From NSingh at cov.com  Wed Feb  1 14:20:11 2023
From: NSingh at cov.com (Singh, Nandini)
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2023 14:20:11 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] Sharpening a stylus
Message-ID: <539e8419876a43a284e6efdad3149651@cov.com>

Hi All,

For regular slate and stylus users, how are you sharpening your styli? Is there a whetstone on the market for this purpose? Please let me know. I imagine it is better to sharpen the existing styli that I have rather than to buy new ones. Many thanks!

Regards,
Nikki


Nandini Singh

Covington & Burling LLP
One CityCenter, 850 Tenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001-4956
T +1 202 662 5113 | nsingh at cov.com
www.cov.com

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This message is from a law firm and may contain information that is confidential or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately advise the sender by reply e-mail that this message has been inadvertently transmitted to you and delete this e-mail from your system. Thank you for your cooperation.



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From NSingh at cov.com  Wed Feb  1 15:23:36 2023
From: NSingh at cov.com (Singh, Nandini)
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2023 15:23:36 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] arguing matters in court: a roadblock and a possible
 way forward
In-Reply-To: <KL1PR0601MB5726079C80594F52224ED51BFD299@KL1PR0601MB5726.apcprd06.prod.outlook.com>
References: <CADFycPaUpy9P_Hpp9puwmqH9gNohD3ojx+K5VCrBV0U=CbyASg@mail.gmail.com>
 <CAL6jpeyFWRc-JsS+tihHj+imt7P3-soMKC8G8yGSK=r8g2-Org@mail.gmail.com>
 <KL1PR0601MB5726079C80594F52224ED51BFD299@KL1PR0601MB5726.apcprd06.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <4cb7afe92cb1481d86bad4fe1ca977a2@cov.com>

Hi Rahul,
As I am archiving older mail, I saw this item and wanted to see how this unfolded. Did you and your firm come up with something that works for everyone in your IP litigation practice?

Regards,
Nikki

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Rahul Bajaj via BlindLaw
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2022 11:55 PM
To: Blind Law Mailing List <BlindLaw at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Rahul Bajaj <rahul.bajaj1038 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [blindLaw] arguing matters in court: a roadblock and a possible way forward

[EXTERNAL]

With legal and non-legal aspects. On the legal side, I would need help in getting the person to read out verbatim certain extracts that I would like the judge to consider. to be able to pull out, in short order, relevant pages that the judge may ask a question about and be able to assist me the whole time in answering those questions. In general, I would need help in navigating the "complex, getting to the desired courtroom, being taken to the lectern, being able to speak with the court master if anything comes up and that kind of thing.

Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
________________________________
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> on behalf of Sanho Steele-Louchart via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2022 9:00:01 AM
To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Sanho Steele-Louchart <sanho817 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [blindLaw] arguing matters in court: a roadblock and a possible way forward

Rahul,

Could you describe some of the in-court issues you might need help with?

Warmth,
Sanho

On 10/16/22, Rahul Bajaj via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Good morning from New Delhi. I work as a practicing attorney at an IP and
> civil litigation firm in Delhi. In litigation, making regular appearances
> before judges is vital for gaining the confidence of the bar, the bench and
> the litigant public. I have clerked for a Supreme Court judge before and
> did some specialized litigation in my law firm job as a fresh law graduate.
> but this is my first actual experience of doing a hardcore litigation job -
> something I have always wanted to try. I am 4 months in. One challenge I
> have been facing is not having a mechanism to appear in court on my own and
> argue matters before judges. Part of the reason for this not happening is
> because it takes time to build experience and trust.  but it also has to do
> with accessibility. Sharing below the key features of an exchange with a
> senior colleague at the firm I had recently apropos this. keen to hear any
> constructive suggestions on the way forward.
>
> I said to him:
> "Going forward, I am wondering what we can do to enable me to go solo to a
> court and do the needful in a given
> matter. For instance, this coming Monday, I think I would have been more
> useful to the firm if I were going to a court where no one else is able to
> go
> due to the volume of matters, as opposed to going to the high court
> [details of case redacted] where multiple people are anyway going, simply
> to observe proceedings. Of course, in a given day, if there is no such
> matter where there is scope
> to contribute more than merely observing the proceedings, then it makes
> sense to go just to observe matters. I guess what I am saying is that I
> would not
> like my choice of matters to be dictated by the accessibility of a court
> complex but instead by where the firm might need me most and where I can
> contribute
> most. Equally, I understand that it would be easier for me to go for a
> matter where I can tag along with a colleague or court clerks, as opposed
> to
> being on my own. And, of course, accessibility barriers cannot be simply
> wished away...  That said, going forward, we should develop a system where
> I can take up assignments where the firm can rely on me to be its face for
> a
> matter. And where this choice is not guided by accessibility, but factors
> that are otherwise applicable, namely experience and trust. I am not sure
> how
> we can do this. I think the best way would be to hire an employee, part of
> whose express mandate would be to assist me, inter alia, in court and with
> accessibility
> challenges. I am sure we can work out the logistics and commercials in a
> mutually convenient fashion. What do you think?
>
> We had a good conversation about this. they shared that the reason why they
> were hesitant to send me alone for a matter to a court was because there
> wouldn't be a court staff or colleague to provide help. And that we needed
> to figure out a way to deal with this. and that I shouldn't think that this
> was a reflection on my abilities as a lawyer, but that it was a learning
> process for them also.
>
> I suggested hiring a fresh law graduate as my assistant, with the salary
> being shared 50-50 between me and the firm. that person can help me
> with barriers of this nature, most notably court appearances. I will await
> further correspondence.
>
> I understand that some litigation practices referenced above may be
> unfamiliar to you. but the broad contours of the issue should be fairly
> clear.
>
> Warmly,
> Rahul
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> --
> Rahul Bajaj
> Attorney, Ira Law
> Senior Associate Fellow, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy
> Rhodes Scholar (India and Linacre 2018), University of Oxford
> Co-Founder, Mission Accessibility
> Special Correspondent on the rights of persons with disabilities, Oxford
> Human Rights Hub
> Coordinator of the working group on accessibility, e-Committee, Supreme
> Court of India
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> BlindLaw:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/sanho817%40gmail.com
>


--
He/Him

_______________________________________________
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http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for BlindLaw:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/rahul.bajaj1038%40gmail.com
_______________________________________________
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http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for BlindLaw:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/nsingh%40cov.com


From dandrews920 at comcast.net  Wed Feb  1 15:50:53 2023
From: dandrews920 at comcast.net (dandrews920 at comcast.net)
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2023 09:50:53 -0600
Subject: [blindLaw] Sharpening a stylus
In-Reply-To: <539e8419876a43a284e6efdad3149651@cov.com>
References: <539e8419876a43a284e6efdad3149651@cov.com>
Message-ID: <022801d93654$f7c843f0$e758cbd0$@comcast.net>

You can sharpen it on a cement sidewalk.

Dave



-----Original Message-----
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Singh, Nandini via
BlindLaw
Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2023 8:20 AM
To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Cc: Singh, Nandini <NSingh at cov.com>
Subject: [blindLaw] Sharpening a stylus

Hi All,

For regular slate and stylus users, how are you sharpening your styli? Is
there a whetstone on the market for this purpose? Please let me know. I
imagine it is better to sharpen the existing styli that I have rather than
to buy new ones. Many thanks!

Regards,
Nikki


Nandini Singh

Covington & Burling LLP
One CityCenter, 850 Tenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001-4956
T +1 202 662 5113 | nsingh at cov.com
www.cov.com

[cid:image001.jpg at 01D9361E.6153C920]
This message is from a law firm and may contain information that is
confidential or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient,
please immediatelyadvise the sender by reply e-mail that this message has
been inadvertently transmitted to you and delete this e-mail from your
system. Thank you for your cooperation.






From Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov  Thu Feb  2 20:56:09 2023
From: Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov (Nightingale, Noel)
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2023 20:56:09 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] University of Washington School of Law seeking two
 full-time, nine-month,
 Assistant Teaching Professors to teach the first-year Legal Analysis,
 Research & Writing course
In-Reply-To: <4d10d6f2-f792-41d7-a52e-734e5307c1a2@BL0GCC02FT004.eop-gcc02.prod.protection.outlook.com>
References: <47478a128c4b798940e1e2d96214d58b-post-id-983069@mailer.mobilize.io>
 <9256A187-EEE4-4DDE-96CA-E8EEF578D44B@u.washington.edu>
 <CO1PR08MB767371AC3C87B3D6ADC2F615CDD19@CO1PR08MB7673.namprd08.prod.outlook.com>
 <4d10d6f2-f792-41d7-a52e-734e5307c1a2@BL0GCC02FT004.eop-gcc02.prod.protection.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <SA9PR09MB5454782B193A7C0202B7EEC0F9D69@SA9PR09MB5454.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>



From: Lisa Castilleja <ecc93 at uw.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2023 1:53 PM
To: DEI-Community <dei-community at list.wsba.org>
Subject: [dei-community] University of Washington School of Law is seeking two Full-Time LARW Assistant Teaching...


Please see job posting for UW Law positions for LARW assistant teaching Professors. Application information at: https://apply.interfolio.com/119830


The University of Washington is hiring two full-time Assistant Teaching Professors to join our first-year Legal Analysis, Research & Writing program (LARW) next year (2023-2024). The appointment is a nine-month contract with the initial term expected to be three years from the date of hire. The Assistant Teaching Professor is likely to be assigned to teach two sections of the LARW course for the full academic year, but may be assigned to upper-level writing courses, including Persuasive Writing and Intensive Legal Writing Workshop. Typical class size ranges from 17 to 22.
Applicants must have a law degree, strong academic record, at least three years of experience teaching legal analysis, research, and writing or a related course, and at least three years of post-law school experience that demonstrates the potential for excellence in teaching legal writing and other practical lawyering skills. Admission to the Washington bar is preferred but not required.
We have a wonderful group of supportive colleagues and we're excited to welcome a new colleague next year. To apply, please see the posting and submission requirements here: https://apply.interfolio.com/119830.


Lisa Castilleja
Director of Inclusion Initiatives & Alumni Relations
Law Dawgs: If you have not done so already, please update your contact information at: https://www.washington.edu/alumni/services/update/
UW Law Office of Advancement
ecc93 at uw.edu<mailto:ecc93 at uw.edu>
[cid:image001.png at 01D93641.8D27F300] GO HUSKIES!!
** IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS EMAIL IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE ORIGINAL ADDRESSEE AND IS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR FORWARDING OR COPYING (THROUGH A REPLY WITH CCs, BCCs OR OTHERWISE). IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS EMAIL BY MISTAKE OR THROUGH AN UNAUTHORIZED FORWARD OR COPY, PLEASE ALERT ME AND DELETE THE MESSAGE FROM YOUR INBOX. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.



---

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From gerard.sadlier at gmail.com  Sun Feb  5 18:27:24 2023
From: gerard.sadlier at gmail.com (Gerard Sadlier)
Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2023 18:27:24 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] Record of Evidence in Baylor College of Medicine v. XL
 Insurance America Inc.
Message-ID: <CAGZitzJvfHhk-hEGZzB4zRgLVmRC-99rNR64MZcJR2m=XaPeBg@mail.gmail.com>

Hello all

I'm not based in the US but am interested in a recent trial court
decision in Texis, Baylor College of Medicine v. XL Insurance America
Inc., where an insured proved that Covid-19 was the cause of direct
physical damage under a policy of insurance. Is it possible to obtain
the record of evidence before the Court in that case, the expert
reports relied on etc.?

Kind regards

Ger


From rob_hudson_3182 at gmx.com  Sun Feb  5 19:01:36 2023
From: rob_hudson_3182 at gmx.com (Rob Hudson)
Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2023 13:01:36 -0600
Subject: [blindLaw] Looking for attorney in recommendation Tennessee
Message-ID: <20230205.190136.688.1@[192.168.1.100]>

I know somebody who is about to try applying for disability benefits. It's probably a good thing to have an attorney help with that, because the system is rather hard to navigate. Anyone know of someone in Tennessee, preferrably Knoxville area, who can help her?

Thanks.


From sanho817 at gmail.com  Sun Feb  5 19:09:00 2023
From: sanho817 at gmail.com (Sanho Steele-Louchart)
Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2023 13:09:00 -0600
Subject: [blindLaw] Looking for attorney in recommendation Tennessee
In-Reply-To: <20230205.190136.688.1@192.168.1.100>
References: <20230205.190136.688.1@192.168.1.100>
Message-ID: <CAL6jpexJT6+Ra3ZWY+T03WyRHNVUUBW4o2A7aJg2WSv=AgcF_A@mail.gmail.com>

Emailing you off-list.

Sanho

On 2/5/23, Rob Hudson via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I know somebody who is about to try applying for disability benefits. It's
> probably a good thing to have an attorney help with that, because the system
> is rather hard to navigate. Anyone know of someone in Tennessee, preferrably
> Knoxville area, who can help her?
>
> Thanks.
>
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> BlindLaw:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/sanho817%40gmail.com
>


-- 
He/Him


From mallaz at live.com  Mon Feb  6 13:54:37 2023
From: mallaz at live.com (Marcel Monroe)
Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2023 13:54:37 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] Referral to privacy law firm in California
Message-ID: <MW3PR11MB46500DD84D173094307BA360B4DA9@MW3PR11MB4650.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>

Hello everyone,

I have a friend who is looking for a lawyer or a law firm practicing in the area of privacy and disclosure of confidential information in California. If anyone is interested, or you  know of any law firms  to recommend,  please contact me.  

Best regards,
Marcel

From sai at fiatfiendum.org  Tue Feb  7 16:21:37 2023
From: sai at fiatfiendum.org (Sai)
Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2023 16:21:37 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] accessible solution for splitting large pdfs
In-Reply-To: <067f01d93a83$77fdf880$67f9e980$@gmail.com>
References: <CADFycPYs3o09LCx_6W94ZuevEh+EFHE0LwDOTPJvLBN6jpcqoQ@mail.gmail.com>
 <E6C90BB7-6E67-4A68-95EA-0B1DA518F307@gmail.com>
 <CAHs-R5wPQ7qZ=P2YxUxLH-5Ouqpd711RFjh=wfX4uECb35gVLw@mail.gmail.com>
 <067f01d93a83$77fdf880$67f9e980$@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CAHs-R5zmVaSe9AMHpsFyFaQ9TELNb+Uf2h=P_tAFeBrdkWcWog@mail.gmail.com>

(copying to list since others may be interested and it took me two hours to
write)

I tested this using Acrobat Pro 2017 on Windows 11 both sighted and with
NVDA (I don't have JAWS).

1. Acrobat Pro's accessibility

>   I was told that it is inaccessible to JAWS; is this true?

I can't give a very reliable answer on this.

I'm only in blind when I'm not at home. I only use Windows at home on my
desktop, sighted (because I can control lighting conditions); I have NVDA
installed but only use it very very rarely, so I am not proficient. I've
never used JAWS.

If I'm out of my home, and need to use a computer, I use my Macbook Air
with VoiceOver or Android phone using TalkBack, and am proficient in those.

On Windows, export is gotten to by opening the file, alt f for file menu,
down until you get 'export to' submenu, right, right again on Word (it's
the first option in the submenu), select the versin you want, press enter,
then standard Windows save  file dialog. I don't know how to trigger
the menu in NVDA except using the standard (non-screenreader) alt commands,
but otherwise it seems fairly normal.

There are parts of Acrobat Pro that are just weirdly designed GUI in
general (very much like Microsoft Word 16), which I don't like regardless
of whether I'm operating in sighted or blind mde, but I didn't notice
anything that would specifically be worse in a screen reader.

My Macbook is stalling on system updates at the moment, so I haven't tested
this in VoiceOver just now. But from memory, it was unremarkable —
basically the same interface as any other app, and no particular issues
using it.

However, I haven't tried using Acrobat extensively in blind mode — I've
only needed to read things and edit notes (in text or Google Docs) or the
like, not to do more technical things like this.



2. Export from PDF

> If I understand correctly, Adobe Pro has a feature to export to Word.
This would be ideal for me: I'd rather work with a .docx than a PDF.  My
question: is this exporting an exact copy of text and formatting, or is it
merely an OCR?

This was news to me, but turns out Acrobat Pro can indeed convert to Word
(DOCX).

It also can export to Word 97-2003 (DOC), "accessible" text (whatever that
means), plain text, rich text format (RTF), and (in theory) Excel
spreadsheet (but that is effectively unusable).

I've attached the 2022 ACB Convention program in PDF (the version I
downloaded) and versions I just exported from Acrobat Pro for you to
compare — Word, Word 97-2003, accessible text, and RTF.

At a quick check, the Word export is lossy. Some of the images are
corrupted — e.g. the Chase ad on page 5 erased parts at the bottom of the
image of a braille display, probably because the OCR interpreted it as text
and tried to remove "background" that was actually photo. The whole ads are
images in the original, so there's the usual OCR lossiness — e.g. that same
ad has a headline "Commitment to access and inclusion", which OCR
interpreted as "CoII1II1itrnent to access and inclusion" in the Word
version. The alt text of the first image (a river-spanning ridge) is gone,
whereas the PDF had alt text. Same thing with the page 17 Microsoft ad,
which has text in an inset box within the image — the inset is removed,
there's erratic change to white background, the font is different (and
inconsistently so), and alt text gone. Etc.

It seems OK with the parts that were text with very basic formatting in the
PDF, so I believe this is mostly due to the usual problems with OCR,
combined with Word not really being a layout / graphic design format where
PDF is, differences in the fonts available to OCR on my system vs used in
the graphic design, and unexplainable removal of accessibility metadata.

So in short, no, it is NOT an exact copy. If you intend to reuse this for
export for sighted people, they won't like it, and it will often be
impossible for you to tell even where things are broken if you're operating
blind. If you're operating sighted, and have very high proficiency, you
might be able to manually patch that up to match the original, with a lot
of work.

There is nothing that can give you a non-lossy export from PDF. PDF is
fundamentally designed as a layout and print/display design format, not a
word or data processing format.

If you have any choice, you should only ever treat it as a final format
that things go to and not return from. But if you need it for use in
software or a braille display, and you don't care that visual things like
formatting and images get broken, it is a workable option.


As for spreadsheet exports: they're garbage and I can't recommend
using them unless you are operating sighted, only have it in PDF format,
and want something marginally better than copy-and-paste to work from to
recreate the spreadsheet.

My actual experience with this was when I tried converting a rasterized PDF
spreadsheet I got via FOIA, and the result was completely useless.

In fairness to Acrobat, that one was almost total garbage in the
government's PDF version too — they exported a large table into multiple
pages (both rows and columns didn't fit), and then rasterized it (converted
to image, removing all text and metadata), and removed all info about even
document boundaries.

As a side note, the government's refusal to produce accessible documents in
FOIA is a disputed part of an ongoing case. One decision went against me on
this point (because I only told them in the FOIA that I wanted it in
accessible format, but didn't say I was blind); see first part of the
"analysis" section in Sai v TSA, 315 F. Supp. 218, 233–35 (D.D.C. 2018),
https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=16239104146207287839#p233 .
There is still a pending question about electronic/native format copies in
general, which could effectively trump that loss and which seems strongly
inclined in my favor (except as to TSA's practice of merging a bunch of
documents into one, which went against me); see part A of analysis section
in Sai v TSA, 466 F. Supp. 3d 35, 44–51 (D.D.C. 2020)
https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=2576139784660925888#p44 . If
these issues interest you legally and you'd like to know more or help out,
please get in touch; I am represented by Sidley Austin, but they are not
specialized in accessibility issues.


As a test, I also just tried converting a non-rasterized, native electronic
PDF spreadsheet that I made myself for filing in that FOIA case. I created
it in Google Spreadsheets. Because CM/ECF only accepts PDFs, I exported it
as two PDF pages in very very small font (but digital, so it can be zoomed
as much as you want), with headers repeated on each page, and sent an Excel
copy directly to chambers and opposing counsel. The PDF version I created
is, I believe, about as accessible and well formatted as possible for a
spreadsheet to be in PDF, and therefore should be the best plausible
scenario for re-export to Excel.

Unfortunately, the PDF to Excel export is nearly unusable. It does have all
the text, and at least a couple rows, but it lost the column boundaries for
most of the rows, and completely failed to deal with the table being split
into two pages in the PDF.

I've attached the Excel file I created (as exported by Google
Spreadsheets), labeled "original", the PDF from Spreadsheets that I
actually filed; and the Excel I just re-exported from that PDF in Acrobat
Pro, labeled "re-export from Acrobat".


3. Split PDF

This is a bit hidden but very straightfrward once you find it. Under tools,
organize pages, there's a "split" command.

That gives you the option to split by "number of pages", "file size", or
"top level bookmarks" (if it has any).

The ACB 2022 program PDF did not have bookmarks. So I've attached an
example of "split by pages", 50 pages per.

The result is 4 files, with "_part1" etc at the end of the file name.


4. Columns to plain

> I'd frequently prefer to convert multi-columned pages to single columns.
Will Adobe Pro do this--or does your answer depend whether the PDF is a
scanned image or editable text?

Technically yes, practically no.

If it's editable text in Acrobat (either natively or via OCR), in Pro, you
can edit text boxes. So you could edit the second column, cut all the text,
edit the first column, go to the end, paste it, and resize the box so it
fits within the page. That may not be possible if the lines are short, and
it is not possible to reflow lines across different pages in PDF — it's a
page based format. This is a a major pain to do even sighted, and I think
trying to do it blind would be hair-pullingly bad.

If it isn't editable text, you can cut the image of the second column and
paste it below the first, resize both to fit, and OCR, but I expect this
would be an even worse pain to do and have even worse than usual OCR output.

So that's the technical yes. It is in theory possible. If you really really
had to keep the other formatting, you can, sorta. But pragmatically, no.
Save your sanity and don't do this.

If at all possible get it in non column format to start.


If not possible, and you don't care about format, and if you're lucky
because the PDF metadata is structured well, then export to text or RTF
might do this automatically (because they don't have columns at all, so
it's forced to be serialized). This is definitely your best option if it
works.

If you're not lucky, it'll do a whole line at a time (so in order it'll go
column 1 line 1, column 2 line 1, column 1 line 2, etc). That's effectively
unusable without a lot of editing afterwards.

it would be easier in my opinion to copy and paste the text — page by page,
column by column — into a new document. That would still be extremely
annoying and tedious to do, but not nearly as bad as actually editing the
PDF.

I have in fact done this (or equivalent) a few times, when I needed to be
able to edit or reflow the content, or just have a more usable arrangement
to read through when in blind mode, and spending a few hours on this was
worth the result. I can't recommend it if you have any better options, but
it does work.



I hope that helps. The attached files should give you a reasonably
representative sample of Acrobat Pro's output when converting and splitting
files.

Sincerely,
Sai
President, Fiat Fiendum, Inc., a 501(c)(3)


On Mon, Feb 6, 2023 at 11:33 PM JJ Johnston <jeffjayjohnston at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Hello Sai,
>
> This was interesting info about Adobe Pro.  I was told that it is
> inaccessible to JAWS; is this true?
>
> If I understand correctly, Adobe Pro has a feature to export to Word.
> This would be ideal for me: I'd rather work with a .docx than a PDF.  My
> question: is this exporting an exact copy of text and formatting, or is it
> merely an OCR?
>
> Finally, I'd frequently prefer to convert multi-columned pages to single
> columns.  Will Adobe Pro do this--or does your answer depend whether the
> PDF is a scanned image or editable text?
>
> Thanks for your info.  I know nothing about this software and Googling
> wasn't answering my questions.
>
> Appreciatively,
> Jay
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sai via BlindLaw
> Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2022 2:17 AM
> To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Sai <sai at fiatfiendum.org>
> Subject: Re: [blindLaw] accessible solution for splitting large pdfs
>
> 1. Acrobat Pro can do this easily.
>
> It's $60 via TechSoup if you have (or work for) a US non-profit:
> https://www.techsoup.org/adobe (There may be similar deals for non-US
> nonprofits, but I don't know.)
>
> Just be sure to get actual Acrobat Pro (current version is 2020), not the
> new "Creative Cloud" or "DC" which require a yearly subscription and don't
> work properly when offline.
>
> It's $538 for normal license:
> https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/acrobat-2020-downloads.html &
> https://commerce.adobe.com/checkout/email/?items%5B0%5D%5Bid%5D=58675001ACEBE288DBDA18D701134F56&cli=adobe_com&co=US&lang=en
>
>
> 2. I believe OSX Preview (which comes with OSX) can do basic operations
> like splitting PDFs. Just select a set of pages and export those to a new
> PDF.
>
>
> 3. If you're comfortable using Unix there are several totally free command
> line tools with similar functionality. Obviously they don't have fancy GUI,
> but then, do you really care about a graphical interface?
>
> For example, pdftk can split, merge, etc. There are several tools that can
> do more advanced stuff that Acrobat itself won't do, like pdfresurrect
> (unpacks hidden previous revisions in a PDF), pdfcrack (cracks password
> protected PDFs), origami (extract, modify, etc PDF contents), etc.
>
> E.g. origami is a very flexible PDF manipulation library:
> https://github.com/gdelugre/origami (which has a GTK based GUI available,
> https://rubygems.org/gems/pdfwalker ), but requires you to know (or
> learn) the programming language Ruby.
>
> You can install Ubuntu in Windows 10 & 11 via WSL, on OSX using BootCamp,
> VMware, VirtualBox, or similar, or as your primary OS using an installation
> DVD or USB drive ( https://ubuntu.org has instructions).
>
>
> 4. pdftk is also available for Windows & OSX, with both command line and
> GUI options — free for the full command line version & basic GUI version,
> $4  for full GUI version:
>
> https://www.pdflabs.com/tools/pdftk-server/
> https://www.pdflabs.com/tools/pdftk-the-pdf-toolkit/
>
> I've only used the Unix CLI version so I can't comment on the GUI version,
> but I can confirm that the pdftk CLI is quite useful (even though I also
> have Acrobat Pro).
>
> Sincerely,
> Sai
> President, Fiat Fiendum, Inc., a 501(c)(3)
>
> Sent from my mobile phone; please excuse the concision and autocorrect
> errors.
>
> On Sat, 20 Aug 2022, 06:12 Justin Harford via BlindLaw, <
> blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>
> > Hello
> >
> > PDF split and  merge is an app for iOS which might do the trick. I
> > just took a look at a file that had about 250 pages and it looks like
> > you can split it in equal intervals among other options.
> >
> > It's not free, but not very expensive either.
> >
> > Justin Harford
> > Oregon Bell Academy Coordinator
> >
> >
> > > On Aug 19, 2022, at 9:55 PM, Rahul Bajaj via BlindLaw <
> > blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > As a practicing attorney, I often have to deal with very bulky files
> > [300+
> > > pages] in my work. JAWS tends to freeze when such a large file is
> > > opened
> > in
> > > Adobe. One workaround that I have found is to split the file, such
> > > that I can extract the relevant pages from the bulky file and read
> > > them as a separate PDF. DOes anyone know of any good, preferably
> > > free, solutions
> > that
> > > do this?
> > >
> > > I'd basically just have to key in the page numbers that I would want
> > > to made into a spearate PDF.
> > >
> > > Warmly,
> > > Rahul
> > >
> > > --
> > > --
> > > Rahul Bajaj
> > > Attorney, Ira Law
> > > Senior Associate Fellow, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy Rhodes
> > > Scholar (India and Linacre 2018), University of Oxford Co-Founder,
> > > Mission Accessibility Special Correspondent on the rights of persons
> > > with disabilities, Oxford Human Rights Hub Coordinator of the
> > > working group on accessibility, e-Committee, Supreme Court of India
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > BlindLaw mailing list
> > > BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> > > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> > > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
> > > for
> > BlindLaw:
> > >
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/blindstein%40gma
> > il.com
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > BlindLaw mailing list
> > BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > BlindLaw:
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/sai%40fiatfiendu
> > m.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> BlindLaw:
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/jeffjayjohnston%40gmail.com
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
61st Annual National 
Conference & Convention 

A pedestrian bridge in Omaha stretches over a river at dusk. ACB Logo. 2022 Hybrid Convention.
American Council of the 
Blind and Special-
Interest Affiliates 

June 22 – July 8, 2022 

Dan Spoone, President 

 


 

Braille is special, but it shouldn’t be rare. APH’s vision to create an accessible world with opportunity for everyone, guides us in our efforts to innovate technology solutions that enable people with vision loss to conquer their challenges and pursue their dreams. Visit the APH booth to learn more about our latest refreshable braille technology, including the Mantis™ Q40 and Chameleon™ 20. American Printing House logo. APH.ORG. 


 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Commitment to access and inclusion. We proudly support the American Council of the Blind for its developing innovative education, technology and training programs and legislative advocacy that create pathways to independence and success for their constituents. JPMorgan Chase & Co logo. jpmorganchase.com. 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Amazon logo. Amazon’s vision is to be Earth’s most customer-centric company. Our goal isn’t simply to make things accessible, but to make products, services, and experiences that are delightful for customers with disabilities. Customers can enjoy a rich set of accessibility features on Amazon devices, such as the award-winning VoiceView screen reader on Fire TV, Fire tablets, and Echo Show devices. They can also enjoy Fire tablets’ compatibility with Bluetooth refreshable braille displays and use Alexa for things like identifying pantry items, shopping, and controlling smart home appliances by voice and touch. To learn more, tune in to our sessions featuring Peter Korn, Director of Devices Accessibility, Dr. Josh Miele, Principal Accessibility researcher for Devices and 2021 MacArthur Grant fellow, and other Amazon innovators. To learn more about Fire TVs, Fire tablets, Kindle, and Echo Devices. Visit www.amazon.com/accessibility. 



 

Focused on What Matters. A Brighter Future. As an advocate for blind and visually impaired people, the American Council of the Blind has worked to strengthen communities and offer resources and education to help bridge the gap of equality and create connections amongst all people. MGM Resorts is proud to support the American Council of the Blind in all its efforts. MGM Resorts International logo.

Table of Contents 
61st Annual National Conference & Convention ..................... 1 
President’s Message .............................................................. 7 
Conference Gems .................................................................. 9 
Calendar ............................................................................... 17 
Abbreviations in this Program .............................................. 37 
ACB Café ............................................................................. 38 
Registration Information ....................................................... 39 
Communication Center Services .......................................... 42 
Digital Information & Internet ................................................ 45 
ACB Photography/Videography ........................................... 48 
Medical Information .............................................................. 49 
Guide Dog User Information ................................................. 50 
Veterinary Care .................................................................... 51 
Religious Activities ............................................................... 52 
Convention Standing Rules .................................................. 52 
General Session Agenda ..................................................... 56 
Special-Interest Affiliate Meeting .......................................... 64 
Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss ............................................ 64 
American Association of Blind Teachers .......................... 67 
American Association of Visually Impaired Attorneys.................... 69 
ACB Diabetics in Action .................................................... 71 
American Council of Blind Families .................................. 75 
American Council of Blind Lions ....................................... 78 
ACB Next Generation ....................................................... 79 
ACB Radio Amateurs ........................................................ 84 
American Council of Blind Students ................................. 85 
Blind Information Technology Specialists ......................... 88 
Braille Revival League ...................................................... 90 
Blind LGBT Pride International ......................................... 93 
Council of Citizens with Low Vision International ................ 101 
Friends-in-Art of ACB ...................................................... 103 
Guide Dog Users, Inc. .................................................... 107 
Independent Visually Impaired Entrepreneurs ................ 110 
Library Users of America ................................................ 112 
Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America RSVA® .......... 113 
Visually Impaired Veterans of America ........................... 117 
ACB Committee Meetings .................................................. 117 
ACB Women’s Committee .............................................. 117 
Advocacy Services Committee ....................................... 120 
Auction Committee ......................................................... 121 
Audio Description Project Committee ............................. 122 
DKM First-Timers Committee ......................................... 126 
Employment Committee ................................................. 127 
Information Access Committee ....................................... 128 
International Relations Committee .................................. 130 
Leadership Training Committee ..................................... 133 
Membership Committee ................................................. 133 
Multicultural Affairs Committee ....................................... 135 
Pedestrian Environment Access Committee .................. 139 
Rehab Issues Task Force Committee ............................ 141 
Resource Development Committee ................................ 142 
Sight and Sound Impaired Committee (SASI) ................ 142 
Scholarship Committee .................................................. 143 
Transportation Committee .............................................. 143 
Walk Committee ............................................................. 145 
Other Meetings and Programs ........................................... 145 
2022 Tours ......................................................................... 154 
Kids Explorers Club ............................................................ 169 
ACB Fundraisers ................................................................ 171 
2022 ACB Exhibitors .......................................................... 173 
Marketplace ........................................................................ 175 
ACB Officers and Board of Directors .................................. 175 
ACB Board of Publications ................................................. 177 
ACB Enterprises & Services ............................................... 177 
2022 Convention Coordinating Committee ........................ 179 
2022 Convention Program Committee ............................... 179 
Local Host Committee ........................................................ 180 

President’s Message 

 

I want to welcome everyone to the 61st annual 
conference and convention of the American Council of 
the Blind, for our first ever hybrid gathering broadcast 
across ACB Media Network and in-person in Omaha, 
Nebraska. In these unique times, the efforts of our 
members to pull together and present an outstanding 
event is a testimony to the passion and tenacity of our 
ACB Family. 

 

The theme of the 2022 convention is “Here, There and 
Everywhere!” This is a great theme for this year’s 
convention since today’s obstacles represent 
tomorrow’s opportunities. Making opportunities turn into 
successes for people who are blind or visually impaired 
is what our work at ACB is all about! 

 

You will hear more about ACB’s successes during what 
should be our busiest and most information-packed 
convention ever. 

 

Every ACB convention relies on scores of volunteers 
who work to make this event possible. I want to 
personally thank the members of the Convention 
Committee, chaired by Janet Dickelman; the Convention 
Program Committee, and the ACB Media Network team. 


 

Likewise, let me acknowledge the work of our 
Alexandria and Minneapolis staff. You are all fabulous! 

 

Finally, a very warm welcome to those of you attending 
the ACB convention for the first time. This hybrid event 
will offer our members and friends a wonderful chance 
to experience a truly exceptional program in the comfort 
of your own home or in Omaha at the fabulous Hilton 
Hotel in the heart of the city. There will be over 25 hours 
of audio-described virtual tours, a robust vendor exhibit 
hall and amazing live tours, daily general sessions with 
knowledgeable presenters across the full range of 
issues that impact our community and over 100 
breakout sessions from our affiliates, committees, and 
sponsors. This unique experience will shape our 
organization for years to come, and we can’t wait to get 
together in person or on the ACB Media Network. Plan 
on joining us in 2023 and come to Schaumburg, Illinois 
next year. 

 

Enjoy a great convention! 

Dan Spoone, ACB President 

 


Conference Gems 

Many, many thanks to our 2022 corporate sponsors. 
Their continued generous support of the American 
Council of the Blind and our conference and convention 
is sincerely appreciated. 

 

Look for the 2022 corporate sponsors on www.acb.org, 
in the conference and convention program and 
newspaper, on ACB Media, on the convention T-shirt, 
and throughout the week. Be sure to thank them 
personally for their generous support. 

 

Diamond Sponsors 

• JPMorgan Chase – Conference & Convention 
Announcements 
• Meta – ACB Banquet 
• Microsoft – ACB Media Streaming 
• Vanda Pharmaceuticals 
• Vispero – ACB Videography 


Emerald Sponsors 

• Amazon - Technology Help Desk 
• Johnson & Johnson 
• MGM Resorts International – Conference Exhibit 
Hall and Guide 
• Spectrum – Conference podcasts 



• Verizon 


Ruby Sponsors 

• AT&T – Conference Registration 
• Cruise 
• Google – ACB Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 
session tracks 
• NCTA (National Cable and Telecom Association) - 
ACB Scholarship Mentoring Program 
• Waymo 


Onyx Sponsors 

• American Printing House for the Blind – ACB Life 
Membership Reception 
• Democracy Live - Membership Monday 
• Tusk Montgomery Philanthropies - ACB Life 
Member Reception 


Topaz Sponsor 

• ACB Lions - Sponsor a student, future ACB Leader 
or Young Professional 


Pearl Sponsor 

• Library Users of America - Talking Book Narrator 


 

 


 

Vispero logo. Vispero is a proud sponsor of the American Council of the Blind National Convention. Learn more about our innovative technology for blindness and low vision, and the passionate team behind it at vispero.com We’re excited to see you again - in person! Please visit us in the exhibit hall and during our presentation - we have many convention specials and a free gift just for visiting us! What’s New with JAWS, Fusion, and ZoomText
Saturday, July 2, 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM. Join Douglas Gerry for the annual User Group meeting. All skill levels are welcome. We’ll demonstrate and discuss the recent developments and look at what’s coming in 2023. Bring your questions and join the fun as we kick off the 2022 Convention with the JAWS teams from Training, Sales, and Marketing. Vispero Brands: Enhanced Vision, Freedom Scientific, Optelec, TPGi.

 

Proud to support the 2022 American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention. Meta Logo.

 

Empowerment: Microsoft is a proud sponsor of the 2022 American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention. Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. This includes creating and delivering technology that is accessible and functional for everyone. Microsoft.com/accessibility. Microsoft logo.

To all you forward thinkers, thanks for striving to make things better. Spectrum is proud to support ACB’s 2022 Conference & Convention. Spectrum logo.

 

Mobile Voting logo. Our mission is to expand voting options to include secure, accessible mobile voting so any voter, regardless of ability, can vote from anywhere. Electronic remote ballot delivery and return options are needed so voters with disabilities can vote independently and privately from home. We continue to stand with the American Council of the Blind to expand voting options. Learn more at mobilevoting.org.
Cruise logo. Building the world’s most advanced autonomous vehicles. We are proud to work with the American Council of the Blind and their members, and to support the 2022 Conference & Convention. GetCruise.com. 



 

NCTA logo. The Internet & Television Association. Proudly supports American Council of the Blind and the 61st Annual ACB Conference and Convention.
DemocracyLive logo. Voter Information Technologies
Democracy Live - Accessible Voting Technologies. Anytime. Anywhere. In too many states, voters with disabilities don’t have equal access to voting independently and privately from home. Fortunately, there are new accessible at-home voting technologies now available. The Democracy Live OmniBallot accessible at-home voting system is a fully ADA, Section 508, WCAG 2.1 compliant remote ballot marking solution. The system has been tested to meet the accessibility requirements of over 90 combinations of browsers, operating systems, screen readers and devices. OmniBallot has been deployed as an accessible absentee tool since 2008, in over 4,000 elections, serving 3,000 jurisdictions, in 27 states and 96 countries around the world. OmniBallot has been tested and reviewed by members of most every leading disability organization in the nation. For further information, please contact Democracy Live: 855-655-VOTE (8683). Email: info at democracylive.com. www.democracylive.com.

Calendar 

 

Saturday, June 18 

6:00 pm - 11:00 pm: ACB Summer Auction; Virtual 


Wednesday, June 22 

10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Exhibit Hall Virtual Tour; Virtual 

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Reading of Standing Rules 
Credentials; Virtual 

 

Thursday, June 23 

10:00 am - 11:15 am: Reaching Beyond Their Borders: 
International Programs of US Schools for the Blind; 
Virtual 

11:30 am - 2:15 pm: GDUI: School Updates; Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: BRL Constitutional Changes; Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: AI in Music and Pictures; Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: Audio Description: “Nothing About 
Us Without Us”; Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: ACBRA Business Meeting; Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: BRL Nominations and Candidate 
Forum; Virtual 


2:30 pm - 3:45 pm - Seeing Eye Woofs and Wags; Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: BRL Other Business; Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Yoga with Leslie Spoone; Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm: Audio Description Update on TV 
Broadcast and Cable Networks and the CVAA; Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: AABT Business Meeting; Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Adaptive Sports: GET UP, GET 
MOVING, and Make Life Fun!; Virtual 

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Nominating Committee; Virtual 

7:30 pm - 8:45 pm: Prose and Poetry Reading; Virtual 

 

Friday, June 24 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: Residential Adjustment to 
Blindness; Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: You Gotta Have Harp; Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: Science for Superheroes: Video 
presentation and discussion of Cryopreservation; 
Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: NLS Expands its Foreign Language 
Collection; Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Super Computers and Super Pups; 
Virtual 


2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: LUA Business Meeting; Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: En-Vision America; Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Cardio Exercise with Leslie Spoone; 
Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: ACBS Business Meeting; Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Affiliate Presidents Meeting; Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Bookshare Office Hours; Virtual 

7:30 pm - 10:00 pm: Showcase of the Performing Arts; 
Virtual 

10:00 pm - 11:15 pm: Showcase After Hours; Virtual 

 

Saturday, June 25 

10:00 am - 11:15 am: IVIE Business Meeting; Virtual 

11:30 am - 12:45 pm: Do you really need Indeed? 
Indeed you might; Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: AAVIA Business Meeting; Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: ACBF Business Meeting; Virtual 

1:00 pm - 3:45 pm: RSVA Business Meeting; Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: ACB Committee Chairs Meeting; 
Virtual 


1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: The Art of Disability Culture: 
Nontraditional Visually Impaired Artist panel; Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: CCLVI Business Meeting and 
Elections; Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Audio Description Project: Self-
Description: Too Much or Just Enough - Blind 
Community Perspectives; Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Social Security at Work; Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: BPI/MCAC/GDUI Candidates 
Forum; Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Sister Power Happy Hour; Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: ACB Families Goes to Camp; Virtual 

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm: ACB Next Generation and ACB 
Students Convention Pep Rally; Virtual 

7:30 pm - 8:45 pm: FIA Writers' Workshop; Virtual 

7:30 pm - 10:00 pm: ACB Film Night; Virtual 

7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Keys to the Convention (Virtual) 

9:00 pm - 11:00 pm: ACBL Milly's Place; Virtual 

 

Thursday, June 30 

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Registration, HH Blackstone 
Ballroom A 


Friday, July 1 

8:00 am – 7:00 pm – Registration, HH Blackstone 
Ballroom A 

8:00 am - 3:15 pm: Henry Doorly Zoo; Left Outside 
Hilton Lobby 

10:00 am - 4:00 pm: ACB Board Meeting; HH Hill & 
Virtual 

4:00 pm - 6:45 pm: CCLVI/BITS: Vendor Showcase; 
CHI 213 & Virtual 

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Scholarship Winners' Dinner (by 
invitation only); CHI 215 

8:00 pm - 10:00 pm: ACBS/Next Gen Friday Night 
Bash; CHI 208 

8:00 pm - 11:00 pm: "Come Together!" Welcome to 
Omaha; HH Blackstone B 

9:00 pm - 12:00 am: RSVA/IVIE Mixer; CHI 215 

 

Saturday, July 2 

8:00 am – 6:00 pm – Registration, HH Blackstone 
Ballroom A 

8:00 am - 9:30 am: AABT Breakfast and Program: The 
Statue of Liberty - The Rest of the Story; CHI 215 & 
Virtual 


8:30 am - 10:30 am: Goalball; TBA 

10:00 am - 11:15 am: Berl Colley Leadership: Moving 
from Safe Spaces to Brave Spaces; CHI 211 & Virtual 

10:00 am - 11:15 am: BITS: Navigating Your World; 
CHI 213 

10:00 am - 11:15 am: BrailleSense 6, Productivity has 
Never Been More Fun! CHI 208 & Virtual 

10:00 am - 11:15 am: What's New with JAWS, Fusion, 
and ZoomText; CHI 215 & Virtual 

10:00 am - 12:00 pm: City Bus Tour with a Twist; Left 
Outside Hilton Lobby 

10:00 am - 3:45 pm: Boys Town; Left Outside Hilton 
Lobby 

11:30 am - 12:45 pm: AAVIA and Advocacy Committee: 
Civil Rights Panel; CHI 215 & Virtual 

11:30 am - 12:45 pm: Berl Colley Leadership; CHI 211 
& Virtual 

11:30 am - 12:45 pm: BITS: On the Go - Laptops and 
Tablets; CHI 213 & Virtual 

11:30 am - 12:45 pm: Furry Tails; CHI 208 & Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: Making Gay History; CHI 208 & 
Virtual 


1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: RSVA: “All about the Nebraska 
Business Enterprise Program”; CHI 215 & Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: Safety Education Empowering 
Defense Intro Workshop; HH Merchant 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: NLS Focus Group, HH Rome 

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Exhibit Hall Opens; CHI Exhibit Hall A 

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Community Hospitality; HH St. 
Nicholas & Virtual 

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: City Bus Tour with a Twist II; Left 
Outside Hilton Lobby 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: ACBS, Blind Activism and 
Advocacy Panel; CHI 208 & Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: RSVA: The Value of Randolph-
Sheppard Business Enterprises as Career 
Opportunities; CHI 215 & Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Pitch in an Elevator: Talking It Up 
When You Are Going Down; CHI 211 & Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: 411 From the IAC: Low-Tech, High-
Tech Fitness Journey; CHI 213 & Virtual 

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: BPI Movie: Rocky Horror Picture 
Show; CHI 208 

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm: CCLVI: Fred Scheigert Scholarship 
Winners' Reception; HH Cozzens 


4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: RSVA: “Outlook Enrichment 
Assistance”; CHI 215 & Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: ACB Next Generation: Meet the 
Framily; CHI 211 & Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: 411 From the IAC: Unlocking the 
secrets of shopping; CHI 213 & Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Keys to the Convention; HH Hill 

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm: NLS Focus Group, HH Rome 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Catholic Mass; HH Prague 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Interdenominational Church 
Service; HH Mercer 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: Jewish Service: Temple Israel, HH 
Flat Iron 

5:00 pm - 6:45 pm: Come Tailgate with ACBDA; HH 
Grand A 

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Walking Everywhere! HH Grand 
Ballroom Foyer & Virtual 

6:30 pm - 10:00 pm: Kids Explorers Club; HH Paxton 

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Opening General Session: CHI 
Grand Ballroom & Virtual 

 

 


Sunday, July 3 

7:00 am - 8:15 am: GDB Breakfast; CHI 213 & Virtual 

7:00am - 5:00 pm: Kids Explorers Club - Fontanelle 
Forest; HH Paxton 

8:00 am – 5:00 pm – Registration, HH Blackstone 
Ballroom A 

8:30 am - 12:00 pm: ACB General Session; CHI Grand 
Ballroom & Virtual 

10:45 am - 4:45 pm: Malcolm X Center and Black 
History Museum; Left Outside Hilton Lobby 

11:00 am - 5:00 pm: Exhibit Hall Opens; CHI Exhibit 
Hall A 

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm: AAVL Lunch: Unraveling the 
Medicare Tangle; CHI 213 & Virtual 

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm: RSVA® Awards Luncheon 
"Celebrating over 50 years of achievement and 
advocacy"; CHI 215 & Virtual 

12:45 pm - 3:45 pm: Mormon Trail; Left Outside Hilton 
Lobby 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: "BPI: Beyond Swiping: Seeking 
Romantic Connection and Compatibility in the 21st 
Century"; CHI 208 & Virtual 


1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: LUA: Up Close and Personal with 
NLS Director, Jason Broughton; CHI 211 & Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: Safety Education Empowering 
Defense Intro Workshop; HH Merchant 

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Community Hospitality; HH St. 
Nicholas & Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: 3D Audio Excursion; CHI 208 & 
Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Not Your Mother's Library; CHI 211 
& Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Student Led Discussion; CHI 215 & 
Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Update Your Zoom Profile Pic; HH 
Washington City 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: A Day in the Life an Audio 
Engineer/Describer; CHI 208 & Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Providing Quality and Affordability: 
APH High-tech Refreshable Braille Solutions; CHI 215 
& Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: To Mobility and Beyond: Update on 
Public Right-Of-Way Accessibility Guidelines 
(PROWAG); CHI 211 & Virtual 


5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: The Human Side of They: What are 
the Colors of Our Rainbow; HH Cozzens 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: ACBF: Everyone Can Play!; CHI 
211 & Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Conversation with the World Blind 
Union CEO, Marc Workman; CHI 215 & Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Scholarship Winners Reception; HH 
Grand Ballroom A/B 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: What’s new with GPS Products at 
HumanWare; CHI 213 & Virtual 

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Get Up and Get Moving with a walk 
across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge; Left 
Outside Hilton Lobby 

7:30 pm - 8:45 pm: 1st Act: Enjoy some laughs with 
RSVA® Comedian Willie Farrell; HH Blackstone B 

8:00 pm - 9:45 pm: BPI Mixer: Bobbing into Omaha!; 
HH Cozzens 

8:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Get Social with SASI; HH Hill 

9:00 pm - 12:00 am: 2nd Act: Show your talent with 
RSVA® Karaoke!; HH Blackstone B 

10:00 pm - 12:00 am: Open Mic Night with BPI; HH 
Cozzens 

 


Monday, July 4 

7:00 am - 8:15 pm: ACBF Breakfast; Preserving Our 
Memories; CHI 213 & Virtual 

7:00 am - 8:15 pm: BRL Breakfast; CHI 211 & Virtual 

7:00 am - 5:00 pm: Kids Explorers Club- Amazing Pizza 
Machine; HH Paxton 

8:00 am – 5:00 pm – Registration, HH Blackstone 
Ballroom A 

8:30 am - 12:00 pm: ACB General Session; CHI Grand 
Ballroom & Virtual 

11:00 am - 5:00 pm: Exhibit Hall Opens; CHI Exhibit 
Hall A 

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm: "Selling Yourself: How to Put Your 
Best Foot Forward in the Evolving Employment 
World."; CHI 213 & Virtual 

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm: Voices from Around the World 
Luncheon: A Tapestry of Stories: Overcoming 
Challenges and Achieving Success in the US; CHI 
211 & Virtual 

12:30 pm - 2:30 pm: City Bus Tour with a Twist III; Left 
Outside Hilton Lobby 

12:15 pm - 4:30 pm: Strategic Air Control and 
Aerospace Museum; Left Outside Hilton Lobby 


1:00 pm - 3:45 pm: VIVA Business Meeting; HH Hill 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: Blind Dating in a Sighted World: 
The Non-verbal Cues of Dating; CHI 208 & Virtual 

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Community Hospitality; HH St. 
Nicholas & Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Breath and Sound; HH Cozzens 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Smart Home Living; CHI 211 & 
Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Social Justice and Identity-Based 
Training; CHI 208 & Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: To Mobility and Beyond: Challenges 
Facing Pedestrians in 2022; CHI 213 & Virtual 

2:30 pm - 5:15 pm: IVIE Business Expo; HH Merchant 

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm: City Bus Tour with a Twist IV; Left 
Outside Hilton Lobby 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: How to Not be Afraid of Your 
Kitchen 101; CHI 208 & Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: MCAC Social; HH Grand Ballroom A 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: To Mobility and Beyond: Yes, You 
Can! Local Success Stories; CHI 213 & Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Unraveling Advocacy for Vision 
Rehabilitation Services; CHI 215 & Virtual 


5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: BPI: Colors of the Rainbow: What Is 
an Ally; HH Cozzens 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: What’s new with Braille at 
HumanWare; CHI 213 & Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Empowering Ourselves to Advocate 
for the Best Mental Health and Emotional Well Being 
Care; CHI 208 & Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Wine Tasting: Sparkles and 
Fireworks; HH Washington City 

5:30 pm - 10:45 pm: Baseball and Fireworks; Left 
Outside Hilton Lobby 

6:00 pm - 12:00 pm: RSVA® Casino Trip; Left Outside 
Hilton Lobby 

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm: Bingo - It's a Families Tradition; CHI 
215 

7:30 pm - 10:00 pm: Community Karaoke; CHI 208 & 
Virtual 

 

Tuesday, July 5 

7:00am - 5:00 pm: Kids Explorers Club - Henry Doorly 
Zoo; HH Paxton 

8:00 am – 4:00 pm – Registration, HH Blackstone 
Ballroom A 


8:30 am - 12:00 pm: ACB General Session; CHI Grand 
Ballroom & Virtual 

11:00am - 5:00 pm: Exhibit Hall Opens; CHI Exhibit Hall A 

12:15 pm - 1:00 pm: AAVIA Lunch; CHI 211 

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm: ACB Lions Reverse Visit; CHI 213 
& Virtual 

12:15 pm - 4:00 pm: Outlook Collaborative Tour; Left 
Outside Hilton Lobby 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: Meet the Talking Book Narrator; 
CHI 215 & Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: AAVIA - Perspective from an 
attorney from the UK; CHI 211 & Virtual 

1:45 pm - 4:45 pm: Lewis and Clark Visitors Center; 
Left Outside Hilton Lobby 

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Community Hospitality; HH St. 
Nicholas & Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Choosing Where to Live as You 
Age: Downsizing Part 1; CHI 213 & Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Knuckling Down on Endocrinology: 
Current and Future Treatment Strategies; CHI 208 & 
Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: One Book, One ACB; CHI 215 


2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Ten Ethical Issues Lawyers Face 
Today; CHI 211 & Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Self-Care is Health Care; CHI 215 & 
Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Choosing Where to Live as You 
Age: Downsizing Part 2; CHI 213 & Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Knuckling Down on Using and 
Demonstrating Durable Medical Equipment; CHI 208 
& Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Take a Walk in the Park; CHI 211 & 
Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: ACBL: Lessons in Leadership; CHI 
215 & Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Me to the Third Power: Finding, 
Working and Sharing Myself; Our Journey with Mental 
Health and Emotional Well-Being; CHI 208 & Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: RDC "Two Scoops with No 
Calories"; CHI 213 & Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Wine Tasting: Tannin Tuesday; HH 
Washington City 

5:15 pm - 9:15 pm: TreeRush Adventure Tour; Left 
Outside Hilton Lobby 


7:00 pm - 8:30 pm: DKM/JPMorgan Reception 
(invitation only); HH President’s Suite 

7:30 – 9 pm: A Conversation with Kelly Buckland, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, CHI 213 
Join the ACB Transportation and Pedestrian and 
Environment Access Committees for a wide-ranging 
conversation regarding accessibility and disability 
rights with Mr. Kelly Buckland, Disability Advisor, 
Office of the Assistant Secretary on Policy, US 
Department of Transportation (Washington, DC) 

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm: Dance of the Ages; HH Grand 
Ballroom A/B 

 

Wednesday, July 6 

7:00 am - 8:15 am: NIB Breakfast; CHI 208 & Virtual 

7:00 am - 5:00 pm: Kids Explorers Club - Children’s 
Museum; HH Paxton 

8:00 am – 4:00 pm – Registration, HH Blackstone 
Ballroom A 

8:30 am - 12:00 pm: ACB General Session; CHI Grand 
Ballroom & Virtual 

9:00am - 1:00 pm: Exhibit Hall Opens; CHI Exhibit Hall A 


10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Update and Audio Describe Your 
Profile Photo, HH Flat Iron 

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm: MCAC Luncheon; CHI 213 & 
Virtual 

12:15 pm - 5:15 pm: Train Day; Left Outside Hilton Lobby 

12:45 pm - 4:45 pm: Sweet Tooth Tour; Left Outside 
Hilton Lobby 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: "It Takes a Village: Working 
Together to Prepare Students in Transition"; CHI 211 
& Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: ACBRA Program; CHI 208 & Virtual 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: Understanding where our writing 
system Braille has been; CHI 215 & Virtual 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: NLS Focus Group, HH Rome 

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Community Hospitality; HH St. 
Nicholas & Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: A Candid Conversation about a 
Critical Concept; CHI 213 & Virtual 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: ACBDA: Accessible Pharmacy. 
Knuckling down on Accessibility; CHI 211 & Virtual 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: New uses for Braille in Periodicals; 
CHI 215 & Virtual 


2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: The History and Current Role of 
Fraternal Benefit Societies; CHI 208 & Virtual 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: NLS Focus Group, HH Rome 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: ACB Membership Committee 
Seminar; CHI 213 & Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Audio Description Award Winners; 
CHI 215 & Virtual 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Games with Ralph; HH Hill 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Knuckling Down with Peer Mentor 
Relations; CHI 211 & Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: DKM Reception; CHI 211 & Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: GDUI: Wrap-up and Awards CHI 
215 & Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Making Sense of the Census; CHI 
208 & Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Microsoft Windows Accessibility 
and Features; CHI 211 & Virtual 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Wino Wednesday; HH Washington 
City 

6:00 pm - 9:45 pm: Riverboat Cruise; Left Outside 
Hilton Lobby 

7:30 pm - 10:00 pm: It's Play Time!; CHI 208 & Virtual 


Thursday, July 7 

7:00 am - 5:00 pm: Kids Explorers Club - Urban Air; HH 
Paxton 

8:00 am – 2:00 pm – Registration, HH Blackstone 
Ballroom A 

8:30 am - 5:00 pm: ACB General Session; CHI Grand 
Ballroom & Virtual 

10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Update and Audio Describe Your 
Profile Photo, HH Flat Iron 

6:30 pm - 9:30 pm: Kids Explorers Club Party; HH 
Paxton 

7:00 pm - 9:30 pm: ACB Banquet; HH Grand Ballroom 
A/B/C/D & Virtual 

9:00 pm - 11:30 pm: Get Up and Move Dance Party; 
HH Grand Ballroom Foyer 

 

Friday, July 8 

 10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Update and Audio Describe Your 
Profile Photo, HH Flat Iron 

10:45 am - 3:00 pm: Brewery Tour; Left Outside Hilton 
Lobby 

5:45 pm - 8:30 pm: Crime Dinner; Left Outside Hilton 
Lobby 


Abbreviations in this Program 

 

ACB - American Council of the Blind 

AABT - American Association of Blind Teachers 

AAVL - Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss 

AAVIA - American Association of Visually Impaired 
Attorneys 

ACBDA - ACB Diabetics in Action 

ACBF - ACB Families 

ACBGE - ACB Government Employees 

ACBL - ACB Lions 

ACBNG - ACB Next Generation 

ACBRA - ACB Radio Amateurs 

ACBS - ACB Students 

ADP - Audio Description Project 

AFB - American Foundation for the Blind 

APH - American Printing House for the Blind 

BITS - Blind Information Technology Specialists 

BOP - Board of Publications 

BPI - Blind LGBT Pride International 


BRL - Braille Revival League 

CCLVI - Council of Citizens with Low Vision International 

DKM - Durward K. McDaniel First-Timer 

FIA - Friends-in-Art of ACB 

GDUI - Guide Dog Users, Inc. 

IRC - International Relations Committee 

IVIE - Independent Visually Impaired Entrepreneurs 

KEC - Kids Explorers Club 

LUA - Library Users of America 

MCAC - Multicultural Affairs Committee 

NIB - National Industries for the Blind 

NLS - National Library Service for the Blind and Print 
Disabled 

RSVA - Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America 

SASI - Sight and Sound Impaired Committee 

VIVA - Visually Impaired Veterans of America 

 

ACB Café 

 

Stop by the ACB Convention Café to grab a quick cup of 
coffee, pastry, sandwich, salad or snack as you rush 


from one meeting to another or as you head out on a 
tour. Meet at the Café to visit with friends or just rest a 
while between activities. 

 
The Café is in the convention center in room 210. 
The Café menu will be printed in the newspaper and 
available at the information desk, along with any daily 
specials. 

Registration Information 

Sponsored by Vanda Pharmaceuticals 

 

Registration is in the hotel in the Blackstone Ballroom A. 

 

Pre-registration packets can be picked up anytime 
Registration is open, but Thursday evening, June 30th 
from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Friday and Saturday from 
8:00 am to 11:00 am are reserved exclusively for pre-
registration pickup only. 

 

Onsite registration will only be done from 11:00 am to 
7:00 pm on Friday and 11:00am to 6:00 pm on 
Saturday. This will help to better manage the lines 
during the first days of the convention. 

 

Hours are: 

• Thursday, June 30: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm 


• Friday, July 1: 8:00 am to 11:00 am (pre-reg pick-up 
only) and 11:00 am to 7:00 pm for pre-reg pick-up and 
onsite registrations. 

Saturday, July 2: 8:00 am to 11:00 am (pre-reg pick-up 
only) and 11:00 am to 6:00 pm for pre-reg pick-up and 
onsite registrations. 

• Sunday, July 3 and Monday, July 4: 8:00 am to 5:00 
pm 

• Tuesday and Wednesday, July 5 and 6: 8:00 am to 
4:00 pm 

• Thursday, July 7: 8:00 am to 2:00 pm 

 

When you register, you will receive your convention ID 
badge, program, and a goody bag filled with information 
and surprises. You must register to purchase tickets to 
events and be eligible to win great door prizes. Always 
wear your badge because it admits you to the exhibit 
area and helps hotel personnel and volunteers provide 
better service. 

 

If you are pre-registered, your packet will be waiting for 
you. You may not pick up a packet for someone else. If 
you have any questions about your registration or need 
to purchase more tickets, go to Registration in 
Blackstone Ballroom A in the hotel. 

 


A one-day pass is available for $10.00 with no program 
and $15.00 with a program. This pass is color-coded by 
day and is good for only the day on which it is 
purchased. With this pass, you may attend exhibits and 
other programs and purchase tickets for that day only. If 
you wish to attend additional days at the convention, 
you must pay the full administrative fee. 

 

Refunds: ACB will make no refunds for convention 
administrative and registration fees, sponsorship 
donations or tickets that you just don't want. Refunds 
are not made for events that you miss for any reason 
other than extreme illness (see below) or for events that 
you simply do not enjoy. 

 

Refunds will be issued only for meals, events, and tours 
if: 
An individual has pre-registered and requests the refund 
in writing to the American Council of the Blind, 6200 
Shingle Creek Parkway, Suite 155, Brooklyn Center, 
MN 55430, or calls (612) 332- 3242, on or before June 
20th, 2022; and the individual does not attend any part 
of the convention. 

 

In case of illness during the convention requiring you to 
return home or to be hospitalized, refunds will be issued 
only for the meals, events, and tours taking place after 


your absence begins. If the guarantee has already been 
given for a meal function or a tour, no refund for that 
function will be given. Refunds for tour tickets are only 
made under certain conditions. See tour instructions for 
more information. 

 

Lost tickets: ACB will not replace tickets that are lost 
during the convention. All ticket packets are checked 
before they are distributed at the convention and tickets 
that are lost or misplaced must be purchased again. 

Reselling tickets: Only tour tickets will be accepted for 
resale. In general, meal functions and social events at 
the hotel do not sell out. You may wish to explore other 
methods of selling luncheon, banquet, and other such 
tickets. 

 

ACB is not responsible for notifying you if you have paid 
for a ticket through pre-registration for an event or tour 
that is already sold out. Your name will be put on a 
waiting list in the event of cancellations, or in case 
additional tickets become available. 

Communication Center Services 

 

The Marcia Nigro Dresser Communication Center is in 
Herndon in the Hilton and is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 
pm, Friday, July 1 through Wednesday, July 6. This is 


where you can place ads in the paper, make braille or 
print copies or volunteer to help produce the newspaper. 

 

Convention Newspaper: 

This year's newspaper is “The Goldenrod Gazette” and 
will be published each day, Friday through Wednesday, in 
braille and large print; pick up a copy at the Information 
Desk. The paper is also available on the ACB convention 
email list and via download at the Information Desk before 
10:00 am. 

 

For $10 ACB Students (ACBS) will deliver the 
newspaper to your hotel room door and it will be waiting 
for you each morning. After you sign up for newspaper 
delivery, activate your service by giving your room 
number and your format preference to the Information 
Desk. 

 

Ads and Announcements: 

Ads and other items for publication must be in the 
Communication Center by 2:00 pm each day. The BOP 
allows an ad to run for up to three days to give important 
convention announcements more space. Ads must be 
no longer than 75 words. BOP editorial policy prohibits 
the production or distribution of campaign materials by 
the Communication Center. 


 

Cost of advertising in the newspaper is: 

• Individuals, ACB affiliates and blind representatives 
of MLM companies - $20/day or $50 for 3 days 
• Exhibitors - $40/day or $110 for 3 days 
• All others - $50/day or $140 for 3 days. 


 

Pay for advertising at Registration and then show your 
receipt at the Communication Center when submitting 
your ad. 

 

Brailling and Photocopying: 

Photocopying is available at the Communication Center 
for 10 cents per page. Brailling services are available 
as follows: 

• Individuals, ACB affiliates, and blind representatives 
of MLM companies, 10 cents per page 
• Small businesses and small nonprofits, 20 cents per 
page 
• All others, 35 cents per page 


 

If your committee or affiliate needs something in braille 
or large print, bring files early in the day so we can fit 
your job between other tasks. A test copy will be printed 
to let you know the number of pages per copy. Be sure 
to label your computer card or thumb drive and tell us 


how many of each format you need and by what time. 
Please make payment at registration. 

 

Thanks to HumanWare for once again donating the use 
of the braille embossers and to American Thermoform 
and American Printing House for their generous 
donation of braille paper. 

 

Please remember that the Communication Center is a 
working room. While the convention is a great place to 
meet and greet, loud conversations make it difficult to 
hear the speech synthesizers on the computers. Help us 
help you get the information you need. 

Digital Information & Internet 

Sponsored by Amazon 

If you have registered for the convention, you will 
receive Zoom invitations for the virtual and all the hybrid 
sessions. You can join via computer or phone. 

Much of the conference will be streamed on ACB Media 
using multiple streams. All general sessions, and much 
of our afternoon and evening programming will be live 
streamed on ACB Media 1. 

 

Other sessions will be recorded and replayed on ACB 
Media. Sessions will be available as podcasts after the 


convention and archived for later listening on ACB 
Media. 

 

Ways to Connect to ACB Media Programming: 

1. Amazon Alexa-enabled device (recommended) 
Alexa “Ask ACB Media to play Media n.” (n = the 
stream number). For example, to listen to General 
Session during National Convention; “Alexa, ask 
ACB Media to play Media 1.” 
2. PC / browser access (recommended): 
Visit acbmedia.org at http://www.acbmedia.org/n 
(n= stream number). The site has a built-in media 
player. There is no need to install or use a media 
player on your device. Hit the play button and the 
stream will begin playing immediately. 
3. Smart Device Access (recommended): 
Download “ACB Link” from your app store. Find 
“Radio” along the bottom of the screen, then 
“Menu” in the top left corner. Select “Streams” and 
then choose the stream you wish to listen to. 
Double tap the play button. 
4. Victor Reader Stream Access: 
Navigate to “Internet radio library” in the “online 
bookshelf.” Locate the Humanware playlist. From 
the playlist, select ACB Media n (n = stream 
number) and hit play. 



5. Dial-In Access for programming originating in 
Zoom: 
Dial the Zoom access number provided with the 
schedule information for the session. When 
prompted, enter the meeting / webinar ID followed 
by #. You will hear the exact same program that is 
being streamed on ACB Media. 
6. Alternate Dial-In access (not recommended) 
Dial 1-518-906-1820. Listen to the menu prompts 
and press the number for the stream you want. 
Please note that this is a free service provided by 
Zeno Media. This service is limited in terms of 
simultaneous listeners and ACB does not warrant 
this service. If dial-in is your only option and the 
program is originating in Zoom, we recommend 
that you dial into the Zoom meeting / webinar 
directly (see above). 


 

The ACB Radio Tuner is no longer supported. If you 
used the tuner in the past, you may access all ACB 
Media streams from acbmedia.org (see above). 

 

If you are using alternate ways to access ACB Media 
streams than those above (such as TuneIn or Winamp 
using acbradio.org URLs), we kindly ask that you use 
one of the methods above. 

 


Social Media: 

Follow the latest goings-on at the convention on: 

Twitter www.twitter.com/acbnational 
or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/acbnational 

or view our YouTube Channel http://tinyurl.com/gloz7bq 

 

Assistance during the convention 

If you need assistance during the convention, contact our 
technology help desk, acb.tech.help at gmail.com, or call us at 
(888) 777-6730. 

 

For general convention questions, call our convention 
information desk at (888) 444-8320, or email them at 
acb.info.helpdesk at gmail.com. You can reach help desk 
representatives between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm Central time. 

 

Email list 

The ACB Convention email list keeps you up to date on all 
the news. To receive the most up-to-date convention 
information, subscribe to the convention announce list by 
sending a blank email to 
acbconvention+subscribe at acblists.org 

 

ACB Photography/Videography 

Sponsored by Vispero 


The official ACB photographer for the 2022 conference 
and convention will be taking pictures and video in the 
exhibit hall, on selected tours, and at many social events. 
They will visit committee and affiliate meetings, 
workshops, general sessions, and the banquet. 

 

It is understood that all activities and programs 
scheduled at the 2022 conference and convention are 
subject to be photographed or videoed. Photos and 
video are the property of ACB and are for ACB's use. 

 

Medical Information 

For medical emergencies, dial 0 on a hotel phone or 
911 on any other phone. Stay calm and speak 
distinctly. Give your name, exact location, and a 
description of the emergency. 

For medical care, contact: 

Urgent Care: Urgent Care Crossroads (5.1 Miles) 

• Address: 325 N 72nd Street, Omaha, NE 68114 
• Phone number: (402) 715-5272 
• Hours of operation: Mon - Sat: 8 am - 8 pm, Sun: 8 
am - 4 pm 


Hospital: University of Nebraska Medical Center (2.8 
Miles) 


• Address - 42nd & Emile St, Omaha, NE 68198 
• Phone number - (402) 559-4000 


Pharmacy: Walgreens Pharmacy (1.6 miles) 

• Address - 3001 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68131 
• Phone number - (402) 342-3301 
• Pharmacy Hours: Mon - Fri: 9 am - 1:30 pm & 2 
pm - 7 pm, Sat: Closed, Sun: 10 am - 1:30 pm & 2 
pm - 6 pm 


 

Guide Dog User Information 

Guide dog relief areas are built and maintained by 
Scoop Masters and are located near hotel exits. ACB 
volunteers and hotel staff will be happy to help you 
locate the areas. 

 

Please keep in mind that the convention can be very 
stressful for your dog; you may need to relieve your dog 
more often than usual. Although the relief areas are 
cleaned at regular intervals, as always, please pick up 
after your dog. Trash receptacles are located near relief 
areas. 

 

Should an indoor accident occur, please report it to 
Scoop Masters at (661) 714-0049. You should remain 
at the accident location to help alert others while you 


await assistance. If an accident occurs in your room, 
you may be charged for the clean-up. 

 

A few courtesy reminders from Krissy, the guide dog of 
Janet Dickelman, ACB Convention Coordinator: 

 

“Thanks for reading these, they will make my job, and 
that of all your guides, so much easier! Always keep 
your guide on a short leash when out and about in the 
hotel. I know my mom gets distracted by people and 
things so if I am not close to her side, or on a short 
leash, I sometimes forget my best manners and get into 
mischief. Please give us guides a chance to relieve at 
least twice as often as at home, because you know how 
it is when away from home - different water, lots of 
excitement and disrupted schedules, etc. And, oh yes, 
please always pick up after us. I am so embarrassed by 
what my mom says when she steps in poop!! 
Remember that convention is one of the most stressful 
working environments for us, your fuzzy eyes, so please 
give us every opportunity to be successful!” 

 

Veterinary Care 

Lone Tree Animal Care Center (1.6 miles) 


• Address: 524 South 24th Street, Omaha, NE 
68102 
• Phone number: (402) 834-1305 
• Hours: Mon - Tues: 8 am - 5 pm, Wed: 12 pm - 8 
pm, Thurs: 8 am - 5 pm, Fri: 7 am - 4 pm, Sat: 8 am 
- 12 pm (Every other Saturday), Sun: Closed 


Emergency Vet: VCA Midwest Veterinary Referral & 
Emergency Center (10.4 miles) 

• Address: 9706 Mockingbird Drive, Omaha, NE 
68127 
• Phone number: (402) 614-9000 


 

Religious Activities 

Saturday, July 2 

4:00 pm - Catholic Mass: Father Bernard Kimminau, St 
Patrick’s Church, McCook, NE 

4:00 pm - Interdenominational Church Service: Rev. 
Peter Heide, Baraboo, WI 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: Jewish Service: Temple Israel, HH 
Flat Iron 

 

Convention Standing Rules 

Adopted by the ACB Board of Directors, April 1, 2022 


1. Each debatable issue before the convention shall 
be limited to approximately twenty (20) minutes 
with a two-minute time limit per speaker, 
alternating between affirmative and opposing 
speakers, unless a majority of the members agree 
to extend debate for an additional period of time. 
A. Motions to close debate will not be recognized 
by the chair during the first debate period. After 
the first debate period, properly moved motions 
such as “I call for the question” or “I move the 
previous question” will be handled by the chair 
and voted on by the assembly. 
B. The chair may close debate when no one 
seeks the floor. 
C. Each member is respectfully urged to speak 
directly to the issue before the assembly and 
avoid unnecessary and time-consuming 
dialogue. 
D. No member will be recognized a second time 
to debate until all who wish to debate have 
been recognized. 
E. The parliamentarian will act as timekeeper. 



2. Recognition to speak will be given to those 
members who properly address the chair either 
using the “raise hand” feature of the Zoom internet 
meeting client program or while standing at a 



microphone in the convention hall and giving their 
names and affiliation. 
3. Changes to the published convention program may 
be proposed to the membership as deemed 
necessary by the presiding officer or his/her 
appointee. The presiding officer will explain the 
reason for such change and inform the assembly of 
their right to question the recommended 
modification. After this explanation, if twenty-five 
(25) or more members object to the proposed 
change by raising their hands using the Zoom 
meeting client, or, if in the convention hall, by 
raising their hands or standing, the change will 
then require debate and a majority vote to modify 
the convention program. 
4. Nominating and seconding speeches shall be 
limited to five minutes per candidate with the 
speaking time allocated according to the 
candidate's wishes. A person nominated for an 
office more than once shall be limited to one 
minute. 
5. When no candidate for office receives a majority 
vote, the election shall be between the top two 
candidates. Affiliate votes will be reported in whole 
or half numbers. In all uncontested elections as 



verified after three calls for additional nominations, 
the chair may declare the candidate elected by 
acclamation. “Write in” candidacies are not 
permitted. 
6. A. Once a voice vote has been taken on a 
resolution or an amendment thereto, in accordance 
with Section C of Article III of the American Council 
of the Blind Constitution, and the chair has 
announced the result of that vote, the chair shall 
ask whether anyone voting in the minority objects 
to the vote. If at least twenty-five (25) members, 
either using the “raise hand” feature of the Zoom 
internet meeting client program or, if in the 
convention hall, raising their hand or standing, 
object to the result, then a record vote on the 
resolution shall be required. 


B. After debate has ceased on a resolution and it is 
subsequently determined that a record vote is 
required, no further amendments may be proposed. 

 


General Session Agenda 

 

Saturday, July 2 

7:00 pm: Call to Order: Dan Spoone 

• Moment of Reflection 
• Presentation of Colors - Offutt Air Force Base 
Honor Guard, Bellevue, NE 
• National Anthem – Amanda Coker, Omaha, NE 
• Welcome to Convention: Mark Bulger, President, 
ACB of Nebraska, Omaha, NE 
• ACB Highlight Video 


7:30 pm: ACB President’s Report: Dan Spoone, 
Orlando, FL; Executive Director's Report: Eric 
Bridges, Alexandria, VA 

8:00 pm: Diamond Sponsorship Presentation: Bob 
Ciminera, CEO, Vispero, Clearwater, FL 

8:15 pm: Life Member Presentations: Dan Spoone and 
Nancy Marks-Becker, ACB Chief Financial Officer, 
Minneapolis, MN 

8:35 pm: ACB Angels Presentations: 

• Yolanda Phelan, Hawaii 
• Vicki Johnson 



8:55 pm: ACB First -Timers: Kenneth Semien Sr., 
Chair, Durward K. McDaniel First Timers Committee, 
Beaumont, TX 

9:15 pm: ACB JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows: 
Eric Bridges, Alexandria, VA 

9:35 pm: Nominating Committee Report: Brian 
Charlson, Watertown, MA 

9:40 pm: Roll Call of Affiliates: Denise Colley, ACB 
Secretary, Richmond, TX 

 

Sunday, July 3 

8:30 am: Call to Order 

• Pledge of Allegiance - JPMorgan Chase Leadership 
Fellows: Judy Brown, Shoreline, WA; Cecily Nipper, 
Covington, GA; Kristin Kelling, Grand Rapids, MI 


8:40 am: ACB Business 

• ACB Sponsor Recognitions, corporate and 
individual sponsors 


8:50 am: Credentials Committee Report: Ralph 
Smitherman, Brandon, MS 

9:00 am: Diamond Sponsorship Presentation - Vanda 
Pharmaceuticals: Jennifer Lyman, Midwest Nurse 
Educator, Chicago, IL and Vicki Preddy, Southeast 
Nurse Educator, Orlando, FL 


9:15 am: 

• ACB Angels Presentation: Bernice Kandarian, 
California 
• Presiding Officer: Deb Cook Lewis, First Vice 
President, Clarkston, WA 


9:30 am: International Guest, Marc Workman, 
President, World Blind Union, Canada 

10:00 am: Scholarship Presentations 

10:30 am: Break 

10:45 am: News from the National Library Service for 
the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), Jason Broughton, 
Washington, DC 

11:15 am: Nominations and Candidate Speeches, 
Election Information 

11:55 am Door Prizes and Announcements 

 

Monday, July 4 

8:30 am: Call to Order 

• Pledge of Allegiance: Visually Impaired Veterans of 
America (VIVA) Singing of America the Beautiful 


8:35 am: ACB Business 

• ACB Sponsor Recognitions, Corporate Sponsors: 



8:50 am: ACB Angels Presentation: Josette Kernaghan, 
British Columbia, Canada 

9:05 am: Affiliate Roll Call for ACB Board of Director 
Elections 

• Presiding Officer: Ray Campbell, Second Vice 
President, Springfield, IL 


9:30 am: Omaha Historical Presentation 

9:40 am: Scholarship Presentations 

10:00 am: Break 

10:15 am: ADP Awards 

10:50 am: Member and Affiliate Relationships: Cindy 
Hollis, Manager of Membership Engagement, Flat 
Rock, MI 

11:10 am: Nominations for Board of Director, Candidate 
Speeches 

11:55 am: Door Prizes and Announcements 

 

Tuesday, July 5 

8:30 am: Call to Order 

• Pledge of Allegiance: Recipients of Ross Pangere 
Scholarships 


8:35 am: ACB Business 

ACB Sponsor Recognition, Corporate Sponsors: 


8:40 am: Diamond Sponsorship Presentation: Saqib 
Shaik, Principal Engineering Manager, Microsoft, 
Bellevue, WA 

8:55 am: ACB Angels Presentation: Rod Chard, 
Colorado 

9:10 am: Affiliate Roll Call 

• Presiding Officer: Denise Colley, Secretary, 
Richmond, TX 


9:35 am: ACB Advocacy Updates: Clark Rachfal, 
Director of Advocacy, Alexandria, VA; and Swatha 
Nandhakumar, Advocacy and Outreach Specialist, 
Alexandria, VA 

9:55 am: CCLVI Scholarship Presentations 

10:10 am: Break 

10:25 am: ACB Scholarship Presentations 

10:45 am: Talking Book Narrator: Ray Foushee, 
American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville, KY 

11:15 am: Nominations for ACB Board of Directors 
Position, Candidate Speeches 

11:55 am: Door Prizes, and Announcements 

 

Wednesday, July 6 

8:30 am: Call to Order 


• Pledge of Allegiance: DKM First - Timers: Joe 
Green, Sacramento, CA and Gregg Wandsneider, 
Waukesha, WI 


8:35 am: ACB Business: 

• ACB Sponsor Recognitions 


8:40am: Diamond Sponsorship presentation 

9:05 am: Affiliate Roll Call 

9:30 am: Sylvia Stinson-Perez, Chief Programs Officer, 
American Foundation for the Blind, Arlington, VA 

• Presiding Officer: David Trott, ACB Treasurer, 
Talladega, AL 


9:45 am: ACB's Growth Report: Eric Bridges, ACB 
Executive Director, Alexandria, VA; and Nancy Marks-
Becker, ACB Chief Financial Officer, Minneapolis, MN 

10:00 am: Presentation by Day Al-Mohamed, Director 
of Disability Policy, Domestic Policy Council, 
Washington, DC (invited) 

10:15 am: ACB Scholarship Presentations 

10:35 am: Break 

10:50 am: Report on the ACB Walk and Auction: Donna 
Brown, Walk Chair, Romney, WV; Leslie Spoone, 
Chair, ACB Auction Committee, Orlando, FL; and Dan 
Dillon, Chair, ACB Resource Development 
Committee, Hermitage, TN 


11:05 am Spoken Rx: What is the Latest from CVS? 

11:20 am: Nominations for ACB Board of Directors or 
BOP 

11:55 am: Door Prizes and Announcements 

 

Thursday, July 7 

8:30 am: Call to Order 

• Pledge of Allegiance: JPMorgan Chase Recipients: 
Danette Dixon, Lynnwood, WA and Byron Lee, 
Minneapolis, MN 
• ACB Sponsor Recognition, Corporate and 
Individual Sponsorships 


8:50 am: Diamond Sponsorship presentation: Monica 
Desai, Vice President, Global Connectivity Policy, 
Meta, Washington, DC 

9:20 am: Affiliate Roll Call 

9:40 am: Resolutions 

10:10 am: Treasurer's Report: David Trott, Talladega, AL 

10:30 am: Resolutions 

10:50 am: Break 

11:05 am: Resolutions 

11:25 am: ACBES Report: Rev. Michael Garrett, Chair, 
ACB Enterprises and Services, Missouri City, TX 


11:35 am: Resolutions 

12:00 pm: ACB Mentoring, Access and Peer Support, 
Kenneth Semien Sr., Chair, Durward K. McDaniel 
First-Timers Committee, Beaumont, TX 

12:15 pm: International Relations Committee, 
International Voices Contest Presentation: Maria 
Kristic, IRC chair, Albany, NY 

12:30 pm: Convention Report: Janet Dickelman, 
Convention Coordinator, Saint Paul, MN 

12:45 pm: First Reading of Constitution and Bylaws 
Report, John McCann, Constitution and Bylaws 
Committee Chair, Tucson, AZ 

1:00 pm: Brett Oppegaard, The UniDescription Project 

1:10 pm: Resolutions 

7:00 pm: ACB Banquet 

• Banquet Emcee: Patrick Sheehan, Outgoing ACB 
Board Member, Silver Spring, MD 
• Moment of reflection: 


7:45 pm: Presentation of BOP Awards; Zelda Gebhard, 
Board of Publications, Edgeley, ND; and Cachet 
Wells, Board of Publications, Jacksonville, FL 

8:00 pm: Presentation of ACB Awards: Awards 
Committee Co-chairs Koni Sims, Sioux Falls, SD, and 
Carrie Muth, Coos Bay, OR 

8:15 pm: Keynote Speaker: Judy Heumann 


8:55 pm: ACB Braille Forum Raffle Drawing: David 
Trott, ACB Treasurer, Talladega, AL; and Nancy 
Marks-Becker, ACB Chief Financial Officer, 
Minneapolis, MN 

 

Special-Interest Affiliate Meeting 

 

Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss 

President: Jeff Thom 

Registration: $10 

 

Sunday, July 3, CHI 213 

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm: AAVL Lunch 
Program begins at 1:00 pm: Unraveling the Medicare 
Tangle 
Lori Scharff, ACB’s Medicare expert, will give you the 
information you need to better understand the maze 
that is the Medicare program. Eligibility, benefits, 
gaps, and special plans are just a few of the areas 
that she will cover. 

 

Monday, July 4, CHI 215 


4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Unraveling Advocacy for Vision 
Rehabilitation Services 
Explore innovative advocacy efforts wherein states 
can obtain funding under the Medicaid "Older 
Individuals who are Blind" program. This program 
provides an array of vision rehabilitation services; 
however, funding is extremely limited. Learn how to 
utilize the Older Individuals who are Blind and 
Medicaid programs. 
Co-sponsored by AAVL and the Rehabilitation Issues 
Task Force 

 

Tuesday, July 5, CHI 213 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Choosing Where to Live as You 
Age: Downsizing Part 1: How can we know when the 
time is right? Our panel will offer expert guidance on 
making important decisions on where we might live as 
we grow older. 
Presenters: Carrie A.B. Hoarty, MD, Physician, 
Assistant Professor, General Internal Medicine, 
Omaha, NE; Mary Ann Eusebio, Information & 
Assistance Division Director, Eastern Nebraska Office 
on Aging, Omaha, NE. 
Co-sponsored by AAVL and ACB Women 


 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: Choosing Where to Live as You 
Age: Downsizing Part 2: How to Choose What's Right 
for Us. A conversation with a panel of ACB members 
who have made a variety of choices about where to 
live as they grow older. 
Presenters: Kate Chamberlin, freelance writer and 
retired elementary school teacher, Walworth, NY; 
Jean Mann, retired New York State employee, 
Albany, NY; Linda Yacks, widow, mother, and 
grandmother, Harrison, AR 
Co-sponsored by AAVL and ACB Women 

 

7:30 pm – 10:30 pm: Dance of the Ages, $15, HH 
Grand Ballroom 
Music for all ages will be provided by our DJ. Whether 
you like waltzes, line dances, or something in 
between, it will happen. We have also prepared an 
area for conversation while listening at a lower 
volume. Light snacks and a cash bar will be 
available. And plenty of door prizes. 
Co-sponsored by AAVL, ACB Next Generation, and 
CCLVI 

 


American Association of Blind Teachers 

President: Tabitha Brecke 

Program Chair: Carla Hayes 

Registration: $10 ($12) 

 

Saturday, July 2, CHI 213 

 

8:00 am - 9:30 am: AABT Breakfast and Program “The 
Statue of Liberty: The Rest of The Story,” $30 ($35) 
Learn about the fascinating history of the Statue of 
Liberty in this humorous and insightful program 
presented by the most requested historical speaker in 
Nebraska. 
Presenter: Darrel W. Draper, Edutainer, Plattsmouth, NE. 

 

Tuesday, July 5, CHI 215 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: Meet the Talking Book Narrator - 
This is your opportunity to hear more from and ask 
questions of our 2022 talking book narrator, Ray 
Foushee, American Printing House for the Blind, 
Louisville, KY. 
Co-hosted by LUA, AABT, BRL, and FIA 


 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: One Book, One ACB: “Their Plant 
Eyes: A Personal and Cultural History of Blindness,” 
by M. Leona Godin 
Co-sponsored by LUA, BRL, FIA and MCAC 

 

Wednesday, July 6, CHI 211 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: “It Takes a Village: Working 
Together to Prepare Students in Transition.” There 
are a lot of expectations for schools to provide all the 
essential academic skills to prepare for life beyond 
secondary education. There is often not enough 
funding to meet all the need. We know that 
technology is an integral part of our daily life. Nancy 
Flearl from the Nebraska Foundation for Visually 
Impaired Children will share how a simple non-profit is 
working in partnership with school districts and 
Vocational Rehabilitation to support students in 
transition. 
Presenter: Nancy Flearl, Board President, Nebraska 
Foundation for Visually Impaired Children, Omaha, NE. 

 

 

 


American Association of Visually Impaired 
Attorneys 

President: Chris Prentice 

Registration: $10 

 

Saturday June 25, Zoom only 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: AAVIA Business Meeting 

 

Saturday, July 2, CHI 215 

11:30 am - 12:45 pm: AAVIA and Advocacy Committee 
Civil Rights Panel. This session will discuss recent 
achievements, ongoing legal efforts, current risks, and 
opportunities in the courts concerning issues of 
importance to members of ACB. 
Presenters: Matthew Handley, Partner, Handley 
Farah & Anderson, Washington, DC; Christina 
Brandt-Young, Supervising Attorney, Disability Rights 
Advocates, New York, NY. 
Co-sponsored by AAVIA and Advocacy Services 
Committee 

 

 


Tuesday, July 5, CHI 211 

12:15 pm – 2:15 pm: AAVIA Lunch 
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: Perspective from an Attorney 
from the UK (program begins at 1:00 pm) 
Hear from Adal Ibrar, barrister, London, England, a 
Visually Impaired Attorney. Mr. Ibrar will talk about 
key experiences and observations of his training and 
career in the law. Through discussion with AAVIA 
members, it is hoped that illuminating contrasts and 
similarities will emerge. 

 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Ten Ethical Issues Lawyers Face 
Today 
This session, led by Cynthia Hawkins, Professor of 
Law, Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport, FL, 
will offer an expert perspective on key ethical issues 
facing lawyers and affecting public perceptions of the 
legal profession. 
Presenter: Cynthia Hawkins, Professor of Law, 
Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport, FL. 

 

Wednesday, July 6, CHI 208 


2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: The History and Current Role of 
Fraternal Benefit Societies 
This session will feature representatives of a major 
Omaha-based fraternal benefit society, explaining the 
historical and contemporary importance of these 
organizations. 
Presenter: Lynn L. Espeland, Vice President and 
General Counsel, Woodmen Life, Omaha, NE. 

 

ACB Diabetics in Action 

President: Tom Tobin 

Program Chair: Danette Dixon 

Registration: $25 

Those paying the affiliate registration cost will 
receive handouts upon request. 

 

Saturday, July 2, HH Grand Ballroom A 

5:00 pm - 6:45 pm: Come Tailgate with ACBDA, (in-
person only) 
Join ACB Diabetics in Action Sugar Warriors as we 
team up with the Get Up and Get Moving Campaign 
and the Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk Team for some 
fun, prizes, tasty snacks and a cash bar. The tailgate 


party starts before the Brenda Dillon Walk and will 
remain open during the walk and for a time after the 
walk concludes. 
This will be a great time to socialize with members of 
ACBDA, Get Up and Get Moving and Brenda Dillon 
Walk organizers and friends. 

 

Tuesday, July 5, CHI 208 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Knuckling Down on Endocrinology; 
Current and Future Treatment Strategies 
Hear from a panel of global, leading endocrinologist 
regarding current and future best practice treatment 
strategies for managing Type I and Type II diabetes. 
Facilitator: Terry Suarez, Diana Isaacs 
Endocrinologist Clinical Pharmacy Specialist 

 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Knuckling Down on Using and 
Demonstrating Durable Medical Equipment 
Empowering clients to independently manage their 
diabetes and other chronic diseases with low or no 
vision. Kim’s passion for preventing diabetes and its 
complications through education stems from first-
hand experience. Not only does she deal with 


diabetes daily, but many of her family members do so 
as well. Kim will demonstrate how to use many 
different devices for diabetes. 
Presenter: Kim Ladd, RN, BS, Diabetes 
Educator/Health Education Specialist, Virginia 
Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision 
Impaired, Richmond, VA. 

 

Wednesday, July 6, CHI 211 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: ACBDA: Accessible Pharmacy 
Knuckling Down on Accessibility - Three co-founders 
of Accessible Pharmacy will describe their rationale 
behind the founding of a full-service pharmacy serving 
the needs of individuals with blindness and vision 
impairment. One of the business partners who is blind 
will explain his vision for a full-service pharmacy, 
sharing his own personal disappointing experiences 
with mainstream pharmacies. In addition, you will 
hear from Accessible Pharmacy’s Chief Medical 
Officer about accessible durable medical equipment, 
inclusive of continuous glucose monitors, and 
generally, how Accessible Pharmacy works to meet 
the needs of their blind and vision impaired 
customers! 



Presenters: Dr. Alex Cohen, PhD, Chief Marketing 
and Accessibility Officer, Fairless Hills, PA; Dr. Jason 
Barrett, PharmD, Chief Medical Officer, Fairless Hills, 
PA; and Andy Burstein, Chief Executive Officer, 
Fairless Hills, PA. 

 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Knuckling Down with Peer Mentor 
Relations 
The ACBDA Peer Mentor Relations Program is a 
scientifically based peer support network which 
encourages members who have a variety of 
experiences, or length of time with both diabetes 
and/or sight loss, (mentors) to interact with one or 
more of their peers confidentially who request extra 
support, encouragement or like-experiences through 
Diabetes and sight loss, (mentees). This peer-to-peer 
mentoring relationship model allows for not only the 
sharing of information and experiences, but also the 
chance to gently challenge others to take a close look 
into their own personal lives to see what simple 
adjustments could be made to better support a life of 
both sight loss and diabetes. Additionally, these 
bonds provide a safe place to bring new ideas and 
thoughts to the table, and even move past some of 
the things that are uncomfortable, safely expanding 


our personal comfort zone, to gain a better knowledge 
and understanding of living with sight loss and 
diabetes together. Knowing that we are not alone in 
these experiences or challenges can make such a 
positive difference in our lives, providing new shed 
light upon the face of adversity and amidst the 
darkness, in which so many of us live. 

 

American Council of Blind Families 

President: Carla Ruschival 

Registration: $15 

Register for ACB Families and be eligible to win 
door prizes. Lots of fun and lots of winners! 

 

Saturday, June 25 (Zoom only) 

1:00 pm: ACBF Business Meeting 

 

5:30 pm: ACB Families Goes to Camp 
It's summertime - time for sitting around the campfire, 
eating hotdogs and s'mores. Whether you're a kid or a 
kid at heart, camp is a special experience. Share 
stories; play games; experience a skit called "Forest," 
written by a student at the Kentucky School for the 
Blind and performed by the Reader's Touch 


Productions from the Tri-State Library Users and 
directed by Dr. Terrie Terlau, Louisville, KY. 
Finally, discover some camping opportunities for 
today's fun-loving folks! 

 

Sunday, July 3, CHI 211 

5:30 pm: ACBF - Everyone Can Play! 
Resources and ideas for accessible toys and games; 
share family-tested tips from parents, grandparents, 
and teachers alike. 
Facilitator: Patty Slaby, retired teacher of the visually 
impaired, Arcadia, WI 

 

Monday, July 4 

7:00 am - 8:15 am: ACBF Breakfast - Preserving Our 
Memories, $20 ($25), CHI 213 
Preserving family memories is more than stuffing 
pictures into a shoebox. Find out how to preserve 
tapes and videos and how to begin collecting oral 
histories with Micheal Hudson, Director of the 
museum at the American Printing House for the Blind 
in Louisville, KY. 


 Always an inspiring speaker, Micheal is sure to get 
you motivated to actively collect those memories of 
your kids, cousins, and school and ACB friends. 

 

7:15 pm - 9:00 pm: Bingo - It's a Families Tradition, $8 
($10), HH Grand A (In-person only) 
Braille cards, large print cards, and lots of great 
prizes! Bring yourself, bring a friend, bring the kids - 
fun for all ages! 

 

Wednesday, July 6, CHI 208 

5:30 pm: Making Sense of the Census 
It's a once-in-a-decade event! The 1950 Census is 
here, and it includes cousins, neighbors, aunts and 
uncles, grandparents - even family friends! They are 
all waiting to be discovered, and many will be people 
you know. Every ten years the United States 
conducts a census, and 72 years after the census 
date it becomes public. Packed with family 
information and details; get on the road to discovery. 

 

 


American Council of Blind Lions 

President: Ray Campbell 

Registration: $10 

Register for ACB Lions to be eligible to win our special 
door prizes. Winners will be drawn following the close 
of the ACB Conference and Convention. 

 

Thursday, June 23 

9:00 pm – 10:30 pm: ACBL Business Meeting (zoom 
only) 

 

Saturday, June 25 

9:00 pm: Milly's Place (zoom only) 
Share stories about your local Lions Club activities. 
Bring your favorite chips, sandwiches and beverages 
and have a good time with Lions from across the 
country. All Lions, friends of Lions, and anyone 
interested in becoming a Lion is welcome. 

 

Tuesday, July 5 

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm: Lions Luncheon Reverse Visit, $35 
($38), CHI 213 


 Meet Lions from Omaha and discover how blind Lions 
are making a difference across America. Open to 
active Lions, former Lions, and anyone interested in 
learning more about becoming a Lion. 

5:30 pm – 6:45 pm: Lessons in Leadership, CHI 215 
Becoming a leader is like climbing a ladder. Some 
people make it to the top, while others only take two 
or three steps toward the goal. Lion Mary Lee Turner 
of Portland, OR, and Lion Jack Lenk of St. Louis, MO, 
are both members of ACB Lions and they are both 
past District Governors. They will share how they, as 
blind Lions, navigated the climb to this office and how 
they successfully completed the many responsibilities 
and requirements of this position. True lessons in 
leadership that can apply to any organization. 

 

ACB Next Generation 

President: Amanda Selm 

Co-Program Chairs, Melanie Alt Sinohui and Cassie 
Trosper 

Registration: $10 

 


Thursday, June 23 (Zoom only) 

7:30 pm – 8:45 pm: Prose and Poetry Reading 
Showcase of the Performing Arts 
Co-sponsored by FIA and ACB Next Generation 

 

Saturday, June 25 

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm: ACB Next Generation and ACB 
Students Convention Pep Rally (Zoom only) 
Who’s got spirit? We do! Let’s get fired up for the 
2022 ACB Conference and Convention. Join ACB 
Next Generation and ACB Students for our 
Convention Pep Rally. Enjoy meeting new friends, fun 
icebreakers, and learn about all our amazing events, 
as well as important information you will need to make 
your convention experience, whether virtual or in 
person, a great one. Bring your favorite snacks and 
get ready to root for ACB 2022. We can’t wait to cheer 
with you! 
Facilitated by Amanda Selm, ACB Next Generation 
president, Louisville, KY; Olivia O'Connell, ACBS 
convention program chair, Commerce Township, MI; 
Gregg Wandsneider, Waukesha, WI. 


 

Saturday, July 2, CHI 211 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm Pitch in an Elevator: Talking It Up 
When You're Going Down 
Creating Your Personal Elevator Pitch Workshop - 
Many of us find it very difficult to talk about ourselves 
but being able to make a lasting impression in a few 
short seconds is an integral part of networking and 
sometimes even landing that job opportunity. Join the 
ACB Employment Committee as we work with 
participants in a workshop setting to fine tune and 
share your elevator pitch. 
Co-sponsored by the ACB Employment Committee 
and ACB Next Generation 

 

Saturday, July 2, CHI 211 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Meet the Framily 
Friends who are family - Whether you've been with 
NextGen from the beginning or you're hearing about 
us for the first time, come hang out and mingle with 
new and old friends to kick off this year’s convention. 
You might even win a door prize! 


 Presenters: Melanie Sinohui, ACB Next Generation 
convention chair, Phoenix, AZ; Amanda Selm, ACB 
Next Generation president, Louisville, KY; Cassie 
Trosper, ACB Next Generation board member, North 
Bend, OR. 

 

Monday, July 4 

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm: “Selling Yourself: How to Put Your 
Best Foot Forward in the Evolving Employment 
World,” CHI 213, ($32) (program begins at 1:00 pm) 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Smart Home Living, CHI 211 
A myriad of products that make your life and home 
more comfortable, cleaner, safer, and independent 
will be demonstrated and discussed. This is always a 
crowd-pleaser. Whether you are with us in person or 
virtually, you won’t want to miss this! 
Sponsored by ACB Next Generation and CCLVI 

 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: How to Not Be Afraid of Your 
Kitchen 101, CHI 208 
Does the thought of undercooked meat scare you? 


Are you nervous when chopping your veggies? Do 
you want to learn how to prep and meal plan for your 
budget? Join Herbie Allen as he goes in depth into 
kitchen and food safety and Janeen Lea as she 
focuses on making your money go further and meal 
prepping to make your busy nights easier. 
Presenters: Amanda Selm, President, ACB Next 
Generation, Louisville, KY; Herbie Allen, ACB 
Community cooking call host, Houston, TX; Janeen 
Lea, ACB Community call cooking host, Kissimmee, FL. 

 

Tuesday, July 5, CHI 215 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: Self Care is Health Care 
Take charge of your physical, mental, and emotional 
health. ACB Next Generation and ACB's Get Up and 
Get Moving invite you to come and learn about the 
connection between mind, body, and spirit. Come 
stretch out your body and energize your spirit by 
learning to relax! Participants will also be able to 
share their best practices for self-care. You’ll learn 
from Leslie Spoone, Certified Fitness Instructor, 
Orlando, FL; Koni Sims, retired Medical Massage 
Practitioner, Sioux Falls, SD and Terry Suarez, 


Certified Respiratory Therapist, Clermont, FL. 


7:30 pm – 10:30 pm: Dance of the Ages ($15) 
Music for all ages will be provided by our DJ. Whether 
you like waltzes, line dances, or something in 
between, it will happen. We have also prepared an 
area for conversation while listening at a lower 
volume. Light snacks and a cash bar will be 
available. and plenty of door prizes. 
Co-sponsored by AAVL, ACB Next Generation, and 
CCLVI 

 

ACB Radio Amateurs 

President: Harvey Heagy 

Program Chair: Marcia Moses 

Registration: $10 

 

Thursday, June 23 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: ACBRA Business Meeting (Zoom 
only) 

 

Wednesday, July 6, CHI 208 


1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: ACBRA Program 
Steve Dresser (WA1RTB) will demonstrate an 
accessible interface for the NannoVNA, a low-cost 
microprocessor-based device for analyzing antenna 
performance. 

 

American Council of Blind Students 

President: Aaron Espinoza 

Program Chair: Olivia O’Connell 

 

Friday, June 24 (Zoom only) 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: Residential Adjustment to Blindness 
Training Center Panel 
Join ACB Students for a panel featuring 
representatives from three blindness training centers: 
the Hellen Keller Center, the Carroll Center for the 
Blind, and one of the National Federation of the Blind 
centers. These three centers are located across the 
country, and their representatives will join us to speak 
about the programs offered within them. Learn how 
their programs can help you gain your independence 
in travel, cooking, reading, writing, using technology, 


doing recreational activities, and more. Come learn 
about the importance of having a positive attitude on 
blindness. There will be a Q&A at the end of the 
session. 

 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: ACBS Business Meeting 

 

Saturday, June 25 (Zoom only) 

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm: ACB Next Generation and ACB 
Students Convention Pep Rally 


Friday, July 1 

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm: ACBS Next Generation Friday 
Night Bash, HH TBD 

 

Saturday, July 2, CHI 208 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: ACBS, Blind Activism and 
Advocacy Panel 
Join ACB Students for our panel on blind activism and 
advocacy with blind life coach Charlie Kramer, Los 
Angeles, CA and blind video editor, producer, and 
podcaster Lance Johnson, Brooklyn, NY! 


 Come learn just how beautiful self-advocacy can be. 
Charlie and Lance will discuss their life experiences, 
outlooks on blindness, and advice for blind students 
with us. 

 

Sunday, July 3, CHI 215 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Student Led Discussion 
Join ACB Students leaders to hear their perspectives 
on some of the many critical issues impacting blind 
students today. Our students will discuss navigating 
blindness in education, health care, and in using 
assistive technology, and then we will give you the 
chance to meet and interact with other students while 
participating in these discussions too! 

 

Monday, July 4, CHI 208 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: ACBS Social Justice and Identity 
Based Training 
Join ACB Students for a transformative social justice 
training and learning experience. Come meet other 
blind students, engage in self-empowering and 
discovery activities, and learn about how important 


and impactful the identity of blindness can be for all of 
us! Get tips on advocating for yourself, finding self-
confidence, and dealing with the difficulties of 
blindness! 

 

Blind Information Technology Specialists 

President: Earlene Hughes 

Program Chair: Penny Moss 

Registration: $10 

 

Friday, July 1, CHI 213 

4:00 pm – 6:45 pm: BITS/CCLVI: Vendor Showcase 
If you use a screen reader and/or magnification in 
your daily life, this showcase affords you the 
opportunity to see what is new in the Exhibit Hall later 
in the week. Several products will be demonstrated 
with time for some questions and answers. It also 
gives you the chance to prepare your questions for 
when you visit these vendors’ booths, in-person or 
virtually, over the next several days. 

 

Saturday, July 2, CHI 213 


10:00 am - 11:15 am: BITS: Navigating Your World 
Do you get frustrated because you have trouble 
getting help with reading labels or scanning 
documents? Come to this enlightening presentation 
where you can learn about the SuperSense and the 
Voice Dream Suite. You may be surprised to find out 
how much these apps can help with everyday tasks. 
Presenters: Shane Lowe, SuperSense Team, 
Community Operations Director, Mediate, Cambridge, 
MA 

 

11:30 am – 12:45 pm: BITS: On the Go: Laptops and 
Tablets 
Have you ever wondered about the differences 
between laptops and tablets? Confused about which 
one to buy? Come enjoy this informative presentation 
so you can decide which device is right for you. 
Presenters: Matt Vollbrecht, Founder and Owner, The 
Tech Juggernaut (TTJ) Services, Everett, PA; Chris 
Maae, Vice President, Blind Information Technology 
Specialists and ACB Next Generation member, Long 


Beach, CA; Mike Hartwig, Blind Information 
Technology Specialists member, Wausau, WI. 

 

Braille Revival League 

President: Paul Edwards 

Registration: $10 

 

Thursday, June 23 (Zoom only) 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: BRL Constitutional Changes 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: BRL Nominations and Candidate 
Forum 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: BRL Other Business 

 

Sunday, July 3, CHI 211 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: LUA: Up Close and Personal with 
NLS Director, Jason Broughton 
Mr. Broughton presented at morning general session; 
here is your chance to learn more from him and ask 
questions about NLS. 
Co-sponsored by LUA, BRL and FIA 

 


2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Not Your Mother’s Library: The 
Modern Public Library - What Awaits You There. 
Co-sponsored by LUA, BRL, and FIA 

 

Monday, July 4, CHI 211 

7:00 am – 8:15 am: BRL Breakfast, $30 ($35) 
Guest speaker, Marc Workman, Chief Executive 
Officer, World Blind Union, Edmonton, Alberta, 
Canada. 

 

Tuesday, July 5, CHI 215 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: Meet the Talking Book Narrator 
This is your opportunity to hear more from and ask 
questions of our 2022 talking book narrator, Ray 
Foushee, American Printing House for the Blind, 
Louisville, KY. 
Co-hosted by LUA, AABT, BRL, and FIA, 

 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: One Book, One ACB: “Their Plant 
Eyes: A Personal and Cultural History of Blindness,” 
by M. Leona Godin 


 Cosponsored by LUA, BRL, FIA and MCAC 

 

Wednesday, July 6 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: Understanding Where Our Writing 
System Braille Has Been, CHI 215 
During this session learn from three panelists 
fascinating information regarding Braille. Philippa 
Campsey, University Professor, Toronto, Ontario, 
Canada, will provide new information about the early 
history of braille. Tamara Rorie, Arlington, VA will 
discuss new braille archives. Judy Dixon, retired 
consumer relations officer, Arlington, VA will enlighten 
us on methods of doing research about braille and 
where people can find documents of interest. 

 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: New Uses for Braille in Periodicals, 
CHI 215 
This session will feature a panel chaired by Paul 
Edwards. 
Learn about the use of UEB for cooking in magazines 
and books from Brian Charlson, Watertown, MA, and 


Judy Dixon, Arlington, VA. 
We will then learn about new knitting magazines and 
how to use knitting charts from Judy Wilkinson, retired 
English professor, San Leandro, CA and Tamara 
Rorie, Arlington, VA. Finally, we’ll learn about 
crossword puzzle magazines from Ralph Smitherman, 
BRL secretary, Brandon, MS, and Jane Carona, BRL 
treasurer, Silver Spring, MD. 

 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: Games with Ralph, HH Hill (in-
person only) 
This session will feature prizes and will include a full 
set of games hosted by Ralph. 

 

Blind LGBT Pride International 

President: Gabriel Lopez Kafati 

Program Chair: Anthony Corona 

Registration: $10 

 

Saturday, June 25 (Zoom only) 

4:00 pm: BPI/MCAC/GDUI Candidate Forum 


 

Saturday, July 2 

11:30 am – 12:45 pm: Furry Tails, CHI 208 
There have been so many memorable moments and 
persons in the American Council of the Blind over the 
last 60 years, but there have been so many furry 
skilled professionals who live in our hearts and 
memories. Sunday Edition is partnering with GDUI for 
a program to recognize some of these amazing 
guides. Join us as we remember and honor these 
wonderful dogs and, of course, their handlers. 

 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: Making Gay History, CHI 208 
Friend to BPI and frequent collaborator Eric Marcus of 
the Making Gay History podcast joins us to highlight 
the moments in the LGBTQ fight for equality that 
changed our world and the course of our history. 

 

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: BPI Movie Rocky Horror Picture 
Show (in-person only), CHI 208 
Grab your toast points, popcorn, noise makers and 
water bottles and prepare to “Time Warp” with us 


again! 
There will be surprises, songs, and of course all the 
classic hijinks this beloved movie offers, including 
some members dressed up as movie characters. 
There will be a prize for the best costume as well. 

 

Sunday, July 3 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: BPI Beyond Swiping: Seeking 
Romantic Connection and Compatibility in the 21st 
Century, CHI 208 
It's a digital world; so much is accomplished by double 
tapping and swiping. Our fingertips make so many 
decisions for us. We even try to find dating prospects 
through apps in this busy, cluttered reality. But how 
do we seek the unique chemistry between humans 
that no high-tech interface can replace? How do we 
know if a connection is real or just a fleeting rightward 
swipe? How do we recognize attraction and cultivate 
romance in this fast-paced world? This discussion is 
meant to explore the complexities of 21st century 
dating. We'll put our phones in our pockets and talk 
about the core fundamentals we rely upon in seeking 
lasting compatibility. 

 


2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: 3D Audio Excursion, CHI 208 
Back by popular demand, come with Chris Snyder as 
he takes you on another 3D audio excursion to places 
real and fantastic. Put on your headphones, sit back 
and journey with us as we go from the ordinary to the 
unbelievable. We’d tell you what to expect, but where 
would be the fun in that? Life is an adventure, and this 
is one you won’t want to miss! 


4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: A Day in the Life of an Audio 
Engineer/Describer; CHI 208 
Join Chris Snyder as he takes you through a workday 
for a blind AD professional. You’ll get to hear what it’s 
like to QC a script, voice, edit and mix a program, and 
ask questions afterward. The curious and the aspiring 
AD professionals won’t want to miss it. 

 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: What are the Colors of Our 
Rainbow (in-person only), HH Cozzens 
Let's ponder pronouns. Why are "she" and "he" so 
limiting? How can we expand our vocabulary and 
minds to celebrate gender diversity and equity? Have 
you ever asked your colleagues, friends and 


neighbors what pronouns they use? We define so 
much through labels; they help us organize the world 
around us, but they can be harmful and disrespectful. 
Inclusivity is not a trend or a fad. Pronouns are not 
just words on a page. In this candid discussion, BPI 
presents narratives from community members who 
embody the gender diversity in our rainbow. Join us 
as we delve into the deeper meaning of pronouns and 
why what we say matters. 

 

8:00 pm – 9:45 pm: BPI Mixer -"Bobbing" into Omaha! 
(in-person only), HH Cozzens 
Join BPI as we "Bob" into Omaha! As always, BPI 
welcomes convention with fun, mingling, and 
surprises. Bridge your way into our first ever hybrid 
convention; we invite you to start your convention 
experience by "Bobbing" with BPI! 

 

10:00 pm – 11:45 pm: Open Mic Night with BPI, HH 
Cozzens 
Shout loud and proud karaoke or comedy, poetry, or 
interpretive dance. Whatever your talent, the BPI 
Open Mic Night is where all the wonderful colors of 
our rainbow will gather and share our talents. Open 


to all ACB members as we look forward to 
entertaining and being entertained by our family and 
allies. Think of this as ACB's "Cheers" with a mic and 
stand and cocktails, lol. 

 

Monday, July 4 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: Blind Dating in a Sighted World: 
The Non-verbal Cues of Dating, CHI 208 
As someone who lost sight mid-life, I am often asked 
about the visuals in the dating world. In this panel we 
turn the tables to a few sighted friends as they tell us 
the visual cues that they respond to and answer 
questions from our community to dispel the myths and 
offer advice to us on “Blind Dating.” 

 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Breath and Sound (in-person only), 
HH Cozzens 
Join BPI as we explore the wonders of breath. What 
is the sound of breath? What can we do with our 
breath? Let’s discover how breath resonates 
throughout our body, mind, and soul. 

 


4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: BPI: Colors of the Rainbow: What 
Is an Ally (in-person only), HH Cozzens 
Allies of the LGBTQIA+ Community: Doing What's 
Right to Protect Civil Rights 
What is an ally? What can allies do to support the 
LGBTQIA+ community? Make a donation? Sign a 
petition? Is it possible to be a silent supporter as 
times change in momentous ways? 
With regressive legislation such as Florida Governor 
Ron DeSantis’ “Don’t Say Gay” law and Texas 
Governor Greg Abbott’s directive authorizing child 
abuse investigations into parents whose children 
receive gender-affirming care, allies are standing up 
and speaking out. Guided by members of the 
community, they respond and take action. 
Come join the discussion with a panel including 
Anthony Corona, Gabriel Lopez-Kafati, Margie 
Donovan, Vita Zavoli and Miss Ruth Williams. 
Who is an Ally? 

 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Wine Tasting - Sparkles and 
Fireworks (in-person only), $25 HH Washington City 


 It's all about Sparkling! Join BPI's Sommelier 
extraordinaire, Gabriel Lopez Kafati as we go through 
the world of sparkling wines. From Brut to Demisec, 
from Blanc to Rose. We will learn to discover our vino 
type as we mingle and sip! 

 

Tuesday, July 5, HH Washington City 

5:30 pm – 6:45 pm: Tannin Tuesday (in-person only) 
If you are a red wine aficionado, this is the tasting for 
you! BPI's sommelier extraordinaire, Gabriel Lopez 
Kafati, will take us through different regions of the 
world in a wine tour. From Cabs to Malbecs, from 
Merlot to Pinot Noir, we will learn why certain regions 
are famous for each varietal as we mingle and sip. 

 

Wednesday, July 6, HH Washington City 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Wino Wednesday (in-person only) 
$25 
This unique wine experience will take us through the 
full range. Join BPI's sommelier extraordinaire, 
Gabriel Lopez Kafati, in this adventure through 
sparklings, whites, and reds. We will go from sweet to 


dry, from light to full. Join us and discover your vino 
type as we mingle and sip. 

 

Council of Citizens with Low Vision International 

President: Patti Cox 

Program Chair: Terry Pacheco 

Registration: $15 

 

Friday, July 1, CHI 213 

4:00 pm – 6:45 pm: BITS/CCLVI IT Vendor Showcase 
If you use a screen reader and/or magnification in our 
daily life, this showcase affords you the opportunity to 
see what is new in the Exhibit Hall later in the week. 
Several products will be demonstrated with time for 
some questions and answers. It also gives you the 
chance to prepare your questions for when you visit 
these vendors’ booths, in-person or virtually, over the 
next several days. 

 

Saturday, July 2 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: Fred Scheigert Scholarship 
Winners Reception (in-person only), HH Cozzens 


 We finally have an opportunity to meet and greet 
several of the last few year’s Scheigert Scholarship 
winners. These men and women with low vision are 
our future leaders. 
We will also present the Bernice Kandarian Memorial 
Award during this special event. 

 

Sunday, July 3, HH Washington City 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Update Your Zoom Profile Pic 
CCLVI has several members volunteering to assist in 
adding or updating your profile photo on your Zoom 
account. To take advantage of this opportunity, you 
will need to bring either your device on which you 
have your Zoom account or bring your username and 
password for your Zoom account so you can access it 
on another device. Remember this pic will then 
appear whenever you are on a Zoom meeting. So, 
business casual is probably appropriate. 

 

Monday, July 4, CHI 211 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm Smart Home Living 



A myriad of products that make your life and home 
more comfortable, cleaner, safer, and independent 
will be demonstrated and discussed. This is always a 
crowd pleaser. Whether you are with us in person or 
virtually, you won’t want to miss this! 
Sponsored by ACB Next Generation and CCLVI 

 

Tuesday, July 5, HH Grand Ballroom A/B 

7:30 pm – 10:30 pm: Dance of the Ages ($15) 
Music for all ages will be provided by our DJ. Whether 
you like waltzes, line dances, or something in 
between, it will happen. We have also prepared an 
area for conversation while listening at a lower 
volume. Light snacks and a cash bar will be 
available. And plenty of door prizes. 
Co-sponsored by AAVL, ACB Next Generation, and 
CCLVI 

 

Friends-in-Art of ACB 

President: Mike Mandel 

Program Chair: Peter Altschul 


Registration: $10 

 

Thursday, June 23 (Zoom only) 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: AI in Music and Pictures 
Explore how artificial intelligence interacts with music, 
pictures, and blindness. 

 

7:30 pm – 8:45 pm: Prose and Poetry Reading 
Share some of your original work or just come listen. 
Facilitator: Carla Hayes, McMurray, PA 
Co-sponsored by FIA and ACB Next Generation 

 

Friday, June 24 (Zoom only) 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: You Gotta Have Harp 
Relax while learning about the harp through 
presentations and performances. In honor of FIA past 
president Lynn Hedl. 
Presenters: Nancy Pendegraph, Huntsville, AL; Jason 
Castonguay, Manchester, CT. 


 Co-sponsored by FIA and ACB Next Generation 

 

10:00 pm – 11:15 pm: Showcase After Hours 
Participate in our celebration of the Showcase with 
performers and those behind the scenes who put it all 
together. 


Saturday, June 25 (Zoom only) 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: The Art of Disability Culture: Non-
Traditional Visually Impaired Artist Panel 
Visually impaired artists from different creative 
springboards (pottery, graphical art, movement, and 
theater) will share their experiences presenting and 
working with curators to provide interactive and 
accessible connections to their work. 

 

7:30 pm – 8:45 pm: FIA Writers’ Workshop 
Effortless Editing. Learn about the similarities and 
differences between self-editing and editing for 
others: how to know when to stop writing and start 
editing, how to maintain a good relationship with an 


editing client, tools of the trade, and other biz tips. 
Panelists: Kim Nova, "Our Special" editor, NBP; Mary-
Jo Lord of Magnets and Ladders; Kathy King and 
Cheryl McNeil Fisher, Writing Works Wonders; Chris 
Kuell, Editor in Chief, Breath and Shadow Journal of 
Disability Literature; Ann Harrison Barnes, blogger, 
author and freelance editor, and Cachet Wells, ACB 
Voices blog contributor and member of ACB Board of 
Publications 

 

Sunday, July 3, CHI 211 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: LUA: Up Close and Personal with 
NLS Director, Jason Broughton 
Mr. Broughton presented at morning general session; 
here is your chance to learn more from him and ask 
questions about NLS. 
Co-sponsored by LUA, BRL and FIA 

 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Not Your Mother’s Library: The 
Modern Public Library - What Awaits You There. 
Co-sponsored by LUA, BRL, and FIA 

 


Tuesday, July 5, CHI 215 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: Meet the Talking Book Narrator 
This is your opportunity to hear more from and ask 
questions of our 2022 talking book narrator, Ray 
Foushee, American Printing House for the Blind, 
Louisville, KY. 
Cohosted by LUA, AABT, BRL, and FIA, 

 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: One Book, One ACB: “Their Plant 
Eyes: A Personal and Cultural History of Blindness,” 
by M. Leona Godin 
Co-sponsored by LUA, BRL, FIA and MCAC 

 

Guide Dog Users, Inc. 

President: Sarah Calhoun 

Program Chair: Maria Hansen 

Registration: $15 

GDUI registrants will be entered into a drawing. 

 

Thursday, June 23 (Zoom only) 


11:30 am - 2:15 pm: Guide Dog School Updates 
A double session of the ever-popular updates from all 
the guide dog schools. 

 

Friday, June 24 (Zoom only) 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: Science for Superheroes: Video 
Presentation and Discussion of Cryopreservation 
Demonstrating how semen samples from male 
breeders are frozen and stored. Other topics touched 
on are genetic diversity, dual careers for dogs and 
superheroes for years to come. (We thank Bruno for 
the sample.) 
Speaker: Zuhey Medina-Gonzalez, Director, 
Genetics, Reproduction, & Puppy Care, Southeastern 
Guide Dogs, Palmetto, FL. 

 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Supercomputers and Super Pups 
Learn how a guide dog school has teamed up with 
North Carolina State University and IBM to use 
artificial intelligence and smart collars to increase the 
number of exceptional guide dogs available to provide 
our community with greater independence. 
This panel will be facilitated by Carl Richardson, 


President, Guide Dog Users of Massachusetts, 
Brighton, MA. 
Panelists: Gerald Brenninkmeyer, Director of Canine 
Program Development, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 
Yorktown Heights, NY; Melissa Carney, Community 
Outreach and Graduate Support Manager Guiding 
Eyes for the Blind, Yorktown Heights, NY; Jane 
Russenberger, retired, Guiding Eyes for the Blind; 
Lorraine Trapani, Executive Program Manager, 
Global Risk Management Import Compliance Office 
(ICO) IBM Government and Regulatory Affairs, 
Armonk, NY; Dr. Alper Bozkurt, Professor, 
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC; Dr. 
David L. Roberts, Associate Professor, Computer 
Engineering and CIIGAR Lab Director (Canine 
Instruction with Instrumented Gadgets Administering 
Rewards), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. 

 

Saturday, July 2, CHI 208 

11:30 am - 12:45 pm: Furry Tails - There have been so 
many “Furry Skilled Professionals” over the years who 
will always live in our hearts and memories. Sunday 
Edition and GDUI want to recognize some of these 
amazing guides. Join us as we remember and honor 


these wonderful dogs and their handlers. (Anthony 
Corona). 

 

Wednesday, July 6, CHI 215 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: GDUI: Wrap-up and Awards 
Margie Donovan, Awards Chair, Folsom, CA, will 
announce the winners of our drawing for the four 
plush pups in harness. 
The blessing of past, present and future guide dogs, 
puppy raisers, handlers and those who love them will 
be hosted by Audrey Gunter and Laurel Jean Walden, 
Charleston, SC. 

 

Independent Visually Impaired Entrepreneurs 

President: Ardis Bazyn 

Program Chair: Carla Hayes 

Registration: $10 

Saturday, June 25 (Zoom only) 

10:00 am - 11:15 am: IVIE Business Meeting 

 

Friday, July 1, room TBD 


9:00 pm – Midnight: RSVA/IVIE Mixer 

 

Monday, July 4 

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm: “Selling Yourself: How To Put Your 
Best Foot Forward in the Evolving Employment 
World,” $32 ($35), CHI 213 (program begins at 1:00 
pm) 
Join Sara Freeman-Smith, HR professional on the 
ACB Employment Committee; Pam Shaw, an 
entrepreneur and IVIE member; and Kaila Allen, 
recent new hire and ACB Next Generation member, 
who will share their experience with written, verbal, 
and visual aspects of positioning yourself as the best 
job candidate and maximizing those networking 
opportunities. The panel will tackle these three 
aspects in each of their facets of the 
employment/networking processes. 
Sponsored by IVIE, ACB Next Generation and the 
ACB Employment Committee. 

2:30 pm – 5:15 pm: IVIE Business Expo (in-person 
only), HH Merchant 
Blind and visually impaired business owners will 


showcase their products and services and answer 
your questions. 

 

Library Users of America 

President: Judy Wilkinson 

Registration: $10: registrants will be eligible for 
door prize drawings 

 

Friday, June 24 (Zoom only) 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: LUA Business Meeting 

 

Sunday, July 3, CHI 211 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: LUA: Up Close and Personal with 
NLS Director, Jason Broughton 
Mr. Broughton presented at morning general session; 
here is your chance to learn more from him and ask 
questions about NLS. 


Co-sponsored by LUA, BRL, and FIA 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Not Your Mother’s Library: The 
Modern Public Library - What Awaits You There. 


 Co-sponsored by LUA, BRL, and FIA 

 

Tuesday, July 5, CHI 215 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: Meet the Talking Book Narrator 
This is your opportunity to hear more from and ask 
questions of our 2022 talking book narrator, Ray 
Foushee, American Printing House for the Blind, 
Louisville, KY. 
Co-hosted by LUA, AABT, BRL, and FIA 

 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: One Book, One ACB: “Their Plant 
Eyes: A Personal and Cultural History of Blindness” 
by M. Leona Godin 
Co-sponsored by LUA, BRL, FIA and MCAC 

 

 

Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America RSVA® 

President: Dan Sippl 

Convention Chair: Scott Eggen 


ACB Program Liaison: Ardis Bazyn, Co-liaison 
Karen Blachowicz 

Registration: $40 (RSVA® registration includes a 
$20 donation entitling registrants a ticket into a 
drawing occurring on Friday, July 23.) 

 

Saturday, June 25 (Zoom only) 

1:00 pm – 3:45 pm: RSVA Business Meeting 

 

Friday, July 1, CHI 215 

9:00 pm – Midnight: RSVA/IVIE mixer (in person only) 

 

Saturday, July 2 CHI 215 

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm: RSVA - “All About the Nebraska 
Business Enterprise Program” 
This session will highlight the Business Enterprise 
Program in Nebraska 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: Eric Buckwalter, CVRCB, NBE 


Coordinator, Nebraska Commission for the Blind and 
Visually Impaired, Lincoln, NE; Jim Jirak, Owner, Jirak 
Enterprises, Omaha, NE 

 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: RSVA - The Value of Randolph-
Sheppard Business Enterprises as Career 
Opportunities. 
Participants will learn the benefits of this career option 
as well as how states find recruits. They will also learn 
what skills are necessary as well as the education 
and training that is provided. 
Presenters: Eric Buckwalter, CVRCB, NBE 
Coordinator, Nebraska Commission for the Blind and 
Visually Impaired, Lincoln, NE; John Gordon, Bureau 
Chief and Acting BEP Director, Illinois Department for 
the Blind, Chicago, IL; Patrick Martin, RSVF Vendor, 
Tallahassee, FL 
Co-sponsored by RSVA and ACB Rehabilitation Task 
Force 


4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: RSVA “Outlook Enrichment 
Assistance” 
In this session, Outlook Enrichment offerings will be 
explained. It will describe the differing technology and 


other skills training that can assist those entering the 
vending program as well as other careers. 
Presenter: Paulette Monthei, BSW, MPA, Enrichment 
Executive Director, Omaha, NE; Alex Curtis, Vendor 
Trainee, Omaha, NE 

 

Sunday, July 3 

12:15 pm – 2:15 pm: RSVA® Awards Luncheon, CHI 215 

"Celebrating Over Fifty Years of Achievement and 
Advocacy" 
Our speaker will be Deb Cook Lewis, ACB 1st Vice 
President, retired technology specialist, Clarkston, 
WA 

 

7:30 pm - 8:45 pm: 1st Act: Enjoy Some Laughs with 
RSVA® Comedian Willie Farrell, HH Blackstone B, 
(in-person only) 

 

9:00 pm - 12:00 am: 2nd Act: Show Your Talent with 
RSVA® Karaoke!, HH Blackstone B (in person only) 

 

Monday, July 4 

6:15 pm – Midnight: RSVA® Casino Trip 



Take a break and enjoy visiting the Horseshoe 
Casino. 

 

Visually Impaired Veterans of America 

President: Tyson Ernst 

 

Monday, July 4 

1:00 pm - 3:45 pm: VIVA Business Meeting, HH Hill 

(in-person only) 

 

ACB Committee Meetings 

 

ACB Women’s Committee 

Chair: Linda Porelle 

 

Thursday, June 23 (Zoom only) 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Yoga with Leslie Spoone 
Come and join Leslie Spoone, certified aerobics 
instructor and personal trainer, for yoga. Use a chair 
or be on the floor for some easy yoga. 

 


Friday, June 24 (Zoom only) 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Cardio Exercise with Leslie Spoone 
Come and join Leslie Spoone, certified aerobics 
instructor and personal trainer, for cardio happy hour! 
You can either dance around or be on your treadmill, 
stationary bike or your elliptical. Happy exercising! 

 

Saturday, June 25 (Zoom only) 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Sister Power Happy Hour 
Our very popular women's get-together returns with 
stories from two more amazing ACB women. 
Belinda Collins, Assistive Technology Professional, 
St. Pauls, NC, and Audrey Schading, Academic 
Communications Instructor, Mount Vernon, NY. 
Come join old friends on Zoom or listen in on ACB 
Media from home. 

 

Tuesday, July 5, CHI 213 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Choosing Where to Live as You 
Age: Downsizing Part 1: How Can We Know When 
the Time is Right? 


 Our panel will offer expert guidance on making 
important decisions on where we might live as we 
grow older. 
Presenters: Carrie A.B. Hoarty, MD, Physician, 
Assistant Professor, General Internal Medicine, 
Omaha, NE; Mary Ann Eusebio, Information & 
Assistance Division Director, Eastern Nebraska Office 
on Aging, Omaha, NE. 
Co-sponsored by AAVL and ACB Women 

 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: Choosing Where to Live as You 
Age: Downsizing Part 2: How to Choose What's Right 
for Us. 
A conversation with a panel of ACB members who 
have made a variety of choices about where to live as 
they grow older. 
Presenters: Kate Chamberlin, freelance writer and 
retired elementary school teacher, Walworth, NY; 
Jean Mann, retired New York State employee, 
Albany, NY; Linda Yacks, widow, mother, and 
grandmother, Harrison, AR 


 Co-sponsored by AAVL and ACB Women 

 

Advocacy Services Committee 

Chair: Jeff Thom 

Saturday, July 2, CHI 215 

11:30 am - 12:45 pm: AAVIA and Advocacy Committee: 
Civil Rights Panel 
This session will discuss recent achievements, 
ongoing legal efforts, current risks, and opportunities 
in the courts concerning issues of importance to 
members of ACB. 


Presenters: Matthew Handley, Partner, Handley Farah 
& Anderson, Washington, DC; Christina Brandt-
Young, Supervising Attorney, Disability Rights 
Advocates, New York, NY. 
Co-sponsored by AAVIA 

 

Monday, July 4, CHI 208 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Empowering Ourselves to Advocate 
for the Best Mental Health and Emotional Well Being 
Care 



The world can be busy and its often our own self-care 
that is the first overlooked. With the medical field often 
more a business than care, knowing how to ask the 
right questions and advocate for ourselves is a 
learned and much needed skill set. Join our speakers 
for this empowering session. 

 

Tuesday, July 5, CHI 208 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Me to the Third Power: Finding 
Myself, Working on Myself and Sharing Myself; Our 
Journey with Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being 
It’s been said we hear parts of our own stories in 
others and this panel of speakers will share their 
individual journeys through Emotional Well-Being. 
Therapy or counseling, 12-step and higher power are 
just a few of the topics our speakers will share with us 
as they share the highs and lows of their journeys. 

 

Auction Committee 

Chair: Leslie Spoone 

 

Saturday, June 18, 6:00 pm (Zoom only) 

ACB Summer Auction 
Come and enjoy the ACB Summer Auction where we 


will be featuring jewelry, homemade baked goodies, 
technology, vacations and handmade quilts and 
crafts. We will kick it off with an Appetizer Auction on 
Thursday, June 16 and Friday, June 17. 

 

Audio Description Project Committee 

Co-Chairs: Kim Charlson and Carl Richardson 

 

Thursday, June 23 (Zoom only) 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: Audio Description, “Nothing About 
Us Without Us”: Blind Consultants Involvement in 
Creating AD 
Panel Presentation: Moderator: Chris Snyder, 
Executive Producer/Head, Audio Production, 
Imagination Video Books, Phoenix, AZ; Tanja 
Milojevic, Voiceover Talent and AD Voicer, Peabody, 
MA; Satauna Howery, Award-Winning Voiceover 
Artist, Voice Actor, and Audio Description Advocate, 
Clifton Park, NY; Thomas Reid, Audio Producer, 
Voiceover Artist, Audio Description Narrator, 
Consultant, & Advocate, Stroudsburg, PA; Nefertiti 
Matos Olivares, Audio Description Writer, Narrator, 
and Voiceover Artist, New York, NY; Rick Boggs, 
Founder and General Manager, Audio Eyes, 
Voiceover Artist, Description Narrator, Audio 


Producer, and Description Script Quality Expert, Los 
Angeles, CA; and Eric Troup, Description Script 
Quality Expert, and Audio Producer, Bend, OR 

 

Saturday, June 25 (Zoom only) 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: ADP: Self-Description: Too Much or 
Just Enough – Blind Community Perspectives 
In Favor: Renee Arrington-Johnson, Member, ACB 
ADP Steering Committee, Lyndhurst, OH; Gabriel 
Lopez Kafati, President, Blind LGBT Pride 
International, Miami Lakes, FL 
Opposed: Mark Lasser, Founder, American 
Association of Blind Theater-Goers, New York, NY; 
Pat Sheehan, Chair, Audio Description Project 
Section 508 Sub-Committee, Silver Spring, MD; Audio 
Description Scholars: Professor Hannah Thompson, 
Royal Holloway, University of London, London, 
England; and Dr. Joel Snyder, Founder and Senior 
Consultant, American Council of the Blind, Audio 
Description Project, Takoma Park, MD 

 

Tuesday, July 5, CHI 211 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: Take a Walk in the Park 
Get Up and Get Moving as You Explore our Midwest 
National Parks through the National Parks Service's 


Healthy Parks, Healthy People Program. Discover 
how audio description plays a key part in making 
parks accessible. Learn how you can be a partner 
and advocate for equal access in our national parks. 
Moderator: Jo Lynn Bailey-Page, Audio Description 
Project Coordinator, American Council of the Blind, 
Los Altos, CA; Holly Griesemer, Management and 
Program Analyst, National Park Service Midwest 
Region: Rivers, Rails, Conservation, and Accessibility 
Programs, Omaha, NE; Clark Rachfal, Director, 
Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, American 
Council of the Blind, Alexandria, VA 

 

Wednesday, July 6, HH Flat Iron 

10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Update and Audio Describe Your 
Profile Photo 
Would you like a free, professional and audio-described 
portrait photo for your Social Media channels, email, 
and other formal correspondence? Dr. Brett Oppegaard 
of the UniDescription Project is studying the Audio 
Description of portraiture, and as a part of that research 
effort, he will take your photo and work with you to audio 
describe it. He will be analyzing the results of those 
efforts for his academic work, and you will be emailed 


an electronic version of the image and the audio 
description for whatever purposes you wish. These 
photo sessions will be by appointment. They are 
expected to take about 15 minutes. 

 

If you would like to book a slot, just send the time and 
date you would like to brett.oppegaard at hawaii.edu. 
Thanks for your interest! 

 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: ADP Get to Know More About the 
2022 Audio Description Project Award Winner, CHI 
215 
This is a follow-up to ADP Award presentations July 5 
at 10:30 am. 
Through a meet-and-greet interview format and 
audience Q&A, we will learn more about what makes 
these people such wonderful and deserving award 
winners and advocates for audio description. 
Hosts: Jeff Thom, Chair, Awards Committee of the 
Audio Description Project, Sacramento, CA; Jo Lynn 
Bailey-Page, ACB Audio Description Coordinator, Los 
Altos, CA; and Kim Charlson, Co-Chair, Audio 
Description Coordinator, Watertown, MA. 

 


Thursday, July 7, HH Flat Iron 

10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Update and Audio Describe Your 
Profile Photo 

 

Friday, July 8, HH Flat Iron 

10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Update and Audio Describe Your 
Profile Photo 

 

DKM First-Timers Committee 

Committee Chair: Kenneth Semien Sr. 

 

Tuesday, July 5 

7:00 pm – 8:15 pm: DKM/JPMorgan reception 
(invitation only) 

 

Wednesday, July 6, CHI 211 & Virtual 

5:30 pm – 6:45 pm: DKM Reception 
Attend the 26th annual DKM First-Timers Reception to 
meet the Classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022. You also 
get to witness the first-ever induction ceremony of the 
Durward K. McDaniel (DKM) Leadership Select Honor 
Society. 

 

 


Employment Committee 

Chair: Brooke Jostad 

 

Saturday, June 25 (Zoom only) 

11:30 pm - 12:45 pm: Do You Really Need Indeed? 
Indeed, You Might. 
Learn about how you can leverage Indeed.com to 
jumpstart your job search. 
Presenter: Don Horvath, Senior Instructor, Helen 
Keller National Center, Sands Point, NY. 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Social Security at Work. Learn 
about how to address the tensions between SSDI, 
SSI, and money earned while working. 
Panelists: Lori Scharff, Certified Financial Incentive 
Professional, Waynesboro, VA; Chris Peterson, 
Founder, President and CEO, Penny Forward, 
Richfield, MN. 

 

Saturday, July 2, CHI 211 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Pitch In an Elevator: Talking It Up 
When You're Going Down - Creating Your Personal 
Elevator Pitch Workshop 
Many of us find it very difficult to talk about ourselves 
but being able to make a lasting impression in a few 


short seconds is an integral part of networking and 
sometimes even landing that job opportunity. Join the 
ACB Employment Committee as we work with 
participants in a workshop setting to fine tune and 
share your elevator pitch. 
Co-sponsored by the ACB Employment Committee 
and ACB Next Generation 

 

Monday, July 4, CHI 213 

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm: “Selling Yourself: How to Put Your 
Best Foot Forward in the Evolving Employment 
World.” (Program begins at 1:00 pm) 

 

Information Access Committee 

Chair: Jeff Bishop 

 

Saturday, July 2, CHI 213 & Virtual 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: 411 from the IAC: Low-Tech, High-
Tech Fitness Journey 
The Information Access Committee in conjunction 
with the Get Up and Get Moving Campaign will 
present on both low-tech and high-tech options for 
exercise and tracking your fitness. You'll hear as 


members share their journey to better fitness and the 
devices that helped them along the way. So whether 
it is a scale, blood pressure cuff, common household 
item, personal wearable, smart app, or the latest and 
greatest piece of exercise equipment, there is sure to 
be something for everyone to help you on your 
journey to better health. 
Clark Rachfal, Alexandria, VA; Don Barrett, Arlington, 
VA; Koni Sims, Sioux Falls, SD; Jeff Bishop, Kirkland, 
WA; Leslie Spoone, Orlando, FL; Matt Selm, 
Louisville, KY; Amanda Selm, Louisville, KY; Satauna 
Howery, Clifton Park, NY; Sandra Sermons, Rockville, MD. 

 
4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: 411 from the IAC: Unlocking the 
Secrets of Shopping 
We all do it. We all need to buy things and do it in a 
way that allows us to be independent and efficient. 
Come learn from top technology experts on tips and 
techniques that they have used both for in-person 
shopping and shopping on the internet. Whether you 
are looking for managing your store coupons, 
shopping via Shipt or Instacart, it doesn’t matter. We 
reveal key things to consider as a part of making you 
more polished in achieving your everyday shopping 
tasks 
Jeff Bishop, Kirkland, WA; Ray Campbell, Second 


Vice President, American Council of the Blind, 
Springfield, IL; Myrna Votta, Brooklyn, NY; Judy 
Dixon, Arlington, VA; Jason Castonguay, Manchester, 
CT; Larry Gassman, Fullerton, CA 

 

 

International Relations Committee 

 Co-Chairs: Maria Kristic and Meryl Shecter 

 

Thursday, June 23 (Zoom only) 

10:00 am - 11:15 am: Reaching Beyond Their Borders: 
International Programs of US Schools for the Blind 
Start your 2022 ACB convention by joining a program 
with an international flair! Did you know that some US 
organizations for the blind have thriving international 
programs? Come learn about what they do, who they 
serve, and hear about some of their successes. 
Presenters: Mark Richert, International Program 
Coordinator, Overbrook School for the Blind, 
Arlington, VA; Katherine (Katie) Holland, Executive 
Director, Perkins International, Watertown, MA; Lee 
Kumutat, Vice President of Communications, 
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, San 
Francisco, CA. 


 

Friday, June 25 (Zoom only) 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: NLS expands its Foreign Language 
Collection 
Come and hear from Kelsey Corlett-Rivera, NLS 
Foreign Language Librarian, and learn about the 
library's innovative projects and its implementation of 
the Marrakesh Treaty in the US. 
Sponsored by the Multicultural Affairs Committee and 
the International Relations Committee. 

 

Sunday, July 3, CHI 215 

5:30 pm – 6:45 pm Conversation with World Blind Union 
CEO, Marc Workman 
Mr. Workman will speak at Sunday morning’s general 
session. Here is a great opportunity to hear from and 
talk with him directly in a smaller, more intimate 
setting. Come learn about the challenges and 
opportunities facing blind people around the world 
and lessons we can apply in the United States. 
Presenter: Marc Workman, Chief Executive Officer, 
World Blind Union, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 


 Co-Sponsored by IRC and MCAC. 

 

Monday, July 4, CHI 211 

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm: Voices From Around the World 
Luncheon: $34 ($38) 
A Tapestry of Stories: Overcoming Challenges and 
Achieving Success in the US. 
We all know how difficult it can be to find successful 
employment as people who are blind or low vision. 
Come hear from a group of panelists who have 
achieved this success with the additional layer of 
being immigrants. Get ready to be motivated and 
inspired! 
Presenters: Aditi Shah, Senior Data and Applied 
Scientist, Microsoft, Redmond, WA; Merisa Musemic, 
Interpreter, Language Line Solutions, Sterling 
Heights, MI; Gabriel Lopez Kafati, Access Resource 
Advisor, Miami Dade College, Miami, FL; Sajja 
Koirala, Contract Specialist, United States Air Force, 
Dayton, OH. 

 

 


Leadership Training Committee 

 Chair: Rebecca Bridges 

 

Saturday, July 2, CHI 211 

10:00 am – 11:15 am: Berl Colley Leadership: Moving 
from Safe Spaces to Brave Spaces 
This session will explore strategies to turn safe 
spaces into brave spaces that lead to thought-
provoking and deep conversations that help you 
discover what it means to have an inclusive culture – 
and what it takes to sustain a culture that works for 
everyone. You will be challenged to break down 
barriers. 

 

11:30 am – 12:45 pm: Berl Colley Leadership: You 
Belong Here: How to Create a Culture of Diversity, 
Equity and Inclusion: Hear from a panel of ACB 
leaders who will share conference strategies and best 
practices for engaging diverse communities. 

 

Membership Committee 

Chair: Ardis Bazyn 

 

Saturday, June 25 (Virtual) 


7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Keys to the Convention (Virtual) 

 

Saturday, July 2 (in-person only), HH Hill 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: Keys to the Convention (in person 
only) 

This is a session for first-time convention attendees and 
for people who have not attended a convention 
recently. Facilitated by Ardis Bazyn, ACB Membership 
Committee Chair. 

 

Presentations will explain various sessions, business 
meetings and voting, as well as guide dog info, exhibit 
info, and some social events. Tips and hand-outs will 
be available in braille and large print. 

 

Wednesday, July 6, CHI 213 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: ACB Membership Committee 
Seminar 
Theme: Membership 101: 
Panel 1: How to Recruit and Retain Members 
Julie Brannon, President, Washington Council of the 
Blind, Puyallup, WA; Matt Selm, President, Kentucky 
Council of the Blind, Louisville, KY; and Danette 
Dixon, 1st Vice President, Diabetics in Action, 


Lynnwood, WA 
This panel will suggest ways affiliates have retained 
members as well as what activities they have 
provided which brought prospective members. 
Panel 2: How to Give the Best Orientation to New 
Members 
Gabriel Lopez Kafati, President, Blind LGBT Pride 
International, Miami Lakes, FL; Amanda Selm, 
President, ACB Next Generation, Louisville, KY; 
Meghan Parker, Chair, Diversity Committee, ACB of 
New York, Albany, NY; and Michael Garrett, Vice 
President and Membership Chair, ACB of Texas, 
Missouri City, TX 


Members often remain members if they have received 
information which tells what the organization history 
is, what advocacy the organization has provided, and 
ways they can participate in the future. 

 

Multicultural Affairs Committee 

Chair: Cheryl Cumings 

 


Friday, June 25 (Zoom only) 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: NLS Expands its Foreign Language 
Collection 

 
Come and hear from Kelsey Corlett-Rivera, NLS 
Foreign Language Librarian, and learn about the 
library's innovative projects and its implementation of 
the Marrakesh Treaty in the US. 
Sponsored by the Multicultural Affairs Committee and 
the International Relations Committee. 

 

Saturday, June 25 (Zoom only) 

4:00 pm: BPI MCAC/GDUI Candidate Forum 

 

Sunday, July 3, CHI 215 

5:30 pm – 6:45 pm: Conversation with World Blind 
Union CEO, Marc Workman 
Mr. Workman will speak at Sunday morning’s general 
session. Here is a great opportunity to hear from and 
talk with him directly in a smaller, more intimate 
setting. Come learn about the challenges and 
opportunities facing blind people around the world 
and lessons we can apply in the United States. 



Presenter: Marc Workman, Chief Executive Officer, 
World Blind Union, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 
Co-sponsored by IRC and MCAC. 

 

Monday, July 4, HH Grand Ballroom A 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: MCAC Social $20 - $23 (in-person 
only) 
Come connect with MCAC, see old friends, make new 
friends, enjoy food, music and door prizes. Music 
provided by DJ Kevin Ratliff. 

 

Tuesday, July 5, CHI 215 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: One Book, One ACB 
Co-sponsored with LUA 

 

Wednesday, July 6, CHI 213 

12:15 pm - 2:15 pm: MCAC Luncheon 
Hear from two speakers about Nebraska’s native 
American history, culture, and current issues. As 
MCAC’s theme “One community coming together in 
ACB” expresses our aspiration for a community that is 
inclusive of all, this session presents a perspective of 
local communities. 


 Professor Margaret Huettl, PhD., Lincoln, NE; Donna 
L. Polk, PhD, LMPH, Omaha, NE. 

 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: A Candid Conversation About a 
Critical Concept 
As we move toward Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in 
ACB, this panel will discuss the tenets of Critical Race 
Theory. CRT, what it is, what it isn't, and other terms. 
Presenters: Steve Mendelsohn, retired lawyer, San 
Leandro, CA; Pam Shaw, Speaker, Author and Life 
Coach, Philadelphia, PA; Gabriel Lopez Kafati, 
President, Blind LGBT Pride International, Miami 
Lakes, FL. 

 

Thursday, July 7, HH Grand Ballroom Foyer 

Thursday July 7, 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm: Get Up and Get 
Grooving to the Rhythms of Different Cultures from 
Around the World. 
Music from hot sexy Latin, jamming reggae, British 
invasion and so many more in this 2-hour dance party 
that will make you sweat. 
Collaboration with the Multicultural Affairs Committee 


and ACB Get Up and Get Moving Campaign, so let's 
dance those calories off together. 

 

Pedestrian Environment Access Committee 

 Committee Chair: Becky Barnes Davidson 

 

Sunday, July 3, CHI 211 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: To Mobility and Beyond: Updates 
on PROWAG (Public Right-Of-Way Accessibility 
Guidelines) Demystified 
Whether you travel with a cane or guide dog, you 
won't want to miss this one, as these guidelines are 
required for everyone to travel safely. So come learn 
from the Access Board's Sarah Presley, who will tell 
us what is included in the PROWAG and update on 
where the DOT and DOJ are in formally adopting the 
Access Board's recommendations. 
Speaker: Sarah Presley, Accessibility Specialist with 
the US Access Board Washington, DC 

 

Monday, July 4, CHI 213 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: To Mobility and Beyond: Challenges 
Facing Pedestrians in 2022 


 You don't hear an audible pedestrian signal (APS) so 
you’re not even sure whether there's a crosswalk, and 
there's no parallel traffic. ... This presentation will 
provide strategies you can use in challenging 
pedestrian situations, though there aren't always good 
ones. You'll learn about some new environmental 
modifications that have been shown to help — but 
your informed advocacy is needed to get them 
implemented. 
Speaker: Beezy Bentzen, Director of Research at 
Accessible Design for the Blind, Anchorage, AK 

 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: To Mobility and Beyond: Yes, You 
Can! Local Success Stories 
A panel of blind and visually impaired advocates will 
share their experiences successfully advocating for 
accessible pedestrian signals. 

 

 


Rehab Issues Task Force Committee 

Task Force Chair: Doug Powell 

 

Saturday, July 2, CHI 215 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: RSVA: The Value of Randolph-
Sheppard Business Enterprises as Career 
Opportunities. 

 

Monday, July 4, CHI 215 

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: Unravelling Advocacy for Vision 
Rehabilitation Services 
Explore innovative advocacy efforts wherein states 
can obtain funding under the Medicaid "Older 
Individuals who are Blind" program. This program 
provides an array of vision rehabilitation services; 
however, funding is extremely limited. Learn how to 
utilize the Older Individuals who are Blind and 
Medicaid programs. 
Co-sponsored by AAVL and Rehabilitation Task 
Force 

 

 


Resource Development Committee 

Chair: Dan Dillon 

 

Tuesday, July 5, CHI 213 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: RDC “Two Scoops with No 
Calories.” 
How sweet it is to deposit those walk checks and 
funds from MMS! 
Presenter: Donna Brown, ACB board member, 
Romney, WV. 

 

Sight and Sound Impaired Committee (SASI) 

Co-Chairs: Karyn Campbell and Carl Richardson 

 

Sunday, July 3, HH Hill 

8 pm to 10 pm: Get Social with SASI 
Meet people who share your unique issues related to 
DeafBlindness and learn about various ways to 
communicate in a relaxed atmosphere. 

 

 


 

Scholarship Committee 

Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs: Rebecca Bridges 
and Denise Colley 

 

Friday, July 1, CHI 215 

6:00 pm: Scholarship Winners Reception (by invitation 
only) 

 

Sunday, July 3, Grand Ballroom A/B 

5:30 pm – 6:45 pm: ACB Scholarship Winners 
Reception (in person only) 

 

Transportation Committee 

Chair: Sheila Styron 

 

Sunday, July 3, CHI 211 

 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: To Mobility and Beyond: Updates 
on PROWAG (Public Right-Of-Way Accessibility 
Guidelines) Demystified 
Whether you travel with a cane or guide dog, you 
won't want to miss this one, as these guidelines are 


required for everyone to travel safely. So come learn 
from the Access Board's Sarah Presley, who will tell 
us what is included in the PROWAG and update on 
where the DOT and DOJ are in formally adopting the 
Access Board's recommendations. 
Speaker: Sarah Presley, Accessibility Specialist with 
the US Access Board, Washington, DC 

 

Monday, July 4, CHI 213 

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: To Mobility and Beyond: Challenges 
Facing Pedestrians in 2022 
You don't hear an APS, so you’re not even sure 
whether there's a crosswalk, and there's no parallel 
traffic. … This presentation will provide strategies you 
can use in challenging pedestrian situations, though 
there aren't always good ones. You'll learn about 
some new environmental modifications that have 
been shown to help — but your informed advocacy is 
needed to get them implemented. 
Presenter: Beezy Bentzen, Director of Research at 
Accessible Design for the Blind, Anchorage, AK 

 

4:00 pm – 5:15 pm: To Mobility and Beyond: Yes, You 
Can! Local Success Stories 


 A panel of blind and visually impaired advocates will 
share their experiences successfully advocating for 
accessible pedestrian signals. 

 

Walk Committee 

Chair: Donna Brown 

 

Saturday, July 2 

Walking Everywhere! 

 

Lace up your shoes, grab your water bottle, and be 
ready to be energized. Join the ACB Walk committee as 
we gather to raise money for ACB and its affiliates, get 
some exercise by traversing the halls of the convention 
hotel and the convention center, and make a grand 
entrance to kick off the opening general session of the 
convention. 

 

Other Meetings and Programs 

 

Advocacy Issues 

Friday, June 24 (Zoom only) 
2:30 pm — 3:45 pm En-Vision America: Accessible 


Prescription Labeling Advocacy: Board of Pharmacy 
Rulemaking vs. Legislation 

 

Guide Dogs 

Thursday, June 23 (Zoom only) 
2:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Seeing Eye Woofs and Wags 
Have you ever thought about partnering with a dog 
guide? Wondering what we've been up to this last 
year? Come and hang out with us and get your 
questions answered. Learn about The Seeing Eye's 
program and what we've been up to this last year. If 
you have a question you want to make sure we 
answer, send it to whitec at seeingeye.org before June 
22, and we will make sure we answer it during our 
session. 

 

Sunday, July 3, CHI 213 

7:00 am - 8:15 am: GDB Breakfast 
GDB grads connect with friends and staff; those 
considering the guide dog lifestyle welcome. If you’d 
like to join GDB for breakfast, please email Theresa at 
tstern at guidedogs.com 

 

 


Health and Wellness 

Thursday, June 23 (Zoom only) 

5:30 pm - 6:45 pm: Adaptive sports, GET UP, GET 
MOVING!, and Make Life Fun! 


Want to get active and are not sure what exciting things 
are out there, or how you can re-engage in your 
favorite game or activity after sight loss? Let our team 
help you get back into the action! STRIVE4YOU 
would like to invite everyone to join us for this virtual 
workshop as we explore all the exciting recreational 
and sporting activities that are available for the 
VI/Blind. Together we will take a look at simple 
adaptations to make your leisure, recreation, and 
fitness activities more inclusive. Whether you’re a 
parent, college student, senior or a disabled veteran 
there is so much out there to get you off the couch 
living life to its fullest, and you might accidently get 
healthier both physically and mentally in the process! 

 

Saturday, July 1 (in-person only) 

8:30 am - 10:30 am: Goalball 
Up for Some Exciting Fun? Try Goalball! 
Why not start your day with the premier team sport for 
the VI/Blind, the sport of GOALBALL! This three-on-


three sport can be played recreationally or 
competitively. Yes, it’s challenging. Yes, it’s physical. 
And you better bet it is extremely fun! During this 
three-hour session we will learn how to play, what are 
the adaptations to the game, and even will give you 
plenty of opportunity to strap on some pads and give 
it a try in a real game. Bring the entire family!!! 

 

Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3 HH merchant 
(in-person only) 

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: Safety Education Empowering 
Defense Intro Workshop 


Do you have reservations about traveling 
independently? Do you avoid using your white cane 
simply because you fear it places a target on your 
back? Have you been one of thousands of Americans 
that have unfortunately been physically or sexually 
attacked? Well you're not alone and the team at 
STRIVE4YOU want to share our one of a kind safety 
education & self-defense program that has been 
specifically designed by and for people with 
disabilities with you during one of two introductory 
workshops. The SEED program of STRIVE4YOU’s 
mission is to create a culture with safety and security 
for all, implementing a holistic circle of services 


training body, mind, and spirit. Come join us as we 
explore essential techniques for keeping us safe at 
home and while we are getting out and active in our 
communities. We will take a look at how what we say 
and how we say it can empower us. You will also be 
introduced to some of our hands-on techniques, the 
SEED Functional Foundations, situational awareness, 
and various other very important self-defense topics. 
These in-person workshops give participants an 
opportunity to see how practical and efficient our 
SEED system of techniques are, while providing a 
welcoming environment for truly meaningful safety 
education discussions especially as they pertain to 
specific concerns within the disability community. 

 

Technology 

Friday, June 24 (Zoom only) 

5:30 pm – 6:45 pm: Bookshare office hours 
Join Bookshare to learn about the latest additions to 
the world’s largest ebook library for blind people, 
promotions, and new and exciting tools like 
Bookshare Reader for Alexa and more. 

 

 


Saturday, July 2, CHI 206 

10:00 am – 11:15 am: Vispero, What's New with JAWS, 
Fusion, and ZoomText 
Join Douglas Gerry for his annual User Group 
meeting. All skill levels are welcome. We'll 
demonstrate and discuss the recent developments 
and look at what's coming in 2023. Bring your 
questions and join the fun as we kick off the 2022 
Convention with the JAWS teams from Training, 
Sales, and Marketing. Receive a special gift for 
attending! 

 

Saturday, July 2, CHI 209 

10:00 am – 11:15 am: BrailleSense 6, Productivity has 
Never Been More Fun! 
Please join HIMS Inc. as we discuss and demonstrate 
the newest addition to our flagship line of Braille 
notetakers, the BrailleSense 6 and BrailleSense 6 
Mini. Whether you are interested in a highly intuitive 
and efficient tool for getting work done, or hours of fun 
and entertainment, the 6 has you covered! 
Learn about how the BrailleSense Mini offers the 
same processor speed, memory and storage as the 


32 cell model, but in a much smaller form factor and 
at a much smaller price. Have anytime access to 
cloud based storage with support for Google Drive, 
OneDrive and Dropbox right from within the File 
Manager. Connect third-party peripherals such as 
cameras, mixers, microphones and storage devices 
and take your notetaking experience to a whole new 
level. 
Whether you’re looking to improve your workflow, 
keep in touch with family and friends via the many 
third-party meeting and social media platforms, or 
enjoy hours of entertainment and fun, the 
BrailleSense 6 has something for everybody. 


1:00 pm – 2:15 pm: NLS Focus Group, HH Rome 
Join one of four NLS special sessions and provide 
your feedback on a variety of Collection Development 
Questions, Text to Speech Options, the NLS Braille 
Displays, and many other topics. 
Alice O’Reilly, Chief of the Collection Division and 
Tamara Rorie, Head of the newly formed Patron 
Engagement Section and formerly the Braille 
Development Officer, will be gathering information to 
assist in shaping the future of NLS. 



We will be discussing upcoming beta test 
opportunities, showing the two NLS eReaders, and 
conducting mini focus groups to obtain your feedback 
on several upcoming initiatives. 
To join a session, email abak at loc.gov with your 
name and preferred session time. 
Saturday, July 2: 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm and 4:00 pm -
5:30 pm, HH Rome 
Wednesday, July 6: 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm and 2:30 pm -
3:45 pm, HH Rome 

 

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm: NLS Focus Group, HH Rome 


Sunday, July 3, CHI 213 

5:30 pm – 6:45 pm: What’s new with GPS Products at 
HumanWare 
Join Rachel Feinberg, HumanWare’s West Region 
Blindness Product Specialist, for an in-depth look with 
what is new with GPS products at HumanWare. We 
will look at new updates to our line of talking GPS 
devices. This includes new map updates, new points 
of interest for North America, and more! In addition, 
we will glance into the exciting future of GPS 
products. 


 

Monday, July 4, CHI 213 

5:30 pm – 6:45 pm: What’s New with Braille at 
HumanWare 
Join Rachel Feinberg, HumanWare’s West Region 
Blindness Product Specialist for an in-depth look with 
what is new with Braille products at HumanWare. We 
will look at the newly released KeySoft update for the 
BrailleNote Touch Plus, which includes integration 
with cloud storage through the File Manager, and a 
brand-new PowerPoint viewer, among many other 
exciting features! We’ve also been working hard to 
bring you the best new software to the Brailliant BI X 
series, which includes a Braille editor, shortcuts to 
switch efficiently between internal applications, and 
audio support, among other exciting enhancements. 

 

Wednesday, July 6, HH Rome 

1:00 pm – 2:10 pm: NLS Focus Group, See description 
above on July 2 

 

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm: NLS Focus Group, See description 
above on July 2 

 


5:30 pm – 6:45 pm: Microsoft Windows Accessibility 
and Features 
Come and learn about the in-box accessibility 
features Windows has to offer and get a quick tour of 
the new features that have been introduced in 
Windows 11. Chat with the team and ask any 
questions and provide feedback on the product. 
Presenter: Caroline Hernandez, Principal Program 
Manager Lead, Redmond, WA 

 

2022 Tours 

 

Important tour information: Please read the following 
information completely. It will answer many of your tour-
related questions and will help you have a more 
enjoyable tour experience. 

 

1. All tour buses will load and drop off to the left 
outside of the Hilton lobby. 
2. Bus departure times for each tour are listed in this 
program. Please be at the bus departure area and 
ready to board the bus 15 minutes prior to the 



listed departure times. Arrival times back to the 
hotel are approximate. 
3. The first two rows of seats on both sides of the bus 
are reserved for the tour coordinators, volunteers 
and people with mobility difficulties. If you sit in 
those seats, you will be asked to move. 
4. All buses are fully ADA-equipped. If you have 
mobility difficulties or use a wheelchair that 
requires the lift to access the bus, you MUST 
check the appropriate boxes on the pre-
registration form in order for us to plan the 
necessary accommodations. If you are able to 
transfer from a wheelchair into a bus seat, your 
chair will be placed under the bus for the duration 
of the ride. 
5. Indoor facilities are air-conditioned unless 
indicated, but many tours include significant 
outdoor time. Dress appropriately and bring 
sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, and water bottle 
for your comfort and safety. 
6. Space is limited on all tours. ACB reserves the 
right to cancel a tour should sales fall below 
required minimums. 



7. All return times are approximate. If you have 
dietary scheduling concerns, bring a light snack in 
case we are unavoidably delayed. We ask that you 
board the bus quickly and safely to avoid delays. 
We plan 15 minutes to load and unload the bus. 
Please do not schedule back-to-back events based 
upon the return time of the tour, as we cannot plan 
for traffic and road condition delays. 
8. A limited number of volunteers will accompany 
each tour. While they will help as much as 
possible, ACB volunteers are not personal guides 
or personal care attendants. If you need individual 
help, plan to attend the tour with a friend who can 
provide the assistance you need. If you use a 
wheelchair, you must have someone on the tour 
with you to push your wheelchair! 
9. Most tour destinations are ADA-accessible. Some 
tours that are NOT ADA-accessible may include 
long walks, steps and steep grades. Some tours 
may involve strenuous activities. If you have a 
medical condition that may limit your involvement 
or participation, please let us know ahead of time 
and use common sense when making your 
selections. 



10. The tour leader will have a list of all paid attendees 
and the waiting list for each tour. The leader will be 
stationed at the door of the bus to record your 
attendance. Please do not board the bus until the 
tour leader has completed this task. 
11. If registration for a tour exceeds its capacity, a 
waiting list is created based on the date and time 
your order was placed. If you are on a waiting list, 
you will be asked to stand in a designated area to 
wait for your name to be called. If you are not 
present when your name is called, the next person 
on the waiting list will be called to fill that seat. You 
may not give your place on the waiting list to 
another person. 
12. If you arrive late and your name has already been 
called from the waiting list, your ability to secure a 
seat will be entirely dependent on the number of 
vacant seats remaining on the bus. No one who 
has answered the call from the waiting list will be 
asked to give up their seat. 
13. If there is no waiting list, or if the waiting list has 
been satisfied, any remaining vacant seats will be 
sold to walk-up traffic. Such vacant seats will be 
sold for cash only. To purchase, you must have a 



valid name badge, a day pass for the current day 
or other proof of registration. 
14. If you have paid for and are issued a tour ticket and 
do not appear at the designated time and place, no 
refund will be made. If you are on a waiting list and 
are not able to get on the bus, the tour leader will 
report this to the registration office and you will be 
able to secure a refund the next day after the tour. 


Should you not be present at the convention the day after 
the tour, or if the convention has ended, please call the 
Minneapolis office by July 31st to arrange for a refund via 
check or credit card. 

 

July 1 

8:00 am - 3:15 pm Henry Doorly Zoo (Onsite) ($58) 

Consistently ranked one of the world’s best zoos, 
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is the 
ultimate interactive zoo experience. During your visit 
you’ll enjoy a catered lunch and guided tours through 3 
of our immersive exhibits. Inside the Lied Jungle you will 
hear waterfalls crashing, see gibbons swinging and feel 
the tropical rainforest environment surround you. 
Journey through the Desert Dome and experience the 
plant and animal life in the world’s largest indoor desert. 
The Kingdoms of the Night unearths the mysteries and 


animals of the darkness. Day-night cycles are reversed, 
so guests can experience creatures in their natural 
nocturnal activity patterns. Explore exotic locations and 
underground caves to see hundreds of animals from 
across the globe in their natural habitat. 

 

July 2 

10:00 am - 12:00 pm City Bus Tour with a Twist 
(Onsite) ($31) 

Travel by Olly the Trolley on your guided tour of Omaha! 
Immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of the 
city. 

 

10:00 am - 3:45 pm Boys Town (Onsite) ($53) 

Experience the History of Hope at Boys Town. Father 
Edward J. Flanagan purchased the Overlook Farm in 
1921 and it became the new, permanent site of Boys 
Town. In the decades that followed, schools, churches 
and homes were built, and tens of thousands of young 
lives were transformed. Visit the Village of Boys Town, a 
National Historic Landmark District, and get an 
unforgettable glimpse into the history of an organization 
that has given new hope to so many at-risk children. 
Your day at Boys Town will include a guided, walk-thru 
tour of Dowd Memorial Chapel where Father Flanagan 


is entombed. You will be surrounded by the lovely 
Gothic architecture of the chapel, or what Father 
Flanagan liked to call a prayer in stone. Take a step 
back in time with a guided tour of Father Flanagan's 
Historic Home where he lived for over a decade. In 
addition to his original living quarters, you will also be 
able to step into recreations of Father Flanagan's office, 
the original chapel and dining room and more. Immerse 
yourself in the 100+ years of Boys Town history in the 
Hall of History Museum and hear our guides tell of Boys 
Town's humble beginnings and how Father Flanagan's 
mission is still being carried out today. Several exhibit 
stations will be set up throughout the museum where 
you can have a hands-on encounter with Boys Town 
history. The tour includes a boxed lunch and time for 
browsing the Gift Shop. Boys Town...where miracles of 
the heart happen every day! 

 

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm City Bus Tour with a Twist II 
(Onsite) ($31) 

Travel by Olly the Trolley on your guided tour of Omaha! 
Immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of the 
city. 

 

July 3 


10:45 am - 4:45 pm Malcolm X Center and Black 
History Museum (Onsite) ($61) 

The Great Plains Black History Museum invites you to 
tour several exhibits. The Hate & Hope Exhibit focuses 
on the ugly part of history in the Great Plains, and 
positive events that have occurred in Omaha and other 
parts of America. The History of Historically Black 
Colleges & Universities Exhibit: Over a 12-month period 
this exhibit will highlight 107 HBCUs telling their history 
and the role they have played in providing quality higher 
education. African American History Through Street 
Signs Exhibit: Focus on all the streets in Omaha, 
Nebraska that have been named after African 
Americans. The Black Experience Through the Lens of 
Rudy Smith Exhibit: Features photos from the late Rudy 
Smith, and highlights the many accomplishments over 
his long and distinguished career. A League of Our 
Own Negro League Baseball Exhibit: In 1920, Major 
League Baseball was founded, but their league did not 
allow African Americans to participate, so that very 
same year the Negro Baseball League was established. 
24th & Glory Exhibit: Photos and artifacts feature 
Johnny Rodgers' Heisman Trophy and looks at the 
intersection of civil rights and Omaha's greatest 
generation of athletes to come out of one community. 
Lunch from Mama D's is included on this tour. 


 

12:45 pm - 3:45 pm Mormon Trail (Onsite) ($25) 

Built in 1996 to commemorate the famous exodus of 
members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 
Saints from Nauvoo, Illinois to the Great Salt Lake 
Valley in 1846-47, the beautiful 11,000 square foot 
Mormon Trail Center in north Omaha, NE is a must-see 
stop for visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. Between 
1840 and 1890, over 85,000 LDS pilgrims came from all 
parts of the world to make their way along the Mormon 
Trail to Salt Lake City. Featuring several timepiece 
artifacts, paintings and murals, a log house construction, 
handcarts and wagons, videos and much more, the Trail 
Center hosts 25,000 - 30,000 visitors annually. In 
addition, located just across the street is the famous 
Mormon Pioneer Cemetery where stands Avard 
Fairbanks' unforgettable 1936 bronze monument 
"Tragedy at Winter Quarters," a stunning artistic 
masterpiece that begs grateful remembrance of the 
several hundred Latter-day Saints who died here during 
the cruel winter of 1846-47. 

 

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Get Up and Get Moving with a 
walk across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge 
(Onsite) ($14) 


Bob the bridge is 9,000 feet long, spanning the Missouri 
River between Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa. The 
bridge is lit at night with multi-colored lights and there 
are lots of fun things to do, dancing across the state 
line, visiting Omar the blue troll who lives under the 
bridge; a fun way to get some exercise and enjoy an 
evening outdoors! 

 

July 4 

12:15 pm - 4:30 pm Strategic Air Control and 
Aerospace Museum (Onsite) ($55) 

This white-glove tour will have you hands on with 
aircrafts and spacecrafts. From an A-26 to an F-117, 
you'll be able to touch and learn about numerous 
aircrafts and space vehicles. The SAC Museum is 
exploring ways to better display its SAC artifacts and 
more effectively tell the story of SAC's efforts to 
preserve the peace during the Cold War. Few, if any, 
museums are as well positioned to tell the story about 
this critical time in America's history. 

 

12:30 pm - 2:30 pm City Bus Tour with a Twist III 
(Onsite) ($31) 


Travel by Olly the Trolley on your guided tour of Omaha! 
Immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of the 
city. 

 

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm City Bus Tour with a Twist IV 
(Onsite) ($31) 

Travel by Olly the Trolley on your guided tour of Omaha! 
Immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of the 
city 

 

5:30 pm - 10:45 pm Baseball and Fireworks (Onsite) 
($52) 

Take me out to the ball game! The "Storm Chasers" are 
the minor league team for the Kansas City Royals. 
Players will be wearing patriotic jerseys and we'll have 
post-game fireworks. Our buffet dinner will include 
pulled pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, pub 
chips, cookies, and water. 

 

6:15 pm - 12:00 am RSVA Casino Trip (Onsite) ($30) 

Take a break and enjoy visiting the Horseshoe Casino. 

 

July 5 


12:15 pm - 4:00 pm Outlook Collaborative Tour 
(Onsite) ($42) 

Outlook Collaborative: employment opportunities, 
rehabilitation services, and community engagement to 
the blind and visually impaired in the Omaha area. Our 
primary mission is to positively impact everyone who is 
blind or visually impaired. 1. Tour our manufacturing 
facility! For 20 years Outlook Nebraska has produced 
and sold quality, sustainable janitorial paper products for 
government, commercial and industrial use through the 
SKILCRAFT® and other AbilityOne™ Programs. 2. Visit 
with Outlook Enrichment staff who provide in-person 
and remote rehabilitation training opportunities in 
adaptive technology, braille training, independent living 
skills, and offer a wide range of social and cultural 
activities to participants. 3. Outlook Business Solutions 
works with businesses to remove obstacles to their 
growth. Part marketing agency, part business 
consultancy and part digital accessibility support desk 
they provide it all. 4. Outlook is all about creating 
opportunities for those living with vision loss in our 
community. Note: we will be visiting a manufacturing 
facility. You must wear closed-toe shoes to attend this 
tour. No sandals! 

 


1:45 pm - 4:45 pm Lewis and Clark Visitors Center 
(Onsite) ($25) 

Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy all the 
following activities: Activity 1: A Day in the Life of the 
Corps of Discovery. This interactive park ranger 
presentation includes tactile examination of tools, trade 
items, uniform pieces, musket, furs, tactile maps. 
Activity 2: Plants of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. 35-
minute garden tour led by a ranger; questions and 
answers will be integrated into the tour. Includes tactile 
and scent examination of plants, auditory examination of 
the garden and potentially plant pressing. Activity 3: The 
Big Muddy, Missouri River Then and Now. 10 Minute 
talk at the "then and now" rock that illustrates the 
change in the river's course over the last 100 years and 
a short walk up on to the bridge. This will be just enough 
to feel the change in the wind. Includes tactile 
examination of the river channel exhibit near the bridge, 
a quick hello to Omar, and then the short walk. The 
bookstore will be open and will provide a synopsis of 
items in the store. 

 

5:15 pm - 9:15 pm TreeRush Adventure Tour 
(Onsite) ($56) 

Climb, zip, and swing through the canopy of an old-
growth forest at TreeRush Adventures. Explore zip 


lines, suspended bridges, rope ladders, and a variety of 
exciting aerial challenges. Gear up and learn how to use 
climbing equipment before setting off on 2 hours of fun. 
Guests set their own pace while navigating easy to 
expert treetop trails. Feel the rush of excitement, 
empowerment, amazement, and fulfillment at TreeRush 
Adventures. Note: you will be contacted to complete a 
waiver form prior to convention. You must wear closed-
toe shoes; you must also wear gloves, which will be 
provided by the tour venue. 

 

July 6 

12:15 pm - 5:15 pm Train Day (Onsite) ($36) 

We will visit the Durham Museum and the Union Pacific 
Railroad Museum. Train travel brought Nebraska to the 
forefront of the westward expansion. We will get up 
close and personal with train cars, and much train 
memorabilia. Note: This tour involves a lot of climbing in 
and out of train cars and going through very small 
doorways. If that will cause you difficulty, this tour is not 
for you. 

 

12:45 pm - 4:45 pm Sweet Tooth Tour (Onsite) ($22) 

Baker's Candies is known for their signature meltaways, 
decadent fudge, and gourmet confections. Built in 1991 


and renovated and expanded in 2018, Baker's is the 
largest candy store in Nebraska. We'll hear all about the 
factory from one of the Baker brothers, try samples and 
spend time candy shopping. 

 

6:00 pm - 9:45 pm Riverboat Cruise (Onsite) ($90) 

Cruise down the Missouri River on the River Star with a 
buffet dinner and cash bar. What a way to spend a 
summer evening! The lower deck of the star is fully 
enclosed, surrounded by large viewing windows 
allowing us to cruise rain or shine. This level is 
fashioned with a full bar, 2 outer decks, restrooms and 
is handicap accessible. With a quaint old-time riverboat 
feel, you will feel like you have been transported to a 
simpler time of days gone by! The upper viewing deck of 
the star contains the Captain’s Pilot House and is open-
air with a canopy cover. Boasting plenty of seating and 
extra chairs, this level is optimal for taking in the cool 
breezes, enjoying some lively summertime music and 
enjoying the beauty of the "Mighty Mo" river and her 
surroundings. Grab a tropical drink from the bar below, 
kick back, relax and enjoy the ride! Enjoy the sights and 
sounds of the Missouri River while cruising north by 
Freedom Park Naval Museum and the old Illinois-
Central Double Swing Bridge. Then we will cruise South 
under the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, past the 


Omaha and Council Bluffs riverfronts and enjoy the 
beautiful Omaha skyline along the way. 

 

July 8 

10:45 am - 3:00 pm Brewery Tour (Onsite) ($110) 

Our tour company guide is working on the selection of 
our breweries; we will visit at least 3 breweries for 
tasting and brewing information. Lunch will be included. 

 

5:45 pm - 8:30 pm Crime Dinner (Onsite) ($60) 

We'll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and then hear 
from two amazing speakers who will talk about crimes in 
Omaha in the ‘20s and ‘30s and the Squirrel Jail where 
the perpetrators were housed. Why the name? Come to 
the “Do the Crime, Pay the Time” dinner and find out! 

 

Kids Explorers Club 

 

All Kids Explorers Club activities will meet in the Hilton 
Paxton room. Breakfast and lunch will be provided 
Sunday through Thursday. In addition to field trips 
your day may include swimming and crafts. 

 


Saturday, July 2, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm 

Meet Kids Club leaders and get to know the other kids. 
Enjoy games and snacks. 

 

Sunday, July 3, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm 

Fontanelle Forest, $40 ($45) 

Hike the trails, enjoy a picnic lunch. The highlight of the 
day will be a visit to TreeRush Adventures. Explore 
zip lines, suspended bridges, rope ladders, and a 
variety of exciting aerial challenges. Gear up and 
learn how to use climbing equipment before setting off 
on your adventure. 

 

Monday, July 4, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm 

The Amazing Pizza Machine, $50 ($55) 

Unlimited video games, unlimited rides, and a pizza 
buffet! What a way to spend the Fourth of July! 

 

Tuesday, July 5 ,7:00 am – 5:00 pm 

The Henry Doorly Zoo, $35 ($40) 

Adventures and many animals and exhibits await you at 
this world class zoo. 


 

Wednesday, July 6, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm 

The Children’s Museum, $25 ($30) 

The Wiggle Room, the Science Show, creative arts area 
and Maker space are just some of the exhibits you’ll 
visit! 

 

Thursday, July 7, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm 

Urban Air, $30 ($35) 

Climbing walls, trampolines, ropes course, bumper cars 
and tubes playground! What a way to end your time in 
Omaha! 

 

6:30 pm – 9:00 pm 

Kids Club Dinner, $20 ($25) 

Have a final dinner with our kids club leaders and your 
new friends. 

 

ACB Fundraisers 

You can show your support for ACB in several ways. 

 

Convention Sponsorships 


Stop by and become an individual convention sponsor. 
Individual sponsorships are bronze ($25), silver ($50), 
gold ($100), platinum ($250), and titanium ($500). 
Sponsors are recognized both in general session and in 
the newspaper. 

 

ACB Braille Forum Raffle 

Win $5,000 in cold hard cash! Limited tickets 
available; $50 each. Buy one for yourself or your 
affiliate or find up to four friends and split the cost five 
ways. To purchase tickets call (612) 332-3242. 

 

MMS Program 

Help support ACB all year ‘round; it's easy and quick. 
Find out more about the Monthly Monetary Support 
Program; ask questions at the exhibit booth, call (888) 
999-3190 or email us at askacbmms at gmail.com to find 
out more about our program. 

 

Saturday, June 18, 6:00 pm 

ACB Summer Auction 

Come and enjoy the ACB Summer Auction where we 
will be featuring jewelry, homemade baked goodies, 
technology, vacations and handmade quilts and crafts. 


We will kick it off with an Appetizer Auction on 
Thursday, June 16 and Friday, June 17. 

 

Saturday, July 2, 6:00 pm 

ACB Walk: Walking Everywhere! 

Help kick off the ACB general sessions by joining ACB 
members and friends during the live Virtual Brenda 
Dillon Memorial Walk. Lace up your shoes, grab your 
water bottle, and be a part of one of the kickoff events in 
the ACB Health and Wellness campaign. 

 

2022 ACB Exhibitors 

Sponsored by MGM Resorts International 

 

4Blind 

ACB Angels 

ACB Monthly Monetary Support (MMS) 

ACB of Nebraska 

Aira (Virtual Only) 

American Printing House for the Blind 

AT Guys 

Black Hills Ski for Light Bus Across Nebraska 

Blind Girl Designs 


Bureau of Engraving & Printing (Virtual Only) 

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) 

Christian Record Services 

Dream Vision Group 

En-Vision America 

Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind 

Guide Dogs for the Blind 

Guide Dogs of America 

Guidelight Dog Products 

Guidelights & Gadgets 

Guiding Eyes for the Blind 

HIMS Inc. 

HumanWare 

Independence Science 

International Assoc. of Audio Information Services (IAAIS) 

JPMorgan Chase 

Leader Dogs for the Blind 

Lutheran Braille Workers 

National Braille Press 

National Library Services (NLS) 

Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually 
Impaired 


Patriot Vision Industries 

Polara Enterprises 

Southeastern Guide Dogs 

Spectrum 

Tell It to the World Marketing (Virtual Only) 

The Seeing Eye 

T-Mobile Accessibility 

University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL) 

Vanda Pharmaceuticals 

View Plus 

Vispero 

 

Marketplace 

Blind Girl Designs 

Friends-in-Art of ACB 

Iowa Council of the United Blind 

Messin' Around in the Kitchen 

Wooden Aloha 

 

ACB Officers and Board of Directors 

 


Officers 

Dan Spoone, President, Orlando, FL 

Deb Cook Lewis, First Vice President, Clarkston, WA 

Ray Campbell, Second Vice President, Springfield, IL 

Denise Colley, Secretary, Richmond, TX 

David Trott, Treasurer, Talladega, AL 

Kim Charlson, Immediate Past President, Watertown, MA 

 

Directors 

Chris Bell, Pittsboro, NC 

Jeff Bishop, Kirkland, WA 

Donna Brown, Romney, WV 

Jim Kracht, Miami, FL 

Doug Powell, Falls Church, VA 

Kenneth Semien Sr., Beaumont, TX 

Patrick Sheehan, Silver Spring, MD 

Koni Sims, Sioux Falls, SD 

Michael Talley, Hueytown, AL 

Jeff Thom, Sacramento, CA 

 


ACB Board of Publications 

Katie Frederick, Chair, Columbus, OH 

Cheryl Cumings, Boston, MA 

Zelda Gebhard, Edgeley, ND 

Penny Reeder, Montgomery Village, MD 

Cachet Wells, Jacksonville, FL 

 

ACB Enterprises & Services 

Michael Garrett, Chair, Missouri City, TX 

Jeff Thom, Vice Chair, Sacramento, CA 

David Trott, Sec/Treas., Talladega, AL 

Dan Spoone, Orlando, FL 

Kim Charlson, Watertown, MA 

George Holiday, Volant, PA 

 

ACB Office Staff & Consultants 

Eric Bridges, Executive Director 

Jo Lynn Bailey-Page, Audio Description Coordinator & 
Grant Writer 

Nancy Christine Feela, Administrative Assistant 


Julie Fischer, Human Resources/Payroll Specialist 

Kolby Garrison, Membership Services Administrative 
Assistant 

Kelly Gasque, Communication Specialist 

Kaitlyn Herrera, Administrative Assistant 

Cindy Hollis, Manager of Membership Engagement 

Sharon Lovering, Editor 

Nancy Marks-Becker, Chief Financial Officer 

Rick Morin, Media IT Manager 

Swatha Nandhakumar, Advocacy & Outreach Specialist 

Clark Rachfal, Director of Advocacy and Governmental 
Affairs 

Chris Sawyer, Thrift Store General Manager 

 

Consultants: 

Fred Brack, Audio Description Project Webmaster 

Larry Gassman, Media Coordinator 

Joel Snyder, Audio Description Project Founder and 
Senior Consultant 

Lane Waters, Accounting Consultant 


Timothy Wynn, Audio Description Television Listings 
Coordinator 

 

2022 Convention Coordinating 
Committee 

Janet Dickelman, Chair, St. Paul, MN 

Margarine Beaman, Austin, TX 

Sally Benjamin, Tallahassee, FL 

Rick Morin, Waltham, MA 

Vicky Prahin, Columbus, OH 

Michael Smitherman, Jackson, MS 

Rhonda Trott, Talladega, AL 

Dan Spoone, Officer Liaison, Orlando, FL 

Nancy Becker, Staff Liaison, Minneapolis, MN 

 

2022 Convention Program Committee 

Dan Spoone, Chair, Orlando, FL 

Jo Lynn Bailey-Page, Los Altos, CA 

Eric Bridges, Alexandria, VA 

Mark Bulger, Omaha, NE 


Ray Campbell, Springfield, IL 

Kim Charlson, Watertown, MA 

Janet Dickelman, St. Paul, MN, Convention 
Coordinator 

Judy Dixon, Arlington, VA 

Katie Frederick, Worthington, OH 

Rick Morin, Waltham, MA 

Staff Liaison: Nancy Becker, Minneapolis, MN 

 

Local Host Committee 

Mark Bulger, Omaha, NE 

Jim Jirak, Omaha, NE 

Lisa Johnson, Omaha, NE 

Tyler Juranek, Council Bluffs, IA 

Kristal Platt, Omaha, NE 

 


 

APH logo. An Accessible World with Opportunity for Everyone. APH is committed to building a future that belongs to everyone by offering a wide selection of innovative and accessible products, and valuable resources, to support those who are blind and low vision. Visit aph.org today to learn more and shop our products. The APH ConnectCenter connects the vision loss community to a world of resources. It includes: VisionAware: for adults and seniors, CareerConnect: for job seekers, FamilyConnect: for families and parents, Transition Hub: for school-age youth planning for graduation and life after college, ConnectCalendar: for people and organizations to find and share info about upcoming events in the field of blindness, Information & Referral Hotline (800-232-5463): for answers to questions related to vision loss and blindness. Visit aphconnectcenter.org to learn more.
The American Council of Blind Lions logo. ACBL is a proud Topaz sponsor assisting outstanding scholarship winners to attend the ACB National Convention. ACBL gives Lions across America a chance to share ideas and experiences, and encourages others in ACB to become Lions and participate in service projects in their local communities. Want to know more? Join our conference calls the first Thursday of the month at 9:00 PM Eastern; dial (712) 432-3900 and enter code 796096#. 



 

Waymo logo. Together, we’re paving the way to a better future.
Did You Know Leader Dogs for the Blind offers FREE O&M TRAINING? Visit us - LeaderDog.org/programs for more details. Leader Dogs for the Blind logo.

 

AT&T proudly supports the American Council of the Blind and its ongoing commitment to equal access, rights and opportunities. AT&T logo. 


 

 


 

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Logo. Vanda Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to raising awareness of Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder (Non-24) and supporting the blindness community. Non-24 is a rare circadian rhythm disorder affecting up to 70% of people who are totally blind. People living with Non-24 experience excessive daytime sleepiness and nighttime sleeplessness, which leads to impaired social and occupational functioning. This is due to the misalignment between the internal master body clock and the 24-hour day. Come visit us at our booth to learn about Non-24 and sign up for additional information! Call a health educator toll-free at 1-855-856-2424, 24 hours a day, every day. Non-24, a circadian rhythm disorder. Visit us online at www.Non-24.com.

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From tim at timeldermusic.com  Tue Feb  7 21:47:38 2023
From: tim at timeldermusic.com (tim at timeldermusic.com)
Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2023 13:47:38 -0800
Subject: [blindLaw] accessible solution for splitting large pdfs
In-Reply-To: <CAHs-R5zmVaSe9AMHpsFyFaQ9TELNb+Uf2h=P_tAFeBrdkWcWog@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CADFycPYs3o09LCx_6W94ZuevEh+EFHE0LwDOTPJvLBN6jpcqoQ@mail.gmail.com>
 <E6C90BB7-6E67-4A68-95EA-0B1DA518F307@gmail.com>
 <CAHs-R5wPQ7qZ=P2YxUxLH-5Ouqpd711RFjh=wfX4uECb35gVLw@mail.gmail.com>
 <067f01d93a83$77fdf880$67f9e980$@gmail.com>
 <CAHs-R5zmVaSe9AMHpsFyFaQ9TELNb+Uf2h=P_tAFeBrdkWcWog@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <016901d93b3d$ccd9a600$668cf200$@timeldermusic.com>

Sai,

I'm interested in your FOIA access case.  Please keep me posted.  Also consider ABBY FineReader Pro (perpetual license).


-----Original Message-----
From: Sai <sai at fiatfiendum.org> 
Sent: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 8:22 AM
To: JJ Johnston <jeffjayjohnston at gmail.com>
Cc: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blindLaw] accessible solution for splitting large pdfs

(copying to list since others may be interested and it took me two hours to
write)

I tested this using Acrobat Pro 2017 on Windows 11 both sighted and with NVDA (I don't have JAWS).

1. Acrobat Pro's accessibility

>   I was told that it is inaccessible to JAWS; is this true?

I can't give a very reliable answer on this.

I'm only in blind when I'm not at home. I only use Windows at home on my desktop, sighted (because I can control lighting conditions); I have NVDA installed but only use it very very rarely, so I am not proficient. I've never used JAWS.

If I'm out of my home, and need to use a computer, I use my Macbook Air with VoiceOver or Android phone using TalkBack, and am proficient in those.

On Windows, export is gotten to by opening the file, alt f for file menu, down until you get 'export to' submenu, right, right again on Word (it's the first option in the submenu), select the versin you want, press enter, then standard Windows save  file dialog. I don't know how to trigger the menu in NVDA except using the standard (non-screenreader) alt commands, but otherwise it seems fairly normal.

There are parts of Acrobat Pro that are just weirdly designed GUI in general (very much like Microsoft Word 16), which I don't like regardless of whether I'm operating in sighted or blind mde, but I didn't notice anything that would specifically be worse in a screen reader.

My Macbook is stalling on system updates at the moment, so I haven't tested this in VoiceOver just now. But from memory, it was unremarkable — basically the same interface as any other app, and no particular issues using it.

However, I haven't tried using Acrobat extensively in blind mode — I've only needed to read things and edit notes (in text or Google Docs) or the like, not to do more technical things like this.



2. Export from PDF

> If I understand correctly, Adobe Pro has a feature to export to Word.
This would be ideal for me: I'd rather work with a .docx than a PDF.  My
question: is this exporting an exact copy of text and formatting, or is it merely an OCR?

This was news to me, but turns out Acrobat Pro can indeed convert to Word (DOCX).

It also can export to Word 97-2003 (DOC), "accessible" text (whatever that means), plain text, rich text format (RTF), and (in theory) Excel spreadsheet (but that is effectively unusable).

I've attached the 2022 ACB Convention program in PDF (the version I
downloaded) and versions I just exported from Acrobat Pro for you to compare — Word, Word 97-2003, accessible text, and RTF.

At a quick check, the Word export is lossy. Some of the images are corrupted — e.g. the Chase ad on page 5 erased parts at the bottom of the image of a braille display, probably because the OCR interpreted it as text and tried to remove "background" that was actually photo. The whole ads are images in the original, so there's the usual OCR lossiness — e.g. that same ad has a headline "Commitment to access and inclusion", which OCR interpreted as "CoII1II1itrnent to access and inclusion" in the Word version. The alt text of the first image (a river-spanning ridge) is gone, whereas the PDF had alt text. Same thing with the page 17 Microsoft ad, which has text in an inset box within the image — the inset is removed, there's erratic change to white background, the font is different (and inconsistently so), and alt text gone. Etc.

It seems OK with the parts that were text with very basic formatting in the PDF, so I believe this is mostly due to the usual problems with OCR, combined with Word not really being a layout / graphic design format where PDF is, differences in the fonts available to OCR on my system vs used in the graphic design, and unexplainable removal of accessibility metadata.

So in short, no, it is NOT an exact copy. If you intend to reuse this for export for sighted people, they won't like it, and it will often be impossible for you to tell even where things are broken if you're operating blind. If you're operating sighted, and have very high proficiency, you might be able to manually patch that up to match the original, with a lot of work.

There is nothing that can give you a non-lossy export from PDF. PDF is fundamentally designed as a layout and print/display design format, not a word or data processing format.

If you have any choice, you should only ever treat it as a final format that things go to and not return from. But if you need it for use in software or a braille display, and you don't care that visual things like formatting and images get broken, it is a workable option.


As for spreadsheet exports: they're garbage and I can't recommend using them unless you are operating sighted, only have it in PDF format, and want something marginally better than copy-and-paste to work from to recreate the spreadsheet.

My actual experience with this was when I tried converting a rasterized PDF spreadsheet I got via FOIA, and the result was completely useless.

In fairness to Acrobat, that one was almost total garbage in the government's PDF version too — they exported a large table into multiple pages (both rows and columns didn't fit), and then rasterized it (converted to image, removing all text and metadata), and removed all info about even document boundaries.

As a side note, the government's refusal to produce accessible documents in FOIA is a disputed part of an ongoing case. One decision went against me on this point (because I only told them in the FOIA that I wanted it in accessible format, but didn't say I was blind); see first part of the "analysis" section in Sai v TSA, 315 F. Supp. 218, 233–35 (D.D.C. 2018),
https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=16239104146207287839#p233 .
There is still a pending question about electronic/native format copies in general, which could effectively trump that loss and which seems strongly inclined in my favor (except as to TSA's practice of merging a bunch of documents into one, which went against me); see part A of analysis section in Sai v TSA, 466 F. Supp. 3d 35, 44–51 (D.D.C. 2020)
https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=2576139784660925888#p44 . If these issues interest you legally and you'd like to know more or help out, please get in touch; I am represented by Sidley Austin, but they are not specialized in accessibility issues.


As a test, I also just tried converting a non-rasterized, native electronic PDF spreadsheet that I made myself for filing in that FOIA case. I created it in Google Spreadsheets. Because CM/ECF only accepts PDFs, I exported it as two PDF pages in very very small font (but digital, so it can be zoomed as much as you want), with headers repeated on each page, and sent an Excel copy directly to chambers and opposing counsel. The PDF version I created is, I believe, about as accessible and well formatted as possible for a spreadsheet to be in PDF, and therefore should be the best plausible scenario for re-export to Excel.

Unfortunately, the PDF to Excel export is nearly unusable. It does have all the text, and at least a couple rows, but it lost the column boundaries for most of the rows, and completely failed to deal with the table being split into two pages in the PDF.

I've attached the Excel file I created (as exported by Google Spreadsheets), labeled "original", the PDF from Spreadsheets that I actually filed; and the Excel I just re-exported from that PDF in Acrobat Pro, labeled "re-export from Acrobat".


3. Split PDF

This is a bit hidden but very straightfrward once you find it. Under tools, organize pages, there's a "split" command.

That gives you the option to split by "number of pages", "file size", or "top level bookmarks" (if it has any).

The ACB 2022 program PDF did not have bookmarks. So I've attached an example of "split by pages", 50 pages per.

The result is 4 files, with "_part1" etc at the end of the file name.


4. Columns to plain

> I'd frequently prefer to convert multi-columned pages to single columns.
Will Adobe Pro do this--or does your answer depend whether the PDF is a scanned image or editable text?

Technically yes, practically no.

If it's editable text in Acrobat (either natively or via OCR), in Pro, you can edit text boxes. So you could edit the second column, cut all the text, edit the first column, go to the end, paste it, and resize the box so it fits within the page. That may not be possible if the lines are short, and it is not possible to reflow lines across different pages in PDF — it's a page based format. This is a a major pain to do even sighted, and I think trying to do it blind would be hair-pullingly bad.

If it isn't editable text, you can cut the image of the second column and paste it below the first, resize both to fit, and OCR, but I expect this would be an even worse pain to do and have even worse than usual OCR output.

So that's the technical yes. It is in theory possible. If you really really had to keep the other formatting, you can, sorta. But pragmatically, no.
Save your sanity and don't do this.

If at all possible get it in non column format to start.


If not possible, and you don't care about format, and if you're lucky because the PDF metadata is structured well, then export to text or RTF might do this automatically (because they don't have columns at all, so it's forced to be serialized). This is definitely your best option if it works.

If you're not lucky, it'll do a whole line at a time (so in order it'll go column 1 line 1, column 2 line 1, column 1 line 2, etc). That's effectively unusable without a lot of editing afterwards.

it would be easier in my opinion to copy and paste the text — page by page, column by column — into a new document. That would still be extremely annoying and tedious to do, but not nearly as bad as actually editing the PDF.

I have in fact done this (or equivalent) a few times, when I needed to be able to edit or reflow the content, or just have a more usable arrangement to read through when in blind mode, and spending a few hours on this was worth the result. I can't recommend it if you have any better options, but it does work.



I hope that helps. The attached files should give you a reasonably representative sample of Acrobat Pro's output when converting and splitting files.

Sincerely,
Sai
President, Fiat Fiendum, Inc., a 501(c)(3)


On Mon, Feb 6, 2023 at 11:33 PM JJ Johnston <jeffjayjohnston at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Hello Sai,
>
> This was interesting info about Adobe Pro.  I was told that it is 
> inaccessible to JAWS; is this true?
>
> If I understand correctly, Adobe Pro has a feature to export to Word.
> This would be ideal for me: I'd rather work with a .docx than a PDF.  
> My
> question: is this exporting an exact copy of text and formatting, or 
> is it merely an OCR?
>
> Finally, I'd frequently prefer to convert multi-columned pages to 
> single columns.  Will Adobe Pro do this--or does your answer depend 
> whether the PDF is a scanned image or editable text?
>
> Thanks for your info.  I know nothing about this software and Googling 
> wasn't answering my questions.
>
> Appreciatively,
> Jay
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sai via 
> BlindLaw
> Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2022 2:17 AM
> To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Sai <sai at fiatfiendum.org>
> Subject: Re: [blindLaw] accessible solution for splitting large pdfs
>
> 1. Acrobat Pro can do this easily.
>
> It's $60 via TechSoup if you have (or work for) a US non-profit:
> https://www.techsoup.org/adobe (There may be similar deals for non-US 
> nonprofits, but I don't know.)
>
> Just be sure to get actual Acrobat Pro (current version is 2020), not 
> the new "Creative Cloud" or "DC" which require a yearly subscription 
> and don't work properly when offline.
>
> It's $538 for normal license:
> https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/acrobat-2020-downloads.htm
> l & 
> https://commerce.adobe.com/checkout/email/?items%5B0%5D%5Bid%5D=586750
> 01ACEBE288DBDA18D701134F56&cli=adobe_com&co=US&lang=en
>
>
> 2. I believe OSX Preview (which comes with OSX) can do basic 
> operations like splitting PDFs. Just select a set of pages and export 
> those to a new PDF.
>
>
> 3. If you're comfortable using Unix there are several totally free 
> command line tools with similar functionality. Obviously they don't 
> have fancy GUI, but then, do you really care about a graphical interface?
>
> For example, pdftk can split, merge, etc. There are several tools that 
> can do more advanced stuff that Acrobat itself won't do, like 
> pdfresurrect (unpacks hidden previous revisions in a PDF), pdfcrack 
> (cracks password protected PDFs), origami (extract, modify, etc PDF contents), etc.
>
> E.g. origami is a very flexible PDF manipulation library:
> https://github.com/gdelugre/origami (which has a GTK based GUI 
> available, https://rubygems.org/gems/pdfwalker ), but requires you to 
> know (or
> learn) the programming language Ruby.
>
> You can install Ubuntu in Windows 10 & 11 via WSL, on OSX using 
> BootCamp, VMware, VirtualBox, or similar, or as your primary OS using 
> an installation DVD or USB drive ( https://ubuntu.org has instructions).
>
>
> 4. pdftk is also available for Windows & OSX, with both command line 
> and GUI options — free for the full command line version & basic GUI 
> version,
> $4  for full GUI version:
>
> https://www.pdflabs.com/tools/pdftk-server/
> https://www.pdflabs.com/tools/pdftk-the-pdf-toolkit/
>
> I've only used the Unix CLI version so I can't comment on the GUI 
> version, but I can confirm that the pdftk CLI is quite useful (even 
> though I also have Acrobat Pro).
>
> Sincerely,
> Sai
> President, Fiat Fiendum, Inc., a 501(c)(3)
>
> Sent from my mobile phone; please excuse the concision and autocorrect 
> errors.
>
> On Sat, 20 Aug 2022, 06:12 Justin Harford via BlindLaw, < 
> blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>
> > Hello
> >
> > PDF split and  merge is an app for iOS which might do the trick. I 
> > just took a look at a file that had about 250 pages and it looks 
> > like you can split it in equal intervals among other options.
> >
> > It's not free, but not very expensive either.
> >
> > Justin Harford
> > Oregon Bell Academy Coordinator
> >
> >
> > > On Aug 19, 2022, at 9:55 PM, Rahul Bajaj via BlindLaw <
> > blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > As a practicing attorney, I often have to deal with very bulky 
> > > files
> > [300+
> > > pages] in my work. JAWS tends to freeze when such a large file is 
> > > opened
> > in
> > > Adobe. One workaround that I have found is to split the file, such 
> > > that I can extract the relevant pages from the bulky file and read 
> > > them as a separate PDF. DOes anyone know of any good, preferably 
> > > free, solutions
> > that
> > > do this?
> > >
> > > I'd basically just have to key in the page numbers that I would 
> > > want to made into a spearate PDF.
> > >
> > > Warmly,
> > > Rahul
> > >
> > > --
> > > --
> > > Rahul Bajaj
> > > Attorney, Ira Law
> > > Senior Associate Fellow, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy Rhodes 
> > > Scholar (India and Linacre 2018), University of Oxford Co-Founder, 
> > > Mission Accessibility Special Correspondent on the rights of 
> > > persons with disabilities, Oxford Human Rights Hub Coordinator of 
> > > the working group on accessibility, e-Committee, Supreme Court of 
> > > India _______________________________________________
> > > BlindLaw mailing list
> > > BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> > > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> > > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
> > > for
> > BlindLaw:
> > >
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/blindstein%40g
> > ma
> > il.com
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > BlindLaw mailing list
> > BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
> > for
> > BlindLaw:
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/sai%40fiatfien
> > du
> > m.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> BlindLaw:
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/jeffjayjohnston%
> 40gmail.com
>
>



From glnorman15 at hotmail.com  Wed Feb  8 00:59:48 2023
From: glnorman15 at hotmail.com (GL Norman)
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2023 00:59:48 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] Social Levy Wash. D.C. 15 Feb.
Message-ID: <MN2PR02MB6750A23AA989B5BF65663C4CD1D89@MN2PR02MB6750.namprd02.prod.outlook.com>

Friends:
PMAA will host another of its great convenings.
On 15 February, I will be in the District but at the major country music concert and an award-winning concert singer. Yet other opportunities to call on the District remain. please find the below.
PMAA for which I serve as a non-voting Board member and counsel will host an informal social levy. See the below.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/current-fellow-and-alumni-meet-up-tickets-532090506027<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.com%2Fe%2Fcurrent-fellow-and-alumni-meet-up-tickets-532090506027&data=05%7C01%7C%7C74533e4bcc4744aa58d108db0942124f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638113951601479291%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0c1aDHZ0CTprSzZ2w1GMW0J%2FZfXkQ5phPX5LIB8Ra4E%3D&reserved=0>




From Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov  Wed Feb  8 14:50:32 2023
From: Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov (Nightingale, Noel)
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2023 14:50:32 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] -- Microsoft Seeking Candidates with Disabilities for
 Legal Counsel Roles
In-Reply-To: <BL0PR2101MB131362C8FBF48AE796593854C1D89@BL0PR2101MB1313.namprd21.prod.outlook.com>
References: <BL0PR2101MB13138AD3603DE72F75F67E54C1D89@BL0PR2101MB1313.namprd21.prod.outlook.com>
 <BL0PR2101MB1313A99925365F7F4304465AC1D89@BL0PR2101MB1313.namprd21.prod.outlook.com>
 <BL0PR2101MB131362C8FBF48AE796593854C1D89@BL0PR2101MB1313.namprd21.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <SA9PR09MB54541D026B6B11B4C45C0538F9D89@SA9PR09MB5454.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>


=====
SOCIAL MEDIA POST

Social Media Post (LinkedIn):

Would you like to work at Microsoft, or do you know someone who would? We are actively recruiting candidates with disabilities for legal counsel roles.  Qualified applicants will be invited to a 1 day virtual event in March.   Apply now and help us share the opportunity with interested candidates!



To learn more about the Disability Hiring Program and check out our upcoming hiring event visit:   https://aka.ms/DisabilityHiring<https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Faka.ms%2FDisabilityHiring&data=05%7C01%7Cstuarpix%40microsoft.com%7C88c660e5a5474c5ce89208db09b6e51b%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C638114453370249889%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=tjLGotmg9cbN5kJ3VhYWWNFaA8r%2FTVGeAT%2F2MBQ%2Bk34%3D&reserved=0>



Social Media Post (Twitter):

Would you like to work at Microsoft, or do you know someone who would? We are actively recruiting candidates with disabilities for legal counsel roles through our Inclusive Hiring Program. To learn more about the Disability Hiring Program and check out our upcoming hiring event visit:   https://aka.ms/DisabilityHiring<https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Faka.ms%2FDisabilityHiring&data=05%7C01%7Cstuarpix%40microsoft.com%7C88c660e5a5474c5ce89208db09b6e51b%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C638114453370249889%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=tjLGotmg9cbN5kJ3VhYWWNFaA8r%2FTVGeAT%2F2MBQ%2Bk34%3D&reserved=0>






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From Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov  Wed Feb  8 22:19:59 2023
From: Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov (Nightingale, Noel)
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2023 22:19:59 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] DOJ Civil Rights jobs- up to GS 15
In-Reply-To: <SA1PR09MB776061F9C7D19A3A832384B2E4D89@SA1PR09MB7760.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
References: <CO6PR09MB7287339E532047B987AA2DACBBD19@CO6PR09MB7287.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <SA1PR09MB776061F9C7D19A3A832384B2E4D89@SA1PR09MB7760.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <SA9PR09MB5454C9D9773DA0605AC6EA9BF9D89@SA9PR09MB5454.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>




You are subscribed to Attorney Vacancies for U.S. Department of Justice. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
Attorney Adviser<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJlbWFpbCI6ImNsYXVkZXR0ZS5ydXNoaW5nQHNvbC5kb2kuZ292IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5fbGlua19pZCI6IjEwMCIsInN1YnNjcmliZXJfaWQiOiIxNDIwNjk5OTg3IiwibGlua19pZCI6IjI2MjI0OTU0NjYiLCJ1cmkiOiJicDI6ZGlnZXN0IiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuanVzdGljZS5nb3YvbGVnYWwtY2FyZWVycy9qb2IvYXR0b3JuZXktYWR2aXNlci0yNCIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAxMzEuNzA3NTMyOTEifQ.XDvUZQQvlZfBce-9O3JT4Oq0P705jvr6_USWCXOGqY0&data=05%7C01%7Cclaudette.rushing%40sol.doi.gov%7Ce3a13a5364e24da4ca0408db0411fb2f%7C0693b5ba4b184d7b9341f32f400a5494%7C0%7C0%7C638108247502163389%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=KUkFXPwm69Oacj%2BSsperE%2FMCS5Gh3ssWiUKIZJ0dCDE%3D&reserved=0>
01/31/2023 12:40 PM EST

Civil Rights Division (CRT)
Various Sections
Washington, District of Columbia
Announcement #: 23-VAR-DAT-002 (ATT)


Application Deadline: February 21, 2023


23-VAR-DAT-002 (ATT)




About the Office:
The Civil Rights Division<https://www.justice.gov/crt> (Division) of the Department of Justice, created by the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The Division enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), disability, religion, familial status, national origin, and citizenship status.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
Job Description:
As an Attorney Adviser, your duties may include: providing legal counsel and policy guidance to a variety of individuals, such as federal officials within the Department and other federal agencies; coordinating with other federal agencies to ensure consistent implementation of the law; reviewing, drafting, developing, and publishing regulations; conducting training and participating in presentations; participating in strategy and coordination efforts; conducting legal and factual research, writing, and analysis; outreach efforts; and providing technical assistance in response to inquiries from public and private stakeholders.

Applicants must select each Section for which they would like to receive consideration. An applicant will not receive consideration for any Section(s) they do not select. To learn more about the work of each Section, please click the applicable link below.

Disability Rights<https://www.justice.gov/crt/disability-rights-section>: Works to advance the nation's goals of equal opportunity, integration, full participation, inclusion, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities through our central role in enforcement, regulation, coordination, and technical assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)<https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/ada/#top>, as well as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act<https://www.ada.gov/resources/disability-rights-guide/#rehabilitation-act>.

Federal Coordination and Compliance<https://www.justice.gov/crt/fcs>: Works to achieve equal opportunity by implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and related authorities that prohibit discrimination by recipients of federal funds on the basis of race, national origin (including language access), sex, and other bases. Has a central role in enforcement, regulation, inter-agency coordination and oversight, and technical assistance.
Policy and Strategy<https://www.justice.gov/crt/policy-and-strategy-section>: Supports and coordinates the Division's broad policy work, including developing and analyzing legislative, regulatory, and policy proposals relating to the Division's enforcement authorities; leads and coordinates cross-divisional and high-priority civil rights strategic initiatives within the Department and with other federal agencies; and conducts targeted outreach and public engagement with stakeholders on legal and policy matters.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:

You must possess a J.D., or equivalent degree, from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction) and possess the minimum years of post-professional law degree experience commensurate to the grade level of eligibility, as shown below. Applicants also must have strong, demonstrated qualifications in the following areas: academic achievement; substantive knowledge and expertise in the laws, rules and regulations applicable to the work of the Section(s) to which the candidate is applying or substantially similar knowledge and experience; strong written and oral communication skills; the ability to analyze complex issues; skill and experience working collaboratively and productively with others; organizational skills; professional judgment; initiative; and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, demanding environment. In addition, applicants must have outstanding professional references.

Possessing the minimum post law degree legal experience does not guarantee the applicant will be selected at that grade level.

  *   GS-13 - minimum 1.5 years post-JD legal experience
  *   GS-14 - minimum 2.5 years post-JD legal experience
  *   GS-15 - minimum 4 years post-JD legal experience
Preferred Qualifications:

Given the nature and volume of this work, the Division generally seeks candidates with significant knowledge of relevant civil rights laws and regulations, particularly involving the laws enforced by the Section(s) to which the candidate is applying. The following qualifications are preferred but not required: The following qualifications are preferred but not required: Experience and skill working cooperatively and productively with a range of people, such as complainants, witnesses, respondents, disadvantaged or disenfranchised groups, opposing counsel, bank officials, judicial or administrative officials, advocacy groups, law enforcement personnel, and the staff of other federal or state governmental agencies. Judicial clerkships, law review, moot court, clinical experience, and skills and experience working cooperatively and productively with a range of people, such as charging parties, witnesses, respondents, disadvantaged or disenfranchised groups, opposing counsel, judicial or administrative officials, advocacy groups, law enforcement personnel, and the staff of other federal or state governmental agencies, are also preferred.
In addition, the preferred qualifications may vary depending on the section as follows:

Disability Rights Section
Knowledge of relevant civil rights laws and implementing regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, and the ADA Standards for Accessible Design; experience drafting and developing federal regulations for notice-and-comment rulemaking; knowledge of, and experience applying the Administrative Procedures Act in the context of the federal rulemaking process; and experience analyzing and interpreting regulations that implement nondiscrimination obligations on the basis of disability and preparing technical assistance materials, policy documents, and training programs about these obligations.


From sbadillo100 at gmail.com  Thu Feb  9 19:52:21 2023
From: sbadillo100 at gmail.com (Sarah Badillo)
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2023 14:52:21 -0500
Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney
Message-ID: <92FF7E49-C351-4FB7-8F2F-BB7A95CEC5B0@gmail.com>

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had experience dealing with records and other documents that contain hand writing. If so, what is the best way to read these documents? An example would be medical records in which someone has written on them. Are there any iOS apps that accurately can read this writing?  What about documents that are entirely hand written. Or is the only option to get assistance from someone else for this task. Thank you in advance.

Sent from my iPhone

From NSingh at cov.com  Thu Feb  9 20:08:42 2023
From: NSingh at cov.com (Singh, Nandini)
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2023 20:08:42 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney
In-Reply-To: <92FF7E49-C351-4FB7-8F2F-BB7A95CEC5B0@gmail.com>
References: <92FF7E49-C351-4FB7-8F2F-BB7A95CEC5B0@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <63ccc77bbb0c46d3b6504ecd97299b67@cov.com>

Hi Sarah,

I have always enlisted the assistance of a reader. In my experience, I have not come across a good OCR app that can deal with handwriting well, let alone accurately. I have had matters with medical records and pro se litigants who submit handwritten filings. A reader is the best way to go.

Regards,
Nikki

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sarah Badillo via BlindLaw
Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2023 2:52 PM
To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Cc: Sarah Badillo <sbadillo100 at gmail.com>
Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney

[EXTERNAL]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had experience dealing with records and other documents that contain hand writing. If so, what is the best way to read these documents? An example would be medical records in which someone has written on them. Are there any iOS apps that accurately can read this writing?  What about documents that are entirely hand written. Or is the only option to get assistance from someone else for this task. Thank you in advance.

Sent from my iPhone
_______________________________________________
BlindLaw mailing list
BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for BlindLaw:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/nsingh%40cov.com


From lmendez716 at gmail.com  Thu Feb  9 20:28:06 2023
From: lmendez716 at gmail.com (lmendez716 at gmail.com)
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2023 15:28:06 -0500
Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney
In-Reply-To: <63ccc77bbb0c46d3b6504ecd97299b67@cov.com>
References: <92FF7E49-C351-4FB7-8F2F-BB7A95CEC5B0@gmail.com>
 <63ccc77bbb0c46d3b6504ecd97299b67@cov.com>
Message-ID: <027901d93cc5$04d82bc0$0e888340$@gmail.com>

Good afternoon, Sarah:

I agree, getting a reader, particularly one with experience decoding
handwriting, if you can find one, is the only way to go. Be aware, that even
people with excellent vision can  find reading handwriting, especially from
older or poorly copied documents difficult.  Also, if the case involves
potential fraud or forgery, using someone who can point out potential
discrepancies'  in the document's handwriting style could be helpful in
pointing out the need  to consult  an expert.

Luis Mendez

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Singh, Nandini via
BlindLaw
Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2023 3:09 PM
To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Singh, Nandini <NSingh at cov.com>
Subject: Re: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney

Hi Sarah,

I have always enlisted the assistance of a reader. In my experience, I have
not come across a good OCR app that can deal with handwriting well, let
alone accurately. I have had matters with medical records and pro se
litigants who submit handwritten filings. A reader is the best way to go.

Regards,
Nikki

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sarah Badillo via
BlindLaw
Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2023 2:52 PM
To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Cc: Sarah Badillo <sbadillo100 at gmail.com>
Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney

[EXTERNAL]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had experience dealing with records and
other documents that contain hand writing. If so, what is the best way to
read these documents? An example would be medical records in which someone
has written on them. Are there any iOS apps that accurately can read this
writing?  What about documents that are entirely hand written. Or is the
only option to get assistance from someone else for this task. Thank you in
advance.

Sent from my iPhone
_______________________________________________
BlindLaw mailing list
BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
BlindLaw:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/nsingh%40cov.com

_______________________________________________
BlindLaw mailing list
BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
BlindLaw:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/lmendez716%40gmail.com



From sanho817 at gmail.com  Thu Feb  9 20:31:12 2023
From: sanho817 at gmail.com (Sanho Steele-Louchart)
Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2023 14:31:12 -0600
Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney
In-Reply-To: <63ccc77bbb0c46d3b6504ecd97299b67@cov.com>
References: <92FF7E49-C351-4FB7-8F2F-BB7A95CEC5B0@gmail.com>
 <63ccc77bbb0c46d3b6504ecd97299b67@cov.com>
Message-ID: <CAL6jpewH2zDLc+c8yRnLKoRsOHjJmc3+S-BsJiLdWRU-EOCjFA@mail.gmail.com>

Agreed with Niki. Apps get us close, but not far enough.

On 2/9/23, Singh, Nandini via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Sarah,
>
> I have always enlisted the assistance of a reader. In my experience, I have
> not come across a good OCR app that can deal with handwriting well, let
> alone accurately. I have had matters with medical records and pro se
> litigants who submit handwritten filings. A reader is the best way to go.
>
> Regards,
> Nikki
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sarah Badillo via
> BlindLaw
> Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2023 2:52 PM
> To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Sarah Badillo <sbadillo100 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney
>
> [EXTERNAL]
>
> Hello, I was wondering if anyone had experience dealing with records and
> other documents that contain hand writing. If so, what is the best way to
> read these documents? An example would be medical records in which someone
> has written on them. Are there any iOS apps that accurately can read this
> writing?  What about documents that are entirely hand written. Or is the
> only option to get assistance from someone else for this task. Thank you in
> advance.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> BlindLaw:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/nsingh%40cov.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> BlindLaw:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/sanho817%40gmail.com
>


-- 
He/Him


From rahul.bajaj1038 at gmail.com  Fri Feb 10 08:41:18 2023
From: rahul.bajaj1038 at gmail.com (Rahul Bajaj)
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2023 14:11:18 +0530
Subject: [blindLaw] Google Docs with JAWS: next steps
Message-ID: <CADFycPYksG6ZoDuUqbEtv4pQjdjSqE=PU=ThsgDueuwdpxjLwg@mail.gmail.com>

Hi,

1. I use JAWS 2022, with MS Edge and Chrome.
2. I have to work with a Google Doc which has a table with 4/5 columns and
hundreds of rows.
3. I have to review comments left in bubbles and leave my own
revisions/comments in the bubble.
4. What is the best way to do that?
5. I typically download the document into Word and do the needful, as I
struggle with Google docs. but this creates version control issues for my
colleagues.
6. How can I smoothly move from one row to the other, as up and down arrow
keys do not work well?
7. How can I effectively access the content of a bubble comment?
? What should I do if the comments/revisions from my end are not getting
inserted. As in, if the keystrokes for the same are not yielding any
result. Change my keyboard language?

Rahul

-- 
--
Rahul Bajaj
Attorney, Ira Law
Senior Associate Fellow, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy
Rhodes Scholar (India and Linacre 2018), University of Oxford
Co-Founder, Mission Accessibility
Special Correspondent on the rights of persons with disabilities, Oxford
Human Rights Hub
Coordinator of the working group on accessibility, e-Committee, Supreme
Court of India

From laurenbishop96 at icloud.com  Fri Feb 10 12:59:22 2023
From: laurenbishop96 at icloud.com (Lauren Bishop)
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2023 07:59:22 -0500
Subject: [blindLaw] Google Docs with JAWS: next steps
In-Reply-To: <CADFycPYksG6ZoDuUqbEtv4pQjdjSqE=PU=ThsgDueuwdpxjLwg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CADFycPYksG6ZoDuUqbEtv4pQjdjSqE=PU=ThsgDueuwdpxjLwg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <E983C4C3-3584-4CF2-B771-3271DA70EAF7@icloud.com>

Hi Rahul,
I personally like to open my Google Docs in chrome. Once you are in the document, press insert Z or caps lock Z if you’re on a laptop. This will allow you to better navigate the document. I unfortunately don’t know how to answer the rest of your questions.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 10, 2023, at 3:42 AM, Rahul Bajaj via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> 1. I use JAWS 2022, with MS Edge and Chrome.
> 2. I have to work with a Google Doc which has a table with 4/5 columns and
> hundreds of rows.
> 3. I have to review comments left in bubbles and leave my own
> revisions/comments in the bubble.
> 4. What is the best way to do that?
> 5. I typically download the document into Word and do the needful, as I
> struggle with Google docs. but this creates version control issues for my
> colleagues.
> 6. How can I smoothly move from one row to the other, as up and down arrow
> keys do not work well?
> 7. How can I effectively access the content of a bubble comment?
> ? What should I do if the comments/revisions from my end are not getting
> inserted. As in, if the keystrokes for the same are not yielding any
> result. Change my keyboard language?
> 
> Rahul
> 
> -- 
> --
> Rahul Bajaj
> Attorney, Ira Law
> Senior Associate Fellow, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy
> Rhodes Scholar (India and Linacre 2018), University of Oxford
> Co-Founder, Mission Accessibility
> Special Correspondent on the rights of persons with disabilities, Oxford
> Human Rights Hub
> Coordinator of the working group on accessibility, e-Committee, Supreme
> Court of India
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for BlindLaw:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/laurenbishop96%40icloud.com


From tim at timeldermusic.com  Fri Feb 10 16:43:28 2023
From: tim at timeldermusic.com (tim at timeldermusic.com)
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2023 08:43:28 -0800
Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney
In-Reply-To: <CAL6jpewH2zDLc+c8yRnLKoRsOHjJmc3+S-BsJiLdWRU-EOCjFA@mail.gmail.com>
References: <92FF7E49-C351-4FB7-8F2F-BB7A95CEC5B0@gmail.com>
 <63ccc77bbb0c46d3b6504ecd97299b67@cov.com>
 <CAL6jpewH2zDLc+c8yRnLKoRsOHjJmc3+S-BsJiLdWRU-EOCjFA@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <007601d93d6e$cd6f7170$684e5450$@timeldermusic.com>

Concurring with this thread.  I have a system for readers to insert bracketed text representations of the handwriting into an accessible alternative format of the document.  This ensures you only need to work with the reader once for that document.  The harder part is making sure you don't miss a document that has handwriting on it when reviewing documents.  You tend to get a sense for what documents might have hand writing on them based on the meta data.  




-----Original Message-----
From: Sanho Steele-Louchart <sanho817 at gmail.com> 
Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2023 12:31 PM
To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney

Agreed with Niki. Apps get us close, but not far enough.

On 2/9/23, Singh, Nandini via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Sarah,
>
> I have always enlisted the assistance of a reader. In my experience, I 
> have not come across a good OCR app that can deal with handwriting 
> well, let alone accurately. I have had matters with medical records 
> and pro se litigants who submit handwritten filings. A reader is the best way to go.
>
> Regards,
> Nikki
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sarah 
> Badillo via BlindLaw
> Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2023 2:52 PM
> To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Sarah Badillo <sbadillo100 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney
>
> [EXTERNAL]
>
> Hello, I was wondering if anyone had experience dealing with records 
> and other documents that contain hand writing. If so, what is the best 
> way to read these documents? An example would be medical records in 
> which someone has written on them. Are there any iOS apps that 
> accurately can read this writing?  What about documents that are 
> entirely hand written. Or is the only option to get assistance from 
> someone else for this task. Thank you in advance.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> BlindLaw:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/nsingh%40cov.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> BlindLaw:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/sanho817%40gmail
> .com
>


--
He/Him





From BrianUnitt at holsteinlaw.com  Fri Feb 10 17:35:14 2023
From: BrianUnitt at holsteinlaw.com (Brian Unitt)
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2023 17:35:14 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] Google Docs with JAWS: next steps
In-Reply-To: <CADFycPYksG6ZoDuUqbEtv4pQjdjSqE=PU=ThsgDueuwdpxjLwg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CADFycPYksG6ZoDuUqbEtv4pQjdjSqE=PU=ThsgDueuwdpxjLwg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <BN8PR12MB3507725D82732C26E81E2967C5DE9@BN8PR12MB3507.namprd12.prod.outlook.com>

Hi Rahul,

FS has some archived webinars on the Google applications and one of them seems to focus on comments. https://www.freedomscientific.com/category/webinar/google-workspace/
Hope they might be useful. This is an area I know very little about but I am starting to be involved with organizations that use Docs and Sheets quite a bit so I need to educate myself pretty quickly.

Best of luck,

Brian
Brian C. Unitt
Certified Specialist in Appellate Law
By the State Bar of California

Law Office of Brian C. Unitt
6185 Magnolia Ave, PMB 40
Riverside, CA 92506 
P: 951-682-7030
E: brianunitt at holsteinlaw.com

NOTICE:  This communication is intended for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain attorney/client information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law.  If the reader of this communication is not the intended recipient or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by reply email or by telephone and immediately delete this communication and all its attachments.

Confidentiality Disclaimer 
This email is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. 
If you are not the author's intended recipient, be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error please delete all copies, both electronic and printed, and contact the author immediately

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Rahul Bajaj via BlindLaw
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2023 12:41 AM
To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Rahul Bajaj <rahul.bajaj1038 at gmail.com>
Subject: [blindLaw] Google Docs with JAWS: next steps

Hi,

1. I use JAWS 2022, with MS Edge and Chrome.
2. I have to work with a Google Doc which has a table with 4/5 columns and hundreds of rows.
3. I have to review comments left in bubbles and leave my own revisions/comments in the bubble.
4. What is the best way to do that?
5. I typically download the document into Word and do the needful, as I struggle with Google docs. but this creates version control issues for my colleagues.
6. How can I smoothly move from one row to the other, as up and down arrow keys do not work well?
7. How can I effectively access the content of a bubble comment?
? What should I do if the comments/revisions from my end are not getting inserted. As in, if the keystrokes for the same are not yielding any result. Change my keyboard language?

Rahul

--
--
Rahul Bajaj
Attorney, Ira Law
Senior Associate Fellow, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy Rhodes Scholar (India and Linacre 2018), University of Oxford Co-Founder, Mission Accessibility Special Correspondent on the rights of persons with disabilities, Oxford Human Rights Hub Coordinator of the working group on accessibility, e-Committee, Supreme Court of India _______________________________________________
BlindLaw mailing list
BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for BlindLaw:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/brianunitt%40holsteinlaw.com


From Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov  Fri Feb 10 18:27:40 2023
From: Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov (Nightingale, Noel)
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2023 18:27:40 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney
In-Reply-To: <92FF7E49-C351-4FB7-8F2F-BB7A95CEC5B0@gmail.com>
References: <92FF7E49-C351-4FB7-8F2F-BB7A95CEC5B0@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <SA9PR09MB5454C24DACFD26E4FE16A8A8F9DE9@SA9PR09MB5454.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>

To emphasize the importance of having access to a competent reader, I ditto the others who have responded to your handwriting query, Sarah.  I have to read a lot of documents with handwriting and often have my reader transcribe them to help me and others who might need to read them.  If even the reader can't tell what a worded is, he indicates that in the transcribed version.   By the way, when a document is critical to know exactly what it says, as in that every word and every bit of punctuation is important to accurately know, I would never just rely on an app that converts even typed text into an accessible format as apps are not 100 percent fool proof.

Noel

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sarah Badillo via BlindLaw
Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2023 11:52 AM
To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Cc: Sarah Badillo <sbadillo100 at gmail.com>
Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.


Hello, I was wondering if anyone had experience dealing with records and other documents that contain hand writing. If so, what is the best way to read these documents? An example would be medical records in which someone has written on them. Are there any iOS apps that accurately can read this writing?  What about documents that are entirely hand written. Or is the only option to get assistance from someone else for this task. Thank you in advance.

Sent from my iPhone
_______________________________________________
BlindLaw mailing list
BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for BlindLaw:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/noel.nightingale%40ed.gov

From teresitarios22 at gmail.com  Fri Feb 10 20:09:42 2023
From: teresitarios22 at gmail.com (Teresita Rios)
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2023 15:09:42 -0500
Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney
In-Reply-To: <SA9PR09MB5454C24DACFD26E4FE16A8A8F9DE9@SA9PR09MB5454.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
References: <92FF7E49-C351-4FB7-8F2F-BB7A95CEC5B0@gmail.com>
 <SA9PR09MB5454C24DACFD26E4FE16A8A8F9DE9@SA9PR09MB5454.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <C0B0EDDD-A5BB-4DE7-8FD9-49076D39576F@gmail.com>

A human reader is the way to go for such documents, or in the case of exhibits. 
Yet, for smaller peaces, I like to use SeeingAI. 
It is an app for iPhone or tablet, I have had good outcomes for smaller docs or hand-written notes people leave at my desk. But I have not used it for larger documents as the process seems tedious.  I am also not sure where those pictures go. Thus, I dare not let even my AI apps read sensitive info.  Call mea data freak. 

Warmly, 
Teresita 

Notre Dame Law School: J.D. Candidate 2023.

> On Feb 10, 2023, at 1:27 PM, Nightingale, Noel via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> To emphasize the importance of having access to a competent reader, I ditto the others who have responded to your handwriting query, Sarah.  I have to read a lot of documents with handwriting and often have my reader transcribe them to help me and others who might need to read them.  If even the reader can't tell what a worded is, he indicates that in the transcribed version.   By the way, when a document is critical to know exactly what it says, as in that every word and every bit of punctuation is important to accurately know, I would never just rely on an app that converts even typed text into an accessible format as apps are not 100 percent fool proof.
> 
> Noel
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Sarah Badillo via BlindLaw
> Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2023 11:52 AM
> To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org <mailto:blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Sarah Badillo <sbadillo100 at gmail.com <mailto:sbadillo100 at gmail.com>>
> Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney
> 
> CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
> 
> 
> Hello, I was wondering if anyone had experience dealing with records and other documents that contain hand writing. If so, what is the best way to read these documents? An example would be medical records in which someone has written on them. Are there any iOS apps that accurately can read this writing?  What about documents that are entirely hand written. Or is the only option to get assistance from someone else for this task. Thank you in advance.
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for BlindLaw:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/noel.nightingale%40ed.gov <http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/noel.nightingale%40ed.gov>
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org <mailto:BlindLaw at nfbnet.org>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org <http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org>
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for BlindLaw:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/teresitarios22%40gmail.com <http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/teresitarios22%40gmail.com>

From NSingh at cov.com  Fri Feb 10 20:19:47 2023
From: NSingh at cov.com (Singh, Nandini)
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2023 20:19:47 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney
In-Reply-To: <C0B0EDDD-A5BB-4DE7-8FD9-49076D39576F@gmail.com>
References: <92FF7E49-C351-4FB7-8F2F-BB7A95CEC5B0@gmail.com>
 <SA9PR09MB5454C24DACFD26E4FE16A8A8F9DE9@SA9PR09MB5454.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <C0B0EDDD-A5BB-4DE7-8FD9-49076D39576F@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <1e4c2faee0854e3985c3b9204039613e@cov.com>

As I understand, Seeing AI is an AI initiative from Microsoft. Pictures presumably enter a large computer facility and/or database and are used to train the AI used in the app, other Microsoft AI products, or a combination of both. I have not spent too much time reading the details, but I think it is safe to assume that the pictures are not kept private, given the underlying machine learning goal. I would avoid using Seeing AI for sensitive materials.

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Teresita Rios via BlindLaw
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2023 3:10 PM
To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Teresita Rios <teresitarios22 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney

[EXTERNAL]

A human reader is the way to go for such documents, or in the case of exhibits.
Yet, for smaller peaces, I like to use SeeingAI.
It is an app for iPhone or tablet, I have had good outcomes for smaller docs or hand-written notes people leave at my desk. But I have not used it for larger documents as the process seems tedious.  I am also not sure where those pictures go. Thus, I dare not let even my AI apps read sensitive info.  Call mea data freak.

Warmly,
Teresita

Notre Dame Law School: J.D. Candidate 2023.

> On Feb 10, 2023, at 1:27 PM, Nightingale, Noel via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> To emphasize the importance of having access to a competent reader, I ditto the others who have responded to your handwriting query, Sarah.  I have to read a lot of documents with handwriting and often have my reader transcribe them to help me and others who might need to read them.  If even the reader can't tell what a worded is, he indicates that in the transcribed version.   By the way, when a document is critical to know exactly what it says, as in that every word and every bit of punctuation is important to accurately know, I would never just rely on an app that converts even typed text into an accessible format as apps are not 100 percent fool proof.
>
> Noel
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Sarah Badillo via BlindLaw
> Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2023 11:52 AM
> To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org <mailto:blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Sarah Badillo <sbadillo100 at gmail.com <mailto:sbadillo100 at gmail.com>>
> Subject: [blindLaw] Reading handwriting as a blind attorney
>
> CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
>
>
> Hello, I was wondering if anyone had experience dealing with records and other documents that contain hand writing. If so, what is the best way to read these documents? An example would be medical records in which someone has written on them. Are there any iOS apps that accurately can read this writing?  What about documents that are entirely hand written. Or is the only option to get assistance from someone else for this task. Thank you in advance.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for BlindLaw:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/noel.nightingale%40ed.gov <http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/noel.nightingale%40ed.gov>
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org <mailto:BlindLaw at nfbnet.org>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org <http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org>
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for BlindLaw:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/teresitarios22%40gmail.com <http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/teresitarios22%40gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
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To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for BlindLaw:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/nsingh%40cov.com


From natel.appledorn at gmail.com  Mon Feb 13 22:11:45 2023
From: natel.appledorn at gmail.com (Nate Appledorn)
Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2023 15:11:45 -0700
Subject: [blindLaw] =?utf-8?q?FullCourt_Enterprise=E2=84=A2_system?=
Message-ID: <CAJ+oXFxafPmcWByWHQsGY8Kfa8aVHxYJiZDTkq_d29UJQE37UA@mail.gmail.com>

Hello All,

Anyone have any experience using FullCourt Enterprise™? Just wondering how
accessible this CMS package is with a screen-reader.

Thanks,
Nate

From Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov  Tue Feb 14 00:39:04 2023
From: Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov (Nightingale, Noel)
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 00:39:04 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights:
 Vacancy Announcement Posting for Equal Opportunity Specialist,
 GS-0360-11/12 FPL 12 - Various Locations
In-Reply-To: <MN2PR09MB5673E4D144EA9E6FE2AB3AB28EDD9@MN2PR09MB5673.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
References: <DM6PR09MB511051365393CD1552193C9C9C6D9@DM6PR09MB5110.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <DM6PR09MB5110BDC67D92F8FEBFAA3D219C079@DM6PR09MB5110.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <DM6PR09MB5110538A122970FB3F4659E59C079@DM6PR09MB5110.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <DM6PR09MB5110A84D416271538B47E07E9C0D9@DM6PR09MB5110.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <DM6PR09MB5110E646E376F0D622D399A19C149@DM6PR09MB5110.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <DM6PR09MB5110917ED3F0BE34E75438389CDD9@DM6PR09MB5110.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <MN2PR09MB56737B000970E72FAF0591888EDD9@MN2PR09MB5673.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <CO6PR09MB823026B33E1DA15BCE4BE80188DD9@CO6PR09MB8230.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <MN2PR09MB5673E4D144EA9E6FE2AB3AB28EDD9@MN2PR09MB5673.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <SA9PR09MB54547E5D1CE34281751D71F8F9A29@SA9PR09MB5454.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>


Below are the links for OCR USAJOBS vacancy announcements for the Equal Opportunity Specialist, GS-0360-11/12, FPL-12 in various locations.

OCR-HQ-2023-0029, Equal Opportunity Specialist, GS-360-11/12 FPL 12, DE<https://www.usajobs.gov/job/706356800/preview>
Open Period: 2/13/23 - 5/15/2023
Department/Organization: Department of Education/Office for Civil Rights
Locations: Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, San Fran, Seattle, Atlanta, Boston, Metro, New York, Philadelphia
Series & Grade: GS-0360-11/12
Who May Apply: Open to US citizens. If you are a current or former federal employee or are eligible under a special hiring authority (VEOA, Schedule A, etc.), you may be eligible to apply under the concurrently advertised merit promotion vacancy announcement: OCR-HQ-2023-0030.


OCR-HQ-2023-0030, Equal Opportunity Specialist, GS-360-11/12 FPL 12, MP<https://www.usajobs.gov/job/706357900/preview>
Open Period: 2/13/23 - 5/15/2023
Department: Office for Civil Rights/Department of Education
Locations: Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, San Fran, Seattle, Atlanta, Boston, Metro, New York, Philadelphia
Series & Grade: GS-0360-11/12
Who May Apply: Current federal civilian employees in the competitive service on permanent career or career-conditional appointments; Former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; Current federal employees eligible under Interchange Agreements; and Applicants eligible under special hiring authorities (Schedule A, etc.). If you do not meet one of these categories, you may apply under the concurrently advertised vacancy announcement: OCR-HQ-2023-0029, which is open to all United States Citizens.



From Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov  Tue Feb 14 22:46:31 2023
From: Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov (Nightingale, Noel)
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 22:46:31 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] HUD trial attorney in Seattle position
In-Reply-To: <CO6PR09MB7607389F5781374C2E89577BCCA29@CO6PR09MB7607.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
References: <MN2PR09MB4938185272B7DE212FFEA233A9A59@MN2PR09MB4938.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <SJ0PR09MB8935DF08525AD7B9756D04B4A9E19@SJ0PR09MB8935.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <SJ0PR09MB893526E508B8A18C935B2209A9C59@SJ0PR09MB8935.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <SJ0PR09MB89358F5A312398EF4BD069C0A9D19@SJ0PR09MB8935.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <SJ0PR09MB89354FCCB475150DB49BD94AA9DB9@SJ0PR09MB8935.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <SJ0PR09MB89355F6958B4D167CEEF6D6AA9D99@SJ0PR09MB8935.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <SJ0PR09MB89351C75D56C29EBB0DA165AA9D99@SJ0PR09MB8935.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <CO6PR09MB7607389F5781374C2E89577BCCA29@CO6PR09MB7607.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <SA9PR09MB545411FBEB43A537A8C2CBE5F9A29@SA9PR09MB5454.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>



From: 'Froembling, James R' via Federal Attorneys Networking Group of Seattle <fangseattle at googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 2:36 PM
To: fangseattle at googlegroups.com
Subject: [fangs] Please share this opening with the Seattle FANGS group!


Good Afternoon,

Can you please send this job announcement out to the Seattle FANGS email distribution list?  Thank you.



HUD OGC is hiring is hiring in Seattle!  This position is with the US Department of Housing & Urban Development and located in the Seattle Regional Office.  We are seeking a skilled Trail Attorney with experience in Personnel Law, Fair Housing, FOIA, affirmative and defensive litigation and government and administrative law.  HUD is a cabinet level agency and the Seattle Regional Office is a very collegial, supportive and rewarding environment to practice law!

The following job was posted to USAJobs on February 13, 2023:

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/705635400
Position Title: Trial Attorney
Opening date:  February 13, 2023
Closing date:  February 22, 2023
Pay scale, series & grade:  GS-905-12-14
Salary: $92,123 - $183,500 per year
Service:  Excepted
Appointment type:  Permanent
Work schedule:  Full-Time
Location: Seattle
If you have any questions, please contact:  hudinquiries at fiscal.treasury.gov<mailto:hudinquiries at fiscal.treasury.gov>, 304-480-7300.


James R. Froembling
Regional Counsel
U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development
Office of Regional Counsel, Region X
909 First Avenue, Suite 260
Seattle, WA 98104-1000
office: (206) 220-5413
cell: (703) 868-9347

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information in this communication may be confidential and privileged, is intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named above, and may be subject to additional legal non-disclosure requirements. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please re-send it to the sender and delete the original message and any copy of it from your computer system.



--
--
You received this message because you are a federal agency attorney and subscribed to the FANGS group.

To SEND A MESSAGE to this group, email to fangseattle at googlegroups.com<mailto:fangseattle at googlegroups.com>.

To UNSUBSCRIBE from this group, email fangseattle+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com<mailto:fangseattle+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com>.

For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/fangseattle?hl=en

---
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To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to fangseattle+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com<mailto:fangseattle+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com>.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/fangseattle/CO6PR09MB7607389F5781374C2E89577BCCA29%40CO6PR09MB7607.namprd09.prod.outlook.com<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/fangseattle/CO6PR09MB7607389F5781374C2E89577BCCA29%40CO6PR09MB7607.namprd09.prod.outlook.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

From gerard.sadlier at gmail.com  Wed Feb 15 00:49:01 2023
From: gerard.sadlier at gmail.com (Gerard Sadlier)
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:49:01 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] Fwd: Record of Evidence in Baylor College of Medicine v.
 XL Insurance America Inc.
In-Reply-To: <CAGZitzJvfHhk-hEGZzB4zRgLVmRC-99rNR64MZcJR2m=XaPeBg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAGZitzJvfHhk-hEGZzB4zRgLVmRC-99rNR64MZcJR2m=XaPeBg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CAGZitzKa47_BieuGZZKnOect-QRpZJ0dk+_McaynZhAsNMSBsA@mail.gmail.com>

Hi there

The below may be a bit of a long shot but any advice or guidance would
be really appreciated.

Kind regards

Ger

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Gerard Sadlier <gerard.sadlier at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2023 18:27:24 +0000
Subject: Record of Evidence in Baylor College of Medicine v. XL
Insurance America Inc.
To: blindlaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>

Hello all

I'm not based in the US but am interested in a recent trial court
decision in Texis, Baylor College of Medicine v. XL Insurance America
Inc., where an insured proved that Covid-19 was the cause of direct
physical damage under a policy of insurance. Is it possible to obtain
the record of evidence before the Court in that case, the expert
reports relied on etc.?

Kind regards

Ger


From mrodrigues81 at hotmail.com  Wed Feb 15 06:23:59 2023
From: mrodrigues81 at hotmail.com (Marcos Rodrigues)
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2023 06:23:59 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] Accessibility of casepoint and casemap
Message-ID: <BL3P221MB035562A1F862CFC853DCE111CDA39@BL3P221MB0355.NAMP221.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM>

Good evening.

Does someone know if case point and case map are accessible with jaws?

Regards.

Sent from my iPhone


From davant1958 at gmail.com  Wed Feb 15 14:45:53 2023
From: davant1958 at gmail.com (davant1958 at gmail.com)
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2023 08:45:53 -0600
Subject: [blindLaw] FW: Business Law Fellows Program | Diversity Entities
In-Reply-To: <DM6PR12MB3947A2D06CA186D98308927EF9A29@DM6PR12MB3947.namprd12.prod.outlook.com>
References: <BL1PR12MB575376F51D7F40CA29E93F07FBA29@BL1PR12MB5753.namprd12.prod.outlook.com>
 <DM6PR12MB3947A2D06CA186D98308927EF9A29@DM6PR12MB3947.namprd12.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <051101d9414c$3488a2b0$9d99e810$@gmail.com>

 

 

From: Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council
<DI-ADVISORY-COUNCIL at MAIL.AMERICANBAR.ORG> On Behalf Of Pedro Windsor
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 2:51 PM
To: DI-ADVISORY-COUNCIL at MAIL.AMERICANBAR.ORG
Subject: Business Law Fellows Program | Diversity Entities

 

Sent On Behalf of the Business Law Section

 

 

Dear D&I Advisory Council Representatives,

 

The Business Law Section is once again accepting applications for the
Business Law Fellows Program
<https://www.americanbar.org/groups/business_law/initiatives_awards/fad/?log
in> , which invites young lawyers, lawyers of color, lawyers with
disabilities, and LGBTQ+ lawyers to apply.  

 

Through the Fellows Program, underrepresented lawyers are provided a
springboard to substantive leadership roles within the Section.  Fellows are
offered unique leadership roles, mentorships, and subsidized attendance at
Business Law Section Meetings.  Through committee assignments that align
with their practice areas, Fellows are enabled to contribute substantive
work that includes authoring for publications, presenting on panels, and
networking with leaders in the field.  Throughout their tenure, Fellows are
provided unique leadership roles, mentorships, and subsidized attendance at
Business Law Section Meetings.  To learn more and apply, visit
ambar.org/blfellows
<https://www.americanbar.org/groups/business_law/initiatives_awards/fad/>
and see the attached flyer.  

 

 

Chad Johannes

Program Specialist, Business Law Section

American Bar Association

321 N. Clark St.

Chicago, IL  60654

 

T: 312.988.6027

F: 312.988.6234

chad.johannes at americanbar.org <mailto:chad.johannes at americanbar.org> 

______________________________________
Thank you for your continued interest in this list. To unsubscribe, email
DI-ADVISORY-COUNCIL-UNSUBSCRIBE-request at mail.americanbar.org
<mailto:DI-ADVISORY-COUNCIL-UNSUBSCRIBE-REQUEST at mail.americanbar.org> . 
If you have any issues, contact the ABA staff list owner(s) via email:
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The purpose of this discussion is to enable individuals to share and
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legal profession. All comments that appear are solely those of the
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From Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov  Wed Feb 15 20:06:42 2023
From: Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov (Nightingale, Noel)
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2023 20:06:42 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights:
 Vacancy Announcement Posting for General Attorney, GS-0905-11/12 FPL 13,
 and Equal Opportunity Specialist,
 GS-0360-11/12 FPL 12 - Seattle and Various Locations
In-Reply-To: <DM8PR09MB6200C3CA9C867408C13C11DFE9A39@DM8PR09MB6200.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
References: <DM6PR09MB511051365393CD1552193C9C9C6D9@DM6PR09MB5110.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <DM6PR09MB5110BDC67D92F8FEBFAA3D219C079@DM6PR09MB5110.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <DM6PR09MB5110538A122970FB3F4659E59C079@DM6PR09MB5110.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <DM6PR09MB5110A84D416271538B47E07E9C0D9@DM6PR09MB5110.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <DM6PR09MB5110E646E376F0D622D399A19C149@DM6PR09MB5110.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <DM6PR09MB5110917ED3F0BE34E75438389CDD9@DM6PR09MB5110.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <MN2PR09MB56737B000970E72FAF0591888EDD9@MN2PR09MB5673.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <CO6PR09MB823026B33E1DA15BCE4BE80188DD9@CO6PR09MB8230.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <MN2PR09MB5673E4D144EA9E6FE2AB3AB28EDD9@MN2PR09MB5673.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <MN2PR09MB567339FB25983D3DDAB649B78EA29@MN2PR09MB5673.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <CO6PR09MB8230AECA54655F6505B4BE5088A29@CO6PR09MB8230.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <MN2PR09MB56736DFAC24F39ABF3248B7A8EA29@MN2PR09MB5673.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <MN2PR09MB567327898ADEC08443A83BC98EA29@MN2PR09MB5673.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
 <DM8PR09MB6200C3CA9C867408C13C11DFE9A39@DM8PR09MB6200.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <SA9PR09MB5454FA0943E8E7EC7C81B1D8F9A39@SA9PR09MB5454.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>


(THIS IS NOT A VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT)

US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Seattle office – OCR Seattle is collecting resumes for General Attorney positions at the GS-0905-11 and GS-0905-12 grade levels.  If you know of interested and qualified persons, please have them submit resumes by e-mail to OCRJobs at ed.gov<mailto:OCRJobs at ed.gov> or by mail to Nichelle Boone, Room 4C144, U.S, Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20202.

OCR maintains a resume bank from which candidates may be selected for consideration to fill vacancies for positions in OCR as they arise. OCR accepts resumes from individuals who are eligible for consideration for noncompetitive hiring via:  Schedule A Persons with Disabilities appointments (5 CFR 213.3102(u)); Veterans’ Recruitment Appointments; Excepted Hiring Authority for Attorneys; and former Peace Corps and Americorps appointees (22 USC 2506).

If you are interested in working at OCR and are eligible for consideration under any of these hiring authorities, please send your resume to OCRJobs at ed.gov<mailto:OCRJobs at ed.gov>.  In your email, please indicate the type of position as well as the regional office or offices for which you would like to be considered (Enforcement Offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and/or Washington DC; the Program Legal Group in Washington DC, or the Resource Management Group in Washington DC). Office information can be found https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/addresses.html

After submitting your resume, you will receive an email confirming that your resume has been received. OCR will keep your resume on file for possible consideration for 365 days following the date of submission. Please note, however, that the OCRJobs at ed.gov<mailto:OCRJobs at ed.gov> account is not staffed to respond to questions. Should you be selected for consideration, you will be contacted by OCR to confirm your continued interest.  Candidates are also encouraged to check www.usajobs.gov<http://www.usajobs.gov> for OCR positions as well.



Below are the links for OCR USAJOBS vacancy announcements for the General Attorney, GS-0905-11/12 FPL 13 and the Equal Opportunity Specialist, GS-0360-11/12, FPL-12 in various locations.

OCR-HQ-2023-0027, General Attorney GS-0905-11/12<https://www.usajobs.gov/job/706336500>
Open Period: 02/13/2023 to 05/15/2023
Department/Organization: Department of Education/office for Civil Rights
Location:  Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, San Fran, Seattle, Atlanta, Boston, Metro, New York, Philadelphia
Series & Grade: GS-0905-11/12
Who May Apply: Open to US citizens


OCR-HQ-2023-0029, Equal Opportunity Specialist, GS-360-11/12 FPL 12, DE<https://www.usajobs.gov/job/706355600>
Open Period: 2/13/23 – 5/15/2023
Department/Organization: Department of Education/Office for Civil Rights
Locations: Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, San Fran, Seattle, Atlanta, Boston, Metro, New York, Philadelphia
Series & Grade: GS-0360-11/12
Who May Apply: Open to US citizens. If you are a current or former federal employee or are eligible under a special hiring authority (VEOA, Schedule A, etc.), you may be eligible to apply under the concurrently advertised merit promotion vacancy announcement: OCR-HQ-2023-0030.


OCR-HQ-2023-0030, Equal Opportunity Specialist, GS-360-11/12 FPL 12, MP<https://www.usajobs.gov/job/706357800>
Open Period: 2/13/23 – 5/15/2023
Department: Office for Civil Rights/Department of Education
Locations: Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, San Fran, Seattle, Atlanta, Boston, Metro, New York, Philadelphia
Series & Grade: GS-0360-11/12
Who May Apply: Current federal civilian employees in the competitive service on permanent career or career-conditional appointments; Former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; Current federal employees eligible under Interchange Agreements; and Applicants eligible under special hiring authorities (Schedule A, etc.). If you do not meet one of these categories, you may apply under the concurrently advertised vacancy announcement: OCR-HQ-2023-0029, which is open to all United States Citizens.
--
--

From gerard.sadlier at gmail.com  Fri Feb 17 02:24:14 2023
From: gerard.sadlier at gmail.com (Gerard Sadlier)
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2023 02:24:14 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] US Insurance Law Books
Message-ID: <CAGZitzKwpEc6gSrxGY9SWqhyKSd3tV715QRP0NGvK_LsLvwO5g@mail.gmail.com>

Hello

Can anyone recommend the best books on US insurance law - preferably
available online/electronically?

Kind regards

Ger


From sai at fiatfiendum.org  Sat Feb 18 12:17:23 2023
From: sai at fiatfiendum.org (Sai)
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2023 12:17:23 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] US Insurance Law Books
In-Reply-To: <CAGZitzKwpEc6gSrxGY9SWqhyKSd3tV715QRP0NGvK_LsLvwO5g@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAGZitzKwpEc6gSrxGY9SWqhyKSd3tV715QRP0NGvK_LsLvwO5g@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CAHs-R5w5MQkgqLpxfg-MYxP-VofANPsZ+gKW=2enmcSuyCDy=A@mail.gmail.com>

I know nothing about insurance law, so I can't recommend anything in
particular, but I note that the archive.org print disabled collection has
several relevant titles, e.g.:

Boivin, Insurance law (2015}
Birds' modern insurance law (2001)
Jerry, Understanding insurance law (2012)
Life & health insurance law (2011)
Baker, Insurance law and policy: cases and materials Compendium of
insurance law (2007)

… etc. There are thousands of results:
https://archive.org/details/printdisabled?query=Insurance+law

How to get access:
https://archive.org/details/printdisabled?tab=about

Automatic approval and easy to do with BARD or Bookshare.org account.

Mind that these are nearly all scans, not native electronic, so expect the
usual OCR issues.


Might be better to first find out what texts are best and then search for
those. E.g. check a law school insurance class syllabus, or ask specialists
what the best treatises are, or check court opinions, since they're
sometimes cited.

For instance from a quick case search of "insurance treatise" I found this
case:
https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=6678956816289320549
which cites Couch on Insurance (3d Ed.1998)
which isn't in archive.org. But others might be (or might be on
bookshare.org, I haven't checked).

Another case cited Appleman On Insurance; another Louisiana Civil Law
Treatise—Insurance Law and Practice. Again both not on archive.org, don't
know if they're on bookshare.org.

Sincerely,
Sai
President, Fiat Fiendum, Inc., a 501(c)(3)

Sent from my mobile phone; please excuse the concision, typos, and
autocorrect errors.

On Fri, 17 Feb 2023, 02:25 Gerard Sadlier via BlindLaw, <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> Hello
>
> Can anyone recommend the best books on US insurance law - preferably
> available online/electronically?
>
> Kind regards
>
> Ger
>
> _______________________________________________
> BlindLaw mailing list
> BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> BlindLaw:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/sai%40fiatfiendum.org
>

From glnorman15 at hotmail.com  Mon Feb 20 23:22:03 2023
From: glnorman15 at hotmail.com (GL Norman)
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2023 23:22:03 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] Question From Gary C. Norman, Esq. L.L.M. Annual Meeting
Message-ID: <MN2PR02MB67508EB5AAB86A4727B71281D1A49@MN2PR02MB6750.namprd02.prod.outlook.com>

>From Gary c. Norman, Esq. L.L.M.
P.S. Richard E. Shermanski, Esq. (my current mentee), the President Elect Santini (who takes office in 2024), and I will host a light food and forum at the annual meeting brokering more relational connection as to disability in the practice. If you have ideas, please share. If you want, feel free to join us for breakfast on 4 March in Towson, Md as we think through the program.

Friends:
A new friend, and a colleague also committed to disability inclusion, and I have had a panel accepted for the annual meeting in Ocean City, Maryland. Broadly, the panel will multi-task two topics with the overall theme of increasing accessibility and inclusion from a disability-centric point of focus within the profession and in terms of client service delivery.
Action Request: I need your prompt input on an intersectional speaker for the panel. That is someone with a disability but also a concurrent minority status, e.g., color or gender identity.
Helpful ideas are:

  *   I would think we want the speaker to practice here in Maryland or in a near-by jurisdiction, such as Wash. D.C. particularly.
  *   I, Gary, represent, a visible disability perspective. So, it would be good to have a speaker with one or more disabilities, especially an invisible one.
  *   As a panel, we will eventually have more planning meetings. Ideally, we will have some sort of after-action deliverable generating from the panel. Should Maryland, for instance, have a Section or Comm. Related to lawyers and law students with disabilities? (No. It does not yet. It does, however, have a great Disability and Elder Rights Section - not quite the same thing.)


From Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov  Fri Feb 24 20:34:43 2023
From: Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov (Nightingale, Noel)
Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2023 20:34:43 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] After a Decade of Noncompliance,
 DOJ Issues Report on Federal Website Accessibility - Nextgov -
 February 23, 2023
In-Reply-To: <SA0PR09MB70012F77EABC72EC1ECAA90595A89@SA0PR09MB7001.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
References: <SA0PR09MB70012F77EABC72EC1ECAA90595A89@SA0PR09MB7001.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <SA9PR09MB5454ECBAD3F8ED988C34C3A5F9A89@SA9PR09MB5454.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>


https://www.nextgov.com/cxo-briefing/2023/02/after-decade-non-compliance-doj-issues-report-accessibility-federal-websites/383280/
After a Decade of Noncompliance, DOJ Issues Report on Federal Website Accessibility
By Edward Graham
Nextgov
February 23, 2023

The release of the Justice Department's first Section 508 report since 2012 comes after lawmakers raised bipartisan concerns about agencies' continued inability to meet federal technology accessibility standards.
The Department of Justice this week released a report on the accessibility of the federal government's websites and digital technologies for the first time in more than a decade-and the data shows that federal agencies still have work to do when it comes to making their electronic services available to all Americans.
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which was last amended in 1998, requires that federal agencies make their "information and communication technology" accessible to people with disabilities. As part of the mandate, the DOJ is required to report to the president and Congress every two years about agencies' compliance with online accessibility standards. But the DOJ's last Section 508 report was released in 2012, spurring bipartisan congressional outrage about the department's lack of adherence to oversight and transparency standards when it comes to meeting legally-required accessibility requirements for the roughly 26% of adult Americans living with a disability.
The latest Section 508 report, issued by the DOJ and the General Services Administration on Feb. 21, found that one in 10 agencies' websites were not fully accessible for Americans with disabilities, and that several large federal entities-such as the State Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs-were found to have 50% or less of their tested websites in compliance with Section 508's accessibility requirements.
Additionally, the report noted that "3 of 24 (12.5%) CFO Act agencies are not testing intranet pages," raising questions about certain federal entities' ability to maintain compliance with accessibility standards. And the report also found that some government agencies-including DOJ and the Department of Defense-did not have adequate "resources committed and/or staff trained to implement policies, processes and procedures" when it came to meeting and supporting Section 508 accessibility requirements.
The DOJ said the report is "based on data from February 2021 through August 2022 that was collected and analyzed by GSA."
The release of the DOJ's long-delayed Section 508 report comes after a June 2021 review by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation found that, of the 72 most popular government websites, "30 percent did not pass an automated accessibility test for their homepage."
Congressional lawmakers over the past year have also pushed for the DOJ to enhance its oversight of agencies' compliance with Section 508, with much of this work being led by the Senate Aging Committee. In December, committee Chairman Bob Casey, D-Pa., released the findings of an 11-month investigation conducted by the panel, which found "widespread failure across the federal government to ensure that federal technology is accessible for people with disabilities, older adults and veterans."
Casey and a bipartisan group of senators also wrote a letter to DOJ last June that called for the department to restart issuing its biennial Section 508 reports, noting that "without regular reports, Congress, taxpayers and agencies themselves lack a crucial source of feedback for identifying and resolving longstanding accessibility issues."
Although DOJ's latest Section 508 report is the first public review of agencies' compliance with electronic accessibility standards in more than a decade, some lawmakers are already pushing for the agency to take additional steps in order to meet its legally-mandated duties.
A press release from Casey criticized the formatting of DOJ's latest report, noting that the senator "is calling for DOJ to improve transparency around Section 508 compliance by returning to their mandated biennial reporting and ensuring their reports are modeled more closely after the agency's 2012 web accessibility report instead of an abridged data set that DOJ released this week."
"Unfortunately, after a decade of keeping the public in the dark, the Department of Justice has not provided Americans with disabilities insight into what progress has been made over that time period-which will make it harder for the federal government to remedy these issues and ultimately improve web and technology accessibility," Casey added in a statement.



From sanho817 at gmail.com  Sat Feb 25 04:30:06 2023
From: sanho817 at gmail.com (Sanho Steele-Louchart)
Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2023 22:30:06 -0600
Subject: [blindLaw] Samll Firm/Solo Practice
Message-ID: <CAL6jpex=62Lf-PcexnZOEKSefhQDK+stPA=CgEEGNEm5SWk15w@mail.gmail.com>

All,

Would anyone here be willing to privately discuss the particulars of
small firm/solo practice as a blind attorney?

Warmth,
Sanho

-- 
He/Him


From jeffjayjohnston at gmail.com  Sat Feb 25 18:42:17 2023
From: jeffjayjohnston at gmail.com (JJ Johnston)
Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2023 10:42:17 -0800
Subject: [blindLaw] Samll Firm/Solo Practice
In-Reply-To: <CAL6jpex=62Lf-PcexnZOEKSefhQDK+stPA=CgEEGNEm5SWk15w@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAL6jpex=62Lf-PcexnZOEKSefhQDK+stPA=CgEEGNEm5SWk15w@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <00ee01d94948$e373a460$aa5aed20$@gmail.com>

If so, I'd really appreciate being able to listen in on the call.

Jay

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sanho
Steele-Louchart via BlindLaw
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2023 8:30 PM
To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Sanho Steele-Louchart <sanho817 at gmail.com>
Subject: [blindLaw] Samll Firm/Solo Practice

All,

Would anyone here be willing to privately discuss the particulars of small
firm/solo practice as a blind attorney?

Warmth,
Sanho

--
He/Him

_______________________________________________
BlindLaw mailing list
BlindLaw at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
BlindLaw:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/jeffjayjohnston%40gmai
l.com



From rothmanjd at gmail.com  Sun Feb 26 04:06:32 2023
From: rothmanjd at gmail.com (rothmanjd at gmail.com)
Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2023 23:06:32 -0500
Subject: [blindLaw] Job Opportunities: CMS
Message-ID: <05c301d94997$b616fef0$2244fcd0$@gmail.com>

 

 

Friends,

Please find below two job opportunities in my office at the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services.  These both have short suspense dates.  Please
share with your networks.

 

The following job announcement is for a Prevention of Workplace Harassment
(PWH) Specialist, Affirmative Employment Group, Office of Equal Opportunity
and Civil Rights, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, GS-0260-13.  The
job announcement closes Thursday, March 2, 2023:

 
<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usajo
bs.gov%2FGetJob%2FViewDetails%2F708439200&data=05%7C01%7CRonza.Othman%40cms.
hhs.gov%7Cbf009f68377845aa730f08db166f5d02%7Cfbdcedc170a9414bbfa5c3063fc3395
e%7C0%7C0%7C638128439844670249%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiL
CJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Kkv%2Frf
nWzeA6BN0OASPXlZeHptvUk%2FYYzUcSiUlRrmM%3D&reserved=0>
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/708439200

 

The following job announcement is for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
(DEI) Strategist, Affirmative Employment Group (AEG), Office of Equal
Opportunity and Civil Rights, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,
GS-0260-13.  The job announcement closes Thursday, March 2, 2023.  As a DEI
Strategist, GS-0260-13, the successful candidate will be a principal advisor
to the AEG Director on CMS-wide diversity initiatives in support of the CMS
DEI Strategic Plan:

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/708408200
<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usajo
bs.gov%2Fjob%2F708408200&data=05%7C01%7CRonza.Othman%40cms.hhs.gov%7C1501ef7
93bef448acd3408db16702c97%7Cfbdcedc170a9414bbfa5c3063fc3395e%7C0%7C0%7C63812
8443329104758%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLC
JBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=b7q3iFU8MkKBsOGN5i%2B7FOt
%2FojGN6rV1b6LmUgCiyYY%3D&reserved=0>  

 

 

 

 

 

Ronza Othman, President

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

443-426-4110

Pronouns: she, her, hers

 

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not
the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back

 


From rahul.bajaj1038 at gmail.com  Sun Feb 26 08:27:44 2023
From: rahul.bajaj1038 at gmail.com (Rahul Bajaj)
Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2023 13:57:44 +0530
Subject: [blindLaw] Indian Supreme Court's Accessibility COmmittee: request
 for inputs
Message-ID: <CADFycPYsCkkh1x2A5Vo2H-UJvzPV-p0GjNw_aFSnAYBCKdrtSg@mail.gmail.com>

Hi All,

The Indian Supreme Court has set up an accessibility committee which has
been tasked with conducting a physical and functional audit of how
accessible the Supreme Court is for the disabled and making recommendations
to make it better.

I am part of that Committee. Can you please share any inputs on
recommendations we should make? Thank you.

Rahul

-- 
--
Rahul Bajaj
Attorney, Ira Law
Senior Associate Fellow, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy
Rhodes Scholar (India and Linacre 2018), University of Oxford
Co-Founder, Mission Accessibility
Special Correspondent on the rights of persons with disabilities, Oxford
Human Rights Hub
Coordinator of the working group on accessibility, e-Committee, Supreme
Court of India

From Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov  Tue Feb 28 21:01:41 2023
From: Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov (Nightingale, Noel)
Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:01:41 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] Subminimum Wage Employment Of People With Disabilities
 Declines Sharply - Disability Scoop - February 27, 2023
In-Reply-To: <SA0PR09MB700185FCF5F7BEEDE2330B4595AC9@SA0PR09MB7001.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
References: <SA0PR09MB700185FCF5F7BEEDE2330B4595AC9@SA0PR09MB7001.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <SA9PR09MB5454C227694A2CABD5B54617F9AC9@SA9PR09MB5454.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>


https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/02/27/subminimum-wage-employment-of-people-with-disabilities-declines-sharply/30258/
Subminimum Wage Employment Of People With Disabilities Declines Sharply
By Michelle Diament
Disability Scoop
February 27, 2023

Amid an ongoing push to end a decades-old practice allowing workers with disabilities to be paid less than minimum wage, a new federal investigation finds that such employment has dropped by more than half.
Between 2010 and 2019, the number of people with disabilities nationwide earning what's known as subminimum wage fell from 296,000 to 122,000, according to a report<https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-105116> out this month from the Government Accountability Office.
At the same time, employer participation in the program declined from 3,117 to 1,567, the report found. And, that number continues to decrease, with fewer than 1,300 employers authorized as of August 2021.
Under a law dating back to the 1930s, employers can obtain special 14(c) certificates from the U.S. Department of Labor authorizing them to hire people with disabilities at less than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
But momentum in recent years has shifted toward competitive integrated employment and away from subminimum wage with changes to federal law and an increasing number of cities and states banning the practice.
Notably, Congress enacted strict limits<https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/07/22/obama-law-limiting-sheltered/19538/> on subminimum wage employment in 2014 with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Under that law, individuals with disabilities age 24 or younger cannot work for subminimum wage without first showing that they have received transition services, pursued employment through vocational rehabilitation and that they have been provided information and referrals to other options in their area. What's more, those being paid less than minimum wage must receive career counseling and information about training opportunities once every six months during the first year and annually after that.
For the latest report, GAO investigators reviewed data on subminimum wage employment, surveyed 14(c) employers from across the country and interviewed other stakeholders.
They found that nearly all workers employed under 14(c) certificates had intellectual and developmental disabilities. Most were white and between the ages of 25 and 54 and the majority earned less than $3.50 per hour.
While the Labor Department is charged with ensuring that employers with 14(c) certificates accurately calculate workers' wages, GAO found that the process for conducting this oversight is often delayed, in some cases by as long as two years.
"Emphasizing the importance of competitive employment has become a national public policy priority for disability employment," GAO investigators concluded. "At the same time, tens of thousands of individuals with disabilities are employed in the 14(c) program and paid subminimum wages. (The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division) has a responsibility to oversee the program and employers' compliance with applicable laws and regulations."
GAO recommends that the Labor Department establish timeliness goals for processing 14(c) applications, among other steps.
"Paying workers less than the minimum wage is unacceptable. Everyone deserves to be paid a fair wage, and Americans with disabilities are no exception," said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., one of the lawmakers who asked GAO to investigate. "The report shows that we still have much more to do to lift up people with disabilities by raising their wages and creating competitive jobs in workplaces that employ both workers with and without disabilities."



From Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov  Tue Feb 28 21:23:50 2023
From: Noel.Nightingale at ed.gov (Nightingale, Noel)
Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:23:50 +0000
Subject: [blindLaw] Jahinnslerth Orozco v. Merrick Garland,
 No. 21-5238 (D.C. Cir. 2023) - Justia - February 28, 2023
In-Reply-To: <SA0PR09MB7001DD45B92E640D612E61E295AC9@SA0PR09MB7001.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
References: <SA0PR09MB7001DD45B92E640D612E61E295AC9@SA0PR09MB7001.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <SA9PR09MB5454F4242EBF6B3D1670D473F9AC9@SA9PR09MB5454.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>


https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/cadc/21-5238/21-5238-2023-02-17.html
Jahinnslerth Orozco v. Merrick Garland, No. 21-5238 (D.C. Cir. 2023)
Justia
February 28, 2023

Justia Opinion Summary
Appellant, an intelligence analyst at the FBI, wants his employer to use available software that is accessible to blind employees like himself. Both parties agree that Section 794d of the Rehabilitation Act generally requires federal agencies, including the FBI, to use technology that is accessible to employees with disabilities. But the district court dismissed Appellant's action on the ground that the Rehabilitation Act does not give him any right to bring a lawsuit against the FBI to enforce that obligation.

The DC Circuit reversed. The court held that the plain text of Section 794d extends a private right of action to all persons with disabilities who file administrative complaints requesting accessible technology and who seek only injunctive and declaratory relief. The court explained that Congress amended 29 U.S.C. Section 794d to make sure that agencies would fulfill their responsibility to procure technology that allows employees with disabilities to participate fully in the workplace. To enforce that duty, Congress expressly provided a private right of action to any individual with a disability, including a federal employee, who first files an administrative complaint about inaccessible technology-a group of which Appellant is undoubtedly a member.