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.

Table of Contents

President’s Message: Which One Do I Take?, by Kim Charlson

Hetlioz Is Now Available

Inaccessibility of GSA Web Site Results in Class-Action Lawsuit, by Eric Bridges

Update on the Marrakech Treaty, by Melanie Brunson

Fun for All in Las Vegas, by Janet Dickelman

Welcome to Nevada Party Features Sock Hop

DKM: Invest in the Future

It’s Vegas, Baby!, by Lynn Hedl

Extra, Extra! Convention Newspaper Now Seeking Volunteers

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved: Readying for Resolutions at Our July Conference and Convention, by Mark Richert

One Book, One ACB

Don’t Miss This Year’s Membership Seminar!

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

Here Comes the Bride (Or, Get Me to the Church on Time!), by DeAnna Quietwater Noriega

Understanding Hospice Care and Medicare Coverage, by Ron Pollack

Affiliate-Sponsored Leadership Training, compiled by Ardis Bazyn

Passings

Affiliate News

Here and There, edited by Sharon Strzalkowski

High Tech Swap Shop

** Correction

The number for the Minnesota office was given incorrectly in the May issue. It should have read (612) 332-3242. We regret the error.

** 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.

** For news you can use, check out the new ACB Radio News and Information Service at acbradio.org.

** Check out ACB Radio Mainstream to keep abreast of happenings in the blind community.

The ACB Braille Forum

Vol. LII May 2014 No. 11



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 slovering at acb.org.

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: Building Communication Options for ACB, by Kim Charlson



Calling All Advocates!, by Melanie Brunson and Sheila Styron



Help for Non-24 on the Way, by Sharon Lovering



It's Your Convention: Join Us in Las Vegas, by Janet Dickelman



Audio Description Project: We Need You!, by Joel Snyder



Gambling on Leadership, by Jim Jirak



2014 Information Desk, by Vicky Prahin



Reminder about Constitution and Bylaws Amendments, by John Huffman



$$$ Win the $5,000 Grand Prize $$$



The ACB Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk: It's the Real Deal!, by Donna Brown



Play the Best Odds in the House and Win an Apple iPad!, by Dr. Ron Milliman



How to Get the Most from Your Vocational Rehabilitation Experience, Part IV:
Informed Choice, by Doug Powell



When You Need a Little Help: Alternatives to Nursing Home Care, by Ron
Pollack



Inaccessible Medical Equipment: Have You Experienced It?, by Chris Gray



My New Vision: What It's Like to See with the CentraSight Telescope Implant,
by Patty Gadjewski



What Are They to Think If ..., by Larry Johnson



Remembering Coletta Whitcomb Davis



Readers' Remembrances of Coletta Davis



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, slovering at acb.org. Give her the information, and she'll take care of
the changes for you.





** ACB Radio brings old-time radio drama to you 24/7 at
www.acbradio.org/trove.



** The ACB Radio Café features the work of blind artists 24/7 at
www.acbradio.org/café.

The ACB Braille Forum

Vol. LII March 2014 No. 9



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 slovering at acb.org.



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: Be Sure You Are Protected!, by Kim Charlson



ACB's Legislative Priorities for 2014, by Melanie Brunson



Las Vegas: Deal Us In!, by Janet Dickelman



DM First-Timer Selection Nears



Board of Publications Awards Your Excellence in 2014



Call for Nominees for 2014 ACB Awards!, by Chip Hailey and Chelle Hart



ACB Leadership Institute 2014



Come to Vegas and Hit the Jackpot!



How to Get the Most Out of Rehab, Part III: Available Services, by Doug
Powell



Conducting Business with Social Security: What You Should Know and How You
Can Help, by Len Burns



Summary of the Fall 2013 ACB Board Meeting, by Denise Colley



Membership Focus: Creative Ways to Meet, Especially in Rural Areas, compiled
by Ardis Bazyn



In Memoriam: Buddy Spivey, Dec. 31, 1941-Jan. 9, 2014



Affiliate News



Community Outreach Challenge, by Tristen Breitenfeldt



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, slovering at acb.org. Give her the information, and she'll take care of
the changes for you.