ACB Events

Re-experience the April 8, 2024 total eclipse of the sun through sound.

Harvard University’s Astronomy Department welcomes those who are blind or have low vision to experience the total eclipse of the sun, through use of the LightSound device which uses a technique called sonification, the process of converting data, in this case light intensity into sound.

The American Council of the Blind and ACB Media are proud to partner with Harvard to broadcast this amazing event where you experience and track through sound the eclipse as it reaches totality at different times from Texas through Vermont. Folks from many different organizations around the country connected their LightSound devices to Zoom as the eclipse reached totality at their location.

The podcast opens with an interview of Allyson Bieryla, Science Center Astronomy Lab and Telescope Manager, Harvard University Astronomer, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory who describes the LightSound Project, and demonstrates and explains the LighhtSound device.

For more information about the LightSound Project, go to The LightSound Project (harvard.edu)

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Bay State Council of the Blind Fall Conference Agenda, November 18, 2023

Morning Session

– Welcoming Remarks, David Kingsbury, BSCB President

– The Disability Tech Space, Sandy Lacey, Executive Director, Howe Innovation Center, Perkins School for the Blind

• Attendee introductions

– Overview of MCB Happenings, John Oliveira, Commissioner, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind

• 3-D Printing: A Viable Hobby for Blind and Low Vision Persons, Judy Dixon, author; Erin Fragola, Outreach Coordinator, Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library

• Get Up and Move, Door prizes, Jeanette Kutash with Leslie Spoone: Elizabeth Ann Johnson with door prizes,

Afternoon Session

• Deciphering What Sighted People Are Trying to Say with Body Language, Judy Dixon, author, Brian Charlson

• The New BSCB Code of Conduct Policy, Jennifer Harnish, Board Director

• Be My AI, Brian Charlson, BSCB Past President and Tech Guru

• A Sampling of ACB Special Interest Affiliates, Jeff Thom - Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss (AAVL); Paul Edwards, Past President, Library Users of America (LUA), Larry Gassman, Vice President, Diabetics in Action

• Get Up and Move Continued! Jeanette Kutash and Leslie Spoone

• A Little Afternoon Diversion

• Closing Remarks

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20231111 American Council of the Blind of Maine Convention 20231111 Afternoon Session

Afternoon Session

• Scholarship recipients announced.
• History of ACB Maine
• Business meeting.
• Jeff Thom - ACB National.
• Wrap up and closing.

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20231111 American Council of the Blind of Maine Convention 20231111 Morning Session

Morning Session

• Ground rules, attendance, and icebreaker.
• Linda will read proposed bylaw amendments.
• Blindness agencies panel – the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Catholic Charities Maine and the Iris Network.
• Disability Rights Maine - Jennifer Battis.
• Lotus Labs – Natalie Shearer.
• Remembrance of Leona McKenna.

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20230520-3 Bay State Council of the Blind-2023 Spring Conference and Convention 20230520-3 Evening

• BSCB Auction o Brian Charlson o Jeanette Kutash o Nona Haroyan

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20230520-2 Bay State Council of the Blind-2023 Spring Conference and Convention 20230520-2 Afternoon Session

• Announcement of Election Results o David Kingsbury o Short comments by newly elected directors

• Debate and Adoption of Proposed Resolutions o Brian Charlson

• Role of the ACB Board Liaison o Rachel Schroeder

• Announcement of BSCB Awards o Kim Charlson

• Telehealth Experiences o Clark Rachfal o Jeanette Kutash

• Overview of Recent Perkins Library Activities o Kim Charlson

• Bringing Alt Text to a Whole New level: The NASA Webb Telescope o Dr. Kelly Lepo-Education and Outreach Scientist o Office of Public Outreach, Space Telescope Science Institute

• New Frontiers of Artificial Intelligence o Brian Charlson

• First Day Wrap Up o David Kingsbury

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20230520-1 Morning Session

• Welcome and BSCB President’s Update o David Kingsbury

• Overview of Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Activities o John Oliveira , Acting Commissioner, MCB

• Advocacy Update o Nona Haroyan o Kim Charlson o Jim Badger o Myra Ross o David Kingsbury

• First Reading of Proposed BSCB Resolutions o Brian Charlson

• Election of BSCB Directors o Brian Charlson (to explain voting procedures) o Cindy Wentz (to announce slate of nominees recommended by the Nominations Committee) o David Kingsbury (to chair elections

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20221028-3 WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF THE BLIND Convention 20221028-3 Accessible Voting

WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF THE BLIND 2022 Convention WCB, BREAKING THROUGH THE STORM!

• Accessible Voting This was an update on proposed legislation to allow electronic signatures on ballots in Washington State. Here’s what you need to know about this legislative effort and what you can do to help get this legislation passed in the next session.
  o Presenter: Jacob Lodge, King County elections

• How to find your state legislator o Presenter: Judy Brown https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/

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20230415-2 American Council of the Blind of Nebraska 20230415-2 Afternoon Sessions

• ACB Reports o An Update on ACB National Happenings — Ray Campbell, ACB 1st Vice-President, Glen Ellen, IL

• Outlook Enrichment Update o Paulette Monthei, Omaha NE-Outlook Enrichment Coordinator

• Team Building Exercise

• “Walking for ACB” o Amber Steet, Omaha, NE

• ACBN Annual Business Meeting & Election of Officers

• Adjourn

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20230415-1 American Council of the Blind of Nebraska 20230415-1 Morning Sessions and Keynote Address

• Conference Welcome o Pledge o logistics.

• Life After the Pandemic - “Getting Back to Normal” o Tracy L. Grothe, Omaha NE-Counselor, MEd, EdS, LIMHP, LPC-S

• NCBVI News & Notes o Carlos Servan, Lincoln NE-Executive Director Nebraska Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired

• Commission Board Update o Mark Bulger, Omaha NE-ACBN’s Gubernatorial Appointed Designee

• “No One Can Do It Alone” o Nancy Flearl, Omaha, NE-Retired Omaha District Supervisor Nebraska Commission f/t Blind

• Newsline Update o Kimberley Scherbarth, Kearney NE- NFB Newsline Coordinator

• Keynote Address “Power of Commitment” Darrel Draper, Omaha NE-Historical Re-enactor & Motivational Speaker

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