Click “Launch Event” to identify the ACB Media stream for each event.
Events in July 2025
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ACB Board Meeting -
Achieving Unity in the Face of Disagreement Achieving Unity in the Face of Disagreement
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July 5, 2025In recent years, American Society has become increasingly polarized around political and other differences in belief. As ACB is a microcosm of society, it is likely our affiliates and local chapters are facing polarization among members. This program will help leaders explore how they can achieve unity in the face of disagreement to help move their organization’s programs and activities forward. Through sharing information and role play, we hope you will come away from this activity with tools that will help you be an affective leader in the face of all that is happening around you. Presenter: Rahel Tesfaye, Graduate Student, Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dallas TX.
Achieving Unity in the Face of Disagreement continued ACB Affiliate and National expectations Workshop ACB Affiliate and National expectations Workshop
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July 5, 2025From Charters and Chapters to autonomy and accountability – These topics and more will be explored with ACB’s parliamentarian as we continue our work to strengthen and renew our affiliate and national expectations policy. Affiliate and chapter leaders are encouraged to attend. Facilitator: Deb Cook Lewis, ACB President; Julie Palm, PRP, ACB Parliamentarian
Shifting Mental Health Culture Through Storytelling Shifting Mental Health Culture Through Storytelling
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July 5, 2025Mental health affects us all. Yet stigma, shame and fear of judgement are major contributors to the high rate of mental illness among minority populations. This session explor how storytelling can make a difference. Co-sponsored by: ACB Mental Health and Wellness Committee, Multicultural Affairs Committee
Introduction to Investing Introduction to Investing
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July 5, 2025Join us for an engaging and accessible ‘Introduction to Investing’ workshop designed especially for beginners. During this interactive session, Chris Peterson, AFC, Cody Bair, CPA, and Kane Brolin, CFP, will introduce Penny Forward’s brand-new online course, Introduction to Investing. You’ll get a clear overview of investing basics, learn how investing can help you build long-term financial security, and explore how blind and low vision people can confidently navigate the investing world. There will also be plenty of time for questions, so bring your curiosity-we’re here to help you take the first steps toward becoming an informed investor. Presenters: Chris Peterson, AFC, Richfield, MN, Cody Bair, CPA, Denver, CO, Kane Brolin, CFP, Mishawak, IN
Opening General Session -
Update on Legislation Update on Legislation
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July 6, 2025Join ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, Claire Stanley, as she provides a look at 2025 federal legislation of concern to people with vision loss. She will cover not only those items in which ACB has been involved, but other legislative issues of concern to people with vision loss. Also, we urge attendees who are working on current legislation in their states to report on their progress. Presenter: Claire Stanley, ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, Alexandria, VA. Facilitator: Jeff Thom, ACB Advocacy Steering Committee, Sacramento, CA.
Audio Description Peoples Choice Awards Final Voting KickOff Audio Description Peoples Choice Awards Final Voting KickOff
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July 6, 2025The nominations have been counted and it’s time to vote for the best audio description of the last year. Come experience clips of each nominated film and series, and then cast your vote during the convention or when you get home for the two you like most. Learn more about the awards at adawardsgala.org.
Transforming Legal Practice and Beyond with AI Products and Services Transforming Legal Practice and Beyond with AI Products and Services
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July 6, 2025Discover with AAVIA how leveraging AI can transform your daily life and professional journey, helping you achieve greater efficiency, productivity, and success in both personal and legal career pursuits. Presenter: Adal Ibrar, London, England
Issues in Immigration Today Issues in Immigration Today
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July 6, 2025Hear from a lawyer with decades of experience about the host of matters affecting immigration into the U.S. Presenter: Oliver J. Langstadt, Miami, Florida Co-sponsored by AAVIA and IRC
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General Session The Supreme Court Term in Review The Supreme Court Term in Review
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July 7, 2025Find out from St. Mary’s University Law School professor about the significant decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court in its 2024-25 term and its work generally. Presenter: Professor Bill Piatt, San Antonio, Texas
Low Vision Tips and Tech with Sandi Owens Low Vision Tips and Tech with Sandi Owens
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July 7, 2025CCLVI is proud to welcome Sandi Owens, Founder of Making It Visible, LLC, Fayetteville, NC, to lead a discussion on tips, technologies, and techniques for people with low vision. Sandi has a wealth of knowledge from her experiences as a Licensed Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist and Consultant.
Intertwining Roots The Story of Dallas from a Multicultural Perspective Intertwining Roots The Story of Dallas from a Multicultural Perspective
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July 7, 2025Come hear from a Distinguished Panel of Historians as we explore the rich cultural history of Dallas and how it has grown from a meager enclave into the business mecca of the Southwest. From its beginning, people of different cultural backgrounds have made significant contributions to the city called ‘Big D’. Presenters: Albert Valtierra, Vice President of the Dallas Mexican American League, Dallas, TX; Deecee Cornish, Oral Historian, writer, GRIOT, story teller, educator and Consultant, Fort Worth, TX.
Brain Teasers Exercise Your Mind and Learn About Famous People from Dallas Brain Teasers Exercise Your Mind and Learn About Famous People from Dallas
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July 7, 2025Come and try out your hand at Dallas Texas knowledge! The Multi-Cultural Affairs committee would like to invite you to have some fun with us and see how much you know about the celebrities that are from the Dallas Texas area. This will be a chance to connect with your fellow ACB members and earn some wonderful bragging rights for your celebrity knowledge. Hope to see you there.
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General Session What’s Late and Great in the Diabetes Management Space for 2025 What’s Late and Great in the Diabetes Management Space for 2025
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July 8, 2025Discussion of the new standards of care for diabetes for 2025. This session will focus on updates in diabetes care and management. We will highlight new drugs to market and delve into navigating the ongoing shortages of GLP1 medications. Updates will be provided on continuous glucose monitor technology, including the Stelo Glucose Biosensor system by Dexcom, available Over the counter, without a prescription; Insulin pumps and automated insulin delivery system advances will also be presented. There will be ample time for open discussion and questions and answers. Facilitator: Tom Tobin, ACBDA Member; Cleveland, OH. Presenters: Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BC-ADM, CDCES, FADCES, FCCP, Endocrine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Co-Director, Endocrine Disorders in Pregnancy, Cleveland Clinic Endocrinology and Metabolism Institute, Cleveland, OH; James Montgomery, PharmD, BCACP, Primary Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Cleveland Clinic – Solon Family Health Center, Cleveland, OH
Accessibility of Diabetes Tools Accessibility of Diabetes Tools
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July 8, 2025This session will explore the latest advancements in diabetes management tools designed with accessibility in mind for individuals who are blind or have low vision. We will discuss the features and benefits of continuous glucose monitors (CGMS) such as the prescription-based Freestyle Libre 3+ and Dexcom 7. We will also talk about the over-the-counter options like the Dexcom Stelo, Abbott Lingo, and Abbott Freestyle Rio. as well as InPen and the Prodigy Meter, highlighting their compatibility with various accessibility needs. Additionally, the session will also cover accessible insulin pumps and how they are transforming diabetes care for individuals who are blind or low vision, focusing on the tools’ usability, features, and the support they provide in managing diabetes independently.
You May be Missing Out on Services for Seniors You May be Missing Out on Services for Seniors
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July 8, 2025Benefits Counseling, Medicare Enrollment, Home Delivered Meals, Fall Prevention Exercises. These are just a sampling of the programs and services which may be available free in your community from a Senior Center or Area Agency on Aging. Join AAVL and learn how you can find out where they are and if you are eligible. Facilitator: Doug Powell, AAVL President, Falls Church, VA. Presenters: Fallon Finney, Program Manager, ADRC of Dallas County Dallas TX; Oliva Umoren, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, US Aging, Washington, DC; Donna Alexander, Director Access and Assistance, Dallas AAA, Community Council of Greater Dallas, Dallas TX; Renae Perry, COO The Senior source, Dallas TX; Jasmine Kelley, the Wellmed Senior Center, Dallas, TX.
Laying the Groundwork Public Transportation Basics for Advocates Laying the Groundwork Public Transportation Basics for Advocates
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July 8, 2025Most decisions about public transportation are made locally. This means that it’s local chapters and state affiliates who are on the front lines of advocating for better and more accessible public transportation. With this in mind, the ACB Transportation Committee is offering this workshop, which will cover the basics of how transit is regulated, funded, planned, operated and managed. It’s practical information, that any ACB leader, transit advisory committee member, or anyone else concerned about transit can use to level up their transit advocacy skills. Presenter: Ron Brooks, Phoenix, AZ
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General Session ACBDA Presents Advocating for Mental Health Techniques in Action ACBDA Presents Advocating for Mental Health Techniques in Action
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July 9, 2025Join Emily Durfey, MSW, LSW and Stephanie Ash, MSW, LSW, Esq. as they review techniques for how people with diabetes can advocate for their mental health! We’ll review ways to identify and combat stigma and stereotypes; learn techniques to successfully engage in self-advocacy with family, friends, and providers and discuss signs of diabetes distress/burnout and how to seek help. Participants will have an opportunity to put learned techniques into action through guided role-plays during the last half of the session and will leave feeling empowered to take action to advocate for their mental health! Facilitator: Randy Knapp, Board Member: ACBDA, Rockville, MD. Presenters: Stephanie L. Ash, MSW, LSW, Social Worker, Endocrinology, Cleveland, OH; Emily Durfey, MSW, LSW, Social Worker, Endocrinology, Cleveland, OH.
Advocacy Bootcamp Advocacy Bootcamp
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July 9, 2025Advocacy can look like a lot of things; there is no right or wrong way to do it. This session will talk through the structure of our government to understand the various platforms in which to advocate through. Then, the discussion will expand further to explore other, out-of-the-box forms of advocacy that do not require engaging with the government at all. Lets put on our thinking caps to find various ways to advocate and make change for the blind and low vision community.
A Conversation on the International Blindness Experience A Conversation on the International Blindness Experience
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July 9, 2025This is your opportunity to hear from and ask questions of Dave Williams, Chair, Braillists Foundation who is visiting us from England. He will address the ACB banquet on Thursday, this is your chance to talk with him in an informal setting. Topics will include Worldwide Education of the blind, issues facing blind and visually impaired people in foreign countries, and the global importance of braille. There will be plenty of time for questions. Co-sponsored by: IRC and MCAC
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General Session ACB Banquet