ACB Events

American Council of the Blind

The ACB Events feed brings you all events that have been streamed on the ACBRadio Live and Special Event streams. read less

20230310 Show Me the Money; Rallying and Marching Together for Accessible and Inclusive Currency
Mar 21 2023
20230310 Show Me the Money; Rallying and Marching Together for Accessible and Inclusive Currency
The American Council of the Blind and Supporters Rally to Demand Accessible and Inclusive Currency ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 10, Harriet Tubman Day, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and supporters rallied in front of the White House and marched to the U.S. Treasury to highlight the ongoing fight for accessible and inclusive currency for all. Tweet this ACB and supporters rallied at White House to highlight the ongoing fight for accessible and inclusive currency for all.   Blind, low vision, and sighted protestors of all ages shout passionately in the rain during Show Me the Money: Marching Together for Accessible and Inclusive Currency on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. The US Treasury is currently redesigning the $20 bill to include a portrait of Harriet Tubman, and a 2008 Federal Court Order says that any new currency redesigns must include accommodations to individuals who are blind or low vision. On Harriet Tubman Day, supporters came together for a rally in front of the White House with one clear demand: we need accessible and inclusive currency now! As a result of this rally, five members of the American Council of the Blind met with representatives of the U.S. Treasury and Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and for the first time, touched the certified tactile feature that will be included as part of the $10 bill redesign in 2026. The U.S. Treasury agreed to quarterly meetings with the American Council of the Blind to provide progress reports on the key milestones as they work toward completing the redesign of the $10 bill by 2026. "50 years of advocating and 20 years of litigation have brought us to this momentous occasion," said ACB President Dan Spoone. "We are on the cusp of the United States joining the more than 100 nations whose currency is already accessible to people who are blind and low vision, and the American Council of the Blind remains resolute in our advocacy to help the Biden Administration and the U.S. Treasury finish the job." During the rally, a coalition of disability, women's, and civil rights organizations gathered together to demand a $20 bill redesign that features a portrait of Harriet Tubman and includes accessibility features for people who are blind and low vision. The American Council of the Blind greatly appreciates the support of its members and a diverse set of cross-organizational partners to bring greater awareness to this long-standing and important issue. Our collective voice calls on the United States to express its commitment to the equality of all people by ensuring U.S. paper currency is accessible and inclusive. "ACB is grateful for the enduring advocacy of our members and the broad support that we have received from the disability and civil rights communities on this issue, including from the Harriet Tubman family and Women on 20s, as we work to make our currency more accessible and inclusive for everyone," said Clark Rachfal, ACB's Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs. The American Council of the Blind is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind and visually impaired. For more than 60 years, ACB has become a leader in national, state, local, and even international advocacy efforts. With 68 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve the quality of life for all people who are blind and visually impaired. For more information, visit www.acb.org. SOURCE American Council of the Blind Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co
20230131 - ACB Board Meeting.
Jan 31 2023
20230131 - ACB Board Meeting.
2023 ACB Telephonic Board of Directors Meeting Agenda Tuesday, January 31, 2023 Broadcast on ACB Media 6 8:00PM ET – 11:00PM ET Call to Order: Dan Spoone, PresidentRoll Call and Introduction of Guests: Denise Colley, SecretaryReview and Approval of Agenda: Dan Spoone, PresidentReview and Approval of Minutes: December 5, 2022, and December 12, 2022, budget for 2023, Denise Colley, Secretary Mission Moment: Dan Spoone and Eric Bridges ACB Congratulates Nancy Becker and the ACB Accounting Team: our ACB accounting team worked to navigate the federal government guidelines to successfully apply and receive over $900,000 in funds from the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and the Employee Retention Credit Program (ERC). These funds have been instrumental in the continued development of our ACB staff and our key service programs. Many thanks to Nancy Becker, Lane Waters, Nancy Feela and the ACB accounting team.  Hip, Hip, Hurray! Consent Agenda: Dan Spoone A. Braille Forum Editor’s Report – Nutshell: Sharon Lovering B. Advocacy Update Report: Clark Rachfal/Swatha Nandhakumar C. 2022 Resource Development Report: Bill Reeder and Jo Lynn Bailey Page D. Membership Services Report: Cindy Hollis E. Communication Report:  Kelly Gasque Review and Approval of the Email Vote: Denise Colley, ACB Secretary and Dan Spoone, ACB President; Background: The Rally team voted unanimously to recommend to the ACB Board Of Directors that we except Glasgow Actions Consulting proposal to contract with ACB to provide all the rally logistics, consult with creating the rally “Run Of Show”, provide their expertise on rally promotions and communications outreach with all media outlets. The ACB Rally team feels that we need their expertise to hold a professional rally that our members will be proud to attend. The Rally team also believes their knowledge will be instrumental to communicate efficiently on You Tube, ACB social media and share through official press releases. Motion: Board Members Chris Bell and Kenneth Semien Sr. would like to make and second the motion to approve a budget item for $15,000 to contract with Glasgow Actions Consulting to provide logistic and consulting services for the ACB Accessible Currency Rally in Washington D.C. President’s Report: Dan Spoone A. NIH RADX team works with ACB on communications plan B. Auction Committee thanks the Board for their participation in the ACB Media holiday auction C. Update on the ACB Leadership email list that was updated with current formal ACB Leaders, and monitoring guidelines drafted and communicated – Dan and Deb D. Next Hybrid ACB Board of Directors at the D.C. Leadership Conference meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 9:00AM ET. E. Next Fall ACB Board of Directors Meeting Scheduled for September 29 – 30, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida Staff Reports: Eric Bridges, ACB Executive Director, Nancy Marks Becker, Chief Financial Officer and other ACB staff members Update and Discussion on the 2023 DC Leadership Conference: Dan Spoone, Eric Bridges, Clark Rachfal, Kelly Gasque, and entire BoardCommittee Reports (as needed): ACB Officers and other committee liaisons.Executive Session: Legal mattersAdjourn Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co
20221129 Second Annual ACB Audio Description Awards Gala, November 29, 2022
Nov 30 2022
20221129 Second Annual ACB Audio Description Awards Gala, November 29, 2022
This podcast is the Second Annual Audio description Project Awards Gala aired at 7:30 PM November 29, 2022. Press Release follows: American Council of the Blind Salutes Audio Description Award Winners Nov. 30 2022 — The American Council of the Blind (ACB) would like to thank all those who participated in the 2022 Audio Description Awards Gala that premiered on November 29th on www.AdAwardsGala.org and Pluto TV. “We are proud to host the second annual Audio Description Awards Gala to recognize excellence in audio described content and celebrate the growing commitment to accessible media for people who are blind and low vision,” said ACB’s Executive Director, Eric Bridges. ACB thanks host Thomas Reid and Audio Description Voice Talent Nefertiti Matos Olivares as well as our special guests who lent their talent to the event and support for accessible media for all, including Stevie Wonder, Ewan McGregor, Nesta Cooper, Camryn Manheim, Shayla Brown, and the cast of iCarly! This year’s honorees have been carefully selected by a diverse group of leaders from ACB’s Audio Description Awards Committee, who have identified recipients as both audio description content leaders and media industry game changers.  Award Winners Outstanding Audio Description Visionary - Larry GoldbergAudio Description Game Changer: Innovation - MicrosoftAudio Description Game Changer: Inclusion - Academy of Television Arts and SciencesAudio Description Game Changer: Education - Described and Captioned Media ProgramOutstanding Achievement: Live Events - Paramount GlobalOutstanding Achievement: Spanish Media (USA) - Telemundo/HearstOutstanding Achievement: International Media - AMIAudio Description People’s Choice Award - Obi-Wan Kenobi (Disney+/Lucasfilm/Audio Description by Deluxe) ACB President Dan Spoone, added, “And finally, thank you to our sponsors: Silver Star Sponsors — Amazon, Disney, Microsoft, Paramount Global, Warner Bros. Discovery and our Bronze Star Sponsors — Charter Spectrum, Keyword Studios, Fox, as well as the National Association of Broadcasters.” The Audio Description Awards Gala celebrated the inclusivity and accessibility of media by recognizing those in television, streaming and the film industry’s achievements in audio description for accessible media for blind and low vision audiences. For more details visit www.AdAwardsGala.org. The American Council of the Blind is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind and visually impaired. For more than 60 years, ACB has become a leader in national, state, local, and even international advocacy efforts. With 68 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve the quality of life for all people who are blind and visually impaired. For more information, visit www.acb.org.  You can help!Make a secure online donation today       Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co