ACB Business

RESOLUTION 2025-11 PRESERVATION OF THE NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE Submitted by: DeAnn Elliott Whereas, in the 2026 budget the Administration is proposing to eliminate the National Eye Institute (NEI), with its functions proposed to be folded into a larger neuroscience institute; and Whereas, previous NEI initiatives have led to treatments for macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, inher...

RESOLUTION 2025-09 EXPANSION OF AVAILABLE BRAILLE TITLES submitted by: Library Users of America WHEREAS, although the number of braille titles released annually has grown slightly, it is dramatically less than the number of audio titles released; and Whereas, for a variety of reasons, it is far easier to produce and distribute braille titles than it has ever been; and, Whereas, These reasons inclu...

RESOLUTION 2025-07 IMPACT OF RECENT EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON THE BLIND AND LOW VISION COMMUNITY Submitted by Matt Selm and DeAnn Elliott) Whereas, over 12.5 million Americans aged 40 years and older are blind or have low vision; and Whereas, due to baby boomers aging into vision loss, this number is expected to double by 2050, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Big Data...

RESOLUTION 2025-05 THE REINSTATEMENT OF NLS COMMITTEES THE REINSTATEMENT OF NLS COMMITTEES Submitted by Library Users of America WHEREAS, the National Library Service (NLS) has a history of engaging with its users through surveys, at consumer conventions, and using internet meetings; and WHEREAS, beginning around 2018, NLS reduced these interactions by discontinuing in-person committee meetings wh...

RESOLUTION 2025-03 COMMEMORATING KNIGHTS OF THE BLIND CHALLENGE TO LIONS BY HELEN KELLER Submitted by: American Council of Blind Lions Whereas, on June 30, 1925 at the Lions International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, Helen Keller issued a challenge to Lions to serve as "Knights of the blind," and Whereas, since that time, Lions across the United States and around the world have worke...

RESOLUTION 2025-02 STANDARDIZE PLACEMENT OF WALL MOUNTED DISPENSERS IN HOTEL GUEST ROOMS Submitted by: Ray Campbell Whereas, over the past several years, many hotels are providing personal care products such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotion using wall mounted, reusable dispensers located in the shower and sink areas of hotel guest rooms; and Whereas, there is no standard placement or orde...

American Council of the Blind 2025 Standing Rules Adopted by the ACB Board of Directors, May 19, 2025 Preamble The ACB Standing Rules are updated annually to ensure fairness and efficiency during debates and voting. Election materials, proposed Resolutions, and Amendments to the ACB Constitution and Bylaws are published in advance. Zoom sessions are scheduled for discussion and questions. Members...

Each of the declared 2025 Candidates for office recorded a 30 second promo/spot. These spots have been compiled into this podcast. You may also visit the candidate pages to learn more about each candidate. 2025 Candidate Bios Below you will find the links to the pages of each of the candidates for Office. The candidates answered the questions posed by the Board of Publications, below. Introduce yo...

Board of Publications Meeting June 3, 2025.

2025 ACB Board of Directors Meeting Monday, May 19, 2025 Broadcast on ACB Media Six Call to Order: Deb Cook Lewis, President Roll Call and Introduction of Board and Staff: Denise Colley, Secretary Review and Approval of Agenda: Deb Cook Lewis, President Review and Approval of Minutes: March 15, 2025, Denise Colley, Secretary Convention Report: Janet Dickelman, ACB Convention Committee Chair Presid...

Agenda Welcome, Katie Frederick, BOP Chair Roll Call, Zelda Gebhard Approval of agenda, BOP Approval of April minutes, BOP Public comment, BOP ACB Voices Blog, June editors, BOP ACB Braille Forum report, Sharon Lovering, Editor Upcoming Forum themes, July-October reminders ACB Media Updates, ACB Media Team Large print Guidelines Amendment, Zelda/BOP Announcement form discussion, BOP Other items Fi...

20250401 Board of Publications Monthly Meeting Originally Broadcasted April 1, 2025, on ACB Media 6   The Board of Publications welcomed ACB members to attend our monthly meeting. Agenda list of 14 items • Welcome, Katie Frederick, BOP Chair • Roll Call, Zelda Gebhard • Approval of agenda, BOP • Approval of March Minutes, BOP • Public comment, BOP • Permitting one announcement about a call on Conv...

2025 ACB D.C. Leadership Board of Directors Meeting Saturday, March 15, 2025 Broadcast on ACB Media Six Call to Order: Deb Cook Lewis, President Roll Call and Introduction of Board and Staff: Denise Colley, Secretary Review and Approval of Agenda: Deb Cook Lewis, President4. Review and Approval of February 10, 2025 Minutes: Denise Colley, Secretary President’s Report: Deb Cook Lewis A. ACB Telepho...

2025 ACB DC Leadership Conference Welcome Reception Welcome: ACB Executive Director Scott Thornhill Presentations from Committees and programs ACB Walk Committee: Donna Brown: Launch of the 2025 Walk song and learn how affiliates can sponsor Walk teams INSPIRE Mentoring Program: Donna Brown and Kenneth Semien Sr: Update on progress of the mentoring program DKM Committee: Zelda Gebhard and Donna Cl...

2025 ACB President’s Meeting Welcome and Overview of the Day: Deb Cook Lewis, ACB President The ABC’s of ACB: Key Programs, Services and Roles: Facilitated by Cindy Hollis, ACB Membership Services Manager Role and Function of Our Primary Email Lists: Presidents; Leadership; Conversation; Announce – Deb Cook Lewis, Cindy Hollis, and Rep from Board of Publications – Affiliate Liaisons: Linking Affil...

2025 Presidents Meeting Breakouts 1A 1A Governance and Oversight: We must ensure that the missions of our affiliates align with ACB’s mission and values while allowing affiliates to maintain autonomy. Find out more at https://acb-business.pinecast.co

2025 Presidents Meeting Breakout 1B 1B Communication and Coordination: Ensure that ACB and all affiliates are working towards the same goals and objectives. Find out more at https://acb-business.pinecast.co

2025 Presidents Meeting First Breakouts Summary Reports 1A Governance and Oversight: We must ensure that the missions of our affiliates align with ACB’s mission and values while allowing affiliates to maintain autonomy. 1B Communication and Coordination: Ensure that ACB and all affiliates are working towards the same goals and objectives. Find out more at https://acb-business.pinecast.co

2025 Presidents Meeting -Second Breakouts 2A Policies: There must be clear policies that the national organization and all affiliates agree to uphold. Categories might include: membership, fundraising, and program implementation. Find out more at https://acb-business.pinecast.co

2025 Presidents Meeting Breakouts Session 2B Branding and Identity: Each affiliate will have its unique mission and approach, it's essential to ensure that they all align with the values and branding of the national organization. Find out more at https://acb-business.pinecast.co

2025 Presidents Meeting Second Breakouts Summary Reports 2A Policies: There must be clear policies that the national organization and all affiliates agree to uphold. Categories might include: membership, fundraising, and program implementation. 2B Branding and Identity: Each affiliate will have its unique mission and approach, it's essential to ensure that they all align with the values and brandi...

Legislative Seminar Agenda Monday, March 17, 2025 Introductions Imperatives (30 minutes each with Role Plays) Sponsors Keynote Speaker, Jeff Mittman, Bosma Enterprise Federal Panel FCC: Will Schell, Disability Rights Office -- NCD: Kimie Eacobacci -- U.S. Access Board: Dr. Sachin Dev Pavithran Panel on Alternative Advocacy Channels Speakers: Jeff Thom, ACB Board Member -- Jessica Podesva, National...

Sustaining Federal Policies and Programs Empowering People Experiencing Vision Loss to Continue Contributing to America   Blind individuals contribute to society in countless meaningful ways, just like anyone else. We are taxpayers, business owners, employees, consumers, homeowners, veterans, students, and seniors. We excel in various fields such as education, arts, technology, science, sports, an...

20250304 Board of Publications Monthly Meeting Originally Broadcasted March 4, 2025, on ACB Media 6   Board of Publications Agenda list of 14 items • Welcome, Katie Frederick, BOP Chair • Roll Call, Zelda Gebhard • Approval of agenda, BOP • Approval of February minutes, BOP • Public comment, BOP • ACB Braille Forum report, Sharon Lovering, Editor • Forum themes, BOP themes for July-December • Remi...

Agenda list of 14 items • Welcome, Katie Frederick, BOP Chair • Roll Call, Zelda Gebhard • Approval of agenda, BOP • Approval of February minutes, BOP • Public comment, BOP • ACB Braille Forum report, Sharon Lovering, Editor • Forum themes, BOP themes for July-December • Reminder April 1 BOP awards deadline • Communicator’s Workshop, Zelda, April? • ACB Media updates, ACB Media team • Conversation...