Click “Launch Event” to identify the ACB Media stream for each event.
Events in June 2025
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Candidates Forum Candidates Forum
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June 11, 2025 -
ACB Summer Auction ACB Summer Auction
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June 21, 2025Enjoy bidding at the 19th annual ACB Summer Auction on Zoom and ACB Media. There will be two days of the appetizer auction Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20 starting at noon and will close the next day at noon. We look forward to hearing from everyone and to lots of action! Happy bidding!
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ACB Convention Call to Order -
Resolutions Resolutions
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June 24, 2025Gabe; Order is: 2, 3, 5, 9, 7 and 11; Intro resolution; play media English and Spanish, Questions: 10 minutes, Debate: 20 minutes, vote
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Resolutions Resolutions
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June 25, 2025Gabe; Order is: 2, 3, 5, 9, 7 and 11 from where we left off; Intro guidelines; play media; Jeff moves, Questions: 10 minutes, Debate: 20 minutes, Vote
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Guide Dog School Updates Guide Dog School Updates
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June 26, 2025Double session (with no break) of the ever-popular North American guide dog school updates.
Accessible Diagnostic Testing National & International Best Practices Guidelines Update Accessible Diagnostic Testing National & International Best Practices Guidelines Update
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June 26, 2025This session will share information and Best Practices for Designing Accessible At-Home Diagnostic Test Kits. ACB advocacy efforts has collaborated with the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation® (AAMI), a global leader for the development and production of national and international consensus standards. This initiative includes work done by the National Institutes of Health and RADX on accessible COVID-19 home tests and other diagnostic testing. Come and hear from members of the Task Group that championed and developed this accessibility guidance for future production by pharmaceutical companies.
Guide Dog School Updates Guide Dog School Updates
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June 26, 2025Continuation of Double session (with no break) of the ever-popular North American guide dog school updates.
Christian Nationalism 101 Christian Nationalism 101
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June 26, 2025Join us for a discussion of Christian Nationalism, what it is and its growing impact on civil, legal and religious life within the United States. Presenters: Mariko Hirose, Chief Program Officer, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Washington, DC; Reverend Peter Heide, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and ACB Board Member, Baraboo, WI.
LUA Presents the New DA2 Player and the NLS My Talking Books Smart Speaker Skill LUA Presents the New DA2 Player and the NLS My Talking Books Smart Speaker Skill
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June 26, 2025Don Olson, customer service specialist and Zhe Huang, Patron Education and Training Specialist will familiarize us with the new DA2 talking book player which will shortly be available and will allow an NLS patron to download books directly from BARD. We will also learn about the My Talking Books smart speaker skill which gives a patron hands-free access to BARD through the Amazon Alexa devices. Presenters: Don Olson, Customer Service Specialist and Zhe Huang, Patron Education and Training Specialist, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), Washington, DC. Facilitator: Jane Carona, LUA Vice President, Silver Spring, MD
Expert Advice on Retirement Planning and Investing for the Future Expert Advice on Retirement Planning and Investing for the Future
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June 26, 2025Are you worried that you might live longer than your money? How do we plan for an uncertain future? The Royal Bank Of Canada investment manager and financial planner has the answers to these questions and many more. Please join the ACB Resource Development team and our ACB investment advisor for this informative session on how to plan for your retirement and make the right choices for your Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Presenter: Mike Dickson – RBC Wealth Management Financial Advisor
LUA Presents the Journey from Print Book to Talking Book LUA Presents the Journey from Print Book to Talking Book
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June 26, 2025Presenters from NLS detail the process a book goes through in its journey to becoming available as an audiobook on BARD. Presenter: Alice Baker O’Reilly, NLS, Washington, DC. Facilitator: Brian Charlson, Watertown, MA.
Update on Legal Advocacy Impacting People with Disabilities Update on Legal Advocacy Impacting People with Disabilities
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June 26, 2025Learn about the legal landscape in what many on all sides of the political spectrum view as an unprecedented period in our history. Experts in disability advocacy law will cover a spectrum of issues important to our community. Be prepared with your questions about the latest happenings in disability law. Panelists: Matthew Handley, Partner, Handley Farah and Anderson, Washinton, DC; Rachel Weisberg, Supervising Attorney, Disability Rights Advocates, Chicago, IL; Madeleine Reichman, Staff Attorney, Disability Rights Advocates, New York, NY Facilitators: Claire Stanley, ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, Alexandria, VA; Jeff Thom, ACB Advocacy Steering Committee Chair, Sacramento, CA
Low Vision Research with Dr. Soltau Low Vision Research with Dr. Soltau
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June 26, 2025Join us in welcoming Dr. Joern Soltau, Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Louisville, as he shares the latest findings and insights on low vision research. Sponsored by: CCLVI
Resolutions Resolutions
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June 26, 2025Gabe; Order is: 2, 3, 5, 9, 7 and 11 from where we left off; Intro resolution; play media English and Spanish, Questions: 10 minutes, Debate: 20 minutes, Vote
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Audio Description and Sports Audio Description and Sports
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June 27, 2025Presenters discuss and explore how audio description for sports events is different from play-by-play on radio and what is being done in other countries with AD for sporting events. Moderator: Clark Rachfal, Former ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, Beverton, OR Presenters: Rhys Lloyd, Studio Head, Descriptive Video Works, Vancouver, BC Canada; Sonali Rai, Senior Manager, Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies, RNIB, United Kingdom; Jerred Mace, CEO, OneCourt, Seattle, WA; Stasha Boyd, President/Creative Director, Q Media Productions Inc., and Founder/Executive Director, Audio Description Initiative (ADI Foundation, Inc.), Orlando, FL
The Coaching Roundtable The Coaching Roundtable
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June 27, 2025Join ACB Women and IVIE for a conversation with three women coaches. You will learn about their training, their coaching philosophies, and their experience as coaching entrepreneurs. One of them might be the perfect coach for you. Facilitator: Linda Porelle, Retired Social Worker and Life Coach, Westbrook, ME. Presenters: Ardis Bazyn, CEO, Bazyn Communications, Thornton, CO; Dr. Cathy Schmidt Whitaker, Empowerment and Energy Leadership Coach, E3 Coaching and Speaking LLC, Diamond Bar, CA; Darian Slayton Fleming, Certified Happiness Trainer, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Portland, OR.
Constitution and Bylaws Constitution and Bylaws
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June 27, 2025Final reading of constitution and bylaw amendments followed by debate
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Understanding Trauma During Changing Times Understanding Trauma During Changing Times
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June 28, 2025There are all kinds of trauma. In this session, we will explore some of the types of trauma and suggest ways to cope. Sponsored by: ACB Mental Health and Wellness Committee
Using Your Phone and Smart Glasses to Describe the World Around You Using Your Phone and Smart Glasses to Describe the World Around You
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June 28, 2025Learn from experts how to use smart phone apps to help describe images, photos, and videos to help you better understand the world around you. Several apps will be demonstrated including Ally, Gemini, PiccyBot, Seeing AI and more. Moderator: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project, Boston, MA Presenters: Cory Kadlik, Assistive Technology Manager, Perkins Library, Framingham, MA; Michael Babcock, American Council of the Blind Member Services Administrative Assistant, Coos Bay, OR; and Jeff Bishop, BITS President, Tucson, AZ
Together We Thrive Families Embracing Vision Challenged Members Together We Thrive Families Embracing Vision Challenged Members
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June 28, 2025Join us for an inspiring and heartfelt program that highlights the power of family resilience, and support in the face of vision-related challenges. This session feature the unique journeys of three families who have navigated life with vision loss and emerged stronger together. The Carpenter Family will share how they rally around their mom and wife, offering steadfast support and love through every challenge. The Nipper Family will explore a mother’s role in empowering her daughter’s independence, leadership aspirations, and personal growth. The Allen Family will discuss how they balance life with two daughters, challenging preconceptions, fostering advocacy skills and navigating their community with strength and grace. Each story reflects a different perspective, but all speak to the importance of family, understanding and perseverance. This event is especially for families of individuals experiencing vision loss and anyone seeking encouragement, connection, and hope. This session is sponsored by ACB Next Generation. Speakers: The Carpenter Family – Moe, Robert, and their boys, West Des Moines, Iowa; The Nipper Family – Cecily and her mom; The Allen Family – Lauren, Derek, and their girls, Louisville, KY Facilitators: Megan Meigs, San Leandro, CA and Amanda Selm, Louisville, KY
When the Road Gets Rough When the Road Gets Rough
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June 28, 2025There are often challenges on the road to mental health. This session will feature three presenters who will share their experience, strength and hope. Sponsored by: ACB Mental Health and Wellness Committee
Using Braille in the Workplace Using Braille in the Workplace
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June 28, 2025Come here from a panel of braille users about how they are using braille every day as a vital part of their job. How important is it in improving job productivity? Explore how braille is being used now versus 40 years ago. Co-sponsored by: Braille Revival League, ACB Employment Committee and AABT
Poems of Protest Resistance and Empowerment Poems of Protest Resistance and Empowerment
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June 28, 2025Poetry is meant to be read aloud. In this session, poems written by Langston Hughes, Mya Angelou, Denise Levertov, Alan Ginsberg, and other powerful talents will be performed and discussed. Facilitated by: Annie Chiappetta.
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Affiliate vote for Resolutions, Constitution, and Bylaws