Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark speaks with Steven Ewell, Executive Director, Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation, and Matt Ater, Vice President, Vispero, about the accessible tech innovations at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). ACB attended CES as a guest of the CTA Foundation as part of the organization’s tenth year inviting accessibility leaders to CES. Tune in to hear about how consumer companies, both big and small, are making their products more accessible and useable for everyone. For a transcript of this episode, visit: https://acb.org/ACB-Advocacy-Update-CES-2022-transcript.

New Year, New Goals – DEI Edition Jan 14, 2022

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Episode Description

On this week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, ACB Advocacy & Outreach Specialist Swatha Nandhakumar continues the New Year mini-series with Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI) President Gabriel Lopez Kafati and ACB Multicultural Affairs Committee (MCAC) Chair Cheryl Cumings. They discuss plans BPI and MCAC have for the year ahead as well as goals both organizations have for making ACB a more welcoming and inclusive place for people who are blind and have low vision. To find out more about and get involved with MCAC, visit the Multicultural Affairs Committee webpage. To find out more about and get involved with BPI, visit https://blindlgbtpride.org.

New Year, New Goals for Health & Wellness Jan 06, 2022

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Episode Description

On this week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Swatha, ACB's Advocacy & Outreach Specialist, kicks off 2022 with Tom Tobin and Sheila Styron from ACB’s Get Up and Get Moving Campaign with a discussion of plans and goals the committee has for the year ahead.

ACB in 2021 Dec 23, 2021

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On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha, along with guests Dan Spoone (ACB President) and Eric Bridges (ACB Executive Director), look back on ACB’s accomplishments in 2021. We discuss our advocacy work, conventions and conferences, and community milestones. To support our ongoing advocacy efforts and the achievements and milestones yet to come, please make a donation by visiting: https://acb.org/donate.

Advocacy Holiday Grab Bag Dec 16, 2021

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Episode Notes

Clark and Swatha provide another round of advocacy updates for listeners and members. Topics include Quest, ACB's Rideshare Refusal Survey, the Department of Justice lawsuit against Uber and settlement with Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Mass Transit District, Congressional activity, and ACB’s Leadership Conference and Legislative Seminar. To access the Rideshare Refusal Survey, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZBSM6WC. If you have any questions, please email advocacy@acb.org. Email uber.fee@usdoj.gov if you would like to participate in the Uber lawsuit.

International Advocacy Dec 10, 2021

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Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, ACB's Advocacy & Outreach Specialist Swatha speaks to Kim Charlson, President of the World Blind Union (WBU) North American and Caribbean Region, Meryl Shecter, ACB’s International Relations Committee Vice Chair, and Sandra Sermons, International Relations Committee member, about advocacy on behalf of the global blind community. If you’d like to get involved with or learn more about WBU, email Kim at kcharlson@acb.org. To learn more about the International Relations Committee, including their item donation program, visit: https://tinyurl.com/ACB-IRC.

An Update Regarding CVS Pharmacy Dec 02, 2021

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Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, ACB's advocacy team, Clark and Swatha discuss two major updates regarding CVS and the disability community. They go into depth on the CVS v. Doe Supreme Court case and the rollout of Spoken RX, the company’s accessible prescription label solution.

National Diabetes Awareness Month Advocacy Nov 25, 2021

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On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Swatha and Clark participate in an ACB Community Event hosted by the Get Up and Get Moving Campaign and ACB Diabetics in Action. Hosted by ACBDA President, Tom Tobin, and ACBDA Advocacy Chair, Chris Gray, the program draws attention to the need for durable medical equipment to be made accessible and calls for our listeners, attendees, and members to contact their members of Congress in support of the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act of 2021, H.R. 4853. For more information about this legislation, please visit: https://acb.org/call-to-action-HR4853.

This Is It! The Audio Description Awards Gala! Nov 19, 2021

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Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, we preview the inaugural ACB Audio Description Awards Gala. Anthony Corona, host of Sunday Edition on the ACB Media Network, moderated a conversation previewing the Audio Description Awards Gala and what is in-store. To celebrate greatness and innovations in audio description, please join us at the Audio Description Awards Gala live on Thursday, Nov. 18, 7:30 pm, EST at www.adawardsgala.org.

ACB Celebrates Veterans Day Nov 11, 2021

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Episode Description

On this week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha meet with Don Overton, Executive Director of Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), to discuss his role at BVA and the organization’s resources for blind and visually impaired veterans. They also discuss advocacy efforts by BVA, how both ACB and BVA can work together on key issues affecting the blind community, and how ACB and the broader public can support our veterans, including those with disabilities. ACB would like to thank all of those who have served our country, today and every day!