ADA Applies to Websites Alexandria, Va. – On Monday, October 7, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal on Domino’s v. Robles. The American Council of the Blind (ACB) and its nationwide membership applauds this decision and commends the Supreme Court for their action. The unanimous ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit made it resoundingly clear that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to websites, and by declining to hear Domino’s appeal, the Supreme Court upholds the civil rights of people who are blind and visually impaired in online commercial settings. As we celebrate 29 years of the ADA, it is important to note that guidelines and best practices for digital accessibility have existed for decades. The World Wide Web Consortium developed the Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and these guidelines are included in the federal government’s Section 508 standards. “ACB has worked with numerous companies to seamlessly integrate accessible universal design into their digital offerings; this makes it more difficult to understand Domino’s position that their website is not for customers who are blind and visually impaired. Companies like Domino’s should welcome the flexibility created by these guidelines and standards to implement accessibility in a way that makes their products and services available to all paying customers,” said Eric Bridges, ACB’s Executive Director. The ADA is not the problem, and weakening civil rights protections for people with disabilities is not the answer. Rather than settling for a quick fix, or attempting to weaken the equal access protections of the ADA, companies should ensure that all Americans have equal physical and digital access to their products and services. To this end, the American Council of the Blind is prepared to collaborate with Domino’s and other companies to create and implement innovative accessibility and universal design solutions that make their products and services available to all consumers, regardless of ability. About the American Council of the Blind 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.

“Dots and Dashes” is a short newsletter featuring a variety of topics and ACB stories. This issue features the latest Advocacy Update podcasts (including a special edition), information about blind Chicagoans suing the city, the Juno Report’s return to ACB Radio, Getty Images and Verizon Media announce $40,000 disability-focused creative bursary, this year’s MMS grand prize winners, and the MSU NRTC seeking people to sign up for research registry.   Blind Chicagoans Sue Chicago about Exclusion from City’s Pedestrian Safety Program For more information about the case, visit https://dralegal.org/case/american-council-of-the-blind-of-metropolitan-chicago-vs-city-of-chicago/. On Sept. 23rd, Disability Rights Advocates and the Proskauer law firm filed a class action lawsuit against the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Transportation in order to challenge the systemic lack of accessible pedestrian signals at intersections all over the city.  The lawsuit, which has been filed on behalf of the American Council of the Blind of Metropolitan Chicago (ACBMC) and three individual plaintiffs with vision-related disabilities, alleges that Chicago disregards blind pedestrians’ safety needs in its pedestrian planning, thereby violating federal and state civil rights laws. To date, Chicago has equipped only 11 intersections with pedestrian traffic signals that make street crossing information accessible to blind people even though fully 2,672 of its intersections are signalized.  This number — less than half of one percent — may be the worst of any major metropolitan area in the United States.  Katie Howe, president of ACBMC, explained that “it’s not just a matter of safety. Blind people have the right to navigate the city independently.”  Plaintiff Ann Brash works in the city. Her white cane was split apart by a passing bus because Chicago’s pedestrian signals do not tell her when to cross streets. “I love working, but I don’t love walking to my job from Union Station. I need the same street crossing information that sighted people get.” Plaintiff Ray Campbell, second vice president of the American Council of the Blind, said, “I have traveled with a white cane for over 40 years.  Sighted people wouldn’t accept having safety information about only 11 out of 2,670 intersections. Why should I?”   Juno Report Returns to ACB Radio After a long absence, Guide Dog Users, Inc. is delighted to announce all new episodes of the Juno Report. The October episode features the luncheon presentation from the 2019 GDUI convention. Learn about GDUI treasurer Lynn Merrill’s lifelong dream to climb Mount Katahdin and how she did it with the help of her guide dog, her family, and an instructor from Fidelco. The Juno Report also includes some announcements, and highlights of the GDUI awards presentation from the 2019 convention. The Juno Report airs on ACB Radio Mainstream on Thursdays at 4 a.m., 7 a.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. (Eastern). It also plays on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. and Wednesdays at 12 a.m., 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. (Eastern). It will be available in the ACB podcast feed in approximately one week.   Getty Images and Verizon Media Announce $40,000 Disability-Focused Creative Bursary To view this release in its entirety, visit https://tinyurl.com/y2q9ba56. Getty Images, in collaboration with Verizon Media, has announced its latest global Creative Bursary grant program focusing on life with disabilities. Aimed at elevating photographers as they work to capture and share much-needed visual stories of those living with a variety of disabilities, the Bursary comes on the heels of The Disability Collection, a joint effort launched in 2018 by both companies in conjunction with the National Disability Leadership Alliance to more authentically represent people with disabilities in the media. Open to photographers globally, and supported by a matching grant by Verizon, “Disability Stories” is a one-time Bursary, awarding one recipient $15,000, one recipient $10,000 and three recipients $5,000 each, as determined by a panel of creative industry judges and disability activists. Photographers with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Photographers are encouraged to apply before November 1, 2019. To apply, go to https://gettyimages.submittable.com/submit/ca890fa5-c3ed-496c-ad30-1555e370d9b0/getty-images-creative-grant-disability   And This Year’s MMS Prize Winners Are … Congratulations to Jeff Thom and Adam Eakin, the winners of the MMS grand prizes. Jeff won the 43” Toshiba Amazon Fire TV, and Adam won the Amazon Second Generation Echo. Would you like to win a prize from us? Join the MMS Program, or increase your monthly donation any time from now until the end of the 2020 convention in Schaumburg, Illinois, and you'll be eligible to win a fabulous prize like Jeff and Adam did this year. For more information on the MMS program, visit ACB’s website, acb.org, tab to the Donate Now button, and then tab to the MMS program, or call the ACB office in Minneapolis at (612) 332-3242.   NRTC Seeks People to Sign Up for Research Registry The National Research & Training Center (NRTC) on Blindness & Low Vision at Mississippi State University hosts the online participant registry and invites all who are interested in participating in research specific to blindness and low vision. The NRTC, as well as other researchers outside of the NRTC, use the registry to recruit for current and future research opportunities. We are looking to grow the number of registry participants and would appreciate if you would share this information with your members. Anyone interested in signing up can do so at tiny.cc/participant-registry. If you do sign up, you are not obligated to participate in any projects, and you can be removed at any time. Anyone with further questions can email us at [email protected] or call 1-800-675-7782 or (662) 325-2001.   Advocacy Updates In this special edition of the Advocacy Update podcast, we wait with bated breath to learn if the U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Domino’s v. Robles, and whether Title III of the ADA applies to websites.  Listen via your favorite podcast player or online at http://acbradio.org/acb-advocacy-update-10-3-19. To listen to the audio of the National Press Club event on digital accessibility and workplace inclusion, where ACB’s immediate past president, Kim Charlson, participated, go to https://www.facebook.com/AmericanCounciloftheBlindOfficial/videos/493135318179106/ . In the September 26th edition of Advocacy Update, hear from Pam McGonigle, Director of Development for the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA), about the exciting world of accessible sports. As ACB works on promoting the Exercise and Fitness for All Bill (S. 1244), let’s learn more about accessible sports and athletic programs. Listen via your favorite podcast player or online at: http://acbradio.org/acb-advocacy-update-9-26-19. Got an idea for a future podcast? Send it to [email protected].

The ScripTalk audible prescription labeling system was developed by En-Vision America. To provide ScripTalk labels to their patients, the pharmacy places a RFID label on the bottom of a patient’s prescription bottle. The patient then places the bottle on a small, battery operated device called a ScripTalk Station, which is provided at no charge to the patient. The ScripTalk Station reads the prescription information out loud to the patient, including patient name, prescription number, drug name, dosage, use instructions, warnings, educational leaflets, and pharmacy information.  Search for a pharmacy that offers ScripTalk by visiting: https://www.envisionamerica.com/products/scriptability/participating-pharmacies/. Select the desired radius and enter your zip code, a list of locations with address and phone number will be populated. You can also find all mail order pharmacies that provide ScripTalk on this page.  

It's time to begin planning for the eighth annual ACB Radio Holiday Auction, coming to you live on Sunday, December 8, from 6:00 PM to midnight Eastern Time (3:00 PM to 9:00 PM Pacific), or until all items are sold. This year's auction promises to be a full evening of bidding and smiles and fun, fun, fun. The 2018 Holiday Auction was a huge success. Packed with holiday treats and great gift ideas, the auction raised $13,000 for ACB Radio. The ACB Radio, the Minneapolis office staff, and the Holiday Auction Committee are teaming up to bring you a wonderful shopping experience and the perfect opportunity to support ACB Radio! But we need your help now in order to make the 2019 auction a success. Individuals, chapters and affiliates, and businesses are invited to contribute items to the Holiday Auction. Some examples of popular items include candy, cookies and other holiday treats; jewelry; technology; handcrafted items; collectibles; unusual music boxes; gift cards; and holiday decor. Join our 2019 holiday affiliate parade by contributing a food or other item traditional to your area or representative of your special-interest affiliate.  All items donated to the Holiday Auction will be displayed on our auction preview page, coming in November. All donors will be acknowledged both on the website and on ACB Radio during the auction. Donors and winning bidders will also be spotlighted in "The ACB Braille Forum" in 2020. Notify us now that you plan to contribute item(s) to the auction. Share a description of each item with us so we can begin creating the preview page. Send all items, except edible goodies, by October 10 to: Carla Ruschival ACB Radio Holiday Auction 148 Vernon Avenue Louisville, KY 40206 For more information about the ACB Radio Holiday Auction, contact Carla Ruschival at (502) 897-1472 or [email protected].

“Dots and Dashes” is a short newsletter featuring a variety of topics and ACB stories. This issue features a call to action on H.R. 4129, plus articles about the FCC’s public notice about making emergency information accessible, the latest Advocacy Update podcasts, the Benefits of Audio Description in Education contest for blind students ages 7 to 21, and information about Apple TV+ being optimized for blind, deaf and hard of hearing individuals.   Call to Action! Tell Congress to Support H.R. 4129, and Provide Coverage for Low Vision Devices Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced the Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act, H.R. 4129! This bill is one of ACB’s legislative imperatives this year. Once it becomes law, H.R. 4129 would direct the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to construct a five-year pilot program for the coverage of low vision devices. Other co-sponsors of H.R. 4129 include Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ann Wagner (R-MO), and Susan Wild (D-PA). Reps. Maloney and Bilirakis recirculated a communication to all their colleagues in the U.S. House about supporting this legislation, and it is important that our members hear from us about this bill as well. ACB encourages all members to contact their members of Congress to support H.R. 4129! Please update the ACB national office on your outreach by sending a message to [email protected]. To contact your senators or representatives, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, and ask to be connected to the senators and representatives for your state. Or visit www.senate.gov to find your senators’ contact information. To locate your representatives, visit www.house.gov/representatives. Talking Points: Ask your representative to co-sponsor H.R. 4129, the Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act, and ask your senators to introduce a companion bill to H.R. 4129. This legislation would provide greater access to low vision devices for Americans with vision loss, and allow them to live more independent and integrated lives in their communities. This demonstration of coverage would provide quantifiable data for the need and cost of CMS coverage for low vision devices. This bill is supported by: American Council of the Blind; American Foundation for the Blind; Aira; Blinded Veterans Association; National Association for the Employment of People who are Blind; National Industries for the Blind; OrCam; & Vision Serve Alliance.   FCC Issues Public Notice about Making Emergency Information Accessible On August 30, 2019, the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau released a Public Notice to remind video programming distributors, including broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite television services that deliver video programming directly to the home, of their obligation to make televised emergency information accessible to persons who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing.  This Public Notice also provides information for consumers about where they can find more information about access to televised emergency information – including an American Sign Language video at www.fcc.gov/TVEmergencyAccessASL – and how to file complaints when televised emergency information is not accessible. Links to Public Notice: URL:  https://www.fcc.gov/document/emergency-information-tv-accessibility-requirements          Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-19-855A1.docx  PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-19-855A1.pdf Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-19-855A1.txt For more information about accessible televised emergency information, visit https://www.fcc.gov/general/access-emergency-information-television.  For specific questions, please contact Debra Patkin, Attorney Advisor, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 870-5226 [email protected].  TTY users may call the FCC’s TTY number at (888) 835-5322.   Benefits of Audio Description in Education Contest To read this release in its entirety, go to http://acb.org/adp/articles/badie2020.html.  ACB’s Audio Description Project and the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) are continuing their co-sponsorship of an exciting opportunity for blind and visually impaired young people, in four categories from ages 7 to 21: the Benefits of Audio Description in Education (BADIE) contest. Students choose an audio-described film or video from the thousands of titles available through DCMP - visit www.dcmp.org. Or they can borrow an audio-described video or film from a library, and dozens of audio-described videos are available for purchase through at www.acb.org/adp/dvds.html. Reviews can be submitted in writing, in braille or via an audio recording. Register for the contest at http://listeningislearning.org/badie.html. Entries can also be submitted via email or postal mail (submissions from outside the United States are fine) to: ACB-DCMP Benefits of Audio Description In Education 1703 N. Beauregard St., Suite 420 Alexandria, VA 22311 USA E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (202) 467-5083 DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Friday, December 6, 2019 Contest winners in each category will be chosen by January of 2020, and the grand prize winner will receive an iPad Mini! Each first-place winner will receive a $100 iTunes gift card. Second-place winners will receive a $50 iTunes gift card, and third-place winners will receive a $25 iTunes gift card. Each supporting teacher who has a first-place winning student will be awarded a $100 Amazon gift card.   Advocacy Updates In the September 19th edition of the Advocacy Update podcast, hear from Jenine Stanley, Explorer Community Manager for Aira. Learn how Aira may be used as a tool to navigate inaccessible products and services, whether when dealing with household appliances and exercise equipment, or forms and websites online. Jenine shared with us how ACB members may utilize five free minutes of Aira to complete small tasks, as well as how to find locations, services and products that offer free Aira service. Be sure to take advantage of free Aira service at ACB state conventions, and let us know how the service is working for you at [email protected]. To learn more about Aira, visit www.aira.io. Listen to this episode via your favorite podcast player or online at http://acbradio.org/acb-advocacy-update-9-19-19. Claire and Clark discuss digital accessibility on the September 12th edition of the Advocacy Update. As more aspects of our everyday lives are interconnected with the Internet and technology, it is more important than ever to ensure access for people with disabilities. If you encounter inaccessible hardware, software, websites or mobile applications, let the ACB National Office know at [email protected]. Listen online or via your favorite podcast player at http://acbradio.org/acb-advocacy-update-9-12-19. Got an idea for a future podcast? Send it to [email protected].   Apple TV+ Will Be Optimized for the Blind, Deaf, and Hard-of-Hearing To read this article in its entirety, go to https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/apple-tv-will-be-optimized-for-the-blind-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing/. Apple TV+ will make it easier for those with visual and hearing impairments to enjoy their original content. Sarah Herrlinger represented Apple at the Audio Description Project Conference in July. During the panel, she said the goal for Apple TV+ is to offer audio descriptions for all the shows available on that platform. (Listen to the full audio from that panel here.) Now that we have more information about the launch of Apple TV+, we know more about the plan for making the content accessible for the blind, deaf, and hard-of-hearing. In their press release from this week’s event, Apple said this: Audiences worldwide can enjoy Apple TV+ originals subtitled and/or dubbed in nearly 40 languages, including Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (SDH) or closed captions. Apple TV+ series and movies will also be available with audio descriptions in eight languages. Visit The Audio Description Project to learn more about how streaming services are meeting the needs of individuals with visual impairments. The Audio Description Project is an initiative of the American Council of the Blind.  

“Dots and Dashes” is a short newsletter featuring a variety of topics and ACB stories. This issue features articles about the latest Advocacy Update podcasts; emergency preparedness, scams, and consumer tips from the FCC; a Microsoft Learning webinar about Microsoft Teams; BANA’s new podcast series; a podcast about grilling by Cooking Without Looking; and information on a blind golf tournament. Accessibility Learning Webinar Series Microsoft Teams is a unified communications platforms that combines chat, video meeting, file storing and document collaboration all using one application. Come register and join our next webinar on September 18th from noon to 1 p.m. Pacific (3 - 4 p.m. Eastern) to learn about Microsoft Teams and ask questions of  members of our engineering group. Review the upcoming schedule and register for your favorite topic by visiting the Accessibility Webinars Sway. We will continue to update the Sway with more topics every quarter. Once we receive your registration, we will send you an email with a link to join the webinar. Our presenters will be available to answer questions on the products and features they are covering towards the end of the webinar. BANA Launches Podcast Series The Braille Authority of North America (BANA) is introducing a new Podcast called BANA Braille Bits. The podcasts are designed to keep the braille reading and writing public informed regarding the activities of the Braille Authority of North America, including updates to codes and guidelines. The debut episode provides background that explains what BANA is and how the organization operates. It is available immediately and can be accessed at http://Brailleauthority.libsyn.com, or by searching for BANA Braille Bits with your favorite podcatcher. New episodes will be released and announced periodically. Barbecue Tips for Weekends If you plan to cook out this weekend, you may want to check out this podcast by Cooking Without Looking.  Ralph Smith, Community Outreach Manager for Vision World Foundation and account executive for the Cooking Without Looking TV show, has some excellent barbecue tips utilizing a grill that works for blind and sighted people! To hear it, go to www.cookingwithoutlookingtv.wordpress.com. Blind Golf Tournament The 14th Annual Florida Open Tournament for Golfers with Disabilities and-or Mobility Challenges, is being held Saturday Oct. 12, 2019 at 1 p.m. at the Long Marsh Golf Club, 20 White Marsh Road, Rotonda West, FL 33947; phone (941) 698-0918. For more details, call the tournament director, Joe Stine, at (863) 227-2751 or 863-294-2621 or email at [email protected]. To pre-register, visit http://www.floridagolfmagazine.com/open/pre-register.html. Players with disabilities and/or mobility challenges will compete for low gross, and the new champion will get his or her name permanently inscribed on the tournament trophy. Everyone with a USGA Handicap is eligible to compete in the Low Net Award categories. The $50 entry fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart fee, range balls, prizes, and dinner (award banquet). Additional buffets for non-competing attendees are $11 per person. Advocacy Updates The September 5th Advocacy Update features Sara Conrad, president of the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI). Sara shares her journey as an ACB member and the work of CCLVI. Listen via your favorite podcast player, or online at http://acbradio.org/acb-advocacy-update-9-5-19. To learn more about CCLVI, visit http://www.cclvi.org/.  In the August 29th edition of the Advocacy Update, you’ll hear from Mark Richert about the ACB resolutions process. In addition to being the newly elected ACB First Vice President, Mark is the most recent past Chairman of the ACB Resolutions Committee and the voice of resolutions at the ACB annual convention. Mark shared insights regarding how resolutions are introduced, debated and passed. To learn more about the ACB resolutions, visit www.acb.org/resolutions. Listen via your favorite podcast player, or online at http://acbradio.org/acb-advocacy-8-29-19. It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…No, It’s a Flying Dog! In the August 22nd ACB Advocacy Update podcast, Claire and Clark discuss the new final enforcement statement regarding service animals by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration. Listen and learn about what passengers with service animals should expect while flying, and what policies airlines may implement. If you experience discrimination due to your service animal during air travel, please contact ACB at [email protected]. Listen to this episode via your favorite podcast player, or online at http://acbradio.org/acb-advocacy-update-8-22-19. Got an idea for a future podcast? Send it to [email protected]. Consumer Information and Tips on Emergency Preparedness, Scams and More Beginning September 10, 2019, the FCC’s Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division (CAOD) will host a monthly conference call every second Tuesday of the month to provide consumer information and tips highlighting different topics and scams.  Upcoming Calls: September 10, 2019 2 p.m. Eastern Call-in Number: 1-888-858-2144 Access Code: 4400448 Topics: National Preparedness Month:  Emergency Preparedness Consumer Tips and Information FCC September Rural Tour Events Back to School Tips -  Distracted Walking on Campuses Back to school scams RSVP to [email protected]. October 8, 2019 2 p.m. EDT Topics: Cramming Disaster Relief Scams For October call, please email [email protected] to RSVP and receive the conference bridge telephone number.

The American Council of the Blind Presidents’ Meeting and Legislative Seminar will take place from Saturday, February 22 to Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at the Holiday Inn & Suites Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia. This hotel is in close proximity to the previous venue and is also near many restaurants and shops in historic Old Town Alexandria. So mark your calendars, make your reservations, and make plans to join us for what promises to be a fantastic set of meetings! 2020 DC Leadership Meetings Schedule: Saturday, February 22: Board Meeting Sunday, February 23: Affiliate Presidents’ Meeting Monday, February 24: Legislative Seminar Tuesday, February 25: Meeting with Legislators on Capitol Hill Hotel Information: Holiday Inn & Suites Alexandria - Old Town  Room rates (pretax): $109/night (king/double) Address: 625 First Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Link to Affiliate Presidents' Meeting Agenda: https://acb.org/2020-presidents-meeting-agenda Link to Legislative Seminar Agenda: https://acb.org/2020-legislative-seminar-agenda To find out more information about how to schedule meetings with your representatives and senators on Capitol Hill, please visit: https://acb.org/2020-leg-seminar-scheduling-hill-meetings

“Dots and Dashes” is a short newsletter featuring a variety of topics and ACB stories. This issue features articles about the 2020 leadership meetings, the FAA’s final statement of enforcement priorities regarding service animals, the latest Advocacy Update podcasts, upcoming membership focus calls, changes to ACB Radio’s schedule, an update on the convention archives, and Cooking Without Looking’s first podcast. ACB General Session Convention Archive Updates Many of you have been asking about the general session archives from this year’s convention. We are excited to report that these are now available. You can get them all by subscribing to the ACB Conference and Convention podcast. Search for this in your podcatching client of choice. The direct RSS link to the podcast feed is http://acbradio.org/acb-convention.xml. You can download these files directly from the ACB Radio web site, but we would prefer that you use the podcast feed. The site links for each day are: General Session Saturday July 6, 2019 General Session Sunday July 7, 2019 General Session Monday July 8, 2019 General Session Tuesday July 9, 2019 General Session Wednesday July 10, 2019 General Session Thursday July 11, 2019 Big thanks to Frank Cuta for giving us copies of the general session archives he recorded from the ACB Radio streams. Thanks to Rick Morin for the countless hours of audio editing and production work he is doing now to get all of our convention archive material to all of you. Upcoming Membership Focus Calls Mark your calendars for the membership focus calls! The topic for the August 26th call is “How to involve more younger members in your affiliate.” The call will be held at 8:30 p.m. Eastern/5:30 p.m. Pacific. For the October 27th call, the topic will be "How to actively engage at-large members.” The call will take place at 8 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Pacific. To join either call, dial (712) 775-7000, and use passcode 640009. Changes to the ACB Radio Schedule – Keystrokes Returns We appreciate all of the kind messages we have received about the new schedule for the Mainstream Channel on ACB Radio. Many of you have asked about the Keystrokes program, and we are happy to report that it is returning to the schedule. The schedule for Keystrokes is as follows: Saturday, 9:00 PM Pacific and Eastern Time Sunday, 9:00 AM Pacific and Eastern Time Keep your feedback coming about the Mainstream schedule. We truly want to get the mix right! Cooking Without Looking’s First Podcast Cooking Without Looking recently posted its first podcast, which can be found at https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-q85nx-ba6bf3#.XU2LQaywXoY.gmail. Orly Shamir, one of the Vision World Foundation Community Outreach Managers/Cooking Without Looking TV Show Account Executives, is the featured guest. We invite everyone to our podcast.  We would love to interview you. If you would like to be part of a podcast, contact Renee Rentmeester at (305) 200-9104, or email [email protected] to set up a date and time. Announcing the 2020 Leadership Meetings The American Council of the Blind is pleased to announce its annual Presidents’ Meeting and Legislative Seminar, which will take place from Saturday, February 22 to Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at the Holiday Inn & Suites Alexandria-Old Town in Alexandria, Va. This hotel is near the previous venue, as well as many restaurants and shops in historic Old Town Alexandria. So mark your calendars, make your reservations, and make plans to join us for what promises to be a fantastic set of meetings! 2020 Schedule of Events: Saturday, February 22: Board Meeting Sunday, February 23: Affiliate Presidents’ Meeting Monday, February 24: Legislative Seminar Tuesday, February 25: Meeting with legislators on Capitol Hill Hotel Information: Holiday Inn & Suites Alexandria - Old Town Room rates (pre-tax): $109/night (king/double) Address: 625 First St., Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone number: (703) 548-6300 Hotel Online Reservation Link (group code: ANC): American Council of the Blind Holiday Inn Old Town Website: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/alexandria/axehd/hoteldetail Final Statement of Enforcement Priorities Regarding Service Animals by the FAA On Thursday, August 8, 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) put out a final statement of Enforcement Priorities Regarding Service Animals. The statement responded to comments provided by a myriad of advocacy groups after an interim statement was issued in May of 2019. This final statement supersedes previous statements. The new statement provides several provisions that positively impact the travel of guide dog users. First, service animal users are not required to provide advance notice to airlines before they travel with their service animals. Airlines can only request such notice if the flight will exceed 8 hours in length. In such instances, an airline can ask for documentation that the dog will not have to relieve on the plane. The airline can also request an early check-in. If an airline employee questions the legitimacy of a service animal, the employee is allowed to ask limited questions concerning proof that the dog is a service animal. This limited questioning is comparable to the three questions business owners are permitted to ask patrons under the Americans with Disabilities Act when the legitimacy of a service animal arises. Finally, a request for documentation is only permitted when determining whether a dog poses a direct threat to other travelers or airline employees. The test used to determine what documentation is permissible is that the documentation must be reasonable to believe that it would assist in determining if the dog poses a direct threat. The final statement also stressed that breed and age restrictions for dogs are impermissible. The FAA stated that a notice of proposed rule-making should be issued in the fall of 2019. ACB encourages you to submit comments at that time. For more information, or to read the statement in its entirety, visit https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news. Advocacy Updates Call to Action! The Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act, H.R. 4129, was introduced by Representatives Maloney and Bilirakis on July 29th. In the August 7th Advocacy Update, Claire Stanley and Clark Rachfal discuss the importance of this bipartisan bill and encourage all listeners to contact their elected members of Congress during the August recess to support this legislation. Members of Congress may support this legislation by co-sponsoring H.R. 4129 in the House of Representatives, and by introducing a companion bill in the Senate. Listen to this episode via your favorite podcast player or online at: http://acbradio.org/content/acb-advocacy-update-august-7-2019. Contact your representatives and senators by calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: (202) 224-3121, or visit www.house.gov/representatives and www.senate.gov. In the August 15th edition of the Advocacy Update, we hear from Chandrika “Shani” Jayant from Volkswagen. Shani is the Principal Universal Designer of Inclusive Mobility for the Volkswagen Group of America. Shani shares Volkswagen’s work on autonomous vehicles, silent cars and inclusive vehicle designs. To hear it, visit http://acbradio.org/acb-advocacy-8-15-19. Got an idea for a future podcast? Send it to [email protected].

­For Immediate Release Contact: Clark Rachfal, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs (202) 467-5081 [email protected] Alexandria, VA - On Thursday, August 8, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Enforcement Office issued a final statement of enforcement priorities for service animals. In this statement, DOT provides greater clarity to air travel passengers with service animals, as well as airlines, about the DOT’s interpretation and enforcement of the existing service animal rules. The American Council of the Blind commends the administration for listening to the concerns of ACB, as well as our affiliate, Guide Dog Users, Inc., and the broader disability community, and we support this final statement of enforcement priorities regarding service animals.  Since 2015, ACB has been a leading organization on the front lines of constructing inclusive service animal policies with DOT and the airlines that are true to the Air Carrier Access Act. ACB is pleased that DOT has constructed a final enforcement statement that will protect the rights of passengers with service animals for the entirety of their flying experience. The DOT’s final enforcement statement contains provisions that: Prohibit airlines from requiring advanced notice that a passenger is traveling with a service animal for flights less than eight hours. This guarantees passengers with service animals greater flexibility in air travel. Consistent with the Air Carrier Access Act, credible verbal assurance is proof that a person with a disability is traveling with a service animal. Prohibit airline categorical restrictions on service animals based exclusively on breed and age. Limit airline requests for documentation regarding service animal vaccinations, training and behavior to reasonable requests to determine whether a specific animal poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others. ACB and its members nationwide will remain engaged on this important issue to ensure that all passengers traveling with service animals receive the full protections of the Air Carrier Access Act. To this end, ACB and Guide Dog Users, Inc. remain willing to assist all airlines to review and amend their current service animal policies. We look forward to continued collaboration with the administration and airlines to enhance the air travel experience for all passengers. 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.   PR Newswire Link: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acb-commends-dot-faa-on-final-statement-of-enforcement-priorities-regarding-service-animals-300899609.html

ACB is a member of the VisionServe Alliance and has representation on the Aging & Vision Loss National Coalition. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lee Nasehi                                                         Telephone: (314) 961-8235                                                                       Email: [email protected] Website: www.visionservealliance.org/avlnc August 7, 2019 St. Louis, Missouri – VisionServe Alliance announces it is spearheading the new Aging & Vision Loss National Coalition to tackle critical issues related to older people experiencing impaired sight as the result of age-related eye diseases. The coalition is comprised of 15 national, state, local, private and public agencies representing broad constituencies who will advocate for equal access and quality of life for older Americans with vision loss. Age-related vision loss is reaching epidemic proportions as baby boomers attain advanced age. Currently, there are 25.5 million adults experiencing age-related diseases impairing vision (National Health Interview Survey, 2016). From 2015 to 2050, the number of adults ages 40+ who are blind is expected to double (Varma, et al, 2016). Informed by nationwide structured conversations with older people with vision loss and the expertise of the Coalition members, many with over 40 years of experience in the field, the Aging & Vision Loss National Coalition will begin their work by focusing on three key priorities: Awareness: Increasing awareness among the general public, professionals and especially seniors themselves and their families of the issues faced by older people with vision loss and the significant impact of professional vision rehabilitation services on sustaining their independence and dignity.   Funding: Enhancing funding for vision rehabilitation services including education, training, assistive devices, and technologies for older people with vision loss. Expanding Personnel: Expanding the pool of qualified professional vision impairment specialists, through support for university programs and incentives for healthcare students to consider this specialty and providing broad training for allied health personnel. The Coalition believes that improving public understanding of low vision and blindness is crucial, starting with older individuals themselves and including policy makers, family members, and service providers. Only through taking this fundamental step can we ensure equal access and promote the highest possible quality of life for older people with vision loss. Among the Coalition members is the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), which is handing off the 21st Century Agenda on Aging and Vision Loss to the Coalition. The Coalition will steward this important work initiated by AFB, created to raise awareness, facilitate increased and improved services, and protect and promote the rights of seniors with vision loss to lives of enjoyment, inclusion, and independence. With appropriate vision rehabilitation services and specific supports, older people with vision loss can age in place in their communities rather than moving into an institution. Vision rehabilitation reduces the hours needed of in-home care; reduces or prevents falls, accidents, and burns; improves communication reducing social isolation; and teaches safe navigation, increasing physical movement and mobility. Yet, less than 3% of older people with vision loss are receiving the services that promote independent living in their home or living option, community and family engagement, and improved quality of life. The Coalition is issuing a Call to Action and invites interested individuals and organizations to join the work. Make the year 2020 the turning point for access to services older Americans with vision loss require to live independently and be active members of their community and families. VisionServe Alliance is an association of chief executives (and their leadership teams) of 501(c)(3) nonprofits throughout the United States that provide unique and specialized services to people who are blind or have low vision. We bring together the full diversity of services for one conversation with the ultimate goal of unifying the many issues and organizations operating independently of one another in the field. Members include organizations focusing on national advocacy and/or service issues, employment and manufacturing, adult vision rehabilitation, K-12 residential and on-line schools, early intervention and pre-school, dog guides, low vision clinics, and Braille production. We focus on collaborative projects, national trends, stronger management and leadership, and advocacy issues important to the field. For information visit our website at:www.visionservealliance.org or email us at [email protected] AVLNC Represented Organizations: American Council of the Blind (ACB) American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) Florida Agencies Serving the Blind Helen Keller National Center The Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute Mississippi State University OIB-TAC National Council of State Agencies for the Blind  National Council on Aging (NCOA) NewView Oklahoma Prevent Blindness VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired VisionServe Alliance Independent Advocates