The ACB E-Forum Volume LX December 2021 No. 6 Published by the American Council of the Blind ***** ** Be A Part of ACB The American Council of the Blind™ is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the national office at 1-800-424-8666. ** Contribute to Our Work Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Attn: Treasurer, ACB, 6200 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 155, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If your wishes are complex, call the national office. To make a contribution to ACB by the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155. ** Check in with ACB For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the “Washington Connection” 24/7 at 1-800-424-8666, or read it online. Listen to ACB Reports by downloading the MP3 file from www.acb.org, or call (518) 906-1820 and choose option 8. Tune in to ACB Media at www.acbmedia.org or by calling (518) 906-1820. Learn more about us at www.acb.org. Follow us on Twitter at @acbnational, or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanCounciloftheBlindOfficial. © 2021 American Council of the Blind Eric Bridges, Executive Director Sharon Lovering, Editor 1703 N. Beauregard St., Suite 420, Alexandria, VA 22311 ***** Table of Contents President’s Message: I’m So Thankful!, by Dan Spoone ACB and Walmart Team Up on White Cane Day to Amplify the Importance of Health for Independence for Blind and Low Vision Americans Convention 2022 Preview: The Hilton Omaha, by Janet Dickelman Summaries of the August and September Meetings of the ACB Board of Directors, by Penny Reeder Summary of 2021 Resolutions Passings Looking at My Low Vision Life … At Least So Far, by Edward L. Cohen The Mother of All Fundraisers, by Judy Wilkinson Notice of Proposed Settlement of Class Action and Fairness Hearing Here and There, edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins Christmas Wishes, by Earl Scharry The New Year, by Horatio Nelson Powers ACB Officers ACB Board of Directors ACB Board of Publications Accessing Your ACB Braille and E-Forums ** Are You Moving? Do You Want to Change Your Subscription? Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, slovering@acb.org. Give her the information, and she’ll make the changes for you. ** Save the Date! Our ACB Community hopes that we can spend New Year’s Eve together, for the 2nd annual Community-athon on Dec. 31st, 2021. Visit https://acb.org/2021-community-athon for more information. ***** President’s Message: I’m So Thankful! by Dan Spoone ‘Tis the season to take a few minutes and reflect on all of our blessings. I’m so thankful for ACB. This community gives Leslie and me a place to belong. These last two years have been very challenging for us. We are very worried about the impacts from the pandemic. Just when we think things are getting better, we are confronted by another spike in the virus. We are tired, angry and worried. Our confidence in basic institutions is at a 100-year low. Our politics are polarized. It feels uncomfortable to have holiday meals with those you love. We try to have casual conversations, but politics are just under the surface, and you can always feel the tension. It’s exhausting and so uncomfortable. I don’t know how to have a civil conversation. The emotion is too high. It makes me feel so sad. In the middle of this despair, ACB has become my shining star for the future. Our ACB family has risen above the politics to find the good in each of us. We have formed a community that fosters support for all blind and low vision people. Our members accepted the challenge of the pandemic with the same energy we use to advocate for our civil rights. We held two virtual conventions and proved our resilience. Both events featured eight days of amazing content with general sessions, prime time shows, 100-plus breakout sessions, fabulous banquets and wonderful audio description tours of parks and museums. Our members came together to modify our constitution to allow remote voting for all members. ACB partnered with our fellow associations in the blindness field to hold a fireside chat and host a wonderful D.C. Leadership Conference. We partnered with AFB to offer over $90,000 in annual scholarships. The Inaugural Audio Description Awards Gala establishes ACB as the pre-eminent authority on Audio Description (AD) throughout the world. In a time of racial unrest, ACB has embraced diversity and inclusion. We passed a resolution to foster Spanish language materials within our organization and passed a code of conduct policy to insure safety for all members and provide a platform to report any misconduct. The Get Up and Get Moving Campaign has energized our members to embrace physical exercise, advocate for accessible health care and promote a lifestyle of healthy living. I’m so thankful for ACB! It gives me a purpose. Leslie and I wish everyone a happy holiday, and we thank each of you for all of your gifts to our community. Please try to reach out to your family and friends and enjoy the holidays. Take time to tell those you live how much they mean to you. Hip, hip, hurray to ACB! You have truly made a difference in so many lives these past two years. ***** ACB and Walmart Team Up on White Cane Day to Amplify the Importance of Health for Independence for Blind and Low Vision Americans Alexandria, Va., Oct. 15, 2021 —Today, in honor of White Cane Day, the American Council of the Blind and Walmart have teamed up to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity and routine eye exams for the visually impaired. The national Get Up & Get Moving campaign is designed to encourage the visually impaired communities to take charge of their independence and overall health. “We are excited to be collaborating with Walmart to amplify these messages and share health information, for which they continue to push for progress inside and outside of the company through their support of their customers in the communities where they live and overall commitment for accessibility,” said Eric Bridges, executive director of ACB. Notable past collaborations between the two organizations include ScripTalk in 2019, which provides audible prescription labels at the patient’s request and is available in over 1,952 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across the country. Over 4 million Americans experience severe vision loss and blindness, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control, puts a $51.4 billion burden on our annual economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the additional needs many individuals experiencing blindness have when it comes to locally accessible, reliable healthcare options, including nutrition, eye health and diabetes management. Currently, of the 34 million Americans with diabetes, nearly one-third will experience diabetes-related vision loss. Despite this causal link between diabetes and vision loss, there are few resources and technologies available to allow someone with vision loss to independently test, manage and care for their diabetes. Together, we hope to empower both our ACB members and the over 30 million Americans with severe vision loss to take control of their health. For more information on the tools and resources available, visit www.acb.org. ***** Convention 2022 Preview: The Hilton Omaha by Janet Dickelman The convention committee and some ACB board members, officers and staff have just returned from our fall visit to Omaha. The Hilton staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The hotel and adjoining convention center (where the exhibit hall, general sessions and some of our meetings will be held) are both easy to navigate. The hotel has a restaurant as well as a market that is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., selling everything from coffee to pizza! There are also a number of restaurants within easy walking distance from the Hilton. The dates for the 2022 conference and convention of the American Council of the Blind are July 1st through 8th. While in Omaha we visited many outstanding tour venues. Stay tuned for the tour reveal in the January issue of the Forum. Until then, have a wonderful holiday season. I’m hoping my remodeling project is completed and I can be in my new home office by Christmas! ** Staying in Touch Want to get the latest and most up-to-date convention information? Subscribe to the convention list by sending a blank e-mail to acbconvention+subscribe@acblists.org. If you received updates for the 2021 convention, you do not need to re-subscribe to the list. For any convention-related questions, please contact Janet Dickelman, convention chair, (651) 428-5059 or via e-mail, janet.dickelman@gmail.com. ***** Summaries of the August and September Meetings of the ACB Board of Directors by Penny Reeder The American Council of the Blind board of directors held two meetings to consider resolutions which were brought to them, with recommendations, by the resolutions committee. Because of the virtual nature of our 2021 convention, no general session convention time was allotted for members to consider resolutions. Therefore, the board was tasked with evaluating resolutions and deciding which ones to adopt as guidance for ACB’s leaders and staff during the coming year. A synopsis of this year’s resolutions appears in this issue, as well as at https://acb.org/2021-resolutions. Both meetings were streamed live on ACB Media, and the meeting recordings have been converted to podcasts. This summary will review other agendized items at both meetings. ** August 31, 2021 President Dan Spoone called the meeting to order shortly after 8 p.m. Eastern. After the roll call and approval of the meeting agenda, the first item addressed was celebration of this meeting’s “Mission Moment.” Dan said that he and executive director Eric Bridges wanted to acknowledge and celebrate the success of ACB’s first-ever in-person elections, which transpired during the 2021 convention. Dan singled out Nancy Becker, who served as ACB’s election supervisor, and Rick Morin, who handled all of the technical aspects for each in-person election, for special praise and gratitude. In addition, he thanked newly elected first vice president Deb Cook Lewis for presiding over the August 14 and 15 convention sessions, at which constitutional changes that will allow ACB members to vote remotely in the future were debated and adopted. A major reason in-person voting went so well and with so few challenges, Dan said, was that all of us were so well prepared. He thanked Pat Sheehan and Jeff Thom, who chaired the 2021 voting task force; Koni Sims, who did such a great job educating members about what to expect and how to vote; and all 18 members of the task force for their excellent work, and said that ACB is looking forward to reports from the voting task force 2.0, who will continue planning for fully inclusive and accessible voting at future ACB conventions. Dan polled the board to learn who was planning to attend the October board meeting in person and who was planning to attend virtually. Although several members expressed their intentions to attend the Omaha meeting in person, a number of members reported that they intended to participate virtually. Therefore, the ACB fall board meeting will be a hybrid meeting. Dan noted that, since he expects the D.C. Leadership Conference to be hybrid as well, the fall meeting presents ACB with a good opportunity to explore best practices for assuring the success of future hybrid meetings. The October board meeting will be streamed live over ACB Media. Kelly Gasque reported that ACB has signed a contract with the Hilton Hotel in Old Town Alexandria to host the D.C. Leadership Conference, which is scheduled to begin on March 11, 2022. The hotel is within walking distance of the King Street Metrorail station and Alexandria’s Union Station, there is ample meeting space, and there’s a Starbucks inside the hotel. There’s an Old Town Trolley stop right outside the front door, so it will be easy for attendees to travel up and down King Street to visit restaurants and other venues. The room rate will be $119 per night. Dan reported that, in response to the Constant Contact request for members to let him know which committees they would like to join, which he had distributed a week earlier, he had already received around 40 e-mails. He encouraged all ACB members to let him know which committees they might wish to join. He also said that each board member will be expected to serve on at least three steering committees, and he encouraged board members to let him know, during September, where their interests lie. Dan reported that he was feeling well after medical interventions that addressed a health concern that had prevented him from presiding at the August sessions, and he thanked ACB members and friends for their concern and messages of support and encouragement. Dan thanked Katie Frederick for her service as chair of the public relations committee, and he announced his wish to nominate Deb Cook Lewis to chair the PR committee during the coming year. The board endorsed that nomination, and unanimously confirmed Deb Lewis as chair of the public relations committee. During the next several hours, the board reviewed the 13 resolutions scheduled for discussion. Gabe Griffith, chair of the resolutions committee, presented each resolution, and several members of the committee, along with makers of the 13 proposed resolutions, were available to answer board members’ questions and add to discussion. Susan Glass served as reader for each of the resolutions. The board adopted a majority of the resolutions, rejected some, and referred others to the committee for further work, and some to related ACB committees and/or affiliates for further attention. When all the resolutions had been addressed, the board held a brief executive session, after which the meeting adjourned. ** September 29, 2021 Because they knew that there were 17 additional resolutions on the docket for consideration, the September board meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time. All board members except for Koni Sims and Jim Kracht, both of whose absences were excused, were present, as well as a number of guests, including several members of the resolutions committee, and makers of resolutions slated for discussion at the meeting. No additions to the meeting agenda were offered, and minutes from the July 16 (pre-convention) board meeting were unanimously approved without corrections or additions. The board then elected members of the budget committee for the coming year. Four board members had shared their interest in serving on the committee with Dan. Three — Kim Charlson, David Trott, and Pat Sheehan — had served on the committee during the prior year, and a fourth board member, Deb Cook Lewis, had also expressed her interest in joining the committee. ACB’s constitution stipulates that three board members should serve on the budget committee. Acknowledging that her involvement in the work of the budget committee will be of great assistance to Deb as she begins serving in her first term as ACB’s first vice president, Pat Sheehan withdrew his name from consideration, pointing out that his term would be up next summer. Deb, David and Kim were confirmed unanimously, and Dan thanked Pat for his service on the committee. The board then tackled the 17 remaining resolutions which the resolutions committee presented for consideration and approval. Of the 17, 15 were adopted, and two were referred to ACB affiliates or committees for further work. The discussions which occurred during both the August and September board meetings concerning all submitted resolutions are available for all members to hear. Visit these links to listen: https://www.acbmedia.org/2021/09/07/acb-board-of-directors-board-meeting-august-31-2021-resolutions-part-one/ and https://pnc.st/s/acb-events/a34d5eab/acb-board-of-directors-meeting-september-29-2021-resolutions-p-art-two. The meeting adjourned at 12:07 a.m. Eastern. ***** Summary of 2021 Resolutions The following are brief summaries of the resolutions adopted by the ACB Board of Directors at its telephonic meetings on Aug. 31, 2021 and Sept. 29, 2021. Seven resolutions were withdrawn by their makers; those were Resolutions 2021-05, 2021-08, 2021-17, 2021-19, 2021-20, 2021-27 and 2021-32. Resolution 2021-02 was referred to the Information Access Committee. Resolution 2021-03 was considered by ACB’s board of directors, but it did not pass. Resolutions 2021-14 and 2021-31 were also referred. Please note that these summary statements are not the authoritative voice of the ACB board of directors; they are simply meant to capture the overall scope and intent of the resolutions. You can find the full text of resolutions at https://acb.org/2021-resolutions. Resolution 2021-01 directs ACB to urge its state affiliates to strongly consider undertaking advocacy efforts to create disability awareness training requirements for health care facilities, professionals and their staffs, and instructs affiliates that make such efforts to work with ACB’s Get Up and Get Moving campaign. Resolution 2021-04 directs ACB to urge the Rehabilitation Services Administration, in the strongest possible language, to establish comprehensive standards of conduct and ongoing verification that such standards are being adhered to by all residential rehabilitation training centers, community rehabilitation programs (CRPs), service providers, and all other individuals contracted to provide rehabilitation services to people who are blind or have low vision as part of RSA’s ongoing monitoring processes. Also instructs RSA to direct state rehabilitation agencies to include in their State Plans policies, procedures, and practices to ensure that documented allegations of sexual misconduct and/or bullying be appropriately investigated, resolved and reported to State Rehabilitation Councils (SRCs), the consumer entities responsible for providing input and oversight to state rehabilitation departments and commissions, and to RSA. This resolution directs state agencies serving the blind to immediately suspend all approvals for consumers to attend any residential rehabilitation training center for which documented allegations of sexual or other abuse/misconduct have been made until such time as the department or commission determines that the issues arising from any documented allegation have been addressed in accordance with standards to be developed by the state entity and/or RSA pursuant to this resolution. Resolution 2021-06 instructs ACB to demand that the U.S. Department of Justice immediately adopt regulations which establish categorical application of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to all elements of the Internet, and that DOJ require that WCAG 2.1 level AA or the most current successor versions be the applicable standard in developing such regulations. Resolution 2021-07 directs ACB’s advocacy and governmental affairs staff to work with the Advocacy Steering Committee to develop guidelines that can be used to make pill packs accessible for someone who is blind or has low vision, and directs ACB to urge the Access Board to reconvene in a manner consistent with the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act to update best practices for accessibility of pill packets. Resolution 2021-09 states that ACB welcomes innovative solutions to the global challenge of inaccessibility on the Internet, but does not support a response that creates a separate experience for users of assistive technology, and directs that any technology designed to help the blindness community must include meaningful feedback from users who are blind or have low vision to ensure that it will not harm the community it purports to serve. Also instructs the Information Access Committee to determine how best ACB can play a role in remedying the issues discussed in this resolution. Resolution 2021-10 directs the newly established Spanish Language Subcommittee of the Multicultural Affairs Committee to develop plans, timelines, budget allocations, and priorities to implement initiatives and programs in order to expand ACB’s outreach to the Spanish-speaking community beginning in 2022, and charges the Multicultural Affairs Committee and ACB Membership Committee with the task of developing a set of recommendations on how to effectively outreach to and recruit individuals who are blind or have low vision whose principal language is Spanish. Resolution 2021-11 directs ACB to urge PBS to immediately recommence the practice of noting which programs contain audio description in all PBS publications and, at a minimum, include audio description on all PBS Video programming that originally contained an audio description track. Resolution 2021-12 directs all health care practitioners using telehealth offer an accessible, WCAG-compliant telehealth option and alternative that offers effective communication to all people who are blind or have low vision, and urges all state affiliates to advocate on the issues presented in this resolution with their state’s medical licensing agencies and local healthcare providers. Also instructs ACB to assist people who are blind or have low vision who may need assistance in advocating with their health care practitioner to obtain an accessible telehealth option. Resolution 2021-13 directs Guide Dog Users, Inc., together with the American Council of the Blind, its officers, directors and staff, advise the U.S. Department of Transportation to immediately inform airlines that the Department expects them to ensure that both the processes of completing and submitting their service dog travel forms are accessible to persons who are blind or have low vision, and that they must validate the accessibility of these processes through user testing. Also instructs ACB and GDUI to recommend that DOT compel airlines to provide their personnel with appropriate training in how to advise prospective passengers about the new requirements and, upon request, provide assistance with filling out the new forms. Resolution 2021-15 congratulates the American Foundation for the Blind on providing 100 years of advocacy, research, and collaboration to create a world of no limits for people who are blind or have low vision, and directs that AFB collaborate with ACB and the entire blindness community to forge a path of innovation and inclusion for AFB’s second century of service. Resolution 2021-16 directs that ACB collaborate with the Blinded Veterans Association concerning the need to ensure that, during this transition period, VA employees who are blind or have low vision receive the training, services and performance equity protections they need to enable them to continue performing the essential functions of their positions, and thus ensure their continued employability with the VA, and if the VA is not responsive to the concerns expressed in this resolution, this organization inform the appropriate Congressional oversight committees of these issues. Resolution 2021-18 instructs ACB to immediately make known to CMS the degree to which HCBS targeted at Medicaid recipients who are blind or have low vision will meet the goals of the Medicaid program and enhance the lives of this population, and to urge CMS, in implementing its oversight of state Medicaid funds, including those under the American Rescue Plan Act, to issue guidance to states concerning the value of targeting these services to recipients who are blind or have low vision. Also directs ACB to urge its affiliates to advocate for the use of Medicaid funds, including American Rescue Plan Act funding, for home and community-based services targeted at the needs of Medicaid recipients who are blind or have low vision. Resolution 2021-21 directs ACB to work with its advocacy services committee to develop a list of best practices which can be shared with ACB’s state affiliates and local chapters, and that the best practices cover access to polling places during early voting and on Election Day, the availability of accessible vote-by-mail ballots including electronic return, effective access to voter registration, sample ballot information and other responsibilities of county authorities, and state and local legislation and regulations that provide for appropriate treatment for people with disabilities during all elements of the voting process which take into account medical conditions that might otherwise limit appropriate participation in federal, state and local elections. Resolution 2021-22 directs ACB to make known its full support for and advocate for the use of human voices in the voicing of audio description for cinema and narrative video or streaming, and lend its assistance, where feasible, to affiliates undertaking such advocacy efforts. Resolution 2021-23 instructs ACB to specifically communicate with the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference to urge them to immediately require all presentations, including digital content, be made accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. Resolution 2021-24 directs ACB to support and urge Congress to adopt a long-term, federally funded broadband benefit program, managed and administered by the FCC, to provide low-income individuals with enhanced financial support for broadband after the pandemic ends, and for Congress to codify and fund it through mandatory directed spending as other entitlement programs are, instead of subjecting it to an annual discretionary appropriations process. Also directs Congress to renew its commitment to federal digital inclusion programs, as they are highly effective in helping persons living with disabilities to gain the skills and confidence necessary to thrive in the digital age. Resolution 2021-25 states that this organization strongly condemns the denial of the reasonable accommodation request by Rebecca Meyers, and directs ACB and its SASI committee engage in an ongoing dialogue with the USOPC to develop and adhere to a transparent and ADA-compliant reasonable accommodations policy and process (inclusive of auxiliary communication requests). It directs that such policy and process ensure, at a minimum, that athletes who are deaf-blind will be permitted to have an SSP accompany them to all future competitions and related events sanctioned by the USOPC. Resolution 2021-26 urges the ACB Board of Publications and writers and editors who produce written communications and other media reflecting the values of the ACB to explore ways of implementing guidance regarding the organization’s preference for using gender-neutral language in all ACB communications and media. Also directs BPI to conduct at least one community call on the use of gender-neutral language and agrees to consult with the Board of Publications on the implementation of this inclusive approach to language. Resolution 2021-28 directs that ACB continue on the path of diversity, equity, and inclusion by working with the Multicultural Affairs and other appropriate committees to outline and facilitate intentional steps to hire and retain a well-qualified, well-trained and more diverse staff, including a plan to ensure more diverse candidate pools. Also directs ACB’s president to report to the membership, at least twice a year, on ongoing diversity efforts in staff and membership demographics, the number of people of color who are leaders of affiliates and committees, and the ongoing efforts to ensure that all publications and media reflect the diversity of America and our membership. Resolution 2021-29 expresses ACB’s profound dissatisfaction with the current state of Free Matter for the Blind delivery, and work with the appropriate U.S. Postal Service staff with expertise in free matter to promote and improve this vital service; and encourages the Postmaster General to ensure that ongoing training is provided to local post office personnel. Resolution 2021-30 communicates ACB’s dissatisfaction with ABWA and BNI, and requests that these entities make all digital products and services fully accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. Resolution 2021-33 directs ACB to commit to an organization-wide strategy to seek the prompt enactment of Teddie-Joy’s Law, and to work in coalition with all like-minded stakeholders to launch a multi-year effort to promote such legislation and related public awareness strategies and tactics. Also directs the organization to strongly consider making passage of Teddie-Joy’s Law a primary legislative imperative at the 2022 ACB Legislative Seminar. Resolution 2021-34 instructs the board of directors to assign the advocacy steering committee the task of drafting a plan to implement this resolution in order to address the mental and emotional health crisis among people with vision loss. Resolution 2021-35 directs that ACB call upon NLS to prioritize distribution of this new braille E-reader by revising LOC/NLS policy to allow network libraries to provide secondary preference to braille-reading NLS patrons who are blind and have a severe hearing impairment. Resolution 2021-36 directs ACB to contact RSA to explore avenues for requiring compliance without harming the ability of state agencies to deliver rehabilitation services, and directs ACB and RSA to send a letter to the National Council of Governors requesting dialogue on how state rehab councils differ from advisory councils, how incomplete SRCs impede RSA-mandated responsibilities such as state agency annual reports and State Plans, how incomplete SRCs damage direct and official consumer input into the rehabilitation of citizens with disabilities in general, and citizens who are blind or have low vision in particular, and a request that governors and other appointing agencies immediately consider pending SRC applications in their state. ***** Passings We honor here members, friends and supporters of the American Council of the Blind who have impacted our lives in many wonderful ways. If you would like to submit a notice for this column, please include as much of the following information as possible. Name (first, last, maiden if appropriate) City of residence (upon passing) State/province of residence (upon passing) Other cities/states/countries of residence (places where other blind people may have known this person) Occupation Date of death (day if known, month, year) Age ACB affiliation (local/state/special-interest affiliates or national committees) Deaths that occurred more than six months ago cannot be reported in this column. ** Richard E. “Rick” Belcher Jan. 28, 1952 – Oct. 1, 2021 Richard E. Belcher, 69, of St. Louis, Mo., passed away on Oct. 1, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nev. Rick was born on January 28, 1952, to the late Edgar (Smokey) E. Belcher and Virginia (Nell) Belcher. Blind since birth, Rick learned to read braille at a young age. His father was an officer in the military, so Rick moved around the country and abroad at an early age. His parents moved the family to Ravenden, Ark. in 1968. He was six when he started banging on the keys of a piano at an officer’s club where his father sometimes frequented. One day a blind guy came into the bar and played “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” Rick was hooked on music from that point! In 1991 Rick moved by himself to Little Rock, Ark., where he learned independent living skills at World Services for the Blind. He learned how to get around in a sighted world. He also learned the value of having access to information. A “MindsEye” listener since 1999, Rick enjoyed “Blindness and Disability Hour” and the interview show, “Ear to Ear.” Music was Rick’s passion; rhythm ’n blues and rock ’n roll were his world. In Little Rock, Rick played music wherever he could. While visiting friends in St. Louis, Rick met Shelly, who later became his wife. Since Shelly was from St. Louis, they decided to make St. Louis their home. Rick auditioned and began playing music at BB’s Jazz, Blues, and Soups. After Shelly’s passing two years after they married, Rick picked himself up and with his friend, Mitch Watley, formed the St. Louis Funk Brothers band. The duo performed at nursing homes and adult day centers. Rick also met Meryl Shecter while in Little Rock, Ark., in 1994, but lost contact for about 24 years. While attending the ACB national convention in St. Louis in July 2018, their paths crossed again, and from that point they were inseparable. For the last three years of Rick’s life, they talked multiple times daily and enjoyed their long-distance relationship. They also traveled many times to see each other in St. Louis or Baltimore, Md., and their last trip was a road trip to Las Vegas, Nev., a place that Rick always wanted to visit. They spent almost one month together on the road, at various casinos in Las Vegas and a one-day trip to Manhattan Beach, Calif. Rick had a lot of fun and enjoyed every moment, and he loved that it was happening with Meryl by his side. Rick was preceded in death by his wife, Shelly Belcher, and his parents, Edgar (Smokey) and Virginia (Nell) Belcher. He is survived by his siblings Robert (Wanda) Belcher, James (Cordelia) Belcher, John (Tammy) Belcher, Patricia (Tracy) Belcher and JoAnn (Brooks) Harris; nieces, nephews, friends and his beloved fiancée Meryl Shecter of Windsor Mill, Md. Rick was laid to rest Oct. 16, 2021 in the James Cemetery of Ravenden Springs, Ark. ** Billie Jean Keith Former Virginia resident and ACB staff member Billie Jean Bridges Hill Keith, 83, died Sept. 27, 2021, in The Villages, Fla. Billie Jean was born on July 24, 1938, to Wallace and Ethel Bridges, in Winona, Miss. She lived in several cities, including New York, N.Y.; London, England; and Jackson, Miss., before landing in Arlington, Va. While in Mississippi, Billie Jean was an active member of the Mississippi Council of the Blind. She worked for the Radio Reading Service of Mississippi. After moving to Virginia, she was an active member of the Northern Virginia Council of the Blind and the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International. Billie Jean was a life member of ACB and served on the board of publications. Billie Jean worked for the Blinded Veterans Association, the National Council on Disability, and the American Council of the Blind. While at the National Council, she analyzed and proposed policies related to employment, education, long-term services and other areas critical to people with disabilities. She retired, but then worked as a peer counselor for the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia, where she encouraged people who are blind or had other disabilities to set goals and achieve their highest potential. Billie Jean was an award-winning author. Her novel, “A Kiss for a Yankee Dime” (2011) is available in audio format on NLS BARD. Billie Jean is survived by her son, Thomas Hill; her daughter, Caroline Fortenberry, and 3 grandchildren, Haleigh, Natalie, and Anna Fortenberry. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond “Bud” Keith. Bud and Billie Jean married in the summer of 1995 and are laid to rest together in Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Va. ** Ann Kathleen Parsons Reprinted from “The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle,” Oct. 6, 2021. Ann Kathleen Parsons was born on February 9, 1953 in Olean, N.Y., and died peacefully on Oct. 5, 2021 after a long battle with cancer. She was 68. Ann settled in Brighton at a young age. She is predeceased by her parents George and Jane Parsons and is survived by her cousin Linda Stanko and numerous friends. A graduate of St. Bonaventure University, Ann went on to establish Portal Tutoring, which supplied tutoring in braille as well as the use of the computer for people who are blind. Ann was actively involved in numerous activities: Rochester Oratorio Society (40 years), church choir at Our Lady Queen of Peace, book club, writers club (published a book, “The Demmies”), a board member of the American Council of the Blind of New York, as well as a sci-fi club. Despite being blind from birth, Ann took several overseas singing tours with the Rochester Oratorio Society as well as three stints in India tutoring blind students in the use of the computer. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Oct. 16 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following organizations: Rochester Oratorio Society, 1050 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14607; Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Rd., Fairport, NY 14450; and Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 601 Edgewood Ave., Rochester, NY 14618. To share a memory of Ann or send condolences to the family, visit www.anthonychapels.com. ***** Looking at My Low Vision Life … At Least So Far by Edward L. Cohen My worried parents got their hunch confirmed. When I was 4, the Indianapolis eye doctor said I was very nearsighted, and prescribed a pair of thick glasses. He noted that little boys usually won’t wear or often lose their glasses, but I never did. That was in 1954. It was 1970 before a Purdue student clinic doctor finally named my eye condition as RP. Until then, I only heard I had a “touch of night blindness.” I’m the only person in my family with the RP gene. I got through my primary grades without being called “four-eyes” more than other kids in the same situation. Like all the boys in my neighborhood, I wanted to be accepted and invited to play backyard ball. As long as it was well before sunset, I could hit the ball. But as it started to get dark, I couldn’t hit a thing. This made me sad and my teammates angry. I switched to basketball; because it was played indoors, it never got dark. I could read books as long as I held them close. Things changed when I moved into junior high school. There, teachers made much use of the blackboard. It was hard to admit to the teacher that I had trouble seeing what was being written. It didn’t dawn on me that the teacher probably already figured that out. When I got brave enough to privately speak up, I might ask and was permitted to sit closer. It was better when they would echo what they were writing or say what they had just written. Being closer to the board only helped a little. Thank goodness back then, blackboards were actually black, and the white chalk left a mark that was easier to see. Those and other early experiences taught me lessons that stayed with me my entire life. One is, if you have something you need to say, you have to speak up for yourself. In that situation, I had to speak up if I was going to keep up in class. Another lesson learned was to focus closely on what teachers and others were saying. It all helped academically and in some unexpected ways. One way was that I started getting useful information about the world around me that I often didn’t get from my eyes. I noticed how the sound of my footsteps reflected off the walls. I noticed that as someone walked by, it created what I called a “sound shadow.” Even noticing changes in air currents or smells provided useful information. The big eye-opener was this. As I listened and expressed curiosity about what the young people around me were saying, my small circle of friends grew a bit. I found I enjoyed talking to and learning from and about others. High school presented new opportunities. I continued to find math and science interesting and now met others who did as well. I also got exposed to and interested in what was then called mechanical drawing (now called drafting). Not only were these classes located in opposite ends of the school, the two groups of kids generally had different interests. I got along with most and learned from and made some friends in each group. My curiosity about the people and world around me has never stopped. Turning 16 meant driver’s ed and passing the driver’s test. I had no problems except driving at night, which I avoided when possible. I even added bright driving lights to help. I drove for 30 years, knowing it would eventually come to an end. When I failed the driver’s eye test and then again at the eye doctor’s office, I knew the end was at hand. I walked out having been told I was now legally blind and my driving days were over. He suggested I start learning what I’ll need to deal with my new life. In the months following the appointment, I tracked down, met and got involved with the local blind community. I discovered how little I knew about this new world. Slowly I learned about the wealth of resources and what seemed the amazing array of technology tools. Luckily, Indianapolis had a large number of knowledgeable blind people. I was able to keep working and even advanced in the information technology field for another 15 years. Finally, in 2010, I retired and in the same year, my wife and I moved to Minnesota to be near family. Throughout my life, my personality and interests led to me launching and leading numerous successful volunteer organizations and events. During my 35 working years, most jobs or positions were created for me. I was tasked to develop, launch and lead new programs or projects; many are still operating. I was always the only blind guy in the room. I felt responsible for showing that blindness was not a barrier to contributing to important and successful efforts. As my vision declined, I struggled to use the various large-print weekly calendars that were out there. The fonts weren’t large or high-contrast enough to see. And there wasn’t enough room to write big. I couldn’t see the paper’s edge and often wrote off the paper. When I mentioned this problem with other low-vision friends and professionals, they’d often say they faced similar challenges. I made and began using a weekly calendar that addressed all my challenges. As those people saw what I had made, many said that they or someone they knew would want one. They urged me to start making and selling them. Hearing such encouragement was nice, but I was already busy and knew such a venture would be all-consuming. Yet over time, the issue kept coming back to me. I imagined the number of people this calendar might help. I often talked it over with my wife and did some research. By the fall of 2015, EZ2See Products was launched. You can find the full story at https://ez2seeproducts.com/. My website also has a link to dozens of blog posts I’ve written. Many offer solutions to the sorts of everyday challenges faced by those of us dealing with vision loss and aging. If you find any helpful, please let me know. ***** The Mother of All Fundraisers by Judy Wilkinson November 7, 1987 was unseasonably warm in the Bay Area, promising a beautiful evening for a chartered outing on San Francisco Bay. The Kurzweil Scanner had recently come on the market, with a price of $12,000. Where could I get that kind of money? I knew this device would revolutionize my horizon as a community college professor of English, teaching mostly composition courses, with the occasional literature course as a treat. Finally I would be able to scan student assignments and preview texts for possible adoption, a luxury I could ill afford once I’d paid for a text to be transcribed into braille at my own expense. But $12,000! Way beyond my limited finances. We’re talking long before I had any rights to having my reasonable accommodation needs met by my district. And of course, long before the inexpensive scanning apps of today. Early that summer the answer came to me: a variation on a rent party! You know, those pre-pandemic times when during the Depression, folks asked neighbors to help get the rent money. Realizing I’d have to invest some of my own money up front, I undertook a multi-faceted, many-tasked project to raise that $12,000. I began with my local PBS station’s live auction. I snagged an evening cruise with Blue and Gold Charters for $1,200 (usually over $4,000), a bargain. The string quartet for entertainment was $150, and the catering service was $1,500. So instead of putting $2,850 toward the Kurzweil, I was that much in debt in the other direction. Was I scared? You bet! Would my friends come through? My reader and I sent out several hundred letters explaining to my circle how much having this scanner would revolutionize my teaching. Would they purchase $35 tickets for my evening cruise? So many did; they invited their friends. They bought tickets; they added a bit extra; they added a lot extra. One of my favorite singers took a chance and lent me her mailing list. More tickets. A snag! Any booze sold onboard could only be purchased at the yacht’s bar. But I could give away drinks! So as folks neared the gangplank, my scout sold them cards to “get their gift” of wine onboard: $10 for a bottle of champagne (pink card); red for red wine; white for white. My local wine store gave me a wonderful discount and so even here I made a profit, and the Blue & Gold folks thought people were picking up my gift. It was truly a wonderful event! The string quartet was splendid; though we ran out of food, the catered buffet was enjoyed. For me personally, this was one of the last events my mother attended. She had been very skeptical. “You can’t charge people for wine! You can’t ask your friends for money!” But in the end I know she was proud; in fact, somewhat indignant on my behalf. “The captain just walked by and didn’t even acknowledge you,” she informed me. She was in her glory that night visiting with all those on board; the cancer took her a year later. When all was said and done, I cleared over $9,000; still not enough. I learned a lot about managing my overhead costs more efficiently the next time (not useful in this particular case, however). But one of the attendees was so impressed with my effort that he offered to lend me the remainder of the money — a loan to be paid at no interest over two years. But even here, kindness prevailed. After paying promptly for six months, my generous benefactor forgave the remainder of the loan. And indeed, as I had hoped, that scanner changed my entire teaching strategy. So, you might well ask, that’s all well and good for nearly 35 years ago when PBS stations had live auctions, but what takeaways are there for today? 1. Assume people are willing to support a worthy cause: think chapter outreach; state or national affiliate fundraising campaign! 2. If you never ask, the answer is always NO! However much we dread picking up the phone or sending that email with an ask, no one ever died from being refused or hearing “No!” 3. You may need to invest money to make money. Or to put it another way, you may need to take some risk to gain greater benefit. 4. Aim high. Your strategy may be to begin with a small ask, but think long term. 5. Plan carefully: as is said, God is in the details! I included stamped return envelopes, making it easy for folks to respond. Today snail mail may be quaint history, but the principle is the same: work out your details. 6. One person can make a huge difference! Much of what I learned from this personal effort stood me in good stead during my presidency of the California Council of the Blind. I took risks. Some failed spectacularly. Others, however, moved the Council forward on our path of serving folks who are blind or visually impaired. If you dream big, the sky is the limit. ***** Notice of Proposed Settlement of Class Action and Fairness Hearing This notice has been approved by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. Be advised of the preliminary approval of the settlement of a class action lawsuit brought by Valerie Brooks (the “Named Plaintiff”) against Pressed Juicery, Inc., and Does 1-10 (“Pressed Juicery”). The Named Plaintiff, individually and on behalf of all members of the Settlement Classes, as defined below, alleges that, as individuals with visual impairments, they were denied equal access to or enjoyment of Pressed Juicery’s website, https://www.pressedjuicery.com/, and Defendant’s corporate sponsored blog, https://thechalkboardmag.com (collectively the “Website”). Pressed Juicery denies the Named Plaintiff’s allegations and denies any fault or wrongdoing whatsoever. Under the proposed settlement, Pressed Juicery will make certain changes to the website and any software designed to run on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer, that features information put out from Pressed Juicery to provide users with similar services to those accessed on PCs regarding its goods and services (“Mobile Applications”) (as set forth in the Class Action Settlement Agreement and Release) in exchange for the Settlement Classes releasing claims regarding the accessibility of the Website and Mobile Applications as it exists at the time of this settlement, or as it may be modified in accordance with the Settlement Agreement. A Final Approval and Fairness Hearing on the proposed settlement is scheduled for February 11, 2022 at 10 a.m., in Courtroom 3 before the Honorable Kimberly J. Mueller, Chief Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse, 501 I St., Sacramento, CA 95814. Please read this notice carefully. It contains important information about your legal rights concerning the proposed settlement of this lawsuit. 1. Who are members of the Settlement Classes? The Court has preliminarily approved the following two Settlement Classes. 1) The Nationwide Class: All individuals who (a) have a disability, as that term is defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the “ADA” (42 U.S.C. §12102) and similar state and local disability laws, and (b) have accessed the Website and Mobile Applications and (c) have been denied equal access as a result of their disability. 2) The California Class: All individuals in the State of California who (a) have a disability, as that term is defined under the ADA and similar state and local disability laws, and (b) have accessed the Website and Mobile Applications, and (c) have been denied equal access as a result of their disability. 2. What are the benefits of the proposed settlement? Under the Settlement Agreement, Pressed Juicery has agreed to make certain accessibility modifications to the Website and Mobile Applications. Those changes include: a) Modifying the Website and Mobile Applications to improve accessibility and to provide individuals with disabilities full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations offered through the Website and Mobile Applications by having the Website and Mobile Applications substantially usable by screen reader software for Website and Mobile Applications users in the future. Pressed Juicery shall use WCAG 2.0 Level AA as a guideline in making such improvements. b) Pressed Juicery can link to third-party websites and/or include third-party content on the Website and Mobile Applications (e.g., any web content that is dictated or generated by a third party and is not owned, coded, managed, and/or operated by the Released Parties including, but not limited to, plug-ins, forms, PDF files, social media and YouTube© videos), without being required to undertake, to complete remediation for, or to be responsible or liable for any form of third-party content that is incorporated into the Website and Mobile Applications. c) Pressed Juicery has agreed to pay into a settlement fund which, after deductions for attorneys’ fees, litigation costs, and a service award for the Class Representative as set forth in Paragraph 4 below, will be paid out to Class Members who make timely claims showing proof (browsing history) that they attempted to use the Website and/or Mobile Applications. Such Class Members will be entitled to an amount which is proportional to the number of valid claimants, but which provides an enhancement to claimants from California of three (3) times the pro rata share of the settlement fund, not to exceed $1,000 per claimant. 3. How could the settlement affect your legal rights? If Judge Mueller approves the proposed settlement, members of the classes will release all claims for discrimination and denial of equal access on the basis of disability arising from Defendant’s practices or procedures in connection with, or the condition of, the Website and Mobile Applications owned or operated by Pressed Juicery at the time of the Court’s final approval of the settlement, or as the Website and/or Mobile Applications may be modified under the terms of the settlement. More specifically, the Settlement Agreement provides as follows: In consideration for the mutual promises and covenants set forth or referred to in this Settlement Agreement, the Settlement Classes and each of their respective members, executors, successors, heirs, assigns, administrators, agents and representatives (collectively referred to as the “Releasing Parties”), release the Released Parties from any and all claims, counter-claims, liabilities, obligations, demands, and actions of any and every kind or nature whatsoever, known or unknown, that the Releasing Parties may have against the Released Parties for discrimination and/or denial of equal access to or enjoyment of any goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations based upon a disability under the common law or any state, local or federal statute, rule or regulation, arising from Defendant’s practices or procedures in connection with, or the condition of, the Websites and Mobile Applications owned or operated by Defendant. This release includes but is not limited to any and all claims that have arisen or might have arisen that could have been asserted in the Action, including claims in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.), the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Cal. Civil Code §§ 51 et seq.), the Disabled Persons Act (Cal. Civil Code §§ 54 et seq.), any other state, local or federal statute, rule, or regulation, or common law that governs, addresses or affects the rights of individuals with disabilities to gain equal or full access to or enjoyment of places of public accommodation or places open to the public. This release includes, but is not limited to, claims for class-wide injunctive or declaratory relief alleging a classwide pattern and practice of disability-based discrimination in connection with, or an unlawful disparate impact associated with, access to or enjoyment of the Defendant’s Website and Mobile Applications. This release includes any claims for damages, fines or penalties in amounts statutorily authorized (including as determined by reference to minimum or other prescribed amounts) for violations of the State Disability Statutes, but does not include claims for monetary damages (including as they may be multiplied) in individualized amounts recoverable by a Settlement Class Member that, under the State Disability Statutes or common law, are determined, not by reference to a minimum or other statutorily prescribed amount, but by the actual harm, loss, bodily injury, injury to property, emotional distress, or economic damage allegedly suffered by a Class Member. By way of example, this release includes claims for the $4,000 and $1,000 minimum damages authorized in California Civil Code Section 52(a) and Section 54.3, respectively. This release is intended to bind all Settlement Classes and its members and to preclude such Settlement Classes and its members from asserting or initiating, either individually or through any third party, future claims with respect to the issues in this Action or the subject matter of this Settlement Agreement. 4. What service payment is the Named Plaintiff seeking for the work she performed for the Class? In recognition of the Named Plaintiff’s role in prosecuting this Action, Class Counsel has filed a motion for an award of a service enhancement payment of no more than $2,500 to be paid by Pressed Juicery, which motion shall be heard at the time of the Final Approval and Fairness Hearing. Class Counsel shall file this motion within fourteen (14) days after the Court enters the Preliminary Approval Order. 5. What attorneys’ fees and what reimbursement of out of pocket costs are Class Counsel seeking? Class Counsel is applying to the Court to be paid attorneys’ fees and costs in the aggregate amount of no more than $35,000. 6. Requests for Exclusion from the Settlement. Any Class Member may opt out of the Class by submitting a written Request for Exclusion with the Settlement Administrator at the address provided in response to Paragraph 8 below. To be timely, a Request for Exclusion must be postmarked no later than Nov. 29, 2021. Requests for Exclusion must state at least the member of the Settlement Classes’ full name, address, and telephone number; a statement that the member of the Settlement Classes wishes to be excluded from the settlement; and the case name and case number. Every member of the Settlement Classes who does not timely and properly submit a Request for Exclusion from the Settlement Classes shall be bound by all proceedings, orders, and judgments in the Class Action. All members of the Settlement Class agree that the satisfaction of all the Released Claims against the Defendant, as well as entry of the Final Approval Order, shall be binding upon all member of the Settlement Classes. 7. When and where will the Final Approval and Fairness Hearing take place? On Sept. 30, 2021, Judge Mueller granted preliminary approval to the proposed settlement. After considering the comments and/or objections received from members of the Settlement Class, if any, Judge Mueller will next decide whether or not to: (1) grant final approval of the settlement; (2) grant Class Counsel’s application for fees and costs; and (3) award a service enhancement payment to the Named Plaintiff. A hearing will be held on Feb. 11, 2022 at 10 a.m., in Courtroom 3 before the Honorable Kimberly J. Mueller, Chief Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse, 501 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. You may attend this hearing at your own expense but are not obligated to do so. If you choose to attend, you may request an opportunity to speak or be heard, but the Court is not required to allow it. You may retain an attorney at your own expense to represent you but are not required to do so. If you intend to attend the fairness hearing, you must send a written notice of intent to appear to Wilshire Law Firm, 3055 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010, telephone: (213) 381-9988. Your notice of intent to appear must include at least your name, address, and telephone number, a reference to the lawsuit, a statement that you intend to appear at the hearing and must be postmarked no later than Nov. 29, 2021. If you wish to speak or be heard at the hearing, you also must include this request in your notice of intent to appear. 8. How can you get more information? You can obtain a copy of the complete Settlement Agreement from the Claims Administrator using the contact information listed below. You may also inspect the non-confidential parts of the case file in this lawsuit by going to the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California (www.pacer.gov). Claims Administrator: Brooks v. Pressed Juicery c/o CPT Group, Inc. 50 Corporate Park Irvine, CA 92606 Akerman LLP By: Arlene Kline Arlene Kline, Esq. Damien DeLaney, Esq. Zoe Bekas, Esq. Attorneys for Defendant Pressed Juicery, Inc. Wilshire Law Firm By: Thiago Coelho Bobby Saadian, Esq. Thiago Coelho, Esq. Attorneys for Named Plaintiff Valerie Brooks ***** Here and There edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. “The ACB E-Forum” cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, send a message to slovering@acb.org, or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering’s mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date. ** Proposed Settlement in Murphy v. Eyebobs, LLC A proposed settlement has been reached that would resolve the class action lawsuit Murphy v. Eyebobs, LLC, No. 1:21-cv-00017 (W.D. Pa.). The lawsuit alleges that Eyebobs, LLC violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq. by failing to take the necessary steps to ensure its online store, located at https://www.eyebobs.com/, does not discriminate against blind or visually disabled consumers who use screen reader auxiliary aids to access digital content. Under the settlement, Eyebobs agrees to take additional steps to make its website and any new website or mobile application it develops or acquires accessible to screen reader users. For a more complete summary of the terms of the proposed settlement, visit https://www.eyebobsADAsettlement.com. ** Social Security Benefit Increase Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 5.9 percent in 2022. For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola. ** Survey Respondents Needed – Employment Outcomes Dr. Shengli Dong of Florida State University is seeking respondents to a survey for a study on resource-seeking strategies and their impact on employment outcomes. To take the survey, go to: https://tinyurl.com/h6tr2h3u. For questions, contact: workplace_accommodation@fsu.edu. ** Seeking Subjects for Survey for Product Design Students in the MS Human-Computer Interaction Program at the Georgia Institute of Technology are seeking survey respondents. They are creating an accessible digital map. To take the survey, visit https://forms.gle/MC9HPboezHM5iKS8A. Send questions to hwoo46@gatech.edu. ** NBP Touch of Genius Prize – 2022 Applications The Touch of Genius Prize inspires entrepreneurs, educators and inventors to continue the promotion of braille and tactile literacy for blind and deafblind people worldwide. The winner of this prize will receive up to $10,000. Applications are due Jan. 14, 2022. Find application details and FAQs at https://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/technology/tog.html. For additional questions, contact hmacleod@nbp.org. ** APH Museum Reopens The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Museum has reopened its doors to the public and relaunched its website, www.aphmuseum.org. This relaunch has been nearly three years in the making. Key features include access to more than 16,000 artifacts, displays and collections, and a virtual tour experience. ** McDonald’s, Vispero Partner for Accessible Kiosks Vispero’s product, JAWS Kiosk, is being deployed to select McDonald’s U.S. locations. This interactive solution will allow blind and low vision patrons to self-order independently. JAWS Kiosk will allow blind and low vision users the ability to interact with a self-order kiosk by inserting headphones into the headphone jack, located on the navigation pad, which will then navigate the kiosk screen, reading the content as they move through the application. McDonald’s is in the process of deploying this solution to corporate-owned stores and select franchise locations across the U.S. ** NBP’s New Trustees National Braille Press recently appointed seven new trustees to its board: Sally Bernstein, Virginia O. Brennan, Jenny Cohane, Julie Kerner, Terri Rupp, Thomas Wlodkowski and Laura Wolk. Daniel Hirce and Janet Ulwick-Sacca are returning to the board. For more information, visit www.nbp.org. New Books from ACB Authors Now available is “Adam’s Accessible Airport Adventure” by Michelle Grenevitch. It’s available in large print from Amazon, https://tinyurl.com/5b2ht35d. As Adam moves through the airport with his uncle, he learns that with a little help, public areas can be accessed by people with disabilities. Newly available is “What Color Is Air?” by Larry P. Johnson. It features 60 commentaries from his video series, “And Here’s How I See It,” detailing his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s available from Larry, larjo1@prodigy.net, and via Amazon. ** New Books Newly available is “Your Amazing Itty Bitty® Guide for Adult 20/20 Vision Loss: 15 Key Topics for Successful Lifestyle Modifications,” by Gloria Riley. In this pocket-sized guide, Gloria talks about the reality of sight loss, the changes it makes in your life, and how to learn the skills you need going forward. This book is available from Amazon via Kindle and paperback. ** New from National Braille Press There are a lot of new items available from National Braille Press. Looking for holiday cards and gifts? Take a look at www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/publications/holidaysale.html. You’ll find holiday cards in print and braille for 2021 (“Season of Smiles”), plus 2019 (“Sleigh the Season”) and 2017 (“Warm Winter Wishes”). Is there a Peanuts fan in the house? Take a look at the 2022 Peanuts print and braille wall calendar. New in books for young children are “Pouch!” by David Ezra Stein and “Lola at the Library” by Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw. “Pouch!” is available in UEB for babies through two-year-olds. “Lola at the Library” is available in UEB for babies through 3-year-olds. Also available is “That’s Not My Panda!” by Usborne Books. It’s a print-and-braille touch-and-feel book in uncontracted UEB for ages birth to 3. Freshly available are “Happy Birthday to You!” by Dr. Seuss, and “I Love You to the Moon and Back!” by Amelia Hepworth and Tim Warnes. Both are available in UEB. The birthday book is for ages 5 and up; “I Love You to the Moon and Back,” for ages 2 to 5. New for ages 4 to 8 is “Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs” by Tomie dePaola, which is available in UEB. Also new is “In November” by Cynthia Rylant and Jill Kastner. It’s available in UEB for ages 4 to 8. Recently published is “All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything,” by Annette Bay Pimentel and Nabi H. Ali. It comes in contracted UEB for ages 4 to 8. Is there a math hater in your household? If so, check out “What’s the Point of Math?” for ages 9 to 12. It’s available in UEB and includes 93 tactile illustrations. The book unpacks how math is a surprising and essential part of our everyday life. It may change a child’s perception of numbers and give them the skills and understanding to apply the principles regularly. Got a high schooler about to take the SAT? Take a look at “Crash Course for the SAT, 5th Edition” by Jonathan Chiu and the staff of “The Princeton Review.” It’s available in UEB with Nemeth, and includes 52 tactile illustrations. Over in the technology section, there several new books available. “Android Commands and Settings, Android S (12)” by Ana Garza G’z is one of them. It’s available in braille, as well as a BRF, DAISY or Word file. This book is an introduction to important accessibility features for Android users. Coverage includes TalkBack gestures, voice commands, earcons, settings, and the on-screen braille keyboard as well as accessibility settings, low-vision features, and braille output. Another book readers may find useful is “Remote Meeting Platforms: Work and Play Anywhere” by Kim Nova and Chris Nova. It, too, is available in braille, as well as BRF, DAISY, or Word files. You’ll learn the advantages of attending remote meetings, the necessary etiquette to follow, and specific protocols for screen reader users. You’re guided through using six of the most popular remote meeting services, including Zoom Video Communications, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, GoToMeeting, BlueJeans, and Slack. Looking for some good recipes? Take a peek at “Sheet Pan Cooking: 70 Easy Recipes” by Good Housekeeping and Susan Westmoreland. It’s available in braille and as a braille-ready file. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-548-7323, or visit www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/publications/index.html. ** Grab My Bag Luggage Service Grab My Bag offers a luggage delivery service from the airport baggage claim to the traveler’s requested location. This service could be helpful to all travelers – especially seniors and individuals with disabilities. This private service is not affiliated with the airlines or airports. Interested? Visit https://www.grabmybag.com or call 1-833-244-9994. ** North American Association of Blind Sportsmen The North American Association of Blind Sportsmen recently added a chapter in Oklahoma. (The first chapter is in Washington.) The group is a non-profit organization that takes blind people on hunting and fishing trips. To support those trips, the organization holds fund-raisers. Members sell T-shirts, coffee, coffee mugs, turkey decoys and gun-cleaning kits, just to name a few items. NAABS also has a show on the National Sports Channel called Adaptive Pursuit. For more information, or to join, visit https://www.naabs.org/. If you’re in the Oklahoma area, contact Kenny Blair, Oklahoma chapter president, at (918) 933-2093. ***** Christmas Wishes by Earl Scharry Reprinted from “The Braille Forum,” January 1970. Morning, and a world of white, A laden tree; And may no disappointment blight Your ecstasy! Church bells, and Christmas tidings, And after that the feast; And may there be no outraged stomach’s chiding, When you have ceased! Reunion and Christmas cheer, And Tom and Jerry; And may no throbbing head appear To mar your making merry! Fireside, and a book to read — “A Christmas Carol;” And may no ghosts of guilty greed Your peace imperil! A manger, and a lowly life, And love untainted; May men with base and strident strife Be unacquainted! ***** The New Year by Horatio Nelson Powers Reprinted from “The Braille Forum,” January 1970. A flower unblown, a book unread; A tree with fruit unharvested; A path untrod, a house whose rooms Lack yet the heart’s divine perfume; A landscape whose wide border lies In silent shade, ‘neath silent skies; A treasure with its gifts concealed — This is the year that for you waits Beyond tomorrow’s mystic gates. ***** ** ACB Officers * President Dan Spoone (2nd term, 2023) 3924 Lake Mirage Blvd. Orlando, FL 32817-1554 * First Vice President Deb Cook Lewis (1st term, 2023) 1131 Liberty Dr. Clarkston, WA 99403 * Second Vice President Ray Campbell (2nd term, 2023) 460 Raintree Ct. #3K Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 * Secretary Denise Colley (2nd term, 2023) 3611 River Bend Dr. Rosenberg, TX 77471-4484 * Treasurer David Trott (final term, 2023) 1018 East St. S. Talladega, AL 35160 * Immediate Past President Kim Charlson 57 Grandview Ave. Watertown, MA 02472 ** ACB Board of Directors Christopher Bell, Pittsboro, NC (1st term, 2024) Jeff Bishop, Kirkland, WA (2nd term, 2024) Donna Brown, Romney, WV (1st term, 2024) James Kracht, Miami, FL (1st term, 2022) Doug Powell, Falls Church, VA (2nd term, 2024) Kenneth Semien Sr., Beaumont, TX (1st term, 2024) Patrick Sheehan, Silver Spring, MD (2nd term, 2022) Koni Sims, Sioux Falls, SD (partial term, 2022) Michael Talley, Hueytown, AL (1st term, 2022) Jeff Thom, Sacramento, CA (1st term, 2022) ** ACB Board of Publications Katie Frederick, Chair, Worthington, OH (1st term, 2023) Cheryl Cumings, Boston, MA (1st term, 2023) Zelda Gebhard, Edgeley, ND (1st term, 2022) Penny Reeder, Montgomery Village, MD (2nd term, 2022) Cachet Wells, Jacksonville, FL (1st term, 2022) ***** Accessing Your ACB Braille and E-Forums The ACB E-Forum may be accessed by email, on the ACB web site, via download from the web page (in Word, plain text, or braille-ready file), or by phone at (518) 906-1820. To subscribe to the email version, contact Sharon Lovering, slovering@acb.org. The ACB Braille Forum is available by mail in braille, large print, NLS-style digital cartridge, and via email. It is also available to read or download from ACB’s web page, and by phone, (518) 906-1820. Subscribe to the podcast versions from your 2nd generation Victor Reader Stream or from https://pinecast.com/feed/acb-braille-forum-and-e-forum. ###