2021 AD Awards Call for Nominations The Audio Description Project recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of audio description through the Audio Description Awards. The call for nominations ends on Sunday, May 23, 2021, with winners announced during a plenary general session of the American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention in July 2021. To learn more about the award categories and how to submit nominations, visit: https://acb.org/2021-adp-awards-nominations.   ACB Job Posting: Administrative Assistant Join the ACB team! ACB's Alexandria, Virginia office is looking for applicants for a part-time administrative assistant position. For more details, visit: https://www.acb.org/jobs#Admin-Asst-Alexandria-VA. Employee Announcement: Manager of Communications The American Council of the Blind is proud to announce the newest member of our team: Jennifer Flatt! On May 10th, Jennifer will join us as Manager of Communications. She will support Tony Stephens, Director of Development, with overseeing the creation and execution of a Content Management Strategy across all communications channels, designed to maximize cross promotion, expand ACB reach, and increase membership. To learn more about Jennifer, visit: https://acb.org/manager-communications-announcement-2021.   American Council of the Blind Letter Supporting S. 1260 ACB is a nationwide member-driven advocacy organization that strives to increase the security, independence, economic opportunity, and quality of life for people who are  blind and experiencing vision loss. Eliminating barriers to transportation and enhancing independent travel are critical to ensuring people with disabilities are integrated in our communities and have equal opportunities to move freely. For these reasons, ACB strongly supports the inclusion and passage of S. 1260 as an amendment to the Endless Frontier Act as offered by Senators Peters and Thune, which would incentivize American companies to test and develop accessible autonomous vehicles. To read ACB's letter of support for S. 1260, visit https://acb.org/support-letter-s1260. ACB Advocacy Update: Autonomous Vehicle Industry Panel On this week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, we revisit a presentation from the ACB DC Leadership Conference. Ron Brooks, former Chair of the ACB Transportation and Advocacy Steering Committees, moderates a conversation with industry leaders incorporating accessibility in autonomous vehicle design, testing and development, including: Eric Danko, Director of Federal Affairs, Cruise; George Ivanov, Head of International Policy & government Affairs, Waymo; & Dave Furukawa, co-Founder, Foresight Augmented Reality. Listen via your favorite podcast player or online at: https://tinyurl.com/ywdkzf83. Sunday Edition: Mother’s Day The Mother’s Day Sunday Edition show will feature great moms in the ACB community. If you know a mom you consider to be amazing, please send a short testimonial to [email protected]. The host of Sunday Edition, Anthony Corona, will read the testimonials on the show, and will also be interviewing a selection of submission applicants during this episode.  FCC Seeks Comments for TBS AD Waiver Request On April 29, 2021, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on TBS’s petition for limited waiver of the requirement to provide 87.5 hours of audio described programming per calendar quarter. WarnerMedia is requesting this waiver for TBS, because the audio description re-run rule does not adequately count the full quantity of audio description aired by TBS. ACB encourages all interested parties to file comments in support of the TBS waiver request. Comments are due by June 1, 2021; and reply comments are due by June 14, 2021. For instructions on how to submit comments, and to learn more details, visit: https://acb.org/FCC-comments-TBS-AD-waiver.   Microsoft 5-Year Commitment This week, Microsoft announced they are launching a 5-year commitment to help bridge the “Disability Divide,” the gap in societal inclusion for the more than one billion people with disabilities globally. Microsoft is doubling down to expand what is possible with accessible technology, opening doors for disabled talent to enter the workforce and continuing their journey of disability inclusion in the workplace. Learn more by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/3nj4pmbb.   Amtrak Compensation Claims People with mobility disabilities who encountered inaccessible Amtrak stations can now begin submitting claims for monetary compensation. Claims must be submitted by May 29, 2021. Visit https://amtrakdisabilitysettlement.com/  to find out if you’re qualified for a compensation fund. Amtrak created the compensation fund as part of a settlement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) which found the railroad had engaged in disability discrimination violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the agreement, Amtrak will fix inaccessible stations and pay $2.25 million to victims hurt by inaccessibility at 78 stations. To learn more, visit: https://www.dlcv.org/amtrak.  

On April 29, 2021, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on TBS’s petition for limited waiver of the requirement to provide 87.5 hours of audio described programming per calendar quarter. WarnerMedia is requesting this waiver for TBS, because the audio description re-run rule does not adequately count the full quantity of audio description aired by TBS. This waiver request is similar to that sought by NBC-Universal for USA Network in 2019, with two clear differences. TBS pledges to air at least 1,000 hours of described programming each quarter, equal to that of USA Network. In addition, TBS pledges to average more than 1,400 hours of described programming per quarter over the waiver period. Second, USA Network agreed to audio describe more than 75% of original programming. In 2019, this was before Apple TV Plus, Disney Plus, and WarnerMedia’s own HBO Max agreed to audio describe 100% of their original content. As a result, WarnerMedia has pledged that TBS will describe 100% of newly produced, non-live programming aired between 6:00 a.m. and midnight ET within three business days of its receipt from a production company.  Finally, if granted the limited waiver, WarnerMedia commits that it will describe 100% of newly produced, non-live programming aired between 6:00 a.m. and midnight ET within three business days of receipt on TNT and TruTV, TBS sister networks, which are not subject to the Commission’s audio description requirements.    ACB encourages all interested parties to file comments in support of the TBS waiver request. Comments are due by June 1, 2021; and reply comments are due by June 14, 2021. The FCC Public Notice and comment filing instructions for the TBS waiver request are available at: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filing/1033117341846. When filing comments, please include docket number MB: 11-43. If you need assistance filing comments, please email: [email protected]. The FCC Public Notice and comment filing instructions for the TBS waiver request are available at:  Word:  https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-497A1.docx   PDF:  https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-497A1.pdf Text:  https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-497A1.txt

The American Council of the Blind is proud to announce the newest member of our team: Jennifer Flatt! On May 10th, Jennifer will join us as Manager of Communications. She will support Tony Stephens, Director of Development, with overseeing the creation and execution of a Content Management Strategy across all communications channels, designed to maximize cross promotion, expand ACB reach, and increase membership.   Most recently, Jennifer worked as Senior Director of Communications & Engagement for South University. There, she led communications and media relations, ensuring consistent messaging and outreach that advanced the goals and profile of the University. Prior, Jennifer worked at the Privy Council Office of Canada as Senior Analyst of Marketing & Advertising, providing marketing advice and support for the federal government and departmental priorities for the Prime Minister of Canada’s Office. Some of Jennifer’s Career Highlights include, launching South University’s Diversity and Inclusions Council, leading South University’s rebranding strategy and leading the Crisis Communication response for the Public Health Agency of Canada’s H1N1 response including accessible health information for all Canadians. Jennifer has over 17 years of experience in communications and marketing and has branched across multi-sectoral positions within: Non-profits, B2B, Higher Education and public service.   We are very excited to have Jennifer on the team and look forward to her positive contributions! Join us in welcoming Jennifer starting May 10th by sending an email to [email protected].  

April 26, 2021 The Honorable Maria Cantwell, Chairman U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee 420-A Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Roger Wicker, Ranking Member U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee 420-A Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Chairman Cantwell, and Ranking Member Wicker: My name is Clark Rachfal, and I am the Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs for the American Council of the Blind (ACB). ACB is a nationwide member-driven advocacy organization that strives to increase the security, independence, economic opportunity, and quality of life for people who are blind and experiencing vision loss. Eliminating barriers to transportation and enhancing independent travel are critical to ensuring people with disabilities are integrated in our communities and have equal opportunities to move freely. For these reasons, ACB strongly supports the inclusion and passage of S. 1260 as an amendment to the Endless Frontier Act as offered by Senators Peters and Thune, which would incentivize American companies to test and develop accessible autonomous vehicles. People with disabilities, including our members who are experiencing vision loss, routinely encounter limited transportation options for independent travel. For those living in an urban environment, people with disabilities are subject to long wait times and unreliable service from public transportation, paratransit services, and discrimination due to their disability or service animals from human drivers. Conversely, Americans with disabilities living in suburban and rural parts of the nation remain physically and mentally isolated with few transportation options. Autonomous vehicles hold the promise of truly on-demand and independent travel for people who are blind. Allowing this technology to flourish under a national testing framework will enhance the transportation options, quality of life, and economic opportunity for people who are blind and experiencing vision loss. The two most significant measures of this amendment for our members and all Americans living with vision loss are granting the Department of Transportation the authority to provide regulatory exemptions for manufacturers who are promoting transportation access in accordance with Title III of the Americans With Disabilities Act, and the prohibition of requiring a driver’s license to operate an autonomous vehicle. These provisions will incentivize U.S. manufacturers of autonomous vehicles to include accessibility for people with disabilities at the forefront of their design, testing, and development process; ensuring that access for people with disabilities is a foregone conclusion and not an afterthought. Additionally, if driver’s licenses are required to own or operate an autonomous vehicle, millions of Americans with disabilities will be prevented from gaining equal access to this transformational technology. For these reasons, ACB urges the Commerce Committee to adopt S. 1260 as an amendment and secure independent travel for all Americans regardless of disability or where they live. Thank you for the opportunity to provide this letter supporting S. 1260 as an amendment to the Endless Frontier Act. If the Committee has any questions, please contact Clark Rachfal, ACB’s Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs: [email protected]. Sincerely, Clark Rachfal Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs CC: Members of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Create Your ACB Account Now We hope you will be joining us for our convention in July. To simplify our account process, we are asking you to create a new ACB account (whether you are a member or not). You will use this log in credential going forward. The first time you log in to https://members.acb.org/, you will be asked to create a new login, password, and provide your profile information. This will need to be done even if you have previously created other ACB accounts. If you registered for the 2020 holiday auction, no further action is needed. You can use the same credentials you selected for your previous ACB accounts if you wish. We are asking for your name and address (for your profile) to make sure our donor database has your current information, which will help ACB to communicate with you in the future. Please go to https://members.acb.org/ to create your ACB account by May 15th so you will be ready when convention registration opens on May 20.  If you need assistance creating your ACB account please contact Janet Dickelman at (651) 428-5059. Accessible Voting in Virginia The Commonwealth of Virginia will permanently make its elections accessible and safe for voters who cannot mark a paper ballot privately and independently due to disabilities such as blindness, beginning with the June 2021 Primary Election. In 2020, we filed suit together with a coalition of disability advocates to make this change possible. Learn more by visiting: https://acb.org/virginia-accessible-voting-2021. The New $20: A Chance for Accessible Currency ACB President Dan Spoone had an engaging opinion piece calling for accessible currency published this week in The Hill. The commentary bridged two leading voices for equality who lived an ocean apart two centuries ago, but now are brought together by the opportunity for a new $20 bill. Read the article by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/24y4wjdf.  Describing the World Around Us on Earth Day  Join us for this week’s ACB Advocacy Update with special guest host Tony Stephens, ACB’s Director of Development. Tony sits down with ACB’s Director of Advocacy & Governmental Affairs, Clark Rachfal, to talk with Audio Description Project (ADP) Committee Co-Chair Carl Richardson, and to introduce Jo Lynn Bailey-Page, who is now on staff with ACB coordinating the Audio Description Project. The episode kicks off Earth Day with a conversation on the UniDescription Project, which is a partnership between ACB, the University of Hawaii and the National Parks Service. We then dive into what’s hot with audio description in streaming media and get a preview of what is in store for audio description at this summer’s convention. Listen via your favorite podcast player or online at: https://tinyurl.com/yphn6b9z. There’s still time to nominate your favorite audio described program for this year’s ADP Awards. Visit https://acb.org/2021-adp-awards-nominations for details. The FCC is also seeking comments on issues to explore around the CVAA. Tune in for more details, and email [email protected] for more information on how you can provide comments to the FCC.   ACB & Leader Dogs for the Blind Event Join us on Wednesday, April 28 at 3pm ET for a collaborative event with ACB and Leader Dogs for the Blind. We will give a brief organizational overview and then focus on our very popular community events which are held seven days a week including holidays. These Zoom events are open to everyone regardless of membership in ACB. Leader Dog will highlight their free programs and services including Orientation & Mobility Training for people who want to increase their travel skills with a cane but aren’t interested in getting a guide dog. Register for the event here: https://leaderdog-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEucuioqzgpGd0iiUjtV6Td3V_cvm0FX032. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 2021 AD Awards Call for Nominations The Audio Description Project recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of audio description through the Audio Description Awards. The call for nominations ends on Sunday, May 9, 2021, with winners announced during a plenary general session of the American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention in July 2021. To learn more about the award categories and how to submit nominations, visit: https://acb.org/2021-adp-awards-nominations.   It’s Time to Stop Creating Barriers to Voting ACB's Durward K. McDaniel Fund Committee Chair, Kenneth Semien Sr., recently wrote an article concerning barriers to voting that was published in the Austin American-Statesman. To read the article, visit https://tinyurl.com/smrdus87.  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. 

The Commonwealth Agrees to Consent Decree to Include Electronic Ballot Marking beginning with the June 2021 Primary Election: Media Contacts American Council of the Blind: Clark Rachfal, [email protected], 202-467-5081 disAbility Law Center of Virginia: Colleen Miller, [email protected], (804) 225-204 National Federation of the Blind: Chris Danielsen, [email protected], 410-262-1281 Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP: Steven Hollman, [email protected], 202-747-1941 Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs: Gregg Kelley, [email protected], 202-319-1070 April 19, 2021 – Alexandria, VA – The Commonwealth of Virginia will permanently make its elections accessible and safe for voters who cannot mark a paper ballot privately and independently due to disabilities such as blindness, beginning with the June 2021 Primary Election. On July 27, 2020, several voters with disabilities, the American Council of the Blind of Virginia, and the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia filed a complaint in the Eastern District of Virginia against the Commonwealth for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Virginia Disabilities Act. In August 2020, Virginia agreed to provide an absentee ballot option that is accessible and can be marked electronically so that voters with disabilities could safely vote in the November 2020 general election. “We are pleased that the Commonwealth of Virginia recognizes that reducing barriers to absentee voting improved the November 2020 election and is committed to offering a secure remote absentee voting option moving forward,” said Maggie Hart, Counsel at the Washington Lawyers’ Committee.  “The right to vote is precious and our democracy will only be strengthened by increasing access to the ballot.” Judge Hilton of the Eastern District of Virginia entered a final consent decree agreed upon by the parties, which extends Virginia’s obligation to provide a remote accessible vote by mail tool for the primary election on June 8, 2021.  Virginia will also appoint an ombudsman to assist voters with disabilities to use the accessible electronic ballot.  Virginia has also adopted a new voting rights law, which takes effect July 1, 2021, to make the accessible absentee ballot option permanent. Sam Joehl, President of the American Council of the Blind of Virginia stated: “We are delighted that the Virginia Department of Elections will be implementing an accessible remote ballot marking solution for the July 2021 election, and we commend the legislature for recognizing the need for accessible remote voting by incorporating this mandate into the laws of the state. The recent health pandemic illustrated the criticality for voters with print disabilities to be able to independently cast a remote ballot, which is an option that every other voter can exercise. We stand ready to work with the Board of Elections to widely promote the availability of this solution, and to assist them in educating the local registrars to implement the accessible remote ballot marking system so that those who wish to avail themselves of it can do so without issue.” “As we fight for accessible absentee and mail-in ballots across several states and in the United States congress, we are pleased that Virginia is among the states where the right of blind voters to mark our absentee ballots safely, privately and independently is secure,” said Tracy Soforenko, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia. “We urge all blind Virginians to exercise this cherished and fundamental right.” Colleen Miller, the Director of the disAbility Law Center of Virginia, stated, “dLCV is proud to be part of Virginia’s movement towards greater and greater access to voting, especially for people with disabilities.  And Virginia can now proudly claim its position as the leader among southern states for voting access.” “My clients are courageous individuals with print disabilities who can now engage in activities many of us take for granted,” said Steven Hollman of Sheppard Mullin. “That’s why it is especially gratifying to help ensure that they will be able to exercise the most cherished right offered in a democracy – the right to vote privately and independently — on equal terms with other voters.” The lawsuit was filed by the American Council of the Blind of Virginia, the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia and Carshena Gary, Lori Scharff, Regina Root, Ph.D., Naim Muawia Abu-El Hawa, and John Halverson, Ph.D. Link to the Consent Judgment & Decree here. Link to filed complaint here. Counsel for this case include Eve L. Hill of Brown Goldstein & Levy, the disAbility Law Center of Virginia, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, LLP, and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs. PRESS: Blue Virginia About American Council of the Blind (ACB): The American Council of the Blind is a national grassroots consumer organization representing Americans who are blind and visually impaired. With 70 affiliates, ACB strives to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people. Learn more by visiting www.acb.org.  About Brown Goldstein and Levy: BGL provides the highest quality legal services to a broad range of clients, without sacrificing our sense of community and social responsibility. By elevating our clients’ voices and fighting for their rights, we seek to bring about a more just world – sometimes one dispute at a time, sometimes through systemic change.  About the disAbility Law Center of Virginia: disAbility Law Center of Virginia is the protection and advocacy agency charged by the state and federal governments, on behalf of people with disabilities, to advance independence, choice and self-determination; protect legal, human and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation. About National Federation of the Blind (NFB): 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 DC, 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. About Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP: Sheppard Mullin is a full-service Global 100 firm with more than 950 attorneys in 15 offices located in the United States, Europe and Asia. Since 1927, industry-leading companies have turned to Sheppard Mullin to handle corporate and technology matters, high-stakes litigation and complex financial transactions. In the U.S., the firm’s clients include almost half of the Fortune 100. For more information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com. About the Washington Lawyers’ Committee: Founded in 1968, The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs works to create legal, economic and social equity through litigation, client and public education and public policy advocacy. While we fight discrimination against all people, we recognize the central role that current and historic race discrimination plays in sustaining inequity and recognize the critical importance of identifying, exposing, combatting and dismantling the systems that sustain racial oppression. For more information, please visit https://www.washlaw.org or call 202.319.1000. Follow us on Twitter at @WashLaw4CR.

ACB Celebrates NATAD ACB celebrated National Assistive Technology Awareness Day this week! ACB's advocacy team, Clark Rachfal and Swatha Nandhakumar, were joined by Matt Ater, Vice President of Vispero, and Don Barrett, ACB Member, to discuss assistive technology: what it is; why it is so important; and what role assistive technology will play in our lives going forward. Watch the presentation by visiting: https://youtu.be/-h3Jl3JjgvU. To listen to this presentation via podcast, visit: https://tinyurl.com/vh2rh9xt. Meet Kolby Garrison This week we interviewed the newest member of our team: Kolby Garrison! Kolby recently began her new role as Membership Services Administrative Assistant with ACB. Get to know Kolby in this week’s interview by visiting: https://youtu.be/SbzMBLQ7l24. ACB’s Donor Update Call Join us as we discuss all the amazing things underway at ACB, all possible due to the wonderful support of our donors. We share our past accomplishments and what is on the horizon, and most importantly give thanks to our supporters. Visit https://youtu.be/x88ZyoYQXrY to access the presentation. Audio Description Awareness Day Today is Audio Description Awareness Day! Celebrate the day by reading three articles featured in our ACB Voices blog: Paradigm Shift: Audio Description Your Way by Carl Richardson, Co-Chair of the Audio Description Project Committee: https://tinyurl.com/3nmd66bt Audio Description Snobbery by Acclaimed Audio Describer Roy Samuelson: https://tinyurl.com/5csw654h Audio Description: What It Means to Me by ACB Member Erika Wolf: https://tinyurl.com/3sae5rtz Additionally, you can tune into Roy Samuelson’s fantastic presentation from our 2020 convention banquet by visiting: https://youtu.be/sYv52O1I6Mo.   Create Your ACB Account Now We hope you will be joining us for our convention in July. To simplify our account process, we are asking you to create a new ACB account (whether you are a member or not). You will use this log in credential going forward. The first time you log in to https://members.acb.org/, you will be asked to create a new login, password, and provide your profile information. This will need to be done even if you have previously created other ACB accounts. If you registered for the 2020 holiday auction, no further action is needed. You can use the same credentials you selected for your previous ACB accounts if you wish. We are asking for your name and address (for your profile) to make sure our donor database has your current information, which will help ACB to communicate with you in the future. Please go to https://members.acb.org/ to create your ACB account by May 15th so you will be ready when convention registration opens on May 20.  If you need assistance creating your ACB account please contact Janet Dickelman at (651) 428-5059. OrCam Podcast If you missed last week’s community event with OrCam featuring blind land speed racer, Dan Parker and Dr. Bryan Wolynski, low vision optometrist, you can still catch this event through the podcast, here: https://tinyurl.com/8msvczns. In this webinar, they discussed the technology of OrCam MyEye and how it provides independence and improves the lives of their users,. If Dan’s story inspires you, check out the OrCam MyEye and see what it can do for you. ACB members are entitled to a 10% discount off of any of the OrCam devices (cannot combine with other promotions) and payment plans are available. If you are interested to receive more information please go to this link, https://tinyurl.com/tbcfw6sc, and fill out your details or contact Oded Tsin from OrCam directly at [email protected]. Audio Description Awareness Challenge Today, in recognition of Audio Description Awareness Day, Bold Blind Beauty launches the Audio Description Awareness Challenge. They invite you to find a friend to watch a TV episode or movie of your choice with audio description. By the end of the month, post your experiences on social media using the hashtags #TADAChallenge, #KevinsWay, and #BoldBlindBeauty. Learn more by visiting: BoldBlindBeauty.com/TADA. Accessible Currency Petition Do you agree that the US Treasury’s 20+ year delay in providing accessibility for the blind is unacceptable? Do you believe that we must redesign currency including the portraits of our chosen heroes like Tubman and the suffragists in this administration and that we cannot wait until 2026 and beyond for updated banknotes? Do you want our currency to have state of the art security features to protect us from counterfeiters? Well, right now we are stuck in a lose- lose-lose situation, a government gridlock that denies us accessibility, our Tubmans and counterfeit resistant bills. We must get government unstuck. Join us in telling Secretary Janet Yellen and Federal Reserve Board Chairman, Jerome Powell that blind and visually impaired people have waited long enough for accessible currency, the public has waited long enough for secure currency and we have waited long enough for currency that tells all our story. We can make this a win-win-win situation. Fill out the petition at: https://www.womenon20s.org/currency_petition. M-Enabling Summit Meet Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Chief Accessibility Officer at Microsoft on April 21 during the M-Enabling Virtual Leadership Briefing where she will be interviewed by Shilpi Kapoor, Founder and CEO of Barrier Break. Engage in conversation around the technology directions that matter for accessible work places. Register today! https://m-enabling.com/virtual-leadership-briefing-series

We hope you will be joining us for our virtual convention in July! If you registered for the convention in the past, you logged in using your convention username and password. ACB also has several other applications used in our organization and, with each application, users needed to remember another username and password. To simplify this process, we are asking you to create a new ACB account (whether you are a member or not). You will use this log in credential going forward. The first time you log in to https://members.acb.org/, you will be asked to create a new login, password, and provide your profile information. This will need to be done even if you have previously created other ACB accounts. If you registered for the 2020 holiday auction, no further action is needed. You can use the same credentials you selected for your previous ACB accounts if you wish. We are asking for your name and address (for your profile) to make sure our donor database has your current information, which will help ACB to communicate with you in the future.  Please go to https://members.acb.org/ to create your ACB account before you register for convention. Convention registration opens on May 20. If you need assistance creating your ACB account please contact Janet Dickelman at (651) 428-5059. To learn more about our 2021 virtual convention, visit https://acbconvention.org.

Clubhouse is a free social networking app, available on iOS and Android, that provides a platform to interact with others and discuss various topics via audio in virtual chat rooms. To join you must receive an invitation from an existing user, or you may join and become a part of our ACB Club on Clubhouse by emailing [email protected]. ACB’s presence on this app further expands the reach our community. The ACB Club on Clubhouse is an extension of the American Council of the Blind, a non-profit organization serving the blind and visually impaired community from across the globe. ACB is committed to fostering voice, choice, and community to all who we come to know from our many endeavors and programs. We are further committed to creating a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment to all who come into our rooms and events. To open a room as part of the ACB Club: Be sure you’ve read our guidelines including ACB’s Core Values and Code of Conduct. Always make sure you have at least one co-moderator to assist with host-like duties to ensure the room remains safe, respectful, and welcoming. Preface the title with an indicator such as: ACB presents: (if an administrator or, staff, or leader of ACB). ACB Crafters: (if part of the ACB Crafters steering group). ACB community: (if you are a club member wishing to hold a discussion). Our 5 core values are the heart of what drives all we do at ACB. Find these along with our Vision Statement here: https://acb.org/vision-statement-core-values. Please read ACB’s Code of Conduct here: https://acb.org/code-of-conduct. As part of our ongoing effort to ensure the ACB community is safe, respected, and welcome, all participants in virtual and in-person ACB events must read and agree to ACB’s Code of Conduct. ACB takes any violation of the code seriously, and we encourage concerns and complaints be sent to the following email: [email protected]. You may also leave a voicemail at (929) 243-4145. The Human Resources/Payroll Specialist monitors these channels. Reports may also be filed with the President or Executive Director. Your correspondence will be kept in confidence, fully investigated, and acted upon. We hope you have a fun and engaging time each moment you spend with us at Club ACB. To learn more about ACB, please visit our website at www.acb.org, or send an email to [email protected]. You can also find information about our multiple state and special-interest affiliates. To become a member or friend of ACB, please visit: https://acb.org/join-acb. We welcome the chance to chat and get to know you and your story. The Club ACB team

For the People Act The For the People Act (H.R. 1, S. 1) would eliminate accessible voting options & prevent innovation in election technology, barring accessibility gains in the future and silencing the voice of millions of Americans who are blind and visually impaired. The American Council of the Blind calls on Congress to protect the right to vote for Americans who are blind and visually impaired by removing threatening language in the For the People Act. Learn more by visiting: https://acb.org/press-release-for-the-people-act ACB’s Next Donor Update Call Set for April 14th, 3pm EDT Please join ACB leaders at 3pm EDT on April 14th for a live event as we share the amazing things underway, all possible due to the wonderful support of our donors like you. We'll share our past accomplishments and what is on the horizon, and most importantly give thanks to our wonderful supporters. We will schedule an alternative meeting as well to accommodate evening schedules. To get access to the call in information for this event, join our community call list by sending an email to [email protected].  DOJ Seeks to Intervene in APS Litigation The Justice Department has filed papers to intervene on behalf of blind and visually impaired residents of Chicago to compel the City to install accessible pedestrian signals. The lawsuit was originally filed on behalf of ACB of Metropolitan Chicago, which is being represented by Disability Rights Advocates. A similar lawsuit, brought by ACB of NY, is pending against New York City and has resulted in a largely favorable court decision. To read the press release issued by the Department of Justice regarding its intervention in the Chicago APS case, visit: https://tinyurl.com/54ezefwc. Cogswell Macy Act On this week's episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark moderates a panel discussion to mobilize advocates in support of the reintroduced Cogswell Macy Act! ACB is joined by: Mark Richert, Interim Executive Director, AER; Linda Alsop, Director, National Intervener and Advocate Association; Howard Rosenblum, Chief Executive Officer, National Association of the Deaf; Barbara Raimondo, Executive Director, Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf; & Amy Parker, Assistant Professor, Portland State University. Listen online by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/ye24pp7p. To learn how you may support the Cogswell Macy Act (H.R. 1959 & S. 813), visit: www.cogswellmacyact.org. 2021 AD Awards Call for Nominations The Audio Description Project recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of audio description through the Audio Description Awards. The call for nominations ends on Sunday, May 9, 2021, with winners announced during a plenary general session of the American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention in July 2021. To learn more about the award categories and how to submit nominations, visit: https://acb.org/2021-adp-awards-nominations.   AAVL AAA Project Seniors who are blind or have low vision are losing out on services and programs offered by Area Agencies on Aging. The Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss (AAVL), a special interest affiliate of ACB, plans to contact Area Agencies on Aging and ask them what programs and services they provide, and whether seniors who are blind or have low vision are being included. You can participate. Join our Community Event/Training Sunday, April 11, 7:30pm ET, 4:30pm PT, and 1:30pm HT to learn how.  There’s a lot more information to help you get the most out of the Community Event at www.aavl-blind-seniors.org. Now on Be My Eyes: Verizon & Jobs for Humanity Do you need accessibility support on your mobile device? Customers of Verizon can now connect with their phone provider through Be My Eyes - just access the Specialized Help menu and find Verizon in the Technical category. Give them a call on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 5PM to 7PM ET to get an expert from Verizon to help with accessibility features and information about their services. Learn more by visiting: https://www.bemyeyes.com/blog/verizon-is-first-telecom-provider-to-join-be-my-eyes. To make things even more exciting, Be My Eyes has announced their first Careers partner, Jobs for Humanity. With the launch of their new job board, blind.jobs, they already have more than 1,000 positions available around the world, where employers have committed to interviewing the top visually impaired candidates. They're holding open office hours on Specialized Help a few hours per week to help people get familiar with the service they provide. The Henry Ford Virtual Verbal Description Program Join the Henry Ford Museum on April 14 at 3pm ET for a virtual verbal description program, highlighting the Louis Comfort Tiffany: Treasures from the Driehaus Collection exhibition, now on display at The Henry Ford. This exhibition features more than 60 objects, spanning over 30 years of Tiffany’s prolific career, and celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship of the Tiffany artworks from Chicago’s distinguished Richard H. Driehaus Collection. This experience will be led by The Henry Ford’s Curator of Decorative Arts, Charles Sable, and conducted remotely in verbal description and conversation. The program will be held via Zoom and will be accessible by web link and call-in phone number, depending on your preference. This program is free. Reservations are required and space is limited. Please email [email protected] with your name and email address to register and with any questions.