WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2022 — Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Representative John P. Sarbanes (D-Md.) introduced The Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act (S. 4998) and (H.R. 9021) in both the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. The American Council of the Blind (ACB), the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) commend Sen. Duckworth and Rep. Sarbanes for their leadership and for introducing this legislation with the full support and collaboration of the disability community. Once passed, this legislation would require the Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to establish a clear and enforceable uniform national framework for website and software application accessibility, reaffirm that existing disability rights law covers websites and software applications, and ensure that accessibility standards keep pace with new and emerging technologies. With respect to a website or application, accessibility means a website or application that enables individuals with disabilities to access the same information as, to engage in the same interactions as, to communicate and to be understood as effectively as, and to enjoy the same services offered to other individuals with the same privacy, independence, and ease of use as individuals without disabilities. For example, blind and low vision people often use screen-reader technology that reads the content of websites and applications aloud or displays it on a compatible braille device; people who are Deaf and hard of hearing utilize closed captioning and remote video interpreters; people with physical disabilities such as limited manual dexterity may require websites that have full keyboard navigation; and people with communication or speech-related disabilities may encounter barriers if a website uses voice interaction or provides phone numbers as the only method to communicate with the business. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and well before, so many Americans relied on the Internet to work from home, order home goods and connect with loved ones — and yet, too many websites and apps remain nearly impossible to use by Americans with disabilities, barring them from these experiences and opportunities,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Sarbanes to finally help make the web and other technology more accessible for all users, including those in the disability community.” “Digital innovation is only as powerful as it is inclusive. As new and emerging technologies have been incorporated into our daily lives, digital inaccessibility has prevented Americans with disabilities from reaching a broad range of health, education, employment and other critical resources. To address this civil rights issue and remedy this longstanding inequity, we need uniform, consistent standards that lay out what true digital accessibility is and provide adequate mechanisms to enforce it,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “The Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act will require federal agencies to provide clear regulations for reducing barriers to web accessibility and help businesses and state and local governments work toward compliance. Senator Duckworth and I are pleased to introduce this legislation with the input of disability advocates to take an important step to achieving equity and inclusion for all Americans.” “We are delighted that this bill was introduced, and that Congress is finally giving this issue the attention it deserves. We need to make sure that people who are blind or have low vision are not left behind as our world moves into an increasingly digital environment,” said ACB President Dan Spoone. “The past few years have shown us how important it is that our digital infrastructure is accessible to everyone,” said Stephanie Enyart, Chief Public Policy and Research Officer for the American Foundation for the Blind. “Numerous research studies have revealed digital accessibility barriers, so this bill will transform access to employment, education, healthcare, and all other aspects of daily life for people who are blind and have low vision.  We applaud Senator Duckworth and Representative Sarbanes for introducing this legislation and committing to a digital society that is inclusive of all people.” “In a generation where technology has opened countless doors, it’s appalling that so many users with disabilities are still kept from full access to websites and applications because they are not designed with universal access in mind, nor do they properly interact with assistive technology,” said NDRN’s Deputy Executive Director for Public Policy Eric Buehlmann. “It’s absolutely imperative that all people with disabilities have equal access to online resources. We thank Senator Duckworth and Representative Sarbanes for working with us on this much needed legislation.” “Although we have had some success in vindicating the right of blind Americans to live and work in our increasingly digital world, individual complaints and agreements simply cannot keep pace with the expansion and evolution of technology, and entities who want to effectively serve customers with disabilities are asking for guidance,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “We therefore urge the United States Congress to act swiftly on this common-sense legislation that will finally close the gap caused by inaccessible technologies and clarify and enforce what our nation’s disability laws and policies require.” This legislation is supported by the following disability and civil rights organizations: Access Living, American Association of People with Disabilities, American Council of the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Blinded Veterans Association, CommunicationFIRST, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Epilepsy Foundation of America, Hearing Loss Association of America, National Association of the Deaf, National Council on Independent Living, National Disability Institute, National Disability Rights Network, National Federation of the Blind, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc., The Arc, United Spinal Association, and Vietnam Veterans of America. ###   Contact: American Council of the Blind: Clark Rachfal, [email protected], (202) 467-5081 American Foundation for the Blind: Danielle Simmons, [email protected], (415) 812-5128 National Disability Rights Network: David Card, [email protected], (202) 567-3522 National Federation of the Blind: Chris Danielsen, [email protected], (410) 262-1281   About the American Council of the Blind: The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind and visually impaired. For more than 60 years, ACB has become a leader in national, state, local, and even international advocacy efforts. With 68 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve the quality of life for all people who are blind and visually impaired. For more information, visit www.acb.org. About the American Foundation for the Blind: The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) mobilizes leaders, advances understanding, and champions impactful policies and practices using research and data. Publisher of the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness for over a century and counting, AFB is also proud to steward the accessible Helen Keller Archive, honoring the legacy of our most famous ambassador. AFB’s mission is to expand pathways to leadership, education, inclusive technology, and career opportunities to create a world of no limits for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. To learn more, visit www.afb.org. About the National Disability Rights Network: The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) works in Washington, D.C. on behalf of the Protection and Advocacy Systems (P&As) and Client Assistance Programs (CAPs), the nation’s largest providers of legal advocacy services for people with disabilities. NDRN promotes the network’s capacity, ensures that P&As/CAPs remain strong and effective by providing training and technical assistance, and advocates for laws protecting the civil and human rights of all people with disabilities. About the National Federation of the Blind: The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. Founded in 1940, the NFB is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans with affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at nfb.org.

Calling all audio description enthusiasts! Make your voice heard at the American Council of the Blind’s second annual Audio Description Awards Gala by casting your vote for the new Audio Description People’s Choice Award, which celebrates the inclusion of audio description in all forms of media entertainment. Ten Audio Description People’s Choice Award finalists have been identified that reflect a diverse and varied sampling of entertainment content from broadcast television, cable providers, and streaming services. Listed below are all available audio description samples for each finalist. Audio Description People's Choice Award Finalists Celebrity Family Feud (ABC/Audio Description by VITAC)  Audio Description Sample Not Submitted Ted Lasso (Apple TV+/Audio Description by Pixelogic Media)        Audio Description Sample Not Submitted    Obi-Wan Kenobi (Disney+/Audio Description by Deluxe U.S.)  Audio Description Sample Alma's Way – English and Spanish (PBS KIDS/Fred Rogers Productions/English Audio Description by Bridge Multimedia/Spanish Audio Description by Dicapta)  English Audio Description Sample Spanish Audio Description Sample Matrix Resurrections (HBO Max/Audio Description by Deluxe U.S.)  Audio Description Sample Prey (Hulu/Audio Description by Descriptive Video Works)  Audio Description Sample Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC/Audio Description by CaptionMax/3Play Media)  Audio Description Sample Grace and Frankie (Netflix/Audio Description by SDI Media)  Audio Description Sample Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+/Audio Description by WGBH Media Access Group) Audio Description Sample Cómo Sobrevivir Soltero (Amazon/Spanish Audio Description by Sony Pictures Television) Audio Description Sample Submit your vote at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2022ADPeoplesChoice The winner of the Audio Description People’s Choice Award will be announced during the 2022 ACB Audio Description Awards Gala, taking place virtually on November 29th at 7:30pm. Join us for an exciting evening featuring celebrity guests as we celebrate audio description! Learn more at www.ADAwardsGala.org. Voting for the Audio Description People’s Choice Award ends on Monday, October 10th at 11:59pm ET. To vote by phone, call (202) 596-7041. Donate to support the American Council of the Blind. 

Have you experienced the beauty and awe of the incredible photos taken by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope? The scientists, writers, and educators from the Space Telescope Science Institute want to make space accessible for everyone, and have created vividly detailed alt text for every photo that has been released. These image descriptions can be found in the Webb’s First Images Gallery under “Download Options.” In recognition of this valuable resource, ACB’s Director of Advocacy & Governmental Affairs, Clark Rachfal, and ACB's Advocacy & Outreach specialist, Swatha Nandhakumar, were joined by representatives from the Space Telescope Science Institute on Thursday, September 29, who discussed how their team have collaborated with one another to make the photos accessible to people who are blind and low vision. Visit our YouTube page to access the event recording. Presenters: Kelly Lepo Dr. Kelly Lepo is an Education and Outreach Scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute, where she supports outreach efforts for the James Webb Space Telescope. She received a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of Toronto. During her time in Canada, she made numerous local and national media appearances to talk about everything from the 2012 Mayan Apocalypse to the Super Blue Blood Moon. She previously served as the Coordinator of the McGill Space Institute, taught physics at Gonzaga University, and helped build the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Claire Blome Claire Blome is a principal science writer at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. She spends a significant portion of her time writing news releases about discoveries and images produced by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. She also previews the science of NASA’s upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Her work would not be possible without in-depth interviews with astronomers, and close partnerships with our image processors and designers. She also writes extensive alternative text (alt text) to describe the images and infographics our team releases to the public. (Find a sample PDF on the page for Webb’s First Deep Field.) These projects have profoundly influenced my work as a writer, ensuring I communicate clearly and accurately. Ms. Blome also writes scripts for short videos and digital interactives about astronomy for ViewSpace, a free, online informal education resource. She leads the writing, editing, and production of STScI's annual report, which includes well-rounded staff profiles. She also writes a series of monthly posts for our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, and edits writing from several other colleagues to support our social media manager. Reading the comments on these posts directly inspires new ideas for future social posts, along with suggestions for other projects. She periodically contributes writing to large-scale exhibits, including a vitrine near baggage claim at the Dulles National Airport in Washington, D.C. She earned her bachelor’s in English literature from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Timothy Rhue II Timothy Rhue II is an informal science educator, focused on developing programming, products, and exhibits that enable people to learn outside the structure of the classroom. Much of his work involves finding novel ways for people to interact with scientific content, exposing them to new ways of thinking, removing barriers to their learning, and inviting them in to a place where they belong. In addition to graduate degrees in secondary science education and museum education at Johns Hopkins University and George Washington University, he has years of practical experience working with audiences at museums including the Wisconsin Historical Museum, the Woodrow Wilson House, and the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. His work has ranged from designing one on one activities to developing interactive digital lessons for a national audience and from creating immersive virtual reality experiences to traditional exhibit panels all with a focus on meeting defined learning outcomes. Tim is currently Principal Informal Education Specialist at the Space Telescope Science Institute where he acts as an advocate for accessibility and accountability and continues connecting education theory with practice to create engaging experiences that not only teach people content, but inspire them to learn more.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Awards honor a select few arts administrators, individuals and organizations whose dedication has resulted in the advancement of inclusion of people with disabilities in the cultural arts and whose efforts serve as an example to all in the field.  Kim Charlson was selected out of a diverse pool of nominees to receive a John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Award for Excellence in Accessibility Leadership at the organization’s Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) conference held in Raleigh, NC, in early August, 2022. The Award for Excellence in Accessibility Leadership recognizes a lifetime of achievement in arts access, and was presented to Kim for her avid championing of audio description and life-long accessibility advocacy. Kim serves as the Executive Director of the Braille & Talking Book Library, located on the campus of the world renown Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts. She is a recognized national and international expert on accessible library and information services, braille literacy, arts access, assistive technology, civil rights issues, and audio description. She has served as a member of the Braille Authority of North America, the standard-setting body for braille in the United States and Canada. She served from 2013-2019 as the first woman president of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), and she is currently the president of the North America-Caribbean region of the World Blind Union. She is particularly active in the audio description space serving as the Co-Chair of the ACB Audio Description Project, as a Boston area audio description consultant to theaters and museums, she serves on the Museum of Science Boston’s Disability Advisory Committee, and she is the chair of the ACVREP Subject Matter Experts Committee developing a certification for audio description professionals. In addition to her many other responsibilities, she is a contributing author to the book, Making Theatre Accessible: A Guide to Audio Description in the Performing Arts, published by Northeastern University Press, and she is the author of Drawing with Your Perkins Brailler, an instructional book for using braille to create tactile pictures that blind children and adults can share with sighted family and friends. In June 2019, Kim received the Francis Joseph Campbell Award from the American Library Association’s division of Specialized and Cooperative Government Library Agencies – one of the highest honors the ALA bestows.  Kim recounts that one of her first experiences with audio description goes fairly far back to the earliest days of description for television. In 1986, she assisted WGBH in bringing together a small group of blind consumers to watch the first pilot of a PBS program with audio description. “There were about ten of us in the room, and at the end of the program, you could have heard a pin drop … we were all speechless, and then we all started talking at once. There was so much excitement about how we all could understand the program we just watched; that we didn’t have to ask anyone else to tell us what was happening; and that, in fact, we knew and remembered better what took place than the sighted audience members. It was pure magic, and I haven’t stopped advocating and working for audio description in all of its forms since that time.” John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts & LEAD As an integral part of the Kennedy Center’s Access/VSA International Network, the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) program advances the full inclusion of people with disabilities in arts and culture. With a focus on expanding the breadth and scope of accessible programming, LEAD provides an opportunity for professionals in the field to develop best practices and resources; engage in conversations with colleagues and experts from around the world; and learn practical methods for designing inclusive arts experiences and environments. Contact Kim Charlson Email – [email protected]

ACB’s second annual Audio Description Awards Gala, a virtual event, will take place on Nov. 29, 2022. The American Council of the Blind (ACB) proudly announces the second annual Audio Description Awards Gala on November 29, 2022. The Gala will once again celebrate outstanding achievements in audio description in media and expand awareness of its benefits. In recent years there has been enormous success in expanding audio description for audiences who are blind, low vision, or have other sensory disabilities that create barriers to full inclusion in visual media. “The Audio Description Awards Gala will celebrate the best of the best within the art and science of inclusive audio-described media,” said Eric Bridges, ACB’s Executive Director. “Together we will work to expand awareness of the transformative value that audio description brings to the lives of people with disabilities.” What is Audio Description? Audio description (AD) is an isolated audio track that describes the actions taking place on the screen. AD has been around for over 30 years and has blossomed recently, becoming an integral part of every television network, film studio, and streaming service’s inclusion strategy. Support ACB’s Audio Description Project The American Council of the Blind’s Audio Description Project (ADP) promotes and advocates for the use of high-quality audio description in television, movies, performing arts, museums, educational materials, and other venues where the presentation of visual media is critical to the understanding and appreciation of the content.    The ADP’s goals are to sponsor a broad range of activities designed to build awareness of audio description among the general public as well as its principal users, people who are blind or have low vision.    One goal of the 2022 Audio Description Awards Gala is to raise funding to support ACB’s Audio Description Project, which works with stakeholders and industry leaders to provide accessible video entertainment through the delivery of audio-described content. To donate, please visit: www.adawardsgala.org/donate. Save the Date & Stay Up to Date Please save the date to join us on Nov. 29th, 2022, to celebrate audio description in media. Visit www.acb.org or www.ADAwardsGala.org to learn more. To view the 2021 event, visit: https://youtu.be/a9z5FCBfpNU.  We encourage you to stay up to date by following along the announcements for this event on Twitter & Instagram @acbnational and on www.ADAwardsGala.org.

On June 23, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration launched a new initiative to expand the availability of testing options that are more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. Through the initiative, blind and low-vision users have been able to order Ellume COVID home tests, which are more accessible than other options.  Supplies of these tests are becoming limited, so people are asked to order these tests only if they do not have a way to use the other types of tests, such as assistive technology or a trusted family member or friend who can assist (in person or via video call).   In addition, to help ensure that the more accessible tests are reserved for blind/low-vision users, they are no longer available for order through the online system. To order the more accessible tests, please call 1-800-232-0233. If you are able to use the other types of tests, you can order them online or by calling 1-800-232-0233. More information about this update is available on the webpage for the Administration on Community Living, including new supplemental testing instructions to provide grater context for users who are blind and low vision.

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) Mentoring Program will begin as a Pilot Program with 12 mentors and 12 mentees from September 2022 through June 2023. Applications will be accepted from Friday July 15, 2022 until August 15, 2022. The ACB Mentoring Team will review all submitted applications and carefully select the most qualified mentor candidates to pair with those who express interest in being mentored. Selections will be formally announced to the ACB membership during early September and updates will continue to be made available.   Apply to Become a Guide or an Explorer Our selected mentors will be addressed as Guides and selected mentees will be addressed as Explorers. We encourage members to strongly consider completing an application, which contains specific questions that will inform us of your experience, abilities and areas in which you may desire to grow. Receiving more applications for mentors will strengthen our ability to match mentees with qualified mentors. Mentors will be asked to provide the name and email address of a reference to respond to designated questions. Selected mentors and mentees will attend a specialized orientation and training session to gain a better understanding of how the program will work. At the close of the program year, mentors and mentees will complete an evaluation form. We will continue to gain input and support from the MAPS Advisory Council, which consist of professionals who have developed and directed various mentoring programs. Apply to become a Mentee/Explorer or a Mentor/Guide by clicking on the appropriate Google Form link below. Google will ask you to log in to your google account, however you can still access the form without signing in. Be prepared to answer questions about yourself, your ACB membership, volunteer service, committee service and skills. Those who are applying to be mentored should be prepared to share goals and aspirations. Don’t delay. Apply today! Mentee/Explorer Application Mentor/Guide Application   About the Mentoring Program Introducing the ACB Mentoring Team Cheryl Cumings, Chair of the ACB Multicultural Affairs Committee Donna Brown, Co-Chair of the Berl Colley Leadership Institute Training Committee Kenneth Semien, Sr., Chair of the Durward K. McDaniel (DKM) Fund Committee Donna Browning, Liaison of the ACB Membership Committee   The Compelling Need for a Formal ACB Mentoring Program Honor the member adopted Resolution 2020-11. Work to sustain ACB for a bright future. Prepare members for meaningful participation in the work of ACB. Assist in developing a diverse group of interested members for future leadership roles within ACB.   Mentorship, Access, and Peer Support Program (MAPS) Program Overview Guide “Your link to Guidance, Understanding, Intervention, Direction and Empowerment” Objective The American Council of the Blind (ACB) aligns its programs and services with its mission, purpose, vision and core values. The development of a mentorship program will address a variety of concerns expressed by members and leaders within ACB. This program will serve as a roadmap and place an emphasis on meeting each member where they are and offer guidance to achieve desired goals and aspirations, while working to sustain and position ACB to be the premiere venue for Americans who are blind, visually impaired or have low vision. This program will be extended to meet the needs of affiliates, committees and chapters as they are encouraged to incorporate effective strategies into their respective areas of service. “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.’ –Helen Keller   Program Components Mentorship We will seek to define mentorship as it pertains to our organization and work to identify members who will sign on as mentors. Mentees will be matched with a mentor through various means, including consideration of whether a mentee prefers a specific mentor, sharing a professional experience with an established mentor, determined best practices, etc.  Guidelines and processes will be developed to ensure that those selected as mentors meet prescribed criteria that will be placed within the application. Access Members will be given the opportunity to access an array of meaningful information, resources, training sessions and personalized support. Peer Support An emphasis will be placed on connecting with members through the provision of knowledge, experience, emotional, social and practical support. Guidance Define how we can best provide guidance to inspire members to take a journey with us as we explore and share proven connectivity concepts that are supportive of their specific needs, while allowing them to feel free to express their thoughts throughout the process. Understanding It will be important for us to demonstrate good listening skills and respectful communication as we consider the background and life experiences of our members. This will assist us in determining the best course of action. Intervention A mentor is a solution oriented individual who focuses on areas in which another person can receive insight, inspiration, and encouragement. There are times when a mentor is able to observe particular traits being displayed that may reveal evidence that timely intervention may very well assist an individual in advancing, when otherwise the lack of support could result in unfavorable outcomes. Direction Confirm the goals and aspirations of each participating mentee in an effort to provide adequate and personalized orientation, direction, advice, techniques, leadership, a method of monitoring progress to determine when and if other courses of action are necessary, and assist in maintaining focus on the desired outcome. Empowerment Following the provision of purposeful tools and techniques to accomplish goals and aspirations, members will be better prepared to confidently and independently move toward their desired level of success.   Resolution 2020-11 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. Source: https://acb.org/2020-resolutions

A major update of the ErgData app from Concept2 is now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for Android. The app has many new features, including audio guidance in both Apple and Android versions to increase accessibility. Morrisville, VT — July 8, 2022. Leading sport and fitness equipment manufacturer Concept2 has released a major new update for their popular ErgData app. The app connects to the Concept2 RowErg, SkiErg or BikeErg to provide additional functionality. During development, Concept2 worked with the American Council of the Blind (ACB) to help ensure the app was accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. Concept2 founder Peter Dreissigacker was heavily involved in the development of the app. “One of the things with Concept2 products is we know they are used by a wide variety of people. Our rowing machines are used by athletes training for the Olympics and Paralympics, but we also have plenty of people of all ages and abilities using them for everything from general fitness to rehabilitation. It was very important when we were developing the app that we focused on making it as readable as possible while people were rowing. We also wanted to make sure that we had best in class audio guidance so that blind or low vision users were able to have full access to the app. We’re very grateful for the assistance and feedback we received from the American Council of the Blind that helped us to achieve this goal.”  ACB’s Executive Director Eric Bridges said “The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a spotlight on the health inequities faced by people who are blind and low vision, including access to exercise and fitness equipment. Now, more than ever, it is critical for our members and the broader community to Get Up and Get Moving and take control of our health. ACB commends Concept2 for their leadership to make their products accessible and for engaging with the disability community to ensure their products meet the needs of people who are blind and low vision. ACB urges all other exercise and fitness manufacturers to engage with the disability community and follow Concept2’s lead”. As well as improved accessibility, other new features in the app include the ability to create workouts on the app and store them as favorites, loading the Concept2 Workout of the Day with a single tap, in-depth workout analysis, as well as additional display options and more. To download the app, go to concept2.com/ergdata. If you would like further information on ErgData or Concept2, please email [email protected] To contact the American Council of the Blind, please email ACB’s Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, Clark Rachfal, at [email protected]. About the American Council of the Blind The American Council of the Blind is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind and visually impaired. For more than 60 years, ACB has become a leader in national, state, local, and even international advocacy efforts. With 68 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve the quality of life for all people who are blind and visually impaired. For more information, visit www.acb.org. About Concept2 Concept2 began in 1976 in the back of a bread truck when Dick and Peter Dreissigacker, fresh from Olympic training, started making composite racing oars. Concept2 oars have since gone on to become the oar of choice among the world’s rowers. We continue to innovate in rowing and other sports. Our product line now includes oars, RowErgs™, the SkiErg® and the Concept2 BikeErg®

On June 22, 2022, the federal government announced a new initiative to expand the availability of testing options that are more accessible for people who are blind or low vision and who use a smartphone. When connected to a smartphone application, these tests are capable of providing audible testing instructions and results to make the COVID-19 testing process more private and independent for people who are blind or low vision. Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced the number of tests people will receive with each order of the more-accessible tests has been increased from two to 12. They will ship in six separate packages of two, each with its own tracking number. People who placed orders before this change took effect will need to place a new order to receive the additional tests. Shipping information from orders is not being saved, in accordance with the privacy/security policies of the USPS website, so there is no way for additional tests to be shipped automatically.

Greetings from the Durward K. McDaniel (DKM) Fund Committee: “Home of the Durward K. McDaniel (DKM) Leadership Select Honor Society, DKM First-Timers award and the ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows award” We are happy to present to you, the Class of 2022 ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows who have met all requirements to be considered for and selected as recipients of this prestigious honor. Since 2016, the Durward K. McDaniel (DKM) Fund Committee seeks to identify and honor five ACB members who demonstrate leadership potential, with the ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows Award on an annual basis, provided that funding is granted.  To be considered for the award, interested members must meet the following criteria:  Age 18 or older  Blind or visually impaired  A member in good standing (current on membership dues)  Agree to attend the entire convention Participate in daily general sessions and designated leadership-related sessions Applicants also undergo an interview with members of the DKM committee. To apply for the ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows Award, applicants must submit a letter of application and have a state or special-interest affiliate president submit a letter of recommendation by the announced deadline.  Recipients are selected in late April and are recognized during the annual opening general session of the ACB Conference and Convention. Recipients receive such amenities as complimentary registration fee, travel expenses, lodging (double occupancy), an Invitation only Leadership Fellows Reception, tickets to attend the ACB Banquet, other special events and a stipend for incidentals. Congratulations to Judy Brown, Danette Dixon, Kristen Kelling, Byron Lee and Cecily Nipper! Introducing the Class of 2022 ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows! Judy Brown Judith (Judy) E. Brown, RN, BSN of Shoreline, Washington is an enthusiastic and passionate member and advocate of Washington Council of the Blind (WCB) who courageously shares her time and abilities as a member of the Government Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee. She serves as Vice President of her local chapter, United Blind of Seattle. Judy is the only legally blind, full-time working nurse at the University of Washington Medical Center – Northwest in Seattle. She has a degree in nursing and a degree in biology with a minor in microbiology. She was a certified critical care nurse for 22 years and worked cardiac surgery, trauma, recovery room, pre-op and now, discharge planning. Judy has taken the lead on efforts to ensure that pharmacies in the state of Washington make prescription labels accessible to blind, low vision, and print chalenged people. She was instrumental in getting members of the House and Senate to sponsor a bill in support of achieving success. She formally requested the Pharmacy Board to pursue rule making for this issue, and the Board agreed to do so. Judy began to collaborate with other groups to support the initiative and wrote an amendment to the bill that was accepted.  Unfortunately, this bill which made it all the way to the Senate floor calendar, was not called to be voted upon before the legislative session ended. Judy, WCB and other citizens are confident that it will be a success in the next session. As part of Judy’s work on accessible voting issues, she is an active member of the King County Voting Disability Advisory Committee (DAC). Due to the work Judy has done with the King County Voting DAC, she has been invited to participate on the Washington Secretary of State’s Voting DAC. This group advises the Secretary of State on disability voting issues.  Danette Dixon Danette Dixon resides in Lynnwood, Washington and she has been a member of the Washington Council of the Blind (WCB) since 2010. She currently serves as President of South King Council of the Blind (SKB), Secretary of Snohomish County Council of the Blind (SCCB), Chair of WCB First Timer Committee, a member of the WCB Leadership Committee and more.  Danette serves on the national level in various capacities, including service on the ACB Women and ACB Membership committees. Moreover, she works to assist several ACB special-interest affiliates. In 2021, she was elected as First Vice President of ACB Diabetics in Action (ACBDA). In 2020, Danette initiated and made all necessary arrangements to launch the approved Washington Council of the Blind Diabetics affiliate and was recently elected as president for a second term. It was and remains to be her desire to educate and empower WCB members who are diabetics. This year, Danette was selected as a Co-hort of the esteemed American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Blind Leaders Development Program (BLDP), which is a nine month fellowship program. She views this opportunity to be a fellow as a way to develop and fine tune her leadership skills. Each fellow receives a mentor to provide personalized support toward the growth of the fellow. During a recent interview with the Director of the BLDP, Danette was characterized as one of the best participants in the program. As an active member of the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss (AAVL), Danette has been appointed to represent the affiliate as delegate to the ACB Nominating Committee in 2022. Danette volunteers her time and energy to host ACB Community calls and is a member of the special membership of the “Providing Outreach Supporting Sharing and Engaging” (POSSE), under the leadership of Cindy Hollis, ACB Manager of Member Engagement. Kristen Kelling Kristen Kelling of Grand Rapids, Michigan is the secretary of Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI) and Chair of the affiliate membership committee. She serves as membership Chair of her local chapter as well. Kristen holds membership in ACB Next Generation and appreciates sharing her personal knowledge and experience to ensure that she is a contributing member of the board of directors. Her committee service extends to convention, membership and Co-Chair of the Programs committee. Kristen is known to be a team player, extremely attentive, understanding, and dependable. She is also a terrific zoom host, and serves both the ACB Next Generation affiliate and the ACB Community well.     Kristen obtained her Bachelor’s degree in social work from Grand Valley State University. She has  volunteered with Disability Advocates as a receptionist and then with the advocacy department where she enhanced her ability to advocate more effectively.  Kristen delightedly serves as president of her local Lions Club; as a youth leader at her church and as Chair of the Consumer Advisory Committee for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities, which is the advisory committee for the local transportation authority. She is eager to identify areas in which she can serve best. Byron Lee Byron Lee of Minneapolis, Minnesota began his ACB adventure in 2003 when he was asked to air his comedy music show, The Fun Zone on ACB Radio. Shortly thereafter, he became a member and attended his first ACB of Illinois State Convention, where he assisted with capturing and recording the festivities. He then attended his first ACB National Convention in 2005, where he assisted the ACB Radio team in gathering interviews and recordings from around the exhibit hall.  Since then, Byron has energetically and enthusiastically served in countless areas within the American Council of the Blind, including providing his skills and expertise to support a number of affiliates; his service as an ACB Next Generation board member, along with being responsible for many of their successful programming and outreach campaigns. He is a member of Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI) board of directors, and serves on various committees.  He demonstrates commitment and passion for advocacy and mentoring. He is a Co-Producer of Sunday Edition, Pride Connection, Community Call Streamer and Host, and ACB Media team member.  Byron is currently employed at ServiceNow as part of the Accessibility Engineering team. Previously, he was an Assistive Technology Specialist with Minnesota State Services for the Blind in the Senior Services Unit. Cecily Laney Nipper Cecily Laney Nipper resides in Covington, Georgia and she is the president of Georgia Council of the Blind (GCB).  Cecily has graciously served to assist the ACB Media team in producing conventions for affiliates. She has participated in producing over ten affiliate conventions. Her roles have included filling in the master convention calendar to help allocate ACB Media resources, monitoring the Webinar/Zoom Room during the convention, coordinating hosts and streamers, meeting with the affiliate in advance to help prepare them, and compiling invitations and supporting documents to help the conventions to be a success.  She is a long time member of the East Georgia Chapter of GCB in which she reports that her service areas have included being on the GCB board of directors, hospitality, program, and membership committees.  She continues chapter service as Chair of the program and membership committees. In addition, Cecily has served as chapter secretary, several times as Vice President and became president as well. She demonstrates her commitment by remaining active and participating in local and statewide endeavors. While working as a teacher and missionary, she earned her Associate’s degree in Secretarial Studies and she acquired employment as an Administrative Assistant in a periodontal office  Cecily aspires to become secretary of the American Council of the Blind.