourage NLS to explore the addition of a new category identifying materials written for young adults wanting to locate topics or characters reflecting the LGBTQ experience.

Adopted.

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2020-04

Urging NLS to Produce a Braille Version of ‘Reader’s Digest’

 

Whereas, “Reader’s Digest” has been produced and distributed by the American Printing House for the Blind for at least 60 years; and

Whereas, it constitutes one of the longest continuously produced publications available in braille; and

Whereas, a number of members of the Braille Revival League have expressed concern and dismay over the fact that the American Printing House for the Blind has indicated that, after the September 2020 issue, it will cease to produce the braille edition of this publication; and

Whereas, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) currently produces a recorded edition of “Reader’s Digest;” and

Whereas, braille readers believe that a braille edition of this publication is extremely valuable and important;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind, assembled telephonically, on the 27th day of August, 2020, that this organization, in conjunction with its affiliates, the Braille Revival League and Library Users of America, hereby strongly urge the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) to contract to produce “Reader’s Digest” in braille; and

Be it further resolved that NLS implement this decision as quickly as possible so that the gap between the last issue being produced in braille by the American Printing House for the Blind, the  September 2020 issue, and the first issue produced by NLS be as short as possible.

Adopted.

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2020-05

Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind

 

Whereas, there are more than 5 million seniors in the United States over the age of 55 currently classified as legally blind; and

Whereas, over the next 15 years that number is expected to grow by an additional 3 million; and

Whereas, funding and oversight for services provided to older blind Americans is required by federal law to be administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), under the U.S. Department of Education, pursuant to the Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) program; and

Whereas, these services are delivered by qualified professionals; and 

Whereas, funding for the OIB program is extremely limited and meets only a small fraction of the need for services to seniors with vision loss; and

Whereas, most persons who experience vision loss in their senior years desperately want and need to learn important independent living skills to help them adjust to their vision loss and remain in their homes, thus avoiding nursing facility placement; and

Whereas, the Administration on Community Living, under the Department of Health and Human Services, has responsibility for oversight of numerous programs that provide services to seniors and people with disabilities, including Older Americans Act programs;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind, assembled telephonically on the 27th day of August, 2020, that this organization send letters to the head of the Administration on Community Living and the head of the Administration on Aging to express ACB’s concern over the growing number of seniors who are experiencing vision loss and the lack of adequate home- and community-based services available to this population; and

Be it further resolved that this organization call upon these agencies to explore ways in which programs and services overseen by these entities can be better targeted to address the needs of this population; and

Be it further resolved that this organization urge state and local affiliates to advocate with public and private agencies serving seniors under the Older Americans Act for the inclusion of specialized services for persons with vision loss in their senior programs.

Adopted.

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2020-06

USPS Informed Delivery

 

Whereas, the United States Postal Service offers a service called Informed Delivery; and

Whereas, this service is available through mobile apps; and

Whereas, Informed Delivery provides many services, including Informed Delivery for letters, package delivery notification, the availability to schedule pickups, purchase stamps and more; and

Whereas, Informed Delivery is also available via email; and

Whereas, the notifications of what mail is arriving can help the recipient know what is coming and therefore know when important mail is arriving; and

Whereas, the Informed Delivery messages display each piece of mail to be received as a scanned image; and

Whereas, the text in these scanned images is not accessible by screen readers on either computer, tablet or smartphone; and

Whereas, this lack of accessibility constitutes a violation of both the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind, assembled telephonically on the 27th day of August, 2020, that this organization demand that the United States Postal Service make all features of the USPS mobile app, including the Informed Delivery feature, accessible to people with disabilities including users of screen readers; and

Be it further resolved that ACB provide guidance and testing with regards to accessibility of Informed Delivery; and

Be it further resolved that if USPS does not take substantive and measurable actions in an expeditious manner to address the concerns set forth in this resolution, this organization undertake legal advocacy efforts on this issue.

Adopted.

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2020-07

Accessible Notetaking in Classes

 

Whereas, a quality education is critical for securing competitive employment and realizing one’s highest potential; and

Whereas, according to the 2017 American Community Survey, there were 568,202 students under the age of 18 with significant vision loss; and   

Whereas, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act require primary and secondary public schools to provide an equal educational experience to all students; and

Whereas, there are many ways to take notes, including pen and paper, computers, braille slate and stylus, electronic notetaking devices or digital voice recorders; and

Whereas, the most effective method is highly individualized, often influenced by a student’s unique sensory, cognitive, motor or learning needs, and is most appropriately determined by the student and their family, case worker and educational specialists; and

Whereas, some public school districts have policies that prohibit audio recordings in the classroom, thus compromising the engagement and education of students who would be best served by recorded notes; and

Whereas, the shift to remote instruction during the COVID-19 emergency has made classroom recordings commonplace and has necessitated numerous policy changes;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind, assembled telephonically on the 27th day of August, 2020, that this organization support the right of students with visual disabilities to use the notetaking method of their choice, including the right to record classroom instruction and small group discussions for personal use, in any situation in which a sighted student would take written notes; and

Be it further resolved that the American Council of the Blind forward this resolution to the Secretary of Education with the expectation that guidance will be issued by the federal government to address this concern; and

Be it further resolved that the American Council of the Blind urge its state and local affiliates, with the assistance of this organization, to advocate for the adoption of educational policies that ensure equal access to information for all students when working with school districts and special education entities.

Adopted.

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2020-10

Equity in Policing

 

Whereas, recently, multiple accounts of police misconduct and brutality against people who are Black, Latinx, indigenous, or other people of color have been shared on television, in print and on social media; and

Whereas, various studies including The Ruderman Family Foundation (2015) have estimated that between 30 to 50 percent of deaths of unarmed individuals have involved a person with a disability; and

Whereas, there also exist anecdotal accounts of people with visual impairments experiencing police misconduct or outright police brutality resulting in injury and death; and

Whereas, these situations include a cane being mistaken for a weapon, a person not being able to identify an officer and thus comply with the officer’s commands, and an officer misidentifying a person with low vision as being on drugs; and

Whereas, historically, the American Council of the Blind has advocated for the protection of people with disabilities in general and people with visual disabilities specifically; and

Whereas, a 2018 U.N. Commission on Civil Rights report indicates there are currently no requirements that law enforcement agencies track how many people with disabilities, and specifically people who are blind, deaf-blind, have low vision or have cognitive disabilities along with a visual impairment, encounter police misconduct or outright brutality; and

Whereas, around the nation, law enforcement agencies have not been transparent as to how they address ongoing explicit and implicit bias training in the area of disability in general, and visual disabilities specifically; and

Whereas, law enforcement agencies around the nation are beginning to change their training models and use of force policies; and

Whereas, the American Council of the Blind has formed useful coalitions with civil rights and disability rights organizations;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind, assembled telephonically on the 27th day of August, 2020, that this organization, in consultation with the Multicultural Affairs Committee, work with its state, local and special-interest affiliates in advocating for meaningful and comprehensive explicit and implicit bias training for law enforcement agencies nationwide, including specific training in the areas of visual disabilities, deaf-blindness and people with cognitive disabilities who are also visually impaired; and

Be it further resolved that, in consultation with the Advocacy Steering Committee, this organization support legislation that requires the tracking and reporting of law enforcement encounters with people with disabilities in general and people with vision loss in particular; and

Be it further resolved that the American Council of the Blind collaborate with its state, local and special-interest affiliates as they identify and engage with other organizations and state and local governing bodies to design and implement comprehensive explicit and implicit bias training in law enforcement.

Adopted.

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2020-11

Racial Justice

 

Whereas, in the wake of the recent murders of George Floyd and other African-Americans and in furtherance of its long-held belief in equity and social justice, the American Council of the Blind issued a statement supporting the need for social and racial justice; and

Whereas, due to the perceived urgent need for issuance of this statement, there was insufficient time to obtain comprehensive input from the ACB Multicultural Affairs Committee (MCAC) prior to its release; and

Whereas, the MCAC is committed to the inclusion and preparation of African-Americans and other people of color to serve in leadership positions in ACB; and 

Whereas, it is widely recognized that African-Americans and other people of color are underrepresented in this organization, both among its leadership and membership; and

Whereas, it is essential that ACB members have the opportunity to learn about both the life experience of African-Americans and other people of color in this country and the Black Lives Matter movement; and

Whereas, conditions that heavily impact people who are blind or have low vision, including diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, have high incidence rates among African-Americans and other people of color; and

Whereas, it is incumbent upon this organization to take measurable steps to attract leaders and new members among African-Americans and other people of color with vision loss, as well as to advocate with a view toward the specific concerns of this segment of the blindness community;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind, assembled telephonically on the 27th day of August, 2020, that the board of directors and staff of this organization, in consultation with the Multicultural Affairs Committee, be directed to develop and implement a policy encouraging African-Americans and other people of color to become involved in the leadership of this organization; and

Be it further resolved that as an essential part of the policy, this organization develop a mentoring program designed to seek out and elevate African-Americans and other people of color into leadership positions, including a provision for recruitment of members from the population of African-Americans and other people of color who are blind or have low vision; and

Be it further resolved that the advocacy efforts of this organization take into consideration the specific issues faced by African-Americans and other people of color with vision loss; and

Be it further resolved that the Multicultural Affairs Committee prepare a seminar to be presented at the 2021 D.C. Leadership Meetings on recruiting and mentoring of African-Americans and other people of color, along with an article to be published in “The ACB Braille Forum” on recruiting and mentoring African-Americans and other people of color who are blind or have low vision; and

Be it further resolved that this organization undertake an ACB census to better understand the diversity of this organization at all levels by February 1, 2021 and that collecting data on ACB’s diversity be incorporated into the membership certification process moving forward.

Adopted.

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2020-12

Access Solutions for Transit Systems, Government Services, and Public Accommodations

 

Whereas, people who are blind or have low vision experience persistent informational and wayfinding barriers when independently accessing transportation systems, federal, state and local government services, and public accommodations caused by inaccessible signage, maps, and other visual informational features; and

Whereas, some examples of inaccessible types of signage include variable message designations, directional and informational, means of egress, restrooms, and building directories; and

Whereas, during periods when federal, state and local governments declare states of emergency and/or during periods of disaster recovery, these often result in circumstances that require ad hoc policies, procedures and signage that further exacerbate the informational and wayfinding challenges that people with vision loss already face; and

Whereas, examples that occur during periods of emergency and disaster recovery include temporary signage, path-of-travel changes, social distancing measures, frequent relocation of entrances and exits, as well as other measures being taken during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis; and

Whereas, technology developers have created innovative solutions that enable access to, and efficiency with, visual information and wayfinding through communications networks; and

Whereas, a host of new and emerging technologies, including but not limited to AIRA, Be My Eyes, Microsoft Soundscape, Waymap, OrCam, and Access Explorer use smartphone apps to provide information and assistance, minimizing the need for close contact with other individuals, and supplement existing accessible informational and wayfinding technologies, affording the user with an enhanced quality of access to the built environment; and

Whereas, these smartphone technologies offer many advantages, especially during states of emergency and/or disaster recovery for people who have access to smartphones; and

Whereas, these technologies do not meet the informational and wayfinding needs of people with vision loss who do not or cannot now make use of smartphones; and

Whereas, examples of solutions that meet the needs of this population include braille, tactile and large print signage, in-person and telephonic assistance and automated audio messaging systems;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind, assembled telephonically on the 27th day of August, 2020, that this organization recognize the extreme importance of smartphone-based informational and wayfinding technologies which provide independent access to transportation systems, government services, and public accommodations, especially during periods of public emergency; and

Be it further resolved that this organization encourage transit systems, government services, and public accommodations to supplement existing informational and wayfinding technologies through the deployment of technology-based accessibility tools and strategies as one means of providing access to the built environment for people who are blind or have low vision; and

Be it further resolved that this organization call upon transit systems, government services, and public accommodations to take affirmative steps to ensure equal information and wayfinding access are provided to individuals who do not or cannot now make use of these technology solutions; and

Be it further resolved that this organization support long-term investments in the development, testing, deployment and maintenance of technology-based approaches that address informational and wayfinding access barriers while ensuring equity for those who do not or cannot make use of these technology solutions.    

Adopted.

Denise Colley, Secretary

Resolution 2020-13, below, was considered by ACB’s Board of Directors; however, it failed on a voice vote. We include it solely for your information.

Addendum: Text of the Resolution That Failed

 

Failed on a Voice Vote

Reinstatement of ‘AccessWorld’ on the iOS and Android Platforms

Resolution 2020-13

 

Whereas, since January of 2000, “AccessWorld” has been published by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB); and

Whereas, it is the only regularly published technology magazine primarily devoted to the needs of people who are blind or who have low vision; and

Whereas, as technology evolved, the American Foundation for the Blind made “AccessWorld” available on both the iOS and Android mobile platforms; and

Whereas, many readers of “AccessWorld” came to depend on the iOS and Android versions because they were easy to find and convenient to access from portable devices anywhere; and

Whereas, over a year ago, the American Foundation for the Blind made the decision to discontinue both mobile versions of the magazine; and

Whereas, this not only deprived iOS and Android readers of access to current releases of “AccessWorld” but also took away easy access to archived issues as well; and 

Whereas, the fact that “AccessWorld” is available on NFB Newsline only makes the current issue and the one previous to it available and gives no access to the archives; and

Whereas, “AccessWorld” constitutes one of the very few direct services which is made available by the American Foundation for the Blind to a broad range of people who are blind or who have low vision;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind, assembled telephonically on the 27th day of August, 2020, that this organization strongly urge the American Foundation for the Blind to reinstate both the iOS and Android versions of this publication; and

Be it further resolved that the Board of Directors request that the executive director of the American Council of the Blind report to the 2021 convention on the decision AFB makes on this resolution and that organization’s justification of the position they take.