After years of working closely with Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) and Disability Rights California (DRC) on accessible voting, American Council of the Blind (ACB) affiliate California Council of the Blind is leading a coalition of disability organizations in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction requiring the California Secretary of State to implement accessible electronic mechanisms for voters with print disabilities to return their vote-by-mail ballots privately and independently by the November election. The lawsuit aims to ensure that California’s vote-by-mail program is fully accessible for Californians with print disabilities for the upcoming 2024 elections and all future elections. Click here to read the press release from the National Federation of the Blind: https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/coalition-disability-groups-demand-immediate-action-ensure-accessible-ballot

March is Women's History Month, and the American Council of the Blind (ACB) is proud to honor Dr. Margaret Rockwell Pfanstiehl (pronounced FAN-STEEL), a lifelong advocate for people who are blind or have low vision and a pioneer in the fields of accessibility and audio description. Margaret, who was almost entirely blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, was on the leading edge of the accessibility movement. In the early 1970s, after earning her Ed.D. degree, she garnered support and funding around the Washington, D.C., area and founded the Metropolitan Washington Ear, an organization that continues to provide services today.  In the early 1980s, Margaret and her husband Cody developed The Ear's audio description program, the first ongoing description service in the world. Margaret and Cody, along with a core group of Ear volunteers (including Dr. Joel Snyder, the founder of the Audio Description Project) began offering description at Washington's Arena Stage and other area theaters. Margaret also worked to help make television accessible; for those efforts, she was awarded a national Emmy Award in 1990. In 1991 Margaret took another innovative leap by launching one of the nation’s first dial-In newspaper services. Years later, she testified before the Federal Communications Commission about access for individuals with disabilities, which led to the requirement for broadcasters to adopt audio description technology through the secondary audio programming channel. This Women’s History Month, please join ACB and the Audio Description Project in remembering and honoring the incredible impact Margaret had on the everyday lives of people on the blindness spectrum. If you’re interested in learning more about Margaret’s life and achievements, visit the Metropolitan Washington Ear’s website at https://washear.org/about.html#founder

Alexandria, Va., March 18, 2024 – Scott Thornhill took office today as the new Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind (ACB). Thornhill was voted in by the ACB Board to lead the 62-year-old organization. “It is an honor and a privilege to be able to lead an organization with such a rich history,” said Thornhill. “The strength of ACB is a combination of our members, our supporters, and the larger blindness community that we serve. I look forward to us achieving even more impactful results in the years to come." For the past five years, Thornhill served as the Director of Public Policy for Alphapointe, a non-profit organization with the mission to empower people who are blind through opportunities for employment and personal development. In that role, he was responsible for issues such as government relations, successful employment, innovation, event fundraising in New York and more. Thornhill also has a background in real estate brokerage. Despite a flourishing career in that field, he felt compelled to join the effort to help make the playing field level for people who are blind and visually impaired. Thornhill is blind himself, losing his vision due to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) after being diagnosed at the age of eight and told at 15 he would be blind by 40. “Scott brings a wealth of experience along with his infectious enthusiasm and energy which has already been well received by our members, staff, and colleagues,” said ACB Board President Deb Cook Lewis. “ACB is a vibrant organization and under Scott’s thoughtful leadership will continue forward as a chief influencer in the blindness consumer arena.” Thornhill brings experience from the non-profit world as well as corporate management to his new position. In addition to his business ownership and employment, Thornhill has served on multiple non-profit boards, including Industries of the Blind in Greensboro, NC. He has been active with the National Association for the Employment of People who are Blind, as well as VisionServe Alliance. Thornhill holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, as well as a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Thornhill will be working remotely until May 2024, when he will make the move to join other ACB staff members at the Alexandria, VA office.

What do a chef, a museum, and a very large telescope have in common? They were all recipients of a 2023 ADP Award! The ADP Awards recognize achievement in audio description in seven categories, including media, performing arts, museums, the public sector, and research and development. Nominations will be accepted from January 8 to April 21, 2024, and the winners will be announced in July at the American Council of the Blind’s Conference and Convention. Who Can Submit a Nomination? Everyone! You are welcome to nominate yourself, your local theatre or museum, or a well-known institution. Complete and submit the nomination form today. Who Is Eligible for an Award? Any person, organization, or institution that fits in one of the categories below and is involved in the research, development, production, design, creation, and/or delivery of great audio description is eligible. What Are the Criteria? The most important criterion is that the person or organization consistently develops, creates, and/or makes available high-quality audio description. But we encourage you to consider other vital accessibility and inclusivity elements, such as how easy it is to access the audio description; whether the website and/or physical spaces are accessible; and to what extent people on the blindness spectrum are involved in the creation of audio description, as writers, editors, sound engineers, or testers. You’ll want to include these details in your nomination. What Are the Award Categories? There are seven categories. The same individual or organization may not be nominated in multiple categories. Media Performing Arts Museums, Visual Art, Visitor Centers Public Sector (government agencies – federal, state, or local) International (people and organizations working primarily outside the US) Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl Memorial Award for Audio Description Research and Development Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description Submit Your Nomination! Help us celebrate the people and organizations that are contributing significantly to the growth of audio description. Submit your nomination on-line before April 21, 2024.

Alexandria, Va., Dec. 22, 2023 – The American Council of the Blind (ACB) announces that Claire Stanley is joining ACB as the new Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs. Claire has been involved in the field of disability advocacy for over a decade. In her last role as a Public Policy Analyst at the National Disability Rights Network, she advocated for policies that impacted people with disabilities, and also collaborated with other disability organizations including ACB. In fact, this is not Claire’s first time at ACB. She held the role of Advocacy and Outreach Specialist at ACB from 2018 to 2020. She has also been on the transportation committee since 2021. We are very glad to welcome Claire back in a full-time capacity as the new Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs! She will be located in ACB’s Alexandria location. Her first day in the office will be January 16, 2024.

Alexandria, Va., Dec. 22, 2023 – The 2024 American Council of the Blind (ACB) Leadership Conference will be a hybrid event. ACB’s Board Meeting, Presidents’ Meeting, Legislative Seminar, and Capitol Hill visits will take place March 1-5, 2024, at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel in Arlington, VA. Visit our conference page at: https://www.acb.org/acb-2024-leadership-conference for details.  To register for the conference, visit members.acb.org. Log into your account or create an account by clicking the "Create an Account" button. If you have an account but can't remember your username and/or password, please call our Minnesota office at 612-332-3242 or our Virginia office at 202-467-5081. Once you have logged in, visit the "DC Leadership Registration" link at the top of the page, read through the instructions and hit the "Begin with Preferences" button. To register by phone, call our Minnesota office at 612-332-3242 or our Virginia office at 202-467-5081. Registration will open the second week of January 2024.  The room rate for the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel is $149 per night, plus tax. This rate applies to any night starting on Sunday, February 25th, through Friday, March 8th. The Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel is located at 900 S. Orme St., Arlington, VA 22204. To make a reservation at the Sheraton, click here: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1698415960940&key=GRP&app=resvlink. You can also make a reservation by calling 1-800-325-3535 and informing the Marriott representative that you will be attending the “ACB Leadership Seminar” to receive the group rate. The room block cutoff date is Monday, February 12, 2024. If you experience any issues booking a room, please email Kaitlyn Herrera at [email protected].   The schedule of events is as follows: Friday, March 1: Afternoon Tour (TBD) and Evening Open House at the new ACB Office in Alexandria, VA Saturday, March 2: Board Meeting (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET) & Evening Welcome Reception Sunday, March 3: Presidents’ Meeting (including luncheon) & Evening Dine Around in Pentagon City Monday, March 4: Legislative Seminar (including luncheon) Tuesday, March 5: Attendees may visit Capitol Hill to meet with their representatives. Stay tuned for more details as they become available on our conference page at: https://www.acb.org/acb-2024-leadership-conference

Alexandria, Va., Nov. 15, 2023 – The American Council of the Blind (ACB) announces the individuals and organizations honored at the 2023 Audio Description Awards Gala held November 14. Created in 2021 to recognize achievement in audio description in entertainment and educational media, the Awards Gala featured celebrity guests, film clips, and multiple award categories. For the first time, the Gala was broadcast in English and Spanish. Hosts Marilee Talkington and Conchita Hernandez Legorreta welcomed guests from the arts, entertainment, and sports worlds to celebrate accessible media, books, and video games. Awards were presented to: Jim Stovall – AD Visionary Netflix – AD Game Changer: Innovation Naughty Dog/Sony – AD Game Changer: Gaming Imagination Storybooks – AD Game Changer: Education Hallmark Media – AD Game Changer: Popular Entertainment Paramount – AD Game Changer: 100% Access Warner Bros. Discovery – Outstanding Achievement: Live Events Semillitas – Outstanding Achievement: Spanish Media (USA) BBC iPlayer – Outstanding Achievement: International Media Wednesday (Neflix/IDC) – People’s Choice Award (Series) Everything Everywhere All at Once (A24/Deluxe U.S.) – People’s Choice Award (Film) Sponsors of the Awards Gala include: Amazon, Microsoft, Warner Bros Discovery, Fox Corporation, Paramount, Spectrum, VITAC, and the National Association of Broadcasters. Supporters of the Audio Description Project include Sony Corporation of America and the Walt Disney Company. The Awards Gala was broadcast with captions and audio description and in Spanish. The English AD was written by Joel Snyder (Audio Description Associates, LLC) and voiced by Ren Leach. The Spanish AD and Spanish dubbing was created by Dicapta's team; the AD script writer was Andrea Gimenez, with narration by Oscar Javier Cuesta. Captions were provided by VITAC. The Awards Gala is available on: ACB Media ACB’s You Tube channel ADAwardsGala.org Peacock, courtesy NBCUniversal (subscription required; available through December 31, 2023) Visit ADAwardsGala.org for more. Haga clic aquí para la versión en Español. About the American Council of the Blind The American Council of the Blind is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind or have low vision. For more than 60 years, ACB has been a leader in national, state, local, and international advocacy. With 68 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and the quality of life for all people who are blind or have low vision. For more, visit www.acb.org.

Alexandria, Virginia – The American Council of the Blind (ACB) announces that the 2023 ACB Audio Description Awards Gala will air on November 14 at 7:30pm ET. Created in 2021 to recognize outstanding achievement in audio description in entertainment and educational media, the Awards Gala features celebrity guests, film clips, and more than a dozen awards. The broadcast of the show will include captions, audio description, and a simultaneous Spanish translation. Join hosts Marilee Talkington and Conchita Hernandez Legorreta as they welcome guests from the arts, entertainment, and sports worlds to celebrate accessible films, series, books, and video games. Awards will be presented in categories such as Lifetime Achievement, Innovation, Popular Entertainment, Live Events, Spanish Media (USA), and International. The winners of the Audio Description People’s Choice Awards will also be announced. Special guests include: Shawn Levy, director of All the Light We Cannot See Barbara Hinske, author of the Guiding Emily book series Marla Runyan, two-time Olympian and Paralympian in track and field James Rath, accessibility advocate and filmmaker Sheridan O’Donnell, writer/director Precious Perez, pop, R&B, and Latin singer/songwriter Lavender Darcangelo, singer, activist, and America’s Got Talent contestant The Awards Gala will broadcast captioning, audio description, and a simultaneous Spanish translation. The English AD is written by Joel Snyder (Audio Description Associates, LLC) and voiced by Ren Leach. The Spanish AD and Spanish dubbing is created by Dicapta's team; the AD script writer is Andrea Gimenez, with narration by Oscar Javier Cuesta. Captions are provided by VITAC. The Awards Gala will be available on multiple platforms: ACB Media 1 ACB’s You Tube channel ACB Community watch party on Zoom and Clubhouse ADAwardsGala.org Peacock, courtesy NBCUniversal (subscription required) Visit ADAwardsGala.org for more information. Haga clic aquí para la versión en Español. About the American Council of the Blind The American Council of the Blind is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind or have low vision. For more than 60 years, ACB has been a leader in national, state, local, and international advocacy efforts. With 68 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and the quality of life for all people who are blind or have low vision. For more information, visit www.acb.org.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., October 24, 2023 — Following a week-long bench trial in Los Angeles, a federal court in California found Quest Diagnostics in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and permanently enjoined Quest from continuing to violate the ADA. Beginning in 2016, Quest Diagnostics began to install self-service kiosks at its Patient Service Centers, which allow patients to, among other things, check in for phlebotomy appointments in a private and independent manner.  Following complaints from ACB’s members that these kiosks as designed prevent people who are blind from accessing their services, ACB joined a civil rights complaint in federal court alleging that Quest’s kiosks deprived members of the blind community full and equal enjoyment of Quest’s services and failed to provide effective communication.  The Court ruled in favor of ACB and a nationwide class of blind and low vision Quest patients. The court found that Quest violated Title III of the ADA in that Quest failed to provide people who are blind with full and equal enjoyment of Quest’s services and facilities because of their disability. “Self-service kiosks are being used more and more in many aspects of daily public life,” said Dan Spoone, Executive Director for the American Council of the Blind. “The Court’s decision that Quest violated the ADA and that the check-in services of these kiosks must be accessible to people who are blind is a significant step towards ensuring that the rights to full and equal enjoyment and effective communication are protected.” Deb Cook Lewis, ACB’s president, added, “Although the ADA is more than 30 years old, people who are blind are still forced to fight for full and equal access to healthcare. This judgment sends a clear message that full and equal enjoyment is required by law, and health care providers must ensure access for people with disabilities.”    This litigation has been led by ACB’s counsel at Nye Sterling Hale Miller and Sweet and at Handley Farah & Anderson. Matthew Handley, one of ACB’s attorneys in the litigation, added, “Touchscreen kiosks are an ever-increasing aspect of our daily lives – this decision ensures that accessibility of those kiosks will need to be front and center in the minds of every company wishing to make use of self-service technology.” About the American Council of the Blind The American Council of the Blind is a national member-driven consumer organization representing Americans who are blind and visually impaired. During the organization’s 60-year history, ACB has become a leader in national, state, local, and even international advocacy efforts. With 66 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve the quality of life for all people who are blind and visually impaired. For more information, visit ACB’s website. About Handley Farah & Anderson Handley Farah & Anderson are lawyers who seek to improve the world. Based in Washington, D.C., they fight for: workers deprived of wages, consumers deceived about products, tenants denied access to housing, parents deprived of adequate parental leave, persons with disabilities denied access, and women and communities of color subject to discrimination.