Episode Notes

On this week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha meet with Andrés Gallegos, Chair of the National Council on Disability (NCD), to discuss his role and his vision for the organization. We also talk about the impact of the pandemic on the blind and low vision community, and additional topics including the importance of information and web access, and accessible currency. Learn more about NCD by visiting www.ncd.gov.

Advocacy Trick or Treat. Oct 28, 2021

Show notes

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha provide another round of advocacy updates for our members and listeners. Topics we cover include: the Congressional budget reconciliation process; the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee hearing on the ADA; ACB advocacy issues in the news; the Accessible Pedestrian Signal lawsuit in New York; Social Security, and others. Please Click Here To complete the Air Travel Experiences of People with Disabilities Survey, and be sure to review the ACB 2021 Resolutions by Clicking Here.

Advocacy Trick or Treat

Talking About Alt Text Oct 21, 2021

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Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha meet with ACB’s Multimedia Design Specialist Kelly Gasque and Nolan Trowe from Everyday Disabled to talk about alt text. They discuss what alt text is, why it’s important, and a potential project with ACB and Nolan about alt text. If you’d have ideas or suggestions for this project, email us at advocacy@acb.org.

ACB Celebrates White Cane Safety Day Oct 14, 2021

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Episode Description

On this week's episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, ACB's Advocacy and Outreach Specialist Swatha Nandhakumar and ACB's Director of Development Tony Stephens speak with Koni Sims, South Dakota Association of the Blind President, about White Cane Safety Day on October 15th. We go into the history of the white cane, talk about its importance as a tool for independence and visibility, and discuss how the day ties into broader efforts for inclusion and equity, including ACB’s Get Up and Get Moving Campaign.

ACB at the M-Enabling Summit Oct 07, 2021

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Episode Description

On this week’s episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha meet with Katie Fredrick, ACB Board of Publications Chair, in person at the M-Enabling Summit in Arlington, VA. We discuss the key events at the summit, highlights from the past three days, and the joys of being at an actual in person conference after almost two years.

Celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Air Carrier Access Act Sep 30, 2021

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Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha speak with an old friend of ACB, Claire Stanley, Public Policy Analyst at National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) and co-Chair of the ACB Transportation Committee, to discuss air travel accessibility and the Air Carrier Access Act’s (ACAA) 35th anniversary. They discuss the law’s relevance in today’s post ADA world, what the law means for blind and visually impaired travelers, and successes and areas of improvement regarding airline accessibility, including the ACAA Amendments Act (H.R. 1696/S.642).

If you are facing accessibility barriers or believe the airline is discriminating against you based on your disability, you may file a complaint with the Department of Transportation Office of Aviation Consumer Protection: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-complaint.

Advocacy Grab Bag Sep 23, 2021

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Episode Description

On this week's episode, Clark and Swatha return to the roots of the ACB Advocacy Update Podcast and provide a myriad of little updates relevant to ACB and our members. Topics we cover include Social Security, accessible voter registration, Discord, and Planet Fitness.

ACB Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month Sep 16, 2021

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Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha speak with Guillermo Robles from ACB’s Multicultural Affairs Committee, and Gabriel Lopez Kafati from ACB’s International Relations Committee, about the month-long celebration of Hispanic heritage. Guillermo and Gabriel share what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them and their community, advocacy issues important to the blind Hispanic community, and ways ACB may be more inclusive of the Hispanic community and lift up their voices within the organization. More information about the Spanish-language community calls can be accessed by emailing bienvenidos@acb.org.

Low Vision Devices Legislative Update Sep 09, 2021

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Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha meet with Joe Nahra, Director of Government Relations at Powers Law, and co-Coordinator of the ITEM Coalition, to discuss legislative action surrounding Medicare Coverage of low vision devices. We revisit ACB’s Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act legislative imperative, discuss H.R. 4187, the Medicare Vision Act, and discuss current efforts to add low vision device coverage in the budget reconciliation package. ACB urges all our members and friends to contact their elected officials in support of including the Medicare Vision Act, H.R. 4187, in the budget reconciliation package.

Get to Know Our DKM First Timers and A Scholarship Winner Sep 02, 2021

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Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha meet with the 2021 DKM First Timers, Belinda Collins and Kaila Allen, and one of this year’s scholarship winners, Bhavya Shah. We talk to them about getting and staying involved in ACB, their experiences advocating for themselves both personally and professionally, and ask them for advice on getting involved in advocacy efforts both independently and through ACB.