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**ACB Advocacy Update**

This feed provides updates from the American Council of the Blind on its advocacy efforts.

Latest Episodes:

A Conversation with Uber Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

# Join representatives from Uber to learn how they are improving the rideshare experience for passengers with disabilities, including service dog handlers. Moderated by Clark Rachfal, ACBs, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs.

Structured Negotiations and Legal Settlements. Jul 02, 2023

Show notes

# A panel of legal experts discusses whether current legal settlements and decisions are providing people who are blind or low vision with appropriate legal redress and whether it is possible to seek changes in the way we approach our civil rights litigation.

Accessible Air Travel and the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Jun 16, 2023

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Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, ACB's advocacy team speaks with Heather Ansley, Associate Executive Director for Government Relations at Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), about opportunities to improve the air travel experience for people with disabilities within the ongoing Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization process in Congress. They discuss key items of interest to the disability community, including how advocates can keep in touch with the rapidly moving reauthorization process and ensure provisions that would make air travel much more accessible and enjoyable remain in the final version of the FAA Reauthorization Act.

To learn more about PVA, visit pva.org. To keep up with all developments in the FAA Reauthorization process, visit pva.org/airtravel.

Find out more at https://acb-advocacy-update.pinecast.co

Catching Up with Eric Bridges, AFB President & CEO Jun 08, 2023

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Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, ACB’s advocacy team catches up with an old friend, Eric Bridges, President and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Eric discusses his new role at AFB, including his experience at the AFB Leadership Conference and AFB’s continued partnership with ACB.

Find out more at https://acb-advocacy-update.pinecast.co

Summer Grab Bag Jun 01, 2023

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Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, ACB's advocacy team celebrates the unofficial start to the summer season with a recap of recent news at ACB. They cover what took place on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, federal agency activity surrounding digital accessibility, and ACB's 2023 Conference and Convention.

Find out more at https://acb-advocacy-update.pinecast.co

What’s New with the Audio Description Project May 26, 2023

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Episode Description

On this week's episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha speak with Tabitha Kenlon, ACB’s Audio Description Project Coordinator, and Kim Charlson, Co-Chair of the Audio Description Project Steering Committee, about all that is new with the Audio Description Project (ADP). Join us as we discuss the upcoming ADP Conference, the annual ACB Conference and Convention, the Audio Description Awards Gala, and all the other projects and committee activities happening this year. To learn more about the ADP, visit adp.acb.org. To learn more about the 2023 ACB Conference and Convention, visit acbconvention.org.

Find out more at https://acb-advocacy-update.pinecast.co

Celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2023 May 18, 2023

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Episode Description

Join us for the ACB Advocacy Update as we commemorate Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) with a discussion about the importance of digital access with particular focus on the experiences of people who have multiple disabilities. Clark Rachfal, ACB Director of Advocacy & Governmental Affairs, Swatha Nandhakumar, ACB Advocacy & Outreach Specialist, Dan Spoone, ACB Interim Executive Director, and Carl Richardson, Co-Chair of ACB’s Sight and Sound Impaired Committee take part in this conversation.

Find out more at https://acb-advocacy-update.pinecast.co

Accessible Pedestrian Signals in the City of Chicago - Part 2 May 12, 2023

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Episode Description

In this follow-up episode, ACB's advocacy team speak with the advocates on the ground in Chicago during the lawsuit for accessible pedestrian signals (APS). Illinois Council of the Blind President, Ray Campbell; ACB of Metropolitan Chicago President, Debbie Watson; and two other named plaintiffs and ICB members, Ann Brash and Maureen Heneghan; discuss their experiences as advocates for increased APS installation in the city and their participation in the federal court lawsuit. They also share advice for affiliates and individuals looking to partake in similar advocacy efforts in their communities. Additionally, we also discuss the events and tours occurring at ACB's convention in Schaumburg, IL.

Find out more at https://acb-advocacy-update.pinecast.co

Catching Up With ACB's Interim President & Convention News May 09, 2023

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Episode Description

Join us for this week’s two-part episode of the ACB Advocacy Update! First, we meet with ACB’s Interim President, Deb Cook Lewis, to discuss her new role. Up next, ACB’s Convention Coordinator, Janet Dickelman, provides exciting updates about ACB's 2023 Conference and Convention in Schaumburg, IL. Learn more about this year’s convention at www.acbconvention.org. Convention registration for ACB members opens next week! If you need assistance in registering, you may contact Janet Dickelman at either janet.dickelman@gmail.com or (651) 428-5059. You may also call the ACB MN Office at (612) 332-3242.

Find out more at https://acb-advocacy-update.pinecast.co

Accessible Pedestrian Signals in the City of Chicago – Part 1 May 04, 2023

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Episode Notes

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha speak with Madeleine Reichman, an attorney at Disability Rights Advocates, on a recent federal court case and ruling regarding Chicago’s failure to install accessible pedestrian signals (APSs) for its blind and low vision residents and visitors at its more than 2800 signalized intersections. The case involved both DRA and the American Council of the Blind of Metropolitan Chicago, a chapter of the Illinois Council of the Blind. We discuss how the case came about, what the decision ruling Chicago is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act means for the city and other cities across the country, and what comes next for DRA and the city of Chicago.

If you need legal assistance from Disability Rights Advocates, you may email info@dralegal.org or call (510) 665-8644.

Find out more at https://acb-advocacy-update.pinecast.co