ACB Advocacy Update

In this week's episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire Stanley and Grace Hart talk all things voting with their guest Brittany "Britt" Owens of the Arc of the United States. The three discuss the importance of voting, how to be an informed voter, and voting accessibility.

On this week's episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, ACB's Claire Stanley and Grace Hart sit down with the CEO of the National Disability Rights Network, Marlene Sallo. The three discuss the nationwide Protection & Advocacy program and when their resources can be used by member of our community. Link to the transcript: https://acbmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Protection-Advocacy-Overview-...

On this week's episode of the Advocacy Update, Claire Stanley and Grace Hart sit down with Christiaan Segura from CTIA to discuss the work being done by the Consumer Protection and Accessibility Advisory Committee and the FCC. Link to Transcript: https://acbmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CPAAC-Central-Podcast-Transcript.docx

On this week's episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire Stanley and Grace Hart discuss a recent court victory concerning the Randolph-Sheppard Act Program. They cover the background of the case, why the Randolph-Sheppard Act is so important to the blind community, and what might happen next in this area. Link to Transcript https://acbmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/All-About-the-Randolph-Sh...

Episode Notes On this week's episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire Stanley sits down with Brian Kempfer and Grace Hart to recap the 2026 Convention in St. Louis. They discuss the advocacy-focused sessions, the information shared by the panelists, and their impressions of Convention as first-timers. Link to transcript. https://acbmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Recapping-Convention-Transc...

On this week's episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Grace Hart sits down with ACB's own Claire Stanley and Scott Thornhill to discuss their testimony at the DC City Council hearing on autonomous vehicles. Claire and Scott discuss their experiences, what others were saying in their testimony, and why they showed up to support AVs in the District. Here is the link to the transcript of this week’s epi...

On this week's episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire, Kolby, and Grace sit down with ACB's new legal counsel, Brian Kempfer, to introduce him to our listeners. The group discusses Brian's legal background, including his previous cases in the disability rights area, as well as some fun questions about his hobbies and interests. Here is the link to the Transcript. https://acbmedia.org/wp-conten...

Episode Notes On this week's episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire and Grace talk with ACB of Texas member Bryan "Anthony" Chase Jr. regarding the Texas v. Kennedy lawsuit. The group also discusses the importance of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the impact that advocacy can have at the state and local level. Link to Transcript https://acbmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026...

Education, Transportation, and Benefits, Oh My! June 18, 2026 On this week's episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire, Grace, and ACB Advocacy Intern Amanda Wickstrom discuss four recently introduced (or reintroduced) bills that ACB is tracking. They discuss the Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act, the Cogswell-Macy Act, the We Can't Wait Act, and the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act.

On this week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Grace Hart chats with Stephanie Flynt McEben of the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) and Cameron Lynch of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network about voting rights and the National Coalition on Accessible Voting. For those who may need a transcript of the podcast, please click on the link below. https://acbmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/0...

On this week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire and Grace talk with Eric Buehlmann from the National Disability Rights Network about the numerous challenges to the ADA and website accessibility. They discuss challenges coming from both the legislative and executive branches of the federal government.

On this week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire speaks with Jason Eckert from VisionServe Alliance about a meeting they both attended with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The meeting brought together numerous blindness advocates to call for the rescission of a long lasting agency policy that prevents Medicare recipients from receiving coverage to purchase assistive...

On this week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire and Grace speak with a member of our California affiliate about her experiences on  Hill Day. ACB members count many steps as they walk from office to office as they visit their congressional representatives and senators each year on Hill Day. Regina Brink offers a first-hand experience as she recalls the experience she had this year.

This week, Claire speaks with two of our leaders from our low vision affiliate to discuss a letter sent to the State Department surrounding a new font policy. It is easy to forget that font selections can easily impact persons with low vision.

This week, Claire speaks with someone from AFB about potential changes in the Title II website regulations due to come out in April. The two talk about a very likely step taken by the government to amend and/or delay the long fight  for website regulations.

This week, Clare and Kolby speak with ACB’s new operations administrator, Grace Hart. The three have a fun conversation to learn more about Grace and the

This week, Claire and our advocacy fellow, Nadia, talk about the 2026 legislative imperatives. More specifically, they talk about the committees each bill has been assigned to and why it's important to reach out to those committees to see the bill progress.

               This week, Claire talks with Kolby to learn about her experience at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It is exciting to see all the new products out there.

Making Transportation More Accessible for All This week, Claire speaks with two colleagues who attended the NCUTCD and Transportation Research Board conferences. They talk all things transportation and pedestrian safety after two weeks of interesting sessions on the latest and greatest in this field.

On this week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, ACB Executive Director Scott Thornhill speaks about the Randolph-Sheppard Act, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. Scott speaks with members of ACB’s affiliate, Randolph-Sheppard Act Vendors of America (RSVA), and board member Jeff Thom about the history of this important legislation in creating entrepreneurial opportunities for peopl...

This week, Claire speaks with Lea Rowe from BVA about their experience at a Meta Wearables Summit in Northern California.

This week, Claire, Kolby, and Scott look back over all of the advocacy work that was done in 2025.

This week, Claire speaks with our intern about two more bills ACB is following closely. Congress has been busy introducing new bills. We will explore new bills that impact the lives of people who are blind and low vision.

This week Claire speaks with another member of the Consumer Protection and Accessibility Advisory Committee (CPAAC) with the Federal Communications Commission. The two talk about the newly formed group and its responsibilities over the next year.

This week, Claire speaks with 3 individuals from other advocacy organizations we work closely with to learn about where the 2025 legislative imperatives currently stand.