American Council Of The Blind Inc

Programs: Convention:acb has held 55 consecutive annual conventions where the governance of acb occurs. Our membership elects officers and directors; makes decisions concerning bylaws and resolutions relating to policies, programs and services affecting the blindness community. Many affiliates conduct business at this time also. There are workshops and speakers where one can gather information about health and rehabilitation, new technology and employment issues.

publications and public awareness:acb has an integrated marketing and communications approach with over 20 communication channels. Through many different forms of media, such as our website, facebook, braille magazine and twitter, acb presents valuable accessibility information for and about the blindness community. Acb provides informative news media interviews and speaking engagements and assists affiliates with their educational programs.

advocacy and governmental affairs:acb advocates on a wide variety of issues for people who are blind and visually impaired. At the government level, acb works on drafting proposals, analyzing current legislative developments and working with regulatory agencies to support programs that help blind and visually impaired individuals to sustain their independence, security, equality of opportunity and quality of life.

adp project - its major goal is to sponsor a broad range of activities designed to build awareness of the need for audio description for its principal users, people who are blind or have low vision. We try to make the community aware of the need for audio description in live theatre, television, movies, dvds, and other media formats to enhance blind consumers experience as well. This program tries to boost levels of audio description activity and disseminate information throughout the nation. Membership services - provides support to state and special interest affiliates with management and fundraising activities. On the national level, acb tracks names of members, volunteer hours members devote to help support acb, manage the affiliate president and legislative meetings, promotes membership of acb affiliates and provides affiliates assistances with business records. Program consultation - providing advocacy to individuals in the blindness community through job postings, providing resources for those who are looking for adaptive technology, referrals to individuals needing help in their specific state and referring them to acb committees and special interest affiliates who can provide support for the blind and visually impaired. Liaison with external agencies and organizations - acb does outreach to the disability, businesses and government agencies to collaborate on programs and activities to benefit the blindness community. These include but are not limited to membership in the world blind union, braille authority of north america and diversity councils of major corporations and governmental agencies. Scholarships - acb continues its program of offering approximately 20 different scholarships which helps with post-secondary education financial needs such as tuition, fees, room and board and other additional costs associated with adaptive technology. Acb radio - acb radio showcases and nurtures the creativity and talents of the blind and visually impaired community from many parts of the world. Acb radio streams on the internet, up-to-date and relevant information worldwide. Our radio stations are mainstream (hosts a variety of blind living programs), interactive (blind disc jockeys with themed music shows), cafe (original music from blind musicians), treasure trove (old radio shows), world news and information and live (live streaming of affiliate events & conventions). Acb radio is heard by a global audience, having visitors from more than 55 countries. Legislative and advocacy programsa. Assist individuals who need information and referral access to government programs. B. Quiet cars - acb continues to work with government, industry and consumer groups to address the safety issues involved with the new hybrid cars coming to market. C. Pedestrian safety - acb continues to work with government and industry over issues relating to pedestrian safety, particularly audible traffic signals. D. Public transportation - acb continues to work with government and industry to increase the availability of public transportation for the blind and visually impaired. E. Educational and rehabilitation services - acb is on the forefront both nationally and at the state level, of efforts to ensure provision of appropriate educational and rehabilitation services to the blind and visually impaired. F. Social security - acb is working to get the social security administration to provide notices and other information to beneficiaries in braille, large print, and audible formats, so that beneficiaries can read it independently. G. Point-of-sale machines - acb is working with a number of retailers to make it possible for their customers who are blind to use the point-of-sale machines at checkout counters without having to reveal their private financial information to another person. H. Voting rights - acb works continually across the us to promote accessible voting systems for the blind. I. Audio description - acb is taking a leadership position in the development of audio description of television and motion picture productions for the blind and visually impaired. J. Equal employment - employment continues to be a major issue for the blind and unemployment rates for the blind remain excessively high. K. Tactile currency - acb recently achieved landmark judicial decision mandating tactile currency in future versions of u. S. Bills.