Click “Launch Event” to identify the ACB Media stream for each event.
Events in July 2025
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AABT Breakfast From Smart Devices to Chatbots How AI Is Helpful for Blind Students AABT Breakfast From Smart Devices to Chatbots How AI Is Helpful for Blind Students
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July 5, 2025AI is not here to replace teachers-it’s a tool that can support learning in new ways. From reading text aloud to providing descriptions of images. AI helps blind students access information, work creatively, and engage in the classroom. Learn how AI can make education easier, not harder. Presenter: Shawn Keen, AI Guru, AI For The Blind, Fort Worth, TX.
Bringing Meaning to Your Business Bringing Meaning to Your Business
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July 5, 2025Our speaker will use personal experiences to highlight how using the mission and goals of the business will help it thrive. The main focus is on bringing meaning into their business to ensure the passion for the business continues. Presenter: Dan Lococo, PhD, Affinity By Design, Inc., Milwaukee, WI.
Tips for Preventing Identity Theft Tips for Preventing Identity Theft
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July 5, 2025Speakers will give participants ways to prevent identity theft. You will also learn about recent scams and how to identify them so you don’t get scammed. Panelists: Deborah Joice, Author, Honolulu, HI; Chris Peterson, Founder and CEO, Penny Forward, Richfield, MN.
From Setback to Comeback. Essential Tools for a Successful Career Change After a Job Loss From Setback to Comeback. Essential Tools for a Successful Career Change After a Job Loss
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July 5, 2025This Interactive panel will provide Practical tools and tips from professionals to help you recharge or reinvent your career from resume and interview tips, career assessment/coaching, job search techniques and self-care and mental health advice. Co-sponsored by ACBGE and the Employment Committee Moderator: Pat Sheehan, President, ACB Government Employees – Silver Spring, MD. Panelist: Pam Shaw – Chair – ACB Mental Health and Wellness Committee – Jenkintown, PA; Cheryl Cumings – Workforce Development Manager -Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. – Seattle, WA – ACB Employment Committee; Sara Freeman Smith -Career Navigator/CEO U R Gems, LLC., ACB Employment Committee, Houston, TX.
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ACB Families Breakfast Talks Tech with Tyson ACB Families Breakfast Talks Tech with Tyson
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July 6, 2025This event sold out as of 6/8/2025. When we think about technology, we often think about expensive devices that are priced well beyond our ability to pay. Recently, however, less expensive solutions have made the tech world more reachable for everyone. Tyson Ernst, an access technology instructor with the Orientation and Training Center in Seattle, WA, will help us share information about more affordable options for everyday tasks at home, at work and at play.
BVA is Celebrating 80 Years BVA is Celebrating 80 Years
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July 6, 2025Explore the 80-year history and mission of the Blinded Veterans Association, where blinded veterans support one another. Engage with our Board of Directors and staff to learn about our diverse membership, including blind and low vision veterans. Discover eligibility criteria and how we help members access the benefits they’ve earned. Gain insights into our advocacy efforts for the rights of blind and low vision veterans. Join us to understand the impactful work of BVA and how you can be part of our empowering community by joining the BVA Auxiliary, a group of friends and family who support BVA.
The Color of Resilience A Talk and Painting Demonstration with John The Color of Resilience A Talk and Painting Demonstration with John
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July 6, 2025Join internationally acclaimed blind artist John Bramblitt for an inspiring session where he will share the remarkable story of his career. Hear how he overcame the loss of his sight to become a celebrated muralist, speaker, and author. Through heartfelt storytelling and personal insights, he’ll explore themes of creativity, resilience, and inclusion. The session will also feature a live painting demonstration, offering a unique look into John’s innovative techniques. Don’t miss the opportunity to ask questions during the Q and A at the end.
Are We Meeting the Needs of Seniors with Vision Loss Are We Meeting the Needs of Seniors with Vision Loss
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July 6, 2025AAVL examines specialized services for blind or low vision seniors in Texas and look more generally at innovative ways to bridge the enormous level of unmet needs in our nation for these services. What lessons can we learn from the Texas experience and what can we do to enhance services for our community. Facilitator: Jeff Thom, Immediate Past President, Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss, Sacramento CA. Presenters: Juanita Barker, Director of Blind Services, Texas Workforce Commission Dallas TX; Stacy Fuller, Vice-President Rehabilitation Services, Envision Inc.TX. Dallas TX; Hannah Christenson, Director Community Services, Envision Inc. TX. Dallas TX.
All About the Texas BEP Program All About the Texas BEP Program
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July 6, 2025This session will highlight the Business Enterprise Program in Texas so participants will learn how they train vendors, the types of facilities they have in the program, and some statistics of relevance: gross sales, number of facilities, number of vendors, etc. They will also learn how blind persons can become a vendor in the state.Presenters: Karla Martinez, Training and Development Specialist, Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center, Austin, TX; Crawford J. Odom, BET Business Consultant – District 2, Business Enterprise of Texas – Texas Workforce Commission, Fort Worth, TX and others
Discovering the Five Love Languages Connecting Through Care Discovering the Five Love Languages Connecting Through Care
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July 6, 2025Did you know that everyone has a Love Language, the way they best give and receive love? Whether in friendships, family, professional or personal relationships understanding the Five Love Languages can transform how we connect with those around us. Join us for an engaging and interactive event where we’ll explore the Five Love Languages: Affirmation, Acts of Service, Quality Time, Physical Touch, and Gifts. We’ll break down what each Love Language means, how they show up in daily life, and how simply learning someone’s Love Language can help you build stronger, more meaningful relationships. Plus, hear from individuals who will share how their Love Languages help to shape the way they connect with others. Sponsored by: ACB Next Generation Presenters: Terrilynn Higashi, Ewa Beach HI; Amanda Selm, Louisville KY.
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Accessibility and Safety Features within the Airplane Cabin Accessibility and Safety Features within the Airplane Cabin
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July 7, 2025GDUI is hosting this hands-on presentation by Julie Rockaway from the American Airlines Inflight Team.
Documenting Slavery in the Southwest Even After the Civil War Documenting Slavery in the Southwest Even After the Civil War
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July 7, 2025See a documentary about Bill Piatt’s book and hear from the St. Mary’s University Law School professor himself. Presenter: Professor Bill Piatt, San Antonio, Texas Co-sponsored by: AAVIA and MCAC
ACBs AI and Classroom Assistive Technology ACBs AI and Classroom Assistive Technology
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July 7, 2025Shawn Keen, expert on integration artificial intelligence with assistive technology for the blind, will give an overview of classroom assistive technology and new innovations in the field perpetuated by AI. In college, every class and every professor is different-join us to learn how to take advantage of new technology and excel in various classrooms and environments.
Prose and Poetry Reading Prose and Poetry Reading
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July 7, 2025Share some of your original work or just come listen. FAMILY FRIENDLY, PLEASE.
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BRL Breakfast What’s so Great About UEB BRL Breakfast What’s so Great About UEB
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July 8, 2025The Unified English Braille Code (UEB) has met with some controversy and resistance since its adoption in the United States in 2015. Our presenter is a blind NLS Certified UEB Transcriber who will explain the major changes to the braille code introduced by UEB, the reasons for those changes, benefits of UEB, and tips to make learning UEB easier.
BRL Breakfast What’s so Great About UEB BRL Breakfast What’s so Great About UEB
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July 8, 2025The Unified English Braille Code (UEB) has met with some controversy and resistance since its adoption in the United States in 2015. Our presenter is a blind NLS Certified UEB Transcriber who will explain the major changes to the braille code introduced by UEB, the reasons for those changes, benefits of UEB, and tips to make learning UEB easier.
LUA Presents Up Close and Personal with Talking Book Narrator Gary Tipton LUA Presents Up Close and Personal with Talking Book Narrator Gary Tipton
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July 8, 2025Gary Tipton is a long-time narrator at the American Printing House for the Blind, and has read an amazing 789 books in all genres from cookbooks to fantasy. Presenter: Gary Tipton, Louisville, KY; Facilitator: Ralph Smitherman, LUA Secretary, Brandon, MS Co-sponsored by: BRL, AABT and LUA
LUA Presents a Q and A with the NLS Director LUA Presents a Q and A with the NLS Director
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July 8, 2025NLS Director Jason Broughton will bring us up to speed with happenings at NLS, and answer our questions about this most important service.Presenter: Jason Broughton, Director, NLS, Washington, DCFacilitator: Paul Edwards, Jacksonville, FL
Audio Description and Gaming Accessibility Audio Description and Gaming Accessibility
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July 8, 2025Learn from gaming accessibility experts what the current state of access for gaming, including audio description, is for blind and low vision individuals.
GDUI presents Emergency Preparedness for the Blind and Visually Impaired GDUI presents Emergency Preparedness for the Blind and Visually Impaired
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July 8, 2025The Dallas Fire-rescue education team will provide information on dealing with various emergencies. Don’t miss this potentially life-saving session.
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GDUI Wrap Up and Awards Ceremony Meal Planning for a Healthy Life with Diabetes Meal Planning for a Healthy Life with Diabetes
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July 9, 2025Three dietitians and diabetes educators from Pennsylvania Hospital will join us in sharing ideas for planning tasty, fun, and interesting meals following eating recommendations for health with diabetes. Deciding what to eat for your meals and snacks every day is certainly a daunting experience and even more, so, when you’re stopping to think about carbohydrates, proteins, fats, nutrition labels, etc. come join us to help pick up some new tips to help make everyday meal planning easier and enjoyable. There will be time for attendees to share their own suggestions and ask any questions about diabetes. Facilitators: Patricia Maddix, ACBDA Board Member, Vancouver, WA; Abigail Chesterson, MPH, RD, LDN, CDCES, Director, Diabetes Education Center, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA; Carolyn Ramondo RD, LDN, CDCES, CNSC, Clinical Dietitian Specialist, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.
Improving Membership Outcomes by Bridging the gap between Seniors and Younger Members Improving Membership Outcomes by Bridging the gap between Seniors and Younger Members
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July 9, 2025Join the membership committee for a two-part session. Panel 1 Fostering Trust between generations. This panel will give tips for working together with members of all ages. This will provide benefits for using the wisdom of older members and taking advantage of the excitement of new members. Presenters: Amanda Selm, Immediate Past President Next Generation, Louisville, KY; Jeff Thom, ACB Advocacy Chair, Sacramento, CA; Sheila Young, Immediate Past President Florida Council of the Blind, Orlando, FL Panel 2 Providing ACB resources to new members. This session will highlight many ACB Programs and documents that many members may not have heard about or been able to use. Participants can then pass on this information to all of their members. Handouts will be available at the event. Presenters: Scott Thornhill, ACB Executive Director, Greensboro, NC; Jeff Thom, ACB Advocacy Chair, Sacramento, CA; Sheila Young, chair ADP Performing Arts, Museums and Parks subcommittee, Orlando, FL; Larry Gassman, ACB Media Coordinator, Fullerton, CA; and Dan Spoone, ACB Director of Operations, Orlando, FL.
Turn Big Dreams into Great Leaders with DKM Turn Big Dreams into Great Leaders with DKM
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July 9, 2025Come and meet the 2025 DKM First Timers and learn how big dreams become reality. Join them and past recipients for a time of sharing and fun!