The ACB Braille Forum
Vol. LIII May 2015 No. 11

Published by
the American Council of the Blind

*

Be A Part of ACB

The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the national office at 1-800-424-8666.

** Contribute to Our Work

Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Attn: Treasurer, ACB, 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 195, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If your wishes are complex, call the national office.

To make a contribution to ACB by the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155.

** Check in with ACB

For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the “Washington Connection” 24/7 at 1-800-424-8666, or read it online.

Listen to ACB Reports by downloading the MP3 file from www.acb.org, or call (231) 460-1061 and choose option 3. Tune in to ACB Radio at www.acbradio.org or by calling (231) 460-1047.

Learn more about us at www.acb.org. Follow us on Twitter at @acbnational, or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanCounciloftheBlindOfficial.

© 2015 American Council of the Blind
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor
2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201

***

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement

President’s Message: Riding the Rails, by Kim Charlson

ACB Sues Four D.C. Cab Companies for Discrimination Against People Who Use Guide Dogs, by Melanie Brunson

Convention Week Sneak Preview, by Janet Dickelman

Show Your Love for ACB and Get the Chance to Win up to $5,000!

Got an Amendment for the ACB Constitution and Bylaws? A Few Reminders, by John Huffman

Join the Stampede at the ACB Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk, by Donna Brown

An Update on Giving Societies, by Tom Tobin

ACB Monthly Monetary Support Program (MMS) Funds Many Useful Services, by George Holliday

Seeing Can Be Deceiving, by Ken Stewart

Affiliate News

Passings

Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski

High Tech Swap Shop

UEB, by Nancy Scott

ACB Officers, Board of Directors, and Board of Publications

Accessing Your ACB Braille and E-Forums

** Are You Moving? Do You Want to Change Your Subscription?

Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, [email protected]. Give her the information, and she'll take care of the changes for you.

The ACB E-Forum
Volume LIII April 2015 No. 10

Published by
the American Council of the Blind

*

** Be A Part of ACB

The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the national office at 1-800-424-8666.

** Contribute to Our Work

Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Attn: Treasurer, ACB, 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 195, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If your wishes are complex, call the national office.

To make a contribution to ACB by the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155.

** Check in with ACB

For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the “Washington Connection” 24/7 at 1-800-424-8666, or read it online.

Listen to ACB Reports by downloading the MP3 file from www.acb.org, or call (231) 460-1061 and choose option 3. Tune in to ACB Radio at www.acbradio.org or by calling (231) 460-1047.

Learn more about us at www.acb.org. Follow us on Twitter at @acbnational, or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanCounciloftheBlindOfficial.

© 2015 American Council of the Blind
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor
2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201

All content created initially for use by ACB in publications, in any media on any web site domains administered by ACB, or as a broadcast or podcast on ACB Radio, archived or not, is considered to be the property of the American Council of the Blind. Creative content that appears elsewhere originally remains the property of the original copyright holder. Those responsible for creative content submitted initially to ACB are free to permit their materials to appear elsewhere with proper attribution and prior notification to the ACB national office.

***

Table of Contents

President’s Message: What Can Marrakesh Do to Help Make Books Accessible for Everyone?, by Kim Charlson

ACB Legislative Imperatives for 2015, by Melanie Brunson

The Bright Stars Align over Dallas, by Janet Dickelman

FIA Reflects on Turning 30 and Looks Forward to the Future, by Dwayne Estes

Walk with the Stars at the ACB Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk, by Donna Brown

Seeking Helpers for the 2015 Information Desk, by Vicky Prahin

Come One, Come All to the Lone Star Loot Auction!

Product Evaluations and Guides: A Review of the Odin VI: An Accessible Feature Phone from Odin Mobile, by Bill Holton

Passings

Affiliate News

Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski

High Tech Swap Shop

Blind Bind, by John Lee Clark

The ACB Braille Forum
Vol. LIII March 2015 No. 9

Published by
the American Council of the Blind

Be A Part of ACB

The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the national office at 1-800-424-8666.

Contribute to Our Work

Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Attn: Treasurer, ACB, 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 195, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If your wishes are complex, call the national office.

To make a contribution to ACB by the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155.

Check in with ACB

For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the “Washington Connection” 24/7 at 1-800-424-8666, or read it online.

Listen to ACB Reports by downloading the MP3 file from www.acb.org, or call (231) 460-1061 and choose option 3. Tune in to ACB Radio at www.acbradio.org or by calling (231) 460-1047.

Learn more about us at www.acb.org. Follow us on Twitter at @acbnational, or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanCounciloftheBlindOfficial.

© 2015 American Council of the Blind
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor
2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement

President’s Message: More on Accessible Prescription Labels, by Kim Charlson

Tax Tips from the IRS, by Melanie Brunson

ACB’s Stars Will Shine Bright in Dallas, by Janet Dickelman

Last Call: The DKM Train Is Leaving the Station, by Allen Casey

Let the Stars Shine Bright on the ACB Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk, by Donna Brown

Call for Nominees for 2015 ACB Awards!, by Chelle Hart & Chip Hailey

Board of Publications Again Awards Your Excellence in Media and Writing in 2015

Come to the Lone Star Loot Auction!

The Importance of Grassroots, by Kathy Brockman

Best Audio Holiday Season Ever, by Susan Glass

A Telecommuting Job Could Be Just What You Are Looking For, by Dr. Ronald E. Milliman

Affiliate News

Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski

The ACB E-Forum
Volume LIII February 2015 No. 8

Published by
the American Council of the Blind

*

** Be A Part of ACB

The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the national office at 1-800-424-8666.

** Contribute to Our Work

Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Attn: Treasurer, ACB, 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 195, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If your wishes are complex, call the national office.

To make a contribution to ACB by the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155.

** Check in with ACB

For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the “Washington Connection” 24/7 at 1-800-424-8666, or read it online.

Listen to ACB Reports by downloading the MP3 file from www.acb.org, or call (231) 460-1061 and choose option 3. Tune in to ACB Radio at www.acbradio.org or by calling (231) 460-1047.

Learn more about us at www.acb.org. Follow us on Twitter at @acbnational, or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanCounciloftheBlindOfficial.

© 2015 American Council of the Blind
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor
2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201

***

Table of Contents

President’s Message: Randolph-Sheppard: A Program Providing Opportunities, by Kim Charlson

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing Launches Phase 2 of Money Reader Distribution Program, by Melanie Brunson

Congress Passes ABLE Act: Major Victory for People with Disabilities and Their Families

Come to Dallas, Where the Stars Shine Bright, by Janet Dickelman

Come and Bid at the Lone Star Loot Auction!

There’s a First Time for Everything, by Allen Casey

Santa Comes to ACB Radio, by Carla Ruschival

Fighting for Equal Opportunities: Perkins’ trailblazing Kim Charlson makes history again as first woman president of the American Council of the Blind, by Bill Winter

MIT Ring-Like Device Scans Texts and Reads to the Blind in Real Time, by Rodrique Ngowi

Life Is Unpredictable – Embrace It, by Larry Johnson

Between Two Worlds: From Vision to Blindness, by Teddie-Joy Remhild

New Items in Store at the ACB Mini Mall, by Carla Ruschival

Affiliate News

Passings

Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski

High Tech Swap Shop


** Are You Moving? Do You Want to Change Your Subscription?

Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, [email protected]. Give her the information, and she'll take care of the changes for you.


** ACB Radio has a new and improved web site; come see for yourself at www.acbradio.org.

** Got talent? Tell us about you: [email protected]

Published by
the American Council of the Blind

*

** Be A Part of ACB

The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the national office at 1-800-424-8666.

** Contribute to Our Work

Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Attn: Treasurer, ACB, 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 195, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If your wishes are complex, call the national office.

To make a contribution to ACB by the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155.

** Check in with ACB

For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the “Washington Connection” 24/7 at 1-800-424-8666, or read it online.

Listen to ACB Reports by downloading the MP3 file from www.acb.org, or call (231) 460-1061 and choose option 3. Tune in to ACB Radio at www.acbradio.org or by calling (231) 460-1047.

Learn more about us at www.acb.org. Follow us on Twitter at @acbnational, or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanCounciloftheBlindOfficial.

© 2014 American Council of the Blind
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor
2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201

***

Table of Contents

President’s Message: ACB and Braille: An Ongoing Commitment, by Kim Charlson

Time to Register for Midyear, Legislative Seminar!, by Melanie Brunson

Touring Texas, by Janet Dickelman

Celebrate Durward’s Centennial: Be a DKM First-Timer, by Allen Casey

Announcing the American Council of the Blind Legacy Society

Accessing the ACB Forum and E-Forum: Let Me Count the Ways, by Judy Wilkinson

Advocacy, ACB Style, by Mitch Pomerantz

And the Winner Is …, by Mike Godino

Summary of the Fall 2014 ACB Board Meeting, by Denise Colley

Affiliate News

Letters from Our Readers: Animal Planet, by Penny Reeder

Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski

High Tech Swap Shop


** Are You Moving? Do You Want to Change Your Subscription?

Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, [email protected]. Give her the information, and she'll take care of the changes for you.


** All blind musicians, all the time at the ACB Radio Café, www.acbradio.org/cafe.

** ACB Radio Mainstream has blindness-related news you can use at www.acbradio.org/mainstream.

The ACB Braille Forum
Vol. LIII November 2014 No. 5

Published by
the American Council of the Blind

*

The American Council of the Blind strives to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people.

Kim Charlson, President
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor

National Office:
2200 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
(202) 467-5081
fax: (703) 465-5085
Web site: http://www.acb.org

The ACB Braille Forum (TM) is available in braille, large print, half-speed four-track cassette tape, data CD, and via e-mail. Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to [email protected].

The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the national office at the number listed above.

Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Attn: Treasurer, ACB, 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 195, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If your wishes are complex, call the national office.

To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155.

For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or read it online.

Copyright 2014
American Council of the Blind

All content created initially for use by ACB in publications, in any media on any web site domains administered by ACB, or as a broadcast or podcast on ACB Radio, archived or not, is considered to be the property of the American Council of the Blind. Creative content that appears elsewhere originally remains the property of the original copyright holder. Those responsible for creative content submitted initially to ACB are free to permit their materials to appear elsewhere with proper attribution and prior notification to the ACB national office.

***

Table of Contents

President’s Report to the National Convention, Part III, by Kim Charlson

Snowflakes and Birthday Cake: It’s Holiday Auction Time, by Carla Ruschival

Convention Attendees Find ‘The Real Deal’ in Las Vegas, by Sharon Lovering

Honor Achievement as You Celebrate the Holidays

Summary of 2014 ACB Resolutions

Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski

High Tech Swap Shop

** Forum Subscription Notes

You can now get “The ACB Braille Forum” by podcast! To subscribe, go to “The ACB Braille Forum” page on www.acb.org. If you do not yet have a podcast client, you can download one from the Forum page.

To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" and “The ACB E-Forum” via e-mail, go to www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/brailleforum-L.

** Are You Moving? Do You Want to Change Your Subscription?

Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, [email protected]. Give her the information, and she'll take care of the changes for you.

The ACB E-Forum
Volume LIII October 2014 No. 4

Published by
the American Council of the Blind

*

The American Council of the Blind strives to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people.

Kim Charlson, President
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor

National Office:
2200 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
(202) 467-5081
fax: (703) 465-5085
Web site: http://www.acb.org

The ACB E-Forum (TM) is available via e-mail, as well as via download from www.acb.org. Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to [email protected].

The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the national office at the number listed above.

Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Attn: Treasurer, ACB, 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 195, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If your wishes are complex, call the national office.

To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155.

For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or read it online.

Copyright 2014
American Council of the Blind

All content created initially for use by ACB in publications, in any media on any web site domains administered by ACB, or as a broadcast or podcast on ACB Radio, archived or not, is considered to be the property of the American Council of the Blind. Creative content that appears elsewhere originally remains the property of the original copyright holder. Those responsible for creative content submitted initially to ACB are free to permit their materials to appear elsewhere with proper attribution and prior notification to the ACB national office.

***

Table of Contents

President’s Report to the National Convention, Part II, by Kim Charlson

An Update on ACB’s Annual Giving Programs and a Thank-You to Some Very Special Donors, by Melanie Brunson

Audio Description Awards Announced

Traveling to Dallas, by Janet Dickelman

Snowflakes and Birthday Cake: 2014 ACB Radio Holiday Auction, by Carla Ruschival

Let Your Light Shine: Be a DKM First-Timer, by Allen Casey

Getting Help with Your Medicare Costs When Money Is Tight, by Ron Pollack

Two Weeks to Go, by Deon Lyons

Embracing Life Is Key for Disabled, Society, by Larry Johnson

Teen Engineer Develops a Braille Printer out of LEGOs, by Robert Kingett

Who Was Laura Bridgman?, by Elizabeth Fiorite

Helping the Hospitality Industry Become More Hospitable, by Ken Stewart

Affiliate News

Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski

High Tech Swap Shop

The ACB Braille Forum
Volume LIII July 2014 No. 1

Published by
the American Council of the Blind

*

The American Council of the Blind strives to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people.

Kim Charlson, President
Melanie Brunson, Executive Director
Sharon Lovering, Editor

National Office:
2200 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
(202) 467-5081
fax: (703) 465-5085
Web site: http://www.acb.org

The ACB Braille Forum (TM) is available in braille, large print, half-speed four-track cassette tape, data CD, and via e-mail. Subscription requests, address changes, and items intended for publication should be sent to Sharon Lovering at the address above, or via e-mail to [email protected].

The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the national office at the number listed above.

Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Attn: Treasurer, ACB, 6300 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 195, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If your wishes are complex, call the national office.

To make a contribution to ACB via the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155.

For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" toll-free at (800) 424-8666, 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern time, or read it online.

Copyright 2014
American Council of the Blind

All content created initially for use by ACB in publications, in any media on any web site domains administered by ACB, or as a broadcast or podcast on ACB Radio, archived or not, is considered to be the property of the American Council of the Blind. Creative content that appears elsewhere originally remains the property of the original copyright holder. Those responsible for creative content submitted initially to ACB are free to permit their materials to appear elsewhere with proper attribution and prior notification to the ACB national office.

***

Table of Contents

President’s Message: More Prescription Drug Access Coming to Your Neighborhood, by Kim Charlson

Staying Connected in Vegas, by Janet Dickelman

ACB at the Other End of Your Telephone Wire, by Marlaina Lieberg

Getting Health Insurance When You Retire Early, by Ron Pollack

Board of Publications Gives You the Chance to Let Your Voice Be Heard

Why Do We Fear the Blind?, by Rosemary Mahoney

Blind Purdue Grad Works to Make Science Accessible, by Hayleigh Colombo

Musings: ACB Past, Present and Future, by Paul Edwards

Affiliate News

Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski

High Tech Swap Shop

** Forum Subscription Notes

You can now get "The Braille Forum" by podcast! To subscribe, go to "The Braille Forum" page on www.acb.org. If you do not yet have a podcast client, you can download one from the Forum page.

To subscribe to "The Braille Forum" via e-mail, go to www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/brailleforum-L.

** Are You Moving? Do You Want to Change Your Subscription?

Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, [email protected]. Give her the information, and she'll take care of the changes for you.