ACB Events

20250928 0900 Sunday Morning 2025 NCCB Convention Business and Board Meeting North Carolina Council of the Blind 2025 State Convention Wyndham Garden Greensboro Saturday Evening September 27, 2025 – General Business Meeting Welcome & Call to Order — Sandi Owens, President Attendance Roll Call — Ashley Coleman, Secretary – Secretary’s Report — Ashley Coleman – Treasurer’s Report — Chris Flynt, Treasurer President’s Report — Sandi Owens Committee Reports (2 minutes each, in this order) Advocacy & Accessibility • Advocacy Committee — George Smith • Assistive Technology Committee — Ashley Coleman • Environmental Access Committee — Chris Bell • Employment Committee — Tim Snyder Finance & Operations • Budget Committee — Jane Ferrita • Investment Committee — Chris Bell • Fundraising Committee — Ashley Coleman • Convention Committee — Lawrence Carter Membership & Outreach • Membership Committee — Lawrence Carter • Scholarship Committee — Christina Owens • Publicity Committee — Ashley Coleman Policy & Governance • Constitution, Bylaws, and Resolutions Committee — Allen Moore • Policy Committee — Allen Moore • Brady Jones Committee — Ricky Scott • Nominations Committee — N/A • Transportation Committee — N/A – Old Business New Business & Elections — Lawrence Carter – Final Remarks — Sandi Owens, President – Door Prizes & Adjournment Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

North Carolina Council of the Blind 2025 State Convention Wyndham Garden Greensboro Saturday Evening September 27, 2025 Banquet & Evening Program Invocation Keynote Speaker — Claire Stanley, J.D. Scholarship Awards Door Prizes Closing Remarks — Sandi Owens, President Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

North Carolina Council of the Blind 2025 State Convention Wyndham Garden Greensboro Saturday Morning September 27, 2025 Opening Session — Welcome & Opening Remarks: Sandi Owens, President Pledge of Allegiance Invocation Mayor’s Welcome Abbott Diabetes Care — Pam Lisi Vanda Pharmaceuticals — Vicki Preddy, MSN, RN Disability Rights NC — Lena Welch, Attorney North Carolina Lions Foundation — Carlton V. Metts II, Executive Director Keynote Speaker Introduction — Claire Stanley, J.D., Director of Advocacy & Governmental Affairs, ACB Closing Remarks — Sandi Owens, President Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

North Carolina Council of the Blind 2025 State Convention Wyndham Garden Greensboro Friday Evening September 26, 2025 Welcome & Opening Remarks — Sandi Owens, President Division of Services for the Blind — Cynthia Speight, Director Governor Morehead School — Dr. Nancy N. Barbour, Interim Superintendent NC Statewide Independent Living Council — Shana Ayscue, Executive Director State Library of NC: Accessible Books & Library Services — Clint Exum, Outreach Specialist NCCB Board Candidate Speeches — Each candidate has 3 minutes Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

Bay State Council of the Blind Arts Access Information Day at Perkins Welcome – David Kingsbury, BSCB President Broadway in Boston: Boston Opera House, Em Rihl, Operations Assistant www.BroadwayInBoston.com Think Outside the Vox & Open Door Theatre Samatha Gould, President www.ThinkOutsideTheVox.org Arts Boston: Claire Williamson, Deputy Director Artsboston.org Museum of Fine Arts – Boston: Ronit Minchom, Accessibility Coordinator http://www.mfa.org Open Door Arts: An Affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation Megan Bent, Gallery and Communications Manager, Boston www.opendoorartsma.org Museum of Science: Sylvie Rosenkalt, ADA & 504 Accessibility Coordinator www.mos.org Speakeasy Stage Company: Alex Lonati, Director of Artistic & Community Programs www.speakeasystage.com Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University: Jamie Aznive, Assistant Director for Audience Services and Access Coordinator; & Cori Couture, In-Show Audio Describer for WFT’s upcoming production of The Prom Worcester Art Museum: Molly Cardoza, manager of community partnerships www.worcesterart.org Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD VENDORS OF AMERICA CELEBRATING OVER FIFTY YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT AND ADVOCACY RSVA SAGEBRUSH 2025 NATIONAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM TRAINING CONFERENCE Pre-Conference RSVA Board of Directors Meeting Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD VENDORS OF AMERICA CELEBRATING OVER FIFTY YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT AND ADVOCACY RSVA SAGEBRUSH 2025 NATIONAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM TRAINING CONFERENCE Day 1 Morning Moderator: Randall Crosby (FL), Crosby’s Café, Inc., RSVA® Board member Welcome to Sagebrush: Scott Eggen (MN), SVS Vending, RSVA® President Welcome from Nevada: Business Enterprises of Nevada Introductions: Scott Eggen (MN), RSVA® President NAMA News and Trends in the Industry: Robert Jackson, Director Government Affairs, National Automatic Merchandising Association Find out about news and laws affecting vending managers. Learn about the ongoing training offered by NAMA. Southern Teaming Partners Update: Walt Berry (AL), President Southern Teaming Partners Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) News and Updates”: Learn about the conflict resolution process, tips for successful outcomes for complaints, and updates to RSA circulars. Get tips on how vendors and staff can find the information they need. iPhone and Android tips and useful apps: Conference Participants USI Innovations: Learn the latest on USI offerings and support. Helping to build your business. Theodore C. Drake (CA), Global Accessibility Leader, Intuit Inc. Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD VENDORS OF AMERICA CELEBRATING OVER FIFTY YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT AND ADVOCACY RSVA SAGEBRUSH 2025 NATIONAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM TRAINING CONFERENCE Day 1 Afternoon Moderator: Ronald Flormata (HI), RMF Enterprises, Inc., RSVA® Board member Current state BEP Training and options for improvements Brian Switzer, Program Manager of Accessibility Technology, Training, and Research, Carroll Center for the Blind; Heather Miller (AR), Director of Education and Training, World Services for the Blind Get up and get moving Leslie Spoon (FL), Co-chair ACB Get up and get moving committee Motivating State Agencies to Improve Their Business Enterprise Programs. Ryan Skinner, Business Enterprise Program Director, South Carolina Commission for the Blind; Corey Marcum, Director Kentucky Business Enterprise; Bill Findley, Business Enterprise, FL DOE Division of Blind Services; Rachel Hollen (DE), Business Enterprise Program Director, NCSAB Randolph-Sheppard “Committee Chair; and Chris Prentice, former TX State Attorney. The panel will discuss how state agency staff could be more entrepreneurial in their efforts to get new vending facility locations. Suggestions will include ways to help blind vendors to be more entrepreneurial. Continuation of Motivating State Agencies to Improve Their Business Enterprise Programs American Council of the Blind Updates and activities: Scott Thornhill (DC), Executive Director American Council of the Blind He’ll share ACB programs and services, upcoming conferences and educational opportunities, as well as current advocacy efforts What’s happening with food trucks and Pods? What RS initiatives are being explored to combat this competition? Jim Hemmen (WA), Business Enterprise Program Manager, WA State Department of Services for the Blind; Ben Ploch (MI), Michigan EOC Chair We’ll hear updates on the progress with food trucks working together with local vendor managers and efforts on starting food trucks for vendors. What are states doing about food trucks and pods taking customers away from BEP? Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD VENDORS OF AMERICA CELEBRATING OVER FIFTY YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT AND ADVOCACY RSVA SAGEBRUSH 2025 NATIONAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM TRAINING CONFERENCE Day 2 Moderator: Herbert Reado (LA), RSVA® Board Member Technologies benefiting BEP operators and VI staff: Kayla Smith or Bryan Allen (VA), OEM Sales Manager Medeco Security Locks; John Palmer Patriot Systems; Robert Serian (CA), Head of Business Development & Territory Management, Envision Technologies B.V.; Karthik Mahadevan, CEO Envision Technologies B.V. Many technologies assist vendors while they are managing a facility. These speakers will highlight how their products/service will improve the business owner’s abilities to manage the business. What’s new in Technology for Kiosks/Micro Markets and Vending Management:Matt Kotsch, Territory Sales Representative, Trinity Access, Inc.; Waseem Salamah, Key Account Manager - Micro Markets/Vending, AVS Companies. You’ll learn about technology used for micro markets and back-end services in vending and micro market management including credit card processing. Simplified Robert’s Rules of Order Speaker Frank Cuta Report from the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind and Randolph-Sheppard: Catriona Macdonald (DC), President Linchpin Strategies, LLC. Learn about new strategies in the Randolph-Sheppard Program. Get updates on NCSAB activities and the latest NCSAB news on Randolph-Sheppard including legislation and regulations affecting the RS Program. RSVA® Sagebrush Awards Luncheon: Moderator: Scott Eggen (MN), RSVA® President Luncheon Speaker: Stevie Ray (MN), Stevie Ray's Improv Company, a non-profit arts and training organization; topic: “How to influence others.” Presenting "Terry Camardelle and Charlie Carroll Advocacy Scholarship Award” and “Warren Toyama and George Arsnow Scholarship Award” Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD VENDORS OF AMERICA CELEBRATING OVER FIFTY YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT AND ADVOCACY RSVA SAGEBRUSH 2025 NATIONAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM TRAINING CONFERENCE Day 3 Moderator: Ardis Bazyn (CO), Bazyn Communications, RSVA® First Vice President Innovative businesses in the BEP food service arena Amy Keller (CA), Co-Founder & CEO, Climate Candy; Jack Pinnock (FL), Dreamie Foods, Inc; Laurel and Moti, Push Beverages Bookkeeping strategies for your Business Jane Carona (MD), Treasurer of the Braille Revival League and Treasurer of ACB of Maryland (retired Office Manager of Guide Dogs, Inc. Payroll and HR resources at ADP Benefits of USG Buying Program Benefits of Ray Ban Meta Glasses Cindy Hollis (MI), Manager of Membership Engagement, American Council of the Blind Social Security and Medicare Questions Answered: Annie Walters (NV), SSA Public Affairs Specialist Learn about the latest updates and changes in Social Security and Medicare. Learn how vendors can use deductions differently for SSA. Get information on retirement. Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

Braille Matters - a Four Hour Celebration Celebrate the birthday of Louis Braille with our special interest affiliate, Braille Revival League, and together let’s learn: Segment One: How Braille Works in Different Countries Around the World Segment Two: Exciting Ways Braille is Happening All Over the United States Segment Three: What the Braille Revival League is, What It’s Doing, and How You Can and Should Help Sponsored by Braille Revival League Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

Bay State Council of the Blind Fall Conference Agenda, November 23, 2024 Welcoming Remarks Ed Bosso, President of Educational Programs and Superintendent, Perkins School for the Blind President’s Report David Kingsbury, BSCB President Democracy Live Accessible In-Person Voting Technology Brian Finney, CEO Juliet Harvey-Bolia, Technician Short demo in plenary session, small groups of interested attendees will go to a breakout room on the second floor (elevator to the left of the parking lot door) for hands-on demos during the rest of the day In person and virtual participant introductions Let us know who you are, but please keep it short – Name and city of residence only Sony LinkBuds and Door Prizes Quick Orientation to Sony LinkBuds, Jeanette Kutash Are you feeling lucky? Door prizes with ElizabethAnn Johnson, more door prizes will be given out through the rest of the day Overview of MCB Happenings John Oliveira, Commissioner, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Justine Muir, Deputy Commissioner, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Cooking While Blind Debra Erickson, Executive chef and founder of The Blind Kitchen Overview of Mass Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired Programs Jennifer Harnish, MABVI Director of social services New Accessible Wearable Technologies Brian Charlson on the Meta glasses Jeanette Kutash on the Envision AI glasses Update on Perkins Library Happenings Kim Charlson, Director, & Cory Kadlik, Assistive Technology Manager, Perkins Library Including a demo of the new BARD feature for accessing talking books with Amazon Alexa Fitness Break Get up and stretch with Leslie Spoone and Jeanette Kutash Fun with Accessible Games Aaron Spelker and Jerry Berrier Accessible Voting Discussion What were people’s voting experiences this year, both good and bad? Feedback on the Democracy Live Accessible In-Person Voting Technology from breakout session participants Closing Remarks David Kingsbury, President Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

IVIE Online Business Expo The IVIE Online Business Expo will highlight several blind and visually impaired business owners sharing their products and services. Participants can ask questions. Sponsored by Independent Visually Impaired Entrepreneurs Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

Tabitha Kenlon gives a behind the scenes look at the 2024 ACB Audio Description Awards Gala as well as a comprehensive overview of ACB's Audio Description Project. Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

The American Council of the Blind’s 2024 Audio Description Awards Gala Broadcast on November 14 Alexandria, Virginia – The American Council of the Blind (ACB) announces that the 2024 ACB Audio Description Awards Gala was air on November 14 at 7:30pm ET. Created in 2021 to recognize outstanding achievement in audio description in entertainment and educational media, the Awards Gala features celebrity guests, film clips, and a dozen awards. The broadcast of the show includes captions, audio description, ASL interpretation, and Spanish dubbing. Join hosts Marilee Talkington and Alie B. Gorrie as they welcome guests from the arts, entertainment, and sports worlds to celebrate accessible films, series, video games, and more. Awards are presented in categories such as Innovation, Popular Entertainment, Live Events, Spanish Media (USA), and International. The winners of the Audio Description People’s Choice Awards are also announced. Special guests include: Kathy Bates, award-winning actor Rebecca Alexander, author and disability rights advocate Molly Burke, digital creator, author, and advocate Ross Minor, accessible gaming consultant Roy Samuelson, author and AD producer and narrator EJ Scott, actor and activist Trischa Zorn-Hudson, Paralympics Hall of Famer About the American Council of the Blind. The American Council of the Blind is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind or have low vision. For more than 60 years, ACB has been a leader in national, state, local, and international advocacy efforts. With 68 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and the quality of life for all people who are blind or have low vision. For more information, visit www.acb.org. Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20241102 American Council of the Blind of Maine Annual Convention Afternoon Sessions   ACB Maine Business Meeting. All things Technology with Steve Sawczyn. ACB Community Calls Program with Natalie Couch. Door prizes, and raffle. Closing and Appreciation.   Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20241102 American Council of the Blind of Maine Annual Convention Morning Sessions   Welcome and introductions. 1st Reading of proposed constitution changes. Conversation with Scholarship recipients. Transportation Panel with Ron Brooks from Accessible Avenue, and Zoe Miller from Moving Maine. Employment panel with Alyssa Rowe Director of DBVI, and Lori Scharff from APH. Remembrances. Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20241019 2024 PCB CONFERENCE & CONVENTION 20241019 Banquet   Accessibility: A Buffet of Choices   Greetings and Sponsor Acknowledgements, Debby Hill, PCB President Drawing the 50/50 Conference Raffle Banquet speaker: Karla Gilbride, General Counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Title of presentation We Have the Power: Fighting for Access and Opportunity in the 21st Century PCB Award Presentations, PCB Merit Awards, Suzanne Erb, PCB Peer Engagement Team Door Prizes & Announcements Jason Castonguay presented his strategies for making good audio engineering accessible to those who are blind or who have low vision. Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20241019 2024 PCB CONFERENCE & CONVENTION 20241019 Evening Sessions   Accessibility: A Buffet of Choices   Caring for Pets When You Have Limited or No Vision, Debby Hill, and Dr. DeAnna Moore. If someone is blind or has low vision and they have not had training for a guide dog, what do they need to know to take care of a pet? This was a presentation plus audience participation. Achieve Greater Independence with the Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Lisa Salinger. In this session, members learned about the Meta Ray-Ban Smart glasses: their features and possible drawbacks, and how to incorporate them into your daily life. Door Prizes & Announcements Get Involved with Accessible Adaptive Sports. Blind Tennis with Jen Roth who explained the rules and availability of “Blind Tennis.” Creating and Promoting Your Chapter’s Identity, Thadeus Graham, PCB Outreach and Engagement Specialist. Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20241018 2024 PCB CONFERENCE & CONVENTION 20241018 Evening Sessions   Accessibility: A Buffet of Choices   ·      Practical Uses of AI With Your Favorite Screen Reader or Without! Jason Miller and Anthony Ballou. o  Have you ever needed information really fast that is challenging to find? Let’s face it, as students, parents, and regular people, sometimes we may need information, or as blind people even forget things, more than we tend to admit. With today’s technology, helping with the kid’s math and science homework is no issue, did you say your fingers are tingling? Let’s get some possible reasons, slow cooked taco brisket, yes, we can get that recipe! This presentation described how to use the popular Chat GPT to research practical information, in fact, our presenter demonstrated how he used the Chat GPT to research, locate and find a lost love. Moreover, we used both a free and paid screen reader to gain information using the GPT technology. Lastly, another presenter used a mobile device (iPhone), with the GPT app, to have a live conversation. To summarize, this presentation was aimed at demonstrating how to use three different screen reading technologies with AI/GPT as a practical, and accessible resource of information, no matter what platform you choose, we aim to broaden your accessible horizons! ·      Door Prizes & Announcements ·      Worship: Recipes for Accessibility, Sue Lichtenfels, and panel. o  This presentation was an exploration of accessibility within worship practices. Regardless of the religion or the tenants of a particular faith, we wanted to examine how people who are blind or visually impaired are accessing the basics: fellowship, volunteerism, participation, and leadership. What have their experiences been facing both physical and attitudinal barriers to full inclusion in the worship process? What are the tools and strategies they utilize to make worship accessible to them? ·      Door Prizes & Announcements Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co