The American Council of the Blind (ACB) invites you to join us in celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of this annual day of observance is to raise awareness of how the lives of people with disabilities have been improved by accessibility while still recognizing the work that remains to make the virtual environment inclusive for all.  ACB’s GAAD Celebration On a special video edition of the ACB Advocacy Update as we commemorate GAAD with a discussion about the importance of digital access with particular focus on the experiences of people who have multiple disabilities. Clark Rachfal, ACB Director of Advocacy & Governmental Affairs, Swatha Nandhakumar, ACB Advocacy & Outreach Specialist, Dan Spoone, ACB Interim Executive Director, and Carl Richardson, Co-Chair of ACB’s Sight and Sound Impaired Committee take part in this conversation. Access ACB’s GAAD video presentation on YouTube. Bipartisan Open Letter Supporting Digital Access The Honorable Tony Coehlo and Former Speaker Newt Gingrich released a bipartisan open letter urging Congress to identify digital accessibility challenges faced by members of the disability community and create new legislation to make the virtual environment accessible for all. In April, ACB and other disability organizations met with the Honorable Tony Coehlo and Former Speaker Newt Gingrich to discuss digital inclusion, and continue to take part in this conversation to make digital accessibility a bipartisan issue. Read the open letter. Global Accessibility Awareness Day Statement for Digital Inclusion On Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2023, 52 national disability organizations have joined together to celebrate the transformative impact of accessible technology and call on the federal government to require websites and software applications to be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. The roughly 61 million people with disabilities in the United States have a right to access employment, businesses, programs, and services, regardless of whether they are delivered in-person or online.  We urge all organizations, businesses, and governments to act now to make their websites and apps fully accessible to people with disabilities. Read the GAAD statement from national disability advocates. ACB’s 2023 Legislative Imperatives ACB has four legislative imperatives in 2023. These areas of focus highlight ACB’s ongoing work to create a more accessible and inclusive world, as we strive to break down barriers and ensure equal access to information, technology, and opportunities for people with disabilities. Medical Device Non-Visual Accessibility Act Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act Exercise and Fitness for All Act Accessible Video Conferencing Platforms On May 17, Senator Edward J. Markey and Representative Anna G. Eshoo released a press release applauding the FCC for announcing proposals that would for the first time ensure video conferencing platforms comply with accessibility requirements for people with disabilities. This announcement mirrors requirements in the lawmakers’ legislation, the Communication, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act. The CVTA is an ACB legislative imperative, and accessible access to video conferencing platforms is critical for ACB and our members to engage in our modern digital world. We commend Chair Rosenworcel from the FCC for moving this issue forward under the Commission’s existing authority, and we commend Sen. Markey and Rep. Eshoo for their leadership to ensure communications technology is accessible for everyone. Read the press release: Sen. Markey, Rep. Eshoo Applaud FCC for Proposed Video Conferencing Accessibility Rules. DOJ and Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education issued a joint Dear Colleague letter on the online accessibility of colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions. Many colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions increasingly rely on their websites and third-party online platforms to provide services, programs, and activities to members of the public including learning platforms, podcasts and videos, and third-party platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. The letter reiterates that Title II of the ADA and Section 504 requires that these institutions provide equal opportunities to people with disabilities in all their operations and highlights recent web accessibility enforcement activities and technical assistance.

We are pleased to present to you the Class of 2023 DKM First-Timers who have met all requirements to be considered for and selected as recipients of this prestigious honor. While honoring the legacy of ACB’s founding father, Durward K. McDaniel, since 1996, the Durward K. McDaniel (DKM) Fund Committee seeks to identify and honor two ACB members who demonstrate leadership potential with the DKM First-Timers award on an annual basis, one from east and one from west of the Mississippi River. To be considered for the award, interested members must meet the following criteria: Age 18 or older Blind or visually impaired A member in good standing (current on membership dues) Never attended an in-person ACB conference and convention Agree to attend the entire convention Participate in daily general sessions and designated leadership related sessions Applicants also undergo a 30-minute interview with members of the DKM committee To apply for this award, applicants must complete an application form and have a state or special-interest affiliate president submit a letter of recommendation by the announced deadline. Recipients are selected in late April and are recognized during the opening general session of the ACB Conference and Convention and honored during the annual DKM First-Timers Reception. Be sure to include us in your plans as you register for the convention. The 2023 DKM First-Timers Reception will be held from 5:30PM-6:45PM Central on Wednesday July 5, 2023. Recipients receive amenities, such as complimentary registration fee, travel expenses, lodging (double occupancy), tickets to attend the DKM First-Timers Reception, ACB Banquet, other special events and a stipend for incidentals. Introducing the Class of 2023 DKM First-Timers! Janae Miller Janae Miller resides in Columbus, Ohio and she represents the East as a 2023 DKM First-Timer. She joined the ACB of Ohio affiliate as a college student while at Wright State University. She then stepped away for a while and has recently returned and is currently an active, involved and engaged member. She serves on the statewide legislative committee and has participated in the virtual and in-person DC Leadership Conference and represented the affiliate at legislative meetings with congressional officials. Janae is the current president of the Columbus Ohio Chapter - the largest in the state. She loves music and the arts and has sung both professionally and nonprofessionally. In her community she is an active member and volunteer of the Harmony Project, a Columbus nonprofit organization where people can embrace their differences and build social harmony. Her degree in the field of communication studies and minor in sociology with a focus in the area of social change has led her to set a life goal to make the world a better place for all disabled and especially the blind and hearing impaired. She created Sight Unseen, a disability inclusion consulting and training company through which she uses her lived experiences to provide advice to companies and businesses regarding the power of disability inclusion. As a certified Windmills Trainer, she is equipped to empower employment professionals to become more inclusive of individuals with disabilities in the workplace.  Gema Ceniceros Gema Ceniceros resides in El Paso, Texas and she represents the West as a 2023 DKM First-Timer. She is a member of the American Council of the Blind of Texas (ACBT) and also an active member of the El Paso Council of the Blind and currently serves as secretary of that ACBT chapter.    Gema was born and raised in Mexico. She came to the United States with her husband and three young children prior to losing her vision. She faced great challenges while adjusting to both blindness and living in a new country. She struggled until she learned about and received valuable education and training at the Cris Cole Rehabilitation Center in Austin. She is extremely grateful for the life-changing blindness skills she obtained and is highly motivated to share her story and information about services so others experiencing vision loss will not go through as many struggles as she did. She now eagerly teaches Braille to others in her chapter and Sunday School to children and adults at her church. Having learned English and obtained her GED, she pursued additional training and earned certification as a medical interpreter from the University of Texas at El Paso. Her successes have given Gema hope and the courage to dream. Her goal is to convey to others the feeling of overcoming that she now feels and let them know that the world does not end with sight loss and that life is still beautiful. We just need to learn to see it differently. She plans to continue her education at the University of Texas at El Paso and earn a degree that will enable her to serve people with disabilities in a bigger way.        Join us in congratulating Janae Miller and Gema Ceniceros as the ACB DKM First Times for 2023!

Below you will find introductory bio's of recipients recently selected for the Class of 2023 ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows. Let's begin with an overview of the criteria that each applicant is required to have met in order to be considered. Applicants must satisfy three basic criteria — 18 years of age or older; blind or visually impaired; and members in good standing of ACB. Eligible applicants must be recommended by the president of their respective state or special-interest affiliate. The application process for this award also consists of completing an online application, and having a letter of recommendation submitted by a president of a state or special-interest affiliate, along with participating in a 30 minute interview with members of the DKM committee. The application will include the objectives in applying for the leadership award; a brief summary of the applicant’s education and relevant experience; number of years of membership in ACB as well as previous conventions attended, if any; description of one’s role as a leader; and an assessment of what one brings to ACB. The affiliate president’s letter of recommendation should address the applicant’s contributions to the affiliate, ACB and community organizations; and describe the applicant’s demonstrated leadership skills and leadership potential. Interviews are scheduled for mid-April of each year. All recipients receive round-trip transportation; hotel accommodation (double occupancy), per diem stipend for meals and incidentals, convention registration fee and reception and banquet tickets. Recipients are expected to attend the convention from June 30-July 7, 2023, and there arrival date at the convention hotel is June 29, 2023. Recipients are required to participate actively in convention activities, including the daily general sessions, special-interest presentations, seminars and workshops designated on their personalized Schedule of Events.   Presenting the Class of 2023 ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows Cheryl Cumings Cheryl Cumings is a resident of Seattle, Washington and is currently employed by the Lighthouse for the Blind as the Workforce Development Manager. She experienced vision loss during high school, and further determined that she would center her life around championing a theme of access through advocacy efforts in support of people who are blind. While attending Princeton University, she acquired a BA in International Relations, then continued on to receive a Master’s of Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Massachusetts. Within ACB, Cheryl serves on the Board of Publications, Chair of the Multicultural Affairs Committee and a member of the ACB Mentoring Team. Prior to relocating to Seattle and joining the Washington Council of the Blind, she and her husband were dedicated members of Bay State Council of the Blind in Boston, Massachusetts. She has a love for books, the arts, politics, and her local community. Liz Bottner Liz Bottner resides in Washington, DC and currently works as an Assistive Technology Specialist at the National Library Service, Library of Congress. She has a master’s in Blind Rehabilitation Teaching with a specialization in assistive technology from Northern Illinois University. Her volunteer work consist of sharing skills as a remote Assistive Technology Instructor with the Washington, DC Talking Book and Braille Library, and as Vice President of the Penny Forward board of directors.  Liz is a member of ACB of Maryland by way of the National Capitol Area Chapter. She currently serves on the Pedestrian Environment Access committee, the Section 508 Audio Description subcommittee, and as a trained ACB Community zoom host. Liz is Vice President of the Government Employees special-interest affiliate, and a board member of Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI). Her hobbies include reading, traveling, running, and playing blind ice hockey.    Benjamin Wright Benjamin Wright resides in Henderson, Kentucky with his wife and daughter. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Family Services from Eastern Illinois University. Ben’s employment career spans from work with the American Printing House (APH), the Kentucky School for the Blind, and Deaconess Hospital as a Patient Intake Specialist. As a member of the Kentucky Council of the Blind (KCB) and other affiliates since 2014, Benjamin has served on the KCB Programs committee and presently serves as a director on the KCB board of directors. As a founding member of the KCB Next Generation chapter, he has served as Secretary and President. Future aspirations are to serve on an ACB advocacy committee, and due to his love for theatre and the performing arts, he is also interested in assisting the audio description project. Ben leads a youth and young adults group in his church. He enjoys singing, spending quality time with his family and volunteering in his community. Malaina VanderWal Malaina VanderWal is a resident of Caledonia, Michigan. She is a graduate of Grand Rapids Community College with a Associate in Arts degree. She moved forward with an educational aspiration to acquire a degree to become a teacher of the visually impaired by attending the Eastern Michigan University. She shares the knowledge she gained during this time by incorporating her desire to teach into programs offered by Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired.(MCBVI). Malaina volunteers in her local community in support of their advocacy efforts for better transportation. She is a member of Concerned Citizens for Improved Transportation (CCIT). Malaina is an active member in her chapter, Visually Impaired Persons for Progress (VIPP). She has served as resolutions committee chair, and President of her chapter. She serves within MCBVI (her state affiliate) on committees, such as;  technology, fundraising, accessible prescription labeling, accessible voting, resolutions, legislative, and convention. She is Vice Chair of the MCBVI Convention committee, Co-Editor of the affiliate newsletter, and she serves as Secretary. Malaina is a supporting member of ACB Next Generation, in which she has served on the nominations committee in 2022. Additionally, she actively serves on the ACB Ohio board of directors, and enjoys being a member of Blind Information Technology Specialist (BITS).  She enjoys spending time with family and friends, singing her favorites songs, and learning about technology used by people who are blind or visually impaired. Terrie Terlau Terrie Terlau is a resident of Louisville, Kentucky. She obtained Bachelor’s degrees in English and Psychology, and a Master’s and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. Terrie has been a licensed Psychologist in Kentucky since 1991. Her employment career spans from working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, in mental health clinics, at a rape crisis center, at the Ohio State Counseling and Consultation Service, and in private practice. Her work with the American Printing House (APH) included researching and developing products for visually impaired adults. Terrie is a long time member of Guide Dog Users, Inc., Guide Dog Users of Kentuckiana, and has been very active in the Kentucky Council of the Blind (KCB) since retiring in 2016. As a lifetime member of KCB, she is currently serving her second term as First Vice President. Terrie is Chair of the KCB Scholarship and Tech Grant committee and contributes much more to KCB and its affiliates. Her advocacy efforts have been directed toward reducing barriers for pedestrians and bicyclist, the elimination of global warming, poverty, and more. Terrie loves language and is an avid reader of mysteries and science fiction, with special interests in singing, playing the guitar, writing and sharing her poetry. 

We are pleased to announce after an extensive search with nearly 300 applicants, Natalie Couch has joined ACB's Membership Services team as Membership Services Administrative Assistant. In this role, Natalie reports to Cindy Hollis, Manager of Membership Engagement, supporting membership and community activities. Natalie has worked in customer service for more than 15 years, her most recent position being with Louisville Gas and Electric as a Customer Service Representative. She has been an ACB member since 2009, is active in her Kentucky affiliate serving as President of the Greater Louisville chapter, was selected as a 2021 JP Morgan Chase Leadership Fellow, and has been an active Community host volunteer for more than two years. Natalie started her new position on Monday, April 24, 2023. We encourage you to congratulate and welcome Natalie to the ACB staff.

ACB Media is proud to announce the addition of two new podcast feeds, "ACB Business" and "Podcasts en español de la ACB" available through Apple Podcasts. “ACB Business” is where all official business meetings of ACB will be posted, including ACB Board meetings and ACB Committee meetings. The RSS feed URL is: https://pinecast.com/feed/acb-business. The last two Board meetings are available now. "Podcasts en español de la ACB" is where all Spanish language podcasts will be posted. Here you will find the podcasts of the Legislative Seminar and President’s meetings that were simultaneously translated during the event. The RSS feed URL is: https://pinecast.com/feed/acb-espanol.  Update your podcatcher to subscribe to these feeds. These feeds will soon also be available on acbmedia.org. If you use Outlook, you can easily subscribe to a podcast feed by right clicking “RSS Subscriptions” in your folder list and “Add a new RSS Feed…”  where you would add the RSS feed URL’s above. Happy listening!

ACB’s Virginia office is moving! ACB’s new office address is 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 660, Alexandria, VA 22314. Please note, the Virginia office staff will be performing the office move from Monday, April 24 to Friday, April 28. During this time, you may have difficulty reaching us by phone or email. Please contact the Minnesota office staff at 612-332-3242 if you need immediate attention.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (April 11, 2023) — The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is pleased to share the announcement of the ScripTalk Talking Prescription Label pilot program at Wegmans Food Markets. Wegmans is offering the ScripTalk system that allows blind or low vision patients the ability to audibly hear important prescription label information, ensuring their medication independence and safety. The chain will offer the service across five of its New York locations. “At Wegmans, we are committed to providing incredible customer service to all our shoppers,” said Linda Lovejoy, community relations manager for Wegmans, in a statement released by the grocery store chain. To provide ScripTalk labels, the Wegmans pharmacy places a special RFID label on the bottom of a patient’s prescription bottle. The patient then places the bottle onto a small, battery-operated device called a ScripTalk Station, which is provided at no charge. The ScripTalk Station reads the prescription information out loud to the patient, including prescription number, drug name, dosage, instructions, warnings and more. Patients can also access the talking prescription labels by using the free Android or iOS apps. “The American Council of the Blind is excited about the rollout of the pilot program at Wegmans,” said Dan Spoone, interim executive director of the American Council of the Blind. “We appreciate the impact ScripTalk has on ensuring pharmacy patient safety and independence for people who are blind and have low vision.” The five Wegmans New York locations offering this service are in Fayetteville, Rochester, Buffalo, Depew, and Jamestown. About the American Council of the Blind The American Council of the Blind is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind and visually impaired. For more than 60 years, ACB has become a leader in national, state, local, and even international advocacy efforts. With 68 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve the quality of life for all people who are blind and visually impaired. For more information, visit www.acb.org. Contact: Jenna Reed (941) 702-6708 [email protected]

As many website and application users with disabilities know, far too many websites are inaccessible for users with disabilities. This reality is disastrous for Americans with disabilities. We live in a world where so much is done online or through our smartphones. When these applications are inaccessible, people with disabilities are suddenly prevented from completing essential tasks such as banking or completing employment tasks. A group of national disability advocacy organizations are collecting personal anecdotes and stories to illustrate this ongoing and growing problem. We are asking that you please provide examples of when a website or application was inaccessible to a person with a disability, either you or a friend or family member. For instance, a voting website may be incompatible with screen reading software, or you cannot access a credit card or health care providers mobile app because of a disability.  If you are comfortable, when submitting your story please be as specific as to company/business or government entity responsible for the website or application, and the city and state where the access issues occurred. For congressional advocacy purposes, if you are willing to provide the state, city, and zip code of where you live, this will be extremely helpful in targeting congressional offices to reach out to.  If you are comfortable, please also provide your name and contact information.  Your name and contact information will only be used if we have follow-up questions or if a Congressional office wishes to contact you directly. The story you submit may be published on social media, posted on websites, and provided to the press and Congressional offices.  By voluntarily sending stories to us using the e-mail address provided in this request, you fully agree to allow the national organizations to share your stories in public, including posting on social media and websites, providing to the press, and sending to Congressional offices. We will not include your city or name in any post to social media or to the press unless you specifically tell us we can share. We will, however, make public the state where the accessibility problem occurred, and share your city, state and zip code with Congressional offices unless you specifically tell us not to share.  You understand that you are submitting your story voluntarily and solely for the purpose to help us highlight a national problem, and that the national organizations will not provide you any legal advice and will not represent you in any legal matter because you are submitting a story to us. Please make the narrative as short or as long as you would like. By submitting a story, however, you agree and understand that the national organizations may edit and condense your story for use in social media posts. Additionally, the national organizations also reserve the right to edit the post for clarity purposes. These narratives will help to paint a picture of the nation-wide problem of access barriers faced by persons who use assistive technology on websites and applications. Please email your narratives to [email protected].

With the departure of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) Executive Director Eric Bridges, the following plan of action was established by ACB's Board of Directors on Thursday, March 9th to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. ACB will welcome Dan Spoone, the organization’s current president, as Interim Executive Director starting on Wednesday, March 22. Deb Cook Lewis, current first vice president, will become president. Ray Campbell will become first vice president. Dan Spoone hails from Orlando, Fla. He was elected president at ACB’s 2019 convention, held in Rochester, N.Y. Previously, he was the organization’s first vice president, and served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2012 to 2017.  Dan holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and an MBA specializing in accounting from the University of Florida. He has a vast array of professional experience, and worked at Siemens Energy for 25 years. Starting as an entry-level computer programmer, he worked his way up to the position of senior project manager, with 40 direct reports. He retired in 2014. Deb Cook Lewis is from Clarkston, Wash. Deb previously served as Chair of the ACB Board of Publications before becoming ACB’s first vice president. Deb retired in 2018 after 38 years with the State of Washington. She worked for the Department of Services for the Blind, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and finally the University of Washington Center on Technology and Disability Studies. To contact Dan, email [email protected]. To contact Deb, email [email protected]. For our corporate and philanthropic partners, any existing relationships you have with ACB staff members will remain the same. We encourage you to reach out to your ACB contact with any questions you may have about this transition.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 14, 2023 — On March 10, Harriet Tubman Day, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and supporters rallied in front of the White House and marched to the U.S. Treasury to highlight the ongoing fight for accessible and inclusive currency for all. As a result of this rally, five members of the American Council of the Blind met with representatives of the U.S. Treasury and Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and for the first time, touched the certified tactile feature that will be included as part of the $10 bill redesign in 2026. The U.S. Treasury agreed to quarterly meetings with the American Council of the Blind to provide progress reports on the key milestones as they work toward completing the redesign of the $10 bill by 2026. “50 years of advocating and 20 years of litigation have brought us to this momentous occasion,” said ACB President Dan Spoone. “We are on the cusp of the United States joining the more than 100 nations whose currency is already accessible to people who are blind and low vision, and the American Council of the Blind remains resolute in our advocacy to help the Biden Administration and the U.S. Treasury finish the job.” During the rally, a coalition of disability, women’s, and civil rights organizations gathered together to demand a $20 bill redesign that features a portrait of Harriet Tubman and includes accessibility features for people who are blind and low vision. The American Council of the Blind greatly appreciates the support of its members and a diverse set of cross-organizational partners to bring greater awareness to this long-standing and important issue. Our collective voice calls on the United States to express its commitment to the equality of all people by ensuring U.S. paper currency is accessible and inclusive. “ACB is grateful for the enduring advocacy of our members and the broad support that we have received from the disability and civil rights communities on this issue, including from the Harriet Tubman family and Women on 20s, as we work to make our currency more accessible and inclusive for everyone,” said Clark Rachfal, ACB’s Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs. The American Council of the Blind is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind and visually impaired. For more than 60 years, ACB has become a leader in national, state, local, and even international advocacy efforts. With 68 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve the quality of life for all people who are blind and visually impaired. For more information, visit www.acb.org.