Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act  On July 29th, Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) introduced the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 4853) in the House of Representatives. This act aims to make home use medical equipment and devices accessible to blind and visually impaired Americans. The bill would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish nonvisual accessibility standards for Class II and III  devices with digital interfaces. The FDA will, in consultation with the US Access Board,, set regulations and a final rule according to those standards. Current cosponsors of H.R. 4853 include: Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA-13), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Deborah Ross (D-NC-02), and Gerald Connolly (D-VA-11). The bill currently has no companion in the Senate. The majority of home use medical devices and out-patient equipment utilize digital display interfaces that are inaccessible to blind and visually impaired users. Devices such as glucose monitors, blood pressure readers, and at-home chemotherapy treatments do not have nonvisual accessibility features, such as text to speech output, tactile markings, or audible tones. As a result, it is very difficult for blind and visually impaired individuals to use medical devices properly and safely, making it difficult for these individuals to manage their health independently. The passage of this bill would ensure that product manufacturers incorporate accessible design in the beginning stages of development. Call to Action  We encourage all ACB members and friends to contact their Representatives and urge them to cosponsor and support the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 4853). To find your Representative’s contact information, visit www.house.gov and search by your 5 digit zip code. You can also get connected to your member’s office directly by calling the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. When writing or calling your Representative, please let them know that you are a constituent and urge them to support and cosponsor the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 4853). Be sure to share your personal story when dealing with inaccessible medical equipment and let them know what it would mean for you and all other people living with vision loss to have independent control over your health.  Please share your advocacy efforts with the ACB National Office by emailing [email protected] or by calling Swatha Nandhakumar, ACB’s Advocacy & Outreach Specialist, at (202) 467-5081. Thank you and keep advocating!

ACB Milestones 2 milestones in 1 week! Our ACB Community celebrated hosting over 5k events! The ACB Community is an incredible support network that continues to share ideas, activities, and many laughs! ACB also reached the goal of raising $5k for the 60 for 60 drive. Thank you to every contributor who has donated. Special thanks to our August sponsor Vispero who matched and doubled each donation up to $10k! We are truly amazed by our members’ support and for Vispero for elevating the campaign! Learn more about our 60 for 60 campaign by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/ACB60for60. 2022 DC Leadership Conference The 2022 DC Leadership Conference will be held at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town located in Alexandria, Virginia from Saturday, March 12 to Tuesday, March 15th. Room rates are $119 per night. Stay tuned for more details! ACB Convention Podcasts We are pleased to share that the podcasts for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion track, the Education and Employment track, the Advocacy and Transportation track, and the Primetime and General Sessions from the ACB 2021 convention are now live! Access all of our podcasts and subscribe at https://www.acbmedia.org/podcasts. ITEMM Coalition Letter to Congress on Low Vision Aids On Sept. 1, ACB and many of our affiliates joined the ITEMM Coalition and more than 80 organizations in urging Congress to include a Medicare vision benefit in the budget reconciliation package by repealing the statutory ban on Medicare coverage of eyeglasses and by requiring CMS to undergo a review and analysis of low vision devices appropriate for Medicare coverage. The final version of the letter with all signatories is available at https://tinyurl.com/uxyxc33p . Get to Know Our DKM First Timers and A Scholarship Winner On last week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update ACB’s Advocacy team, Clark and Swatha, met with the 2021 DKM First Timers, Belinda Collins and Kaila Allen, and one of this year’s scholarship winners, Bhavya Shah. Clark and Swatha spoke to them about getting and staying involved in ACB, their experiences advocating for themselves both personally and professionally, and asked them for advice on getting involved in advocacy efforts both independently and through ACB. Listen by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/ACB-advocacy-update-9-2-21.   Call to Action: Exercise and Fitness for All Act On July 28, Sens. Duckworth (D-IL), Casey (D-PA), Feinstein (D-CA), and Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the Exercise and Fitness for All Act (S-2504) in the 117th Congress. This bill aims to make exercise equipment and fitness instruction fully accessible to people with disabilities. The Exercise and Fitness for All Act promotes the provision of exercise or fitness equipment, and exercise or fitness classes and instruction, that are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored what ACB and our members already knew – that the lack of access to accessible exercise and fitness equipment and instruction are a persistent barrier to equal access and results in deteriorating physical and mental health. To learn more about the Fitness for All Act, and how you can ask your members of Congress to support it, visit https://acb.org/exercise-fitness-all-act-8-21. Aira Plans for ACB Members Aira is a service that connects blind and low vision people to highly trained, remotely-located agents. Through an app on your smartphone, Aira delivers instant access to visual information at the touch of a button – enhancing everyday efficiency, engagement, and independence. Aira offers two special pricing plans for ACB members. The Intro Power Plan includes 30 minutes per month for $20.00, and the Standard Power Plan includes 140 minutes per month for $99.00. These plans are available for ACB members in good standing who sign up through December 31, 2021. Please contact Customer Care at (800) 835-1934 for more information and to confirm your status to purchase a plan.  Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act On the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha, along with guest Tom Tobin discussed the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 4853). They spoke about how requiring medical device accessibility will enable people who are blind and experiencing vision loss to take control of their health. ACB urges all of our members and friends to contact their members of Congress in support of H.R. 4853. Listen online by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/ACB-advocacy-8-26-21. M-Enabling Summit The M-Enabling Summit Conference and Showcase, which takes place from October 4-6, is dedicated to promoting digital environments and assistive technologies for senior citizens and users of all abilities. It is an annual meeting place for all who implement digital inclusion strategies or develop assistive solutions and accessible digital contents and services for workplaces, learning environments or consumer markets. With its theme of “Strategies for Inclusive Digital Transformations,” the 2021 M-Enabling Summit will highlight the major shifts in business, government and education driven by the pandemic that will affect anyone involved in inclusion, accessibility, services to Persons with Disabilities or compliance matters. Learn more by visiting: https://m-enabling.com. USA Women’s Goalball Team Claims Silver Medal In what is already being called one of the greatest games in goalball history, Team USA took on Brazil in the semifinals at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 and won. In the finals, Team USA lost to defending gold medalist Turkey, but earned a silver medal! The silver medal marks the 12th Paralympic medal in USA Goalball history and the seventh won by the women’s team. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/p3fcudsx.

Exercise and Fitness for All Act of 2021 (S. 2504/H.R. 4756) On July 28, Sens. Duckworth (D-IL), Casey (D-PA), Feinstein (D-CA), and Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the Exercise and Fitness for All Act (S-2504) in the 117th Congress. This bill aims to make exercise equipment and fitness instruction fully accessible to people with disabilities. The bill would require the US Access Board to establish guidelines relating to the number and types of accessible fitness equipment gyms and other fitness facilities are required to have. After the Access Board provides guidelines, the DOJ will need to publish regulations relating to the guidelines requiring fitness facilities to provide accessible equipment and classes and ensure that there is at least one staff member trained in providing assistance and in operating the equipment. A companion bill was introduced in the House of Representatives, H.R. 4756, by Reps. DeSaulnier (D-CA-11) and Young (R-AK-AL).  The Exercise and Fitness for All Act promotes the provision of exercise or fitness equipment, and exercise or fitness classes and instruction, that are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored what ACB and our members already knew – that the lack of access to accessible exercise and fitness equipment and instruction are a persistent barrier to equal access and results in deteriorating physical and mental health.  Physical activity plays an important role in maintaining health, well-being, and quality of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four U.S. adults is living with a disability, including 93 million Americans who are at high risk for severe vision loss. Adults with disabilities are more likely to have obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer than adults without disabilities. Physical activity can reduce the risk and help manage these chronic conditions while improving daily living activities and independence. Physical activity can also reduce the risk of increased functional limitations.  Call to Action ACB commends Sens. Duckworth, Casey, Feinstein and Blumenthal, and Reps. DeSaulnier and Young for reintroducing the Exercise and Fitness for All Act. We encourage all of our members and friends to contact your elected officials and urge them to support the Exercise and Fitness for All Act in the Senate (S. 2504) & in the House (H.R. 4756). To contact your members of Congress, you may visit www.house.gov and search by your five digit ZIP code, or www.senate.gov and search by your state, to find their member website and specific contact information. You may dial the U.S. Capitol Switch Board and request your member’s office as well: 202-224-3121. When emailing your members of Congress and their staff, please urge your Representatives to cosponsor and support H.R. 4756 in the House, and urge your Senators to cosponsor and support S. 2504 in the Senate. If calling your Representative via their office phone numbers or by connecting through the Capitol Switch Board (202-224-3121), please let them know that you are a constituent and that you would like them to cosponsor the Exercise and Fitness for All Act (S. 2504/H.R. 4756).  When communicating with your members of Congress and their staff, be sure to share your personal experiences when attempting to use fitness or exercise equipment at public facilities. Share with them what it would mean to you to have equal and independent access to the tools and resources to take charge of your health. And ask them to cosponsor the Exercise and Fitness for All Act. Please let the ACB Advocacy Team know the Senators and Representatives you contacted by replying to this message or by emailing: [email protected].  Thank you, and keep advocating! The ACB Advocacy Team 

Reminder: Convention Survey Closes August 31 Thank you to all who participated or engaged in this year’s 2021 ACB 60th Anniversary Conference and Convention. It was truly a packed event with over 166 breakout sessions and multiple ways to participate which included: Zoom, ACB Media Network, YouTube, Facebook, Clubhouse, and our community events. If you attended convention this year, please take a moment to answer the ACB Convention Survey by visiting https://tinyurl.com/fd39vuy9. The survey will remain open until Tuesday, August 31. Paralympic Games Audio Description The Tokyo Paralympic Games begin on August 24th. For information on how to access audio description, as well as other important details about the Paralympics, visit: https://acb.org/tokyo-paralympic-games. For more information about the Paralympics, including a programing schedule, visit: https://tinyurl.com/6sd5pjez. 60 for 60 Campaign We are incredibly thankful to Vispero for providing the first corporate contributions of our year-long ACB 60 for 60 campaign, and for launching a matching challenge to our ACB members and our partners. Vispero will double every contribution made to the 60 for 60 campaign up to $10,000 over the month. Their matching challenge began on July 26th in honor of the ADA's 31st Anniversary and will extend until August 31st 2021. To join the challenge, donate to our 60 for 60 campaign by visiting www.acb.org/donate. Celebrate ACB Community’s 5,000th Event Can you believe it? Our ACB community began on March 17 with two calls that week. On Saturday, August 28th we celebrate our five thousandth event. Please join us to share what Community means to you, email your thoughts, or do both. Here are some questions to ponder: How did you learn about our community events and when did you attend your first one? How often are you able to participate in ACB community events and if you had to pick your top three, which would they be? How have ACB Community events impacted your life during the Covid-19 pandemic and what does the ACB Community mean to you? For details on how to join this call, please join our Community Event list by sending an email to [email protected].  Newly Elected ACB Officer and Board Members On the ACB Advocacy Update, Swatha and Clark spoke with the ACB officer and board members who were newly elected in ACB’s first-ever virtual elections this July. Joining them for the conversation are ACB First Vice President Deb Cook Lewis, and Board Members Koni Sims, Kenneth Semien, and Chris Bell. Our guests share what drew them to ACB, their personal advocacy experience, and why they are excited to take on their new roles. Listen by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/hxbvwrnm. Convention Podcasts We are pleased to share that the Audio Description, Technology and Health & Wellness track content from our 2021 Convention is now available as podcasts on www.ACBMedia.org. Visit https://www.acbmedia.org/podcasts to access each podcast track and subscribe.   ACB Walk During our 2021 virtual convention, ACB hosted our annual walk. Funds raised from our walk help ACB to continue providing vital services to help blind and visually impaired Americans participate fully in all aspects of society. ACB would like to raise $95,000 from the Virtual Walk this year and we need your help. There are still two weeks left to make a donation to our virtual walk! Help us meet our goal and make a donation by August 31 by visiting https://secure.qgiv.com/event/acbwalk2021.  ACB Supports the Exercise and Fitness for All Act On last week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha discussed the reintroduction of the Exercise and Fitness for All Act (H.R. 4756/S. 2504) with guest Sheila Styron, ACB’s Transportation Committee Chair. They shared the details of this important legislation, how it relates to ACB’s Get Up and Get Moving campaign, and urged all ACB members and friends to contact their members of Congress in support of the Exercise and Fitness for All Act. Listen by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/vdxkx4py. DEI Reading List Materials A group of ACB members got together and decided that one way we can begin understanding all that is happening in today’s society is to begin learning more about each other. Members of the Multicultural Affairs Committee, Blind Pride International, and ACB Women developed a reading list that they would like to share with ACB members. They also sought guidance and input from Asian-American members, librarians, and Native American academicians. This is not a definitive list of books. Instead, these are books which they have read or were recommended to them. They invite you to read and to learn about each other. Click the links below to download the files of each book list: Book List: African American Book List: Asian American and Pacific Islander Book List: Blindness and People with Disabilities  Book List: LGBTQ+ Book List: Native American Book List: Women and Feminism Book List: Latinx/Latino Culture Feedback Requested: Remote Learning Platforms The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a rapid shift to digital and remote learning platforms for both young and adult students alike. We are very concerned about continued reports of remote education platforms being inaccessible to students and parents who are blind or visually impaired, over a year into this unprecedented pandemic and as the new school year rapidly approaches. In order to determine how best to address the issue, we are turning to our members for their experiences with remote learning platforms. If you have faced accessibility barriers with you or your child's remote learning platform, we encourage you to contact us so that we can try to address these issues with the companies designing these platforms. Please share your feedback on this important issue by responding to this message or by emailing: [email protected]. Your responses to this survey will not be shared with others except as required by law. Audio Game Developed for Blind Players The Vale: Shadow of the Crown, an audio-based adventure game by indie studio Falling Squirrel, is now available on Xbox and PC. The game was developed in collaboration with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and made for and tested by blind and low-vision players. Without visual information, the player has to listen to the sounds of the environment when moving around. The gameplay relies on 3D audio, so headphones are required. Learn more by visiting: https://www.theverge.com/22631651/the-vale-shadow-of-the-crown-blind-audio-xbox-pc.   FCC Grants Warner Media a Limited Waiver From Audio Description Rules On August 18, 2021, the FCC granted a limited waiver of the Commission’s audio description rules to Warner Media and its subsidiary, TBS. The waiver is conditioned on the TBS network airing at least 1,000 hours of audio described programming (and more than 1,400 hours of audio described programming on average) during any quarter in which it is unable to meet the minimum hour threshold in the Commission’s rules, without regard to the number of repeats. Additionally, Warner Media asserts that it will provide audio description for 100 percent of newly produced, non-live programming aired during certain core hours on TBS, TNT, and TruTV. This commitment exceeds the Commission’s audio description requirements, and the waiver petition is unopposed by consumer groups. More Than 323K Disabled Borrowers to Receive Automatic Student Loan Forgiveness Over 323,000 borrowers who have a total and permanent disability (TPD) will receive more than $5.8 billion in automatic student loan discharges due to a new regulation announced today by the U.S. Department of Education. The change will apply to borrowers who are identified through an existing data match with the Social Security Administration (SSA). It will begin with the September quarterly match with SSA. Learn more by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/5mawvf7t.   Disability Access to Transportation Act, H.R. 1697 One of ACB’s legislative imperatives this year is the Disability Access to Transportation Act (DATA) (H.R. 1697/S. 2038). Among other things, this legislation will create a one-stop para transit pilot program, require the completion of the Public Rights of Way Accessibility Guidelines, provide greater funding for transportation grants, and improve the DOT complaint process. The bill in the House of Representatives, H.R. 1697, was included in the House-passed Invest in America Act, however the version of the bill introduced in the Senate (S. 2038) was not included in the Senate-passed infrastructure package. To raise the profile of DATA, original sponsors, Reps. Langevin (D-RI-02) and Titus (D-NV-01) are circulating a Dear Colleague letter. The purpose of the letter is to encourage other members of the House of Representatives to cosponsor DATA, H.R. 1697. For more information about DATA, H.R. 1697, and to access the Dear Colleague letter visit https://acb.org/call-to-action-HR1697. Please share the letter with your members of Congress and urge them to cosponsor the Disability Access to Transportation Act, H.R. 1697! Barilla on Be My Eyes Be My Eyes is expanding its specialized help offering this year – and have announced that this summer they are adding food and beverage support to the app, starting with the iconic Italian staple on everyone’s shelf: Barilla pasta and sauce. Barilla is now on Be My Eyes to provide support for home cooks, including help with pasta, sauce and shopping for the perfect meal. Learn more by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/njsyn862.  

One of ACB’s legislative imperatives this year is the Disability Access to Transportation Act (DATA) (H.R. 1697/S. 2038). Among other things, this legislation will create a one-stop para transit pilot program, require the completion of the Public Rights of Way Accessibility Guidelines, provide greater funding for transportation grants, and improve the DOT complaint process. The bill in the House of Representatives, H.R. 1697, was included in the House-passed Invest in America Act, however the version of the bill introduced in the Senate (S. 2038) was not included in the Senate-passed infrastructure package. There may be an opportunity for DATA to be included in the infrastructure package when the House and Senate conference to negotiate the final bill, or DATA may be included in the larger infrastructure package passed through the budget reconciliation process. To raise the profile of DATA, original sponsors, Reps. Langevin (D-RI-02) and Titus (D-NV-01) are circulating the below Dear Colleague letter. The purpose of the below letter is to encourage other members of the House of Representatives to cosponsor DATA, H.R. 1697. Current cosponsors of H.R. 1697 include: Reps. Napolitano (D-CA-32), Ross (D-NC-02), Blumenauer (D-OR-03), Bourdeaux (D-GA-07), and Cohen (D-TN-09). Please share the below Dear Colleague letter with your members of Congress and urge them to cosponsor the Disability Access to Transportation Act, H.R. 1697! Contact information for your member of the House of Representatives is available at: www.house.gov and searching by your five digit ZIP code. When emailing your Representative and their staff, please urge them to cosponsor and support H.R. 1697 and copy and paste the Dear Colleague letter included at the end of this email. If calling your Representative via their office phone numbers or by connecting through the Capitol Switch Board (202-224-3121), please let them know that you are a constituent and that you would like them to cosponsor H.R. 1697, the Disability Access to Transportation Act. Please let the ACB Advocacy Team know the Representatives you contacted by replying to this message or by emailing: [email protected]. Thank You, ACB Advocacy Team Cosponsor legislation to make transportation more accessible Sending Office: Honorable James R. Langevin Sent By: [email protected]              Request for Cosponsor(s) H.R. 1697, the Disability Access to Transportation Act (DATA) Cosponsors: Langevin and Titus (original), Napolitano, Ross, Blumenauer, Bourdeaux Dear Colleague, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 4 U.S. adults has a disability. Section 2(b) of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recognized that individuals with disabilities face discrimination when using transportation services and sought to provide “a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.” Thirty-one years after the enactment of the ADA, individuals with disabilities continue to face discrimination and a lack of accessible transportation options. Transportation is a core component of independent living. In fact, without the ability to easily move from one location to another, true community living is impossible. H.R. 1697 would address many of the present challenges in transportation for people with disabilities, most of which were included in the House-passed version of the INVEST in America Act. Specifically, it would: Establish a one-stop paratransit pilot program so that riders could schedule an intermediate stop during their trips. This program would expand on current paratransit programs that are required by the ADA. By adding the option for an intermediate stop of at least 15 minutes, paratransit riders could avoid excessive wait times between multiple trips.* Require the U.S. Access Board to publish final public rights of way accessibility guidelines (proposed in 2011 and 2013) setting minimum standards to ensure that sidewalks, street crossings, signals, and other facilities for pedestrian use are accessible to pedestrians with disabilities.* Streamline the process for submitting accessibility complaints or concerns to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). DATA would require the FTA to accept complaints by mail, phone, or online. It would also require paratransit providers to post information about how to register a complaint through the FTA’s process to raise awareness.* Establish an Accessibility Data Pilot Program to assist local communities in identifying gaps in transportation and methods to improve service to low-income, minority, older, and disabled populations. Increase funding for Section 5310 formula funding, which assists private nonprofit groups in meeting the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities.* I urge you to join me in this effort by cosponsoring H.R. 1697. This common-sense bill will ensure that people with disabilities across the country have accessible transportation options available to them to facilitate true independence and participation in society. For more information or to join as a cosponsor, please contact Alec Goldstone in Rep. Langevin’s office at [email protected] or 5-2735. Sincerely, James R. Langevin                                               Member of Congress                                            Dina Titus Member of Congress *Included in House-passed INVEST in America Act

The Tokyo Paralympic Games begin on August 24th. Below, you can find information on how to access audio description, as well as other important details about the Paralympics. For more information about the Paralympics, including a programing schedule, visit: https://tinyurl.com/6sd5pjez.   Where and when can I watch the Paralympic coverage with audio description? "For the Paralympic Games, NBC Olympics will provide live audio description for all broadcast programming, including those aired outside primetime hours" (NBC Sports press release). This means that all broadcast programming, regardless of when it airs, will have "live audio description on the Secondary Audio Program (SAP) channel, provided by Descriptive Video Works" on NBC, NBC Sports (NBCSN), and the Olympic Channel (OC). Please consult this page for the programming schedule (subject to change). The audio description Project's daily listing of TV shows with description is also listing the Paralympic coverage—look for 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Please consult the ADP's audio description on television information page for general guidelines on how to access SAP. Who do I contact if audio description is not being passed through? If audio description is not being passed through on the NBC broadcast network, it is likely that the problem originates with your NBC affiliate. Please use the closed captioning contact or the engineering contact to get in touch with the affiliate. If you do not have this information, the FCC maintains a database of contacts for closed captioning feedback which conveniently lists both a contact for immediate feedback and a contact for written complaints. If audio description is not being passed through on either NBC Sports or the Olympic Channel, it is likely that the problem originates with your cable, telephone company (local exchange carrier), or satellite provider/service. If your provider has an accessibility department, please contact them to report a SAP pass-through issue for either NBC Sports or the Olympic Channel. The ADP's audio description on television information page also lists contacts for the major cable and satellite providers/services. Can I stream the Paralympic coverage with audio description? "Digital live streams with closed captions and audio description will also be available on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app" (NBC Sports press release). For most content, a provider sign-in will be required, though in most cases, you can watch the first 30 minutes of a live stream without having to sign in. On NBCOlympics.com, the streams with audio description can be found by searching for "audio description", and it is assumed that the NBC Sports app has a similar mechanism for locating the streams with audio description. Additionally, "[a]ll of this audio description and closed captioning will be available to Comcast customers who experience the Games on the Xfinity X1 platform, on Xfinity Stream and on Xfinity Flex," (NBC Sports press release). Alternatively, if you wish to view a chronological schedule of all live and upcoming streams with audio description for the Paralympics, please consult the schedule on NBCOlympics.com. There is supposed to be a page which lists the replays with audio description, but it will most likely be implemented at a later time. Is it possible to watch the Paralympic coverage with audio description on-demand? All television coverage live streams are able to be replayed on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app after the fact, including the streams with audio description. On NBCOlympics.com, search for "audio description", navigate to the "REPLAYS" level-two heading, and choose the stream you want to watch. Additionally, if you know that a stream has an audio description counterpart but is not showing up in the search results, suffix the link with "-audio-description" in the address bar and you can access it that way. For example, here's the link to the prime plus coverage from August 1: https://stream.nbcolympics.com/nbc-prime-plus-august-1 The audio described stream would be: https://stream.nbcolympics.com/nbc-prime-plus-august-1-audio-description How do I start playback of a live stream or replay on NBCOlympics.com? While starting playback is not currently fully accessible on NBCOlympics.com with a screen reader, you can do it with a reasonable degree of success. There is an unlabeled graphic on the second line of the page (right below www.nbcolympics.com) which may show up as a blank line depending on screen reader and browser used. Press Enter on said graphic and the player will initialize and the video will start playing. This graphic informs when the coverage begins (in Eastern and Pacific times) and also says "CLICK TO PLAY". The player controls are usable—the buttons are labeled and you can see the elapsed and remaining times. If focus is on the seek slider, the left/down arrow moves back by 15 seconds, and likewise the right/up arrow moves forwards by 15 seconds—pressing page-up/down or home/end does not seem to do anything, nor does pressing 1-0 to move to different percentages of the video. If you are focused on the volume slider, the arrow keys changes the volume by 10 percent.

Over 4 million Americans experience severe vision loss and blindness, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), puts a $51.4B burden on our annual economy. The driving force behind the social and economic burden of blindness is the onset of additional debilitating conditions, morbidity, and lost productivity. Collectively, these forces stand in the way of inclusion and independence, deeply weaving their way into the physical, psychological, and social fabric of life for people who are blind and visually impaired. As these harmful barriers assumed an even greater impact amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) has recognized the potential to elevate a national campaign focused on health and well-being. Eric Bridges, ACB Executive Director, shared that “the more we engage individuals most at risk, the better we can create a pathway to empowerment the more they can play a leadership role toward securing full and equal inclusion and independence in our society”. The campaign aims to increase physical well-being by undertaking a health and wellness campaign entitled “Get Up & Get Moving,” bringing together partners from the public and private sectors to create opportunities for physical activity through safe peer-to-peer and social events, leveraging technology, when possible, to make mobility easy. ACB’s Campaign committee chair Tom Tobin, affirms that “the more we get up and get moving, the more we can come together and take back our health, showing the world that we can break down the barriers to independence when empowered with the right knowledge, tools, and desire.” What we experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic a powerful indicator of how a diminished physical, emotional, and social lifestyle can place a heavy weight on health and wellness. Now is the time we must drive a national campaign that gets Americans who are blind and visually impaired up and moving.   Related Links ACB, along with legal counsel, has created a Dear Provider Letter for blind and low vision individuals to use in health care settings like doctor’s offices and hospitals. The letter was created in response to the challenges experienced by our members and the broader community that were brought to the fore-front during the COVID-19 pandemic. Access more information about the Dear Provider Letter through this link.  In December 2021, Peloton filed a limited waiver petition seeking to exclude their equipment from accessible user interface requirements for 18-months. ACB filed comments at the FCC and urged our members to submit reply comments with the FCC stating that Peloton equipment must be accessible for blind and low vision users. In the intervening months, ACB and Peloton communicated in a constructive and collaborative dialogue to ensure Peloton equipment is accessible for the widest audience possible. On August 1, 2022, the FCC granted Peleton’s request to withdraw its petition requesting a limited waiver­­ of the Commission’s accessibility requirements with the support of ACB and the disability community. In addition to the withdrawal of the Peloton Accessibility waiver, we are excited by the announcement of the Google Talkback screen reader and enhanced accessibility features now available on the Peloton Tread. ErgData from Concept2: A major update of the ErgData app from Concept2 is now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for Android. 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. Read Clark Rachfal’s Get Up and Get moving article on Modern Wellness The Role of Health and Wellness in Independence  ACB Health and Wellness Podcasts Get Up & Get Moving Kick-off History of the Get Up & Get Moving Campaign Planet Fitness, Home of the Judgement Free Zone, and the Coalition for Inclusive Fitness, Announce Accessible Exercise Equipment Commitment Benefitting People with Disabilities: Planet Fitness and the American Council of the Blind, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and National Council on Independent Living (collectively “Coalition for Inclusive Fitness” or the “Coalition”) announced a commitment to expand access to accessible exercise equipment.

Ahead of this Sunday’s vote, tune into ACB Media 10 to hear a reading of the proposed amendments to ACB’s constitution and bylaws addressing remote meeting and remote voting. This segment is now playing on rotation for those who are interested in hearing them read aloud. Listen your device or visit www.acbmedia.org/streams. At the conclusion of regular business at the ACB conference and convention on July 23, 2021, it was moved, seconded, and adopted as follows: Motion: Moved: that upon the conclusion of regular convention business, this convention be adjourned until Saturday, August 14, 2021, at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, for a special order of business for the consideration of such amendments to the ACB Constitution and Bylaws as may be necessary to align its meeting and voting practices with the provisions of the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act of 2010. Pursuant to that motion, the Constitution and Bylaws Committee met in open session on July 29th, August 5th, and August 10th, (in addition to individual committee members' participation in several other public/online discussion forums), to receive input on circulated proposed drafts of Constitutional and bylaw amendments consistent with the objective stated in the above-quoted motion. The Constitution and Bylaws committee is therefore pleased to submit the proposed amendments to ACB's constitution and bylaws set forth below. The committee also offers the following comments: With amendments to existing Article XI of the ACB Constitution not being strictly necessary to achieve the objective stated in the motion pursuant to which this committee was convened, all previous proposed amendments to that article have been withdrawn. Regarding the proposed concluding sentence to Constitution Article IX, all language from "by means of ..." to the end of the sentence is taken directly from the D.C. Nonprofit Corporation Act of 2010, § 29-405.01(e), (annual/regular meetings), and § 29-405.02(f), (special meetings). Given the terms of the above-quoted motion and the unified/interconnected nature of the proposed amendments set forth below, this committee strongly urges that they ultimately be acted on as a whole to avoid the potential for irremediable inconsistencies. This committee recommends a "do pass" on all amendments set forth below, both individually and collectively. Respectfully submitted, John A. McCann Vice chair, ACB Constitution and Bylaws Committee   Proposed Amendments to ACB's Constitution and Bylaws Addressing Remote Meetings and Remote Voting Article III, Section C, current language: C. Voting: Each voting member attending an annual conference and convention shall be entitled to one (1) vote, provided that the person was a member prior to the record date of the conference and convention, which shall be thirty (30) days prior to the opening meeting. In addition, official delegates from affiliates shall cast the number of votes to which their organization is entitled as provided in the Bylaws. Voting on all issues at an annual conference and convention shall be conducted in one (1) of two (2) ways: voice vote, by which the presiding officer calls for the oral ayes and then for the oral nays, or record vote. A record vote shall be composed of two (2) distinct components: a secret ballot vote by which the individual votes of certified voting members are taken, to be conducted in a manner as provided for in the Bylaws, and a roll call of affiliates by which official affiliate delegates shall announce the votes of their respective organizations. Elections where there are contests of officers, directors and members of the Board of Publications must be conducted by record vote. If a voice vote on any issue, in the opinion of the presiding officer, is too close to determine the result, the presiding officer shall have the discretion to order a record vote on the issue. A record vote on any issue shall also be ordered by the presiding officer if any twenty-five (25) certified voting members and/or members at large identify themselves from the floor of the conference and convention and request a record vote. Proposed Replacement: C. Voting: Each certified member of this organization shall be entitled to one (1) vote at any annual or special meeting, provided that the person was a certified member as of the established record date of such meeting, which shall be thirty (30) days before such meeting, or in the case of the annual conference and convention, the opening session. In addition, official delegates from affiliates shall cast the number of votes to which their organization is entitled as provided in the Bylaws. Voting on all issues at any meeting shall be conducted in one (1) of two (2) ways: voice vote or record vote. For voice votes, "in person" attendees shall vote via oral ayes and nays; virtual attendees shall cast votes by any protocol provided for by the adopted remote meeting platform or client program. A record vote shall be composed of two (2) distinct components: a secret ballot vote conducted in the manner prescribed in the bylaws, and a roll call of affiliates by which official affiliate delegates shall announce the votes of their respective organizations. If a voice vote on any issue, in the opinion of the presiding officer, is too close to determine the result, the presiding officer shall have the discretion to order a record vote on the issue. Contested elections and the disposition of main motions on proposed constitutional and/or bylaw amendments must be conducted via record vote. A record vote on any issue shall also be ordered by the presiding officer if any twenty-five (25) certified voting members identify themselves either from the floor of the conference and convention or via the adopted remote meeting platform or client program and request a record vote. Article IX Meetings (unchanged): A regular meeting of this organization shall be held once a year, to be known as the annual conference and convention. A majority of affiliate votes certified and seated at the conference and convention shall constitute a quorum to do business. Add: Any membership meeting, or portions thereof, may be conducted, either exclusively or as a contemporaneous hybrid component, by means of the Internet or other electronic communications technology in a fashion pursuant to which the members have the opportunity to read or hear the proceedings substantially concurrently with their occurrence, vote on matters submitted to the members, pose questions, and make comments. Bylaw 2 Voting, current language: D. The secret ballot component of a record vote shall be conducted through the use of a paper ballot for each certified member. Proposed Replacement: D. The individual "secret ballot" component of all record votes shall be conducted using an electronic system which provides the ability to independently mark, verify and cast a secret ballot. Such voting system shall be independently accessible to all members without regard to the technology used by each member, including assistive technology.   Convention Standing Rules Adopted by the ACB Board of Directors, May 22, 2021 Each debatable issue before the convention shall be limited to approximately twenty (20) minutes with a three-minute time limit per speaker, alternating between affirmative and opposing speakers, unless a majority of the members agree to extend debate for an additional period of time. A. Motions to close debate will not be recognized by the chair during the first debate period. After the first debate period, properly moved motions such as “I call for the question” or “I move the previous question” will be handled by the chair and voted on by the assembly. B. The chair may close debate when no one seeks the floor. C. Each member is respectfully urged to speak directly to the issue before the assembly and avoid unnecessary and time-   consuming dialogue. D. No member will be recognized a second time to debate until all who wish to debate have been recognized. E. The parliamentarian will act as timekeeper. Recognition to speak will be given to those members who properly address the chair using the “raise hand” feature of the Zoom internet meeting client program, giving their names and affiliation. Changes to the published convention program may be   proposed to the membership as deemed necessary by the presiding officer or his/her appointee. The presiding officer will explain the reason for such change and inform the assembly of their right to question the recommended modification. After this explanation, if twenty-five (25) or more members object to the proposed change by raising their hands using the Zoom meeting client, the change will then require debate and a majority vote to modify the convention program. Nominating and seconding speeches shall be limited to five minutes per candidate with the speaking time allocated according to the candidate's wishes. A person nominated for an office more than once shall be limited to one minute. When no candidate for office receives a majority vote, the election shall be between the top two candidates. Affiliate votes will be reported in whole or half numbers. In all uncontested elections as verified after three calls for additional nominations, the chair may declare the candidate elected by acclamation. “Write in” candidacies are not permitted. Anyone meeting the requirements for voting membership in ACB in accordance with Constitution Article III-A-1 and bylaw 1 is entitled to vote on any matter coming before the convention, provided that: A. The person's name appears on an affiliate's certified membership list as submitted on March 15th or has been added to that list prior to the established record date for the convention, which date is thirty (30) days prior to the date of the opening session. B. No challenges to, or questions about, a person's membership status will be considered after the close of registration on the day immediately preceding the final day on which convention business is to be conducted. C. No challenges to, or questions about, a person's membership status will be considered during the time a record vote is being conducted. During the 2021 virtual conference and convention, we will ensure all members eligible to have the ability to cast their individual votes via a secret ballot. However, as it is not feasible to do so using paper as prescribed in Bylaw 2, Section D of the ACB Constitution and Bylaws, said Bylaw section is suspended only for the 2021 conference and convention per requirements of the District of Columbia Non-Profit code.

60 for 60 Campaign We are incredibly thankful to Vispero for providing the first corporate contributions of our year-long ACB 60 for 60 campaign, and for launching a matching challenge to our ACB members and our partners. Vispero will double every contribution made to the 60 for 60 campaign up to $10,000 over the month. Their matching challenge began on July 26th in honor of the ADA's 31st Anniversary and will extend until August 31st 2021. To join the challenge, donate to our 60 for 60 campaign by visiting www.acb.org/donate. 2021 Convention Survey Thank you to all who participated or engaged in this year’s 2021 ACB 60th Anniversary Conference and Convention. It was truly a packed event with over 166 breakout sessions and multiple ways to participate which included: Zoom, ACB Media Network, YouTube, Facebook, Clubhouse, and our community events. We would like to hear your feedback on our 2021 convention. If you attended, please take a moment to answer the ACB Convention Survey. Click here to get started: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021ACBconvention. We're so excited to host our 2022 conference and Convention in Omaha, Nebraska. And we hope you can join us then! Absentee and Vote by Mail Barriers for Voters with Disabilities EAC Commissioner Ben Hovland was joined by American Council of the Blind Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs Clark Rachfal, Office of the Ohio Secretary of State ADA Coordinator Brett Harbage, California Assistant Secretary of State, Help America Vote Act State Director, and Counsel for the Secretary of State Susan Lapsley, California Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee Coordinator Reina Miller, and Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman to discuss absentee and vote by mail barriers as a part of the Serving Voters with Disabilities series. To view the presentation, visit: https://youtu.be/BezFBfrkubk. ACB’s Olympic Pre-Show ACB’s Olympic Pre-Show took place on Friday, July 23, 2021. During this presentation we highlight the games, athletes, teams, and the live audio description brought to you by NBC Olympics and Comcast just ahead of the 2021 Olympic Opening Ceremonies live from Tokyo! Hosted by Paralympian Clark Rachfal and ACB’s Kim Charlson, and featuring Olympian Marla Runyan & Paralympian Lex Gillette, United States Association of Blind Athletes & the National Goalball Teams with Descriptive Video Works, NBC and Comcast. Watch the recording of the Olympic Pre-Show by visiting https://youtu.be/eyHEByUE_tQ. To access the full length videos that were featured during the Olympic Pre-Show, visit the links below: ACB Interview with Norma Jean Wick: https://youtu.be/m-PLeT66CI4 ACB Interview with Tim Canary: https://youtu.be/g4lMBHwip7c ACB AD Award Acceptance for USOPM: https://youtu.be/cM7ckksNFws ACB Interview with Marla Runyan: https://youtu.be/-6WUTEAQtfo USABA Introduction of USA Goalball Teams: https://youtu.be/qah2rHzuZG0 Social Security Administration Notices ACB, along with the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), Justice in Aging and other disability advocacy organizations, sent a letter to the general counsel of the Social Security Administration to express concerns with a new policy that will make it more difficult for SSA clients to receive documents in an accessible format. Beginning August 14, SSA clients who receive communications from SSA via their My SSA online account will stop receiving communications in their requested alternative format unless the client takes affirmative steps to continue receiving their preferred alternative format. ACB will share more information from SSA when available.        ACB Convention Tour Podcasts All eligible 2021 Convention Virtual Tours are now available by Podcast! Visit www.ACBmedia.org and select Podcasts under the Media tab to access this year’s tours and subscribe. New convention podcast tracks will be released each week throughout the month of August. 2021 ACB Awards ACB’s annual awards recognizes individuals, organizations, and affiliates who have contributed to the blindness community. To see the full list of 2021 ACB award winners, visit: https://acb.org/2021-acb-awards.    Audio Description and Streaming Services Panel Podcast On a two part series of the ACB Advocacy Update, we featured an audio description panel discussion from the ACB Conference and Convention. Carl Richardson, co-Chair of ACB’s Audio Description Project speaks with representatives from major streaming services to discuss their product’s, programming, services, and offerings. Featured guests include: Melanie Goodman, HULU; Martha Heller, Viacom CBS, Paramount+; Sarah Herrlinger, Apple, TV+; Daniel Kocmarek, Sr., Amazon, Prime Video; Mirka Pavlikova, Walt Disney Studios, Disney+; Allison Smith, Netflix; Andy Larkin, HBO Max; & Thomas Wlodkowski, Comcast, Peacock. To listen to part 1 of this panel discussion, visit: https://tinyurl.com/232anhe8. To listen to part 2 of this panel discussion, visit: https://tinyurl.com/y9mn8h33. Mission: AstroAccess AstroAccess is excited to announce the launch of Mission: AstroAccess, a program bringing a diverse group of disabled space enthusiasts on a historic ZERO-G parabolic flight! Participants will complete targeted tasks during the program’s flight to help answer basic questions about how disabled people can live and work in outer space. Mission: AstroAccess’ crew of disabled volunteers will take flight on October 17th, 2021, as the first step in a progression towards increasing diversity in space and the greater STEM field. Through this flight, AstroAccess hopes to shift perspectives on what is possible. The tasks conducted during this program will help inform accessible design to make extended space travel safer for everyone. Applications for crew members are open now through August 15! Any disabled adult living within the US can apply. Apply by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/t4f5b7nn.

Durward K. McDaniel Ambassador Award: Allan Peterson The Durward K. McDaniel Ambassador Award is given in recognition of a blind person who may or may not be a member of a blindness organization but who has, through his or her personal characteristics and activities, unrelated to his/her employment, contributed most to the acceptance and understanding of blind people as capable, contributing members of the community. Presented to Allan Peterson in recognition of his many years of service to ACB and numerous other community organizations.   James R. Olsen Distinguished Service Award: Kim Crowell The James R. Olsen Distinguished Service Award is periodically given to individuals who have made important contributions which have advanced opportunities for the blind community. This award can be given to an individual or an organization. Presented to Kim Crowell of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in recognition of her leadership in making the museum a model of accessibility for all disabilities.   Affiliate Outreach Award: Friends ’n Focus Chapter, Medina, Ohio The Affiliate Outreach Award is based on a recommendation by an affiliate president, which recognizes a local chapter for a new outreach program. This program must have a measurable outcome.  Presented to Friends ’n Focus Chapter, Medina, Ohio For their over 60 collections and distributions of CCTVs to Ohioans with low vision.   The Ned E. Freeman Excellence in Writing Award: Nicholas Giudice The Ned E. Freeman Excellence in Writing Award was instituted in 1970, and is awarded to the author of an article that demonstrates excellence in writing, novelty of approach and/or originality of the subject matter. Presented to Nicholas Giudice for “COVID-19 and Blindness,” which describes the challenges blind people are facing during the pandemic.   Vernon Henley Media Award: U.S. Presidential Inaugural Committee, Martin Wilde and Bridget Melton The Vernon Henley Media Award is intended to be a vehicle for publicizing ACB throughout the general media and to encourage excellence and accuracy in electronic and print coverage of items relating to blindness. Presented to the U.S. Presidential Inaugural Committee, Martin Wilde and Bridget Melton for their commitment to accessibility by providing extensive, unprecedented audio description coverage for the events of the 2021 Presidential Inauguration of Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris.   Hollis Liggett Braille Free Press Award: Sally Benjamin and the Florida Council of the Blind The Hollis Liggett Braille Free Press Award is intended to promote best journalistic practices and excellence in writing in publications of ACB’s state and special-interest affiliates. Presented to Sally Benjamin and the Florida Council of the Blind for affiliate newsletter excellence.   Affiliate Growth Award: ACB Next Generation The Affiliate Growth Awards are based on the greatest increase in membership, as determined by the 2020-2021 membership reports. Presented to ACB Next Generation in recognition of the largest percentage of membership increase in 2021.   Affiliate Growth Award: Blind Information Technology Specialists (BITS) The Affiliate Growth Awards are based on the greatest increase in membership, as determined by the 2020-2021 membership reports. Presented to Blind Information Technology Specialists in recognition of the largest number of new members in 2021.