ACB Events

Re-experience the April 8, 2024 total eclipse of the sun through sound. Harvard University’s Astronomy Department welcomes those who are blind or have low vision to experience the total eclipse of the sun, through use of the LightSound device which uses a technique called sonification, the process of converting data, in this case light intensity into sound. The American Council of the Blind and ACB Media are proud to partner with Harvard to broadcast this amazing event where you experience and track through sound the eclipse as it reaches totality at different times from Texas through Vermont. Folks from many different organizations around the country connected their LightSound devices to Zoom as the eclipse reached totality at their location. The podcast opens with an interview of Allyson Bieryla, Science Center Astronomy Lab and Telescope Manager, Harvard University Astronomer, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory who describes the LightSound Project, and demonstrates and explains the LighhtSound device. For more information about the LightSound Project, go to The LightSound Project (harvard.edu) Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

Bay State Council of the Blind Fall Conference Agenda, November 18, 2023 Morning Session – Welcoming Remarks, David Kingsbury, BSCB President – The Disability Tech Space, Sandy Lacey, Executive Director, Howe Innovation Center, Perkins School for the Blind – Overview of MCB Happenings, John Oliveira, Commissioner, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind 3-D Printing: A Viable Hobby for Blind and Low Vision Persons, Judy Dixon, author; Erin Fragola, Outreach Coordinator, Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library Get Up and Move, Door prizes, Jeanette Kutash with Leslie Spoone: Elizabeth Ann Johnson with door prizes, Afternoon Session Deciphering What Sighted People Are Trying to Say with Body Language, Judy Dixon, author, Brian Charlson The New BSCB Code of Conduct Policy, Jennifer Harnish, Board Director Be My AI, Brian Charlson, BSCB Past President and Tech Guru A Sampling of ACB Special Interest Affiliates, Jeff Thom - Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss (AAVL); Paul Edwards, Past President, Library Users of America (LUA), Larry Gassman, Vice President, Diabetics in Action Get Up and Move Continued! Jeanette Kutash and Leslie Spoone A Little Afternoon Diversion Closing Remarks Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20231111 American Council of the Blind of Maine Convention 20231111 Afternoon Session Afternoon Session Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20231111 American Council of the Blind of Maine Convention 20231111 Morning Session Morning Session Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230520-3 Bay State Council of the Blind-2023 Spring Conference and Convention 20230520-3 Evening Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230520-2 Bay State Council of the Blind-2023 Spring Conference and Convention 20230520-2 Afternoon Session Announcement of Election Results o David Kingsbury o Short comments by newly elected directors Debate and Adoption of Proposed Resolutions o Brian Charlson Role of the ACB Board Liaison o Rachel Schroeder Announcement of BSCB Awards o Kim Charlson Telehealth Experiences o Clark Rachfal o Jeanette Kutash Overview of Recent Perkins Library Activities o Kim Charlson Bringing Alt Text to a Whole New level: The NASA Webb Telescope o Dr. Kelly Lepo-Education and Outreach Scientist o Office of Public Outreach, Space Telescope Science Institute New Frontiers of Artificial Intelligence o Brian Charlson First Day Wrap Up o David Kingsbury Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230520-1 Morning Session Welcome and BSCB President’s Update o David Kingsbury Overview of Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Activities o John Oliveira , Acting Commissioner, MCB Advocacy Update o Nona Haroyan o Kim Charlson o Jim Badger o Myra Ross o David Kingsbury First Reading of Proposed BSCB Resolutions o Brian Charlson Election of BSCB Directors o Brian Charlson (to explain voting procedures) o Cindy Wentz (to announce slate of nominees recommended by the Nominations Committee) o David Kingsbury (to chair elections Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230415-2 American Council of the Blind of Nebraska 20230415-2 Afternoon Sessions ACB Reports o An Update on ACB National Happenings — Ray Campbell, ACB 1st Vice-President, Glen Ellen, IL Outlook Enrichment Update o Paulette Monthei, Omaha NE-Outlook Enrichment Coordinator Team Building Exercise “Walking for ACB” o Amber Steet, Omaha, NE ACBN Annual Business Meeting & Election of Officers Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230415-1 American Council of the Blind of Nebraska 20230415-1 Morning Sessions and Keynote Address Conference Welcome o Pledge o logistics. Life After the Pandemic - “Getting Back to Normal” o Tracy L. Grothe, Omaha NE-Counselor, MEd, EdS, LIMHP, LPC-S NCBVI News & Notes o Carlos Servan, Lincoln NE-Executive Director Nebraska Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired Commission Board Update o Mark Bulger, Omaha NE-ACBN’s Gubernatorial Appointed Designee “No One Can Do It Alone” o Nancy Flearl, Omaha, NE-Retired Omaha District Supervisor Nebraska Commission f/t Blind Newsline Update o Kimberley Scherbarth, Kearney NE- NFB Newsline Coordinator Keynote Address “Power of Commitment” Darrel Draper, Omaha NE-Historical Re-enactor & Motivational Speaker Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230414 2023 Arizona Council of the Blind Conference 20230414 Game Night This year’s theme was “Care, Connect and Create,” and each of our sessions and speakers focused on how we can come together to offer friendship and support within our local chapters, through our state organization and through our national parent organization, the American Council of the Blind. Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230312 2023 DC Leadership Conference Luncheon Speakers National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) o Jason Broughton, Director, NLS o Jason Yasner, Deputy Director, NLS American Printing House For the Blind (APH) o Paul Schroeder, Vice President, Government and Community Affairs Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230415-3 2023 Arizona Council of the Blind Conference 20230415-3 Lunch and Learn This year’s theme was “Care, Connect and Create,” and each of our sessions and speakers focused on how we can come together to offer friendship and support within our local chapters, through our state organization and through our national parent organization, the American Council of the Blind. Lunch and Learn: o Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Brian Dulude Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI): Steve Tepper o Foundation for Blind Children (FBC): Julie Oliver o The Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired (Saavi): Rachel Kuntz o Arizona Talking Book Library: Elizabeth Thompson o Arizona Industries for the Blind (AIB): David Steinmetz o SunSounds: Mares Wright Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230415-2 2023 Arizona Council of the Blind Conference 20230415-2 Sessions 3 and 4 This year’s theme was “Care, Connect and Create,” and each of our sessions and speakers focused on how we can come together to offer friendship and support within our local chapters, through our state organization and through our national parent organization, the American Council of the Blind. Session 3 – Care, Connect, Create at the Local Level o Participants joined Central Arizona chapter members Lisa Brooks and Ted Chittenden, and Southern Arizona chapter members Jordan Lopuszanski and Lupita Hernandez as they shared the value their local affiliate has made in their lives and how they and their affiliates give back to their local community. Session 4 – Care, Connect, Create at the Member Level o Participants joined four AzCB members, Lily Bogan, Ron Brooks, Karen Hughes, and Melanie Sinohui and learn about what brought them to ACB and what keeps them coming back . Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230415-1 2023 Arizona Council of the Blind Conference 20230415-1 Sessions 1 and 2 This year’s theme was “Care, Connect and Create,” and each of our sessions and speakers focused on how we can come together to offer friendship and support within our local chapters, through our state organization and through our national parent organization, the American Council of the Blind. Opening o President’s Welcome o Meet the AzCB Board of Directors o Meet the AzCB Convention Committee Session 1 – Care, Connect, Create at the National Level o Kenneth and Jeff are two members of ACB’s national board and have held leadership positions for many years within ACB. Both led us through a discussion focusing on the most important principles of ACB’s core values, which being our people and our affiliates. It starts with caring. We as a national organization are here for each one of you, no matter what your position is within your affiliate. We are truly a family, and we need each of you to be supported and for you to support us. It takes all of us to achieve more! It is about creating or empowering you to achieve more. How can you help grow your affiliate or chapter? What about advocacy? What about community, technology, health care? All of these are crucial aspects as individuals, and you play a part in driving change in and outside of the organization. o We are a family, and all the members of that family are crucial for a healthy and thriving organization at all levels. Participants learned how they fit into the organization, how they can contribute back to the organization and how they can shape the direction at every level of ACB in the work that they do to achieve more! Session 2 – Care, Connect, Create at the State Level o Panelists: Ron Brooks Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230402 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention 20230402 Annual Business Meeting Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230401-3 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention 20230401-3 CCB Banquet Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230401-2 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention 20230401-2 Third General Session Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230401-1 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention 20230401-1 Morning Session Department of Rehabilitation, DOR Employment Services and Updates Participants heard from key Blind Field Services staff including: o Laura Rasmussen District Administrator o Peter Dawson Regional Director o Nancy Ybarra Regional Business Specialist about DOR Employment Services including benefits, opportunities, and behind the scenes work being done to help people who are blind or have low vision have successful employment outcomes. o Jamie Gibson-Barrows employment Specialist for Valley Center for the Blind- Discussed their employment services model and how it has been successful. the latest updates from DOR from: o Joe Xavier Director of DOR o Sue Pelbath Deputy Director Specialized Services Division o Ana Acton Deputy Director Independent Living Services. Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230331-2 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention Second General session Part 2 Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230331-1 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention Second General session Part 1 Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co