VISAbilities

VISAbilities – Looking Ahead Many of ACB’s Special Interest Affiliates have are busy putting together new and exciting programming for their 2023 Annual Conferences.  This week the spotlights are on ACB Next Gen, ACB Diabetics in Action, and Council of Citizens with Low Vision International.  What events are they partnering with other affiliates to present? What will be available on Zoom, on Media...

This week’s VISAbilities is packed with news from GDUI, AAVL, ACB Constitution and By-Laws Committee, and more! It  is important to ALL ACB members. So, please make sure your affiliate members know about it. Following some brief announcements, Terry welcomes Maria Hansen, vice chair and Jeff Thom, member of the ACB Constitution & By-laws Committee to explain how the process for submitting amen...

One of the most popular and enjoyable events of every ACB Conference and Convention for the last 40 plus years is the Friends-in-Art Showcase of the Performing Arts.  Whether in person or virtual, it is always a magical time for all.  This year, tFIA is planning something even more exciting. Peter Altschul will be joining Terry to share the details.  We will also hear from Peter of the Employment...

2023 Resolutions and Voting Patrick Sheehan, Ray Campbell, and Koni Simms will join Terry tonight to share and explain this year’s Resolutions process and how voting will take place during the 2023 ACB Conference and Convention.  This is especially time sensitive since the Resolutions Committee will be starting its work very soon.  There will be ample time for your questions.  ACB’s goals and path...

I am thrilled to welcome our new interim Executive Director, Dan Spoone, and the one and only ACB Auction Chair, Leslie Spoone to VISAbilities this evening. What changes, if any, does Dan see for himself and ACB in his new role? How is the transition from president different than he thought it might be? Are President Deb and the Board of Directors a tough bunch to work fo? (smiling) This and other...

Join Terry for a cup of Irish tea, maybe some soda bread, or an Irish trifle dessert.  We will talk about our ancestry , books, recipes, folk lore, and whatever else comes to mind. Find out more at https://acb-visabilities.pinecast.co

Older Independent Blind Services and Funding Learn more about this program that has been deplorably underfunded for years.  What services are and are not funded through OIB? Understand its history, and find out what you can do to bring the funding for hundreds of thousands of older Americans experiencing sight loss up to a reasonable level.  Anisio Correia and other leaders from the Aliance on Agi...

Whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day, birthdays, Easter, graduations, or any other excuse to celebrate with family and friends, we’ve got you covered. Spring wines and desserts are featured on this week’s VISAbilities. Penny Reeder, the dessert diva, and Gabriel Lopez Kafatti, our wine wizard, will join us tonight with more exciting ways to make your Spring celebrations sparkle. If you have a favorite r...

Terry welcomes Mathieu Paquette, Product Manager, and Peter Tucic, Director of Strategic Partnership, at HumanWare. They will be giving us all the latest details of the new Victor 3. Pre-order and launch dates; old favorites and new features; price point; and much more. Get your questions answered by those in the know. Sponsored by VISAbilities Request to receive VISAbilities announcements Find ou...

VISAbilities for All – Low Vision Services for Special Ed Students A few weeks ago, Mark Richert, one of ACB’s most experienced and leading advocates, added to our Leadership list a very interesting post entitled “The future of low vision services and devices in BVI-related special ed.” The post received several responses.  Mark will join me Friday night to hear from you and to further explain wha...

Who were Vernon Henley, George Card, Ned Freeman, Jim Olsen, and others we remember every year when we honor today’s leaders who are carrying on their work.  Join me as I welcome Janet Dickelman and Awards Committee member Peter Altschul along with Penny Reeder of the Board of Publications  to learn about these and more of ACB’s awards.  Many of us fondly remember these ACB giants and have stories...

Thank you all for your continued support of VISAbilities.  I am delighted to announce that we are back live beginning this Friday night at 7:00 PM EST on Zoom and ACB Media 1.  I also have an exciting line-up of programs for the mojnth of February.  There will be several announcements and updates. So don’t miss a minute!  One will include an update of the call for those interested in advocating fo...

Please join me when I welcome our panel of long-time advocates including Scott Marshall and Paul Edwards. for a discussion of a subject we have all experienced over these last few years – Medical Accessibility.  Regardless of age or health issues, the world of medical care has changed for us all in recent years.  It is time to update the ADA Medical Checklist Scott developed many years ago.  What...

#

#

Terry will host an open discussion of ways we can enjoy winter regardless of age while keeping an eye on safety and enjoying lots of fun. Join VISAbilities announce email list by sending a message to visabilities50@gmail.com . Find out more at https://acb-visabilities.pinecast.co

#

Join Kenneth Semien, Sr. and members of ACB’s newest mentoring team, MAPSP. What is it? How is it doing? Who can help or learn from it? Who has learned what? It will all be explained, and you will have your opportunity to get your questions answered. We will aalso have a little time for somme important affiliate announcements.  So, sit back, relax, and join us.  Find out more at https://acb-visabi...

Whether you or a family member are a veteran, please tell us your story.  If you have a photo of your loved oneyou would like to share, you can share it with us by e-mailing it to visabilities50@gmail.com or showing it on your screen this evening.  No matter the branch or the era, wwe want to thank all those who have given of themselves to keep our country the true cradle of freedom and democracy....

Our ACB aficionado of wines, Gabriel Lopez Kafati and gourmet cook, Penny Reeder, will both bee joining Terry with their recommendations for great culinary ideas that will delight you, your family, and friends this holiday season. We will also hear about some simple suggestions for setting a beautiful holiday table.  No matter your level of hosting expertise, there is something for everyone here. ...

Following a brief review of the ACB Board of Directors’ meeting in Schaunburg last week, let’s have some fun with lots of trivia. Whether you are a baby boomer, a MASH follower, or Halloween lover, there’s something for you! So let’s tease those gremlins and just have a fun time! Find out more at https://acb-visabilities.pinecast.co

Join Swatha Nandhakumar, ACB’s Advocacy and Outreach Specialist, and Claire Stanley, Public Policy Analyst at the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), as we discuss the Website and Software Applications Accessibility Act – S.4998 and H.R.9021. We’ll talk about what it is; why it’s important; and what you can do to get it passed and signed into law. Sponsored by VISAbilities Email VISAbilitie...

Terry welcomes Leslie Spoone tonight with her endless encouragement and energy with tips and recommendations for getting up from that chair to get moving more safely and with more agility.  The ACB’s Get Up and Get Moving Project is available to all our members at whatever level you are comfortable with.  We may also get a sneak peek at the details of the Annual ACB Media Holiday Auction. Find out...

Two plus years ago we did a few calls on relocating, downsizing, re-sizing, and re-organizing our homes.  Let’s see how well that has worked for us.  Is that guest bedroom working out doubling as your home office? Now that we are living with COVID rather than isolating and quarantining quite so much, are those changes working for you? Are there still changes you want to make?  Do you have more or...

BlindShell Classic 2 Join me as I welcome Diane Ducharme, Senior Project Manager, at BlindShell USA to VISAbilities.  She will tell us all about the many features, apps, and advantages of the BlindShell Classic 2.  In what ways is it  “smart”, and in what ways does it remind us of our classic phones?  We will cover topics from cost to connectivity and everything in between.  If you have questions...