Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, ACB's advocacy team speaks with Heather Ansley, Associate Executive Director for Government Relations at Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), about opportunities to improve the air travel experience for people with disabilities within the ongoing Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization process in Congress. They discuss key items of interest to the disability community, including how advocates can keep in touch with the rapidly moving reauthorization process and ensure provisions that would make air travel much more accessible and enjoyable remain in the final version of the FAA Reauthorization Act.

To learn more about PVA, visit pva.org. To keep up with all developments in the FAA Reauthorization process, visit pva.org/airtravel.

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Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, ACB’s advocacy team catches up with an old friend, Eric Bridges, President and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Eric discusses his new role at AFB, including his experience at the AFB Leadership Conference and AFB’s continued partnership with ACB.

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Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, ACB's advocacy team celebrates the unofficial start to the summer season with a recap of recent news at ACB. They cover what took place on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, federal agency activity surrounding digital accessibility, and ACB's 2023 Conference and Convention.

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Episode Description

On this week's episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha speak with Tabitha Kenlon, ACB’s Audio Description Project Coordinator, and Kim Charlson, Co-Chair of the Audio Description Project Steering Committee, about all that is new with the Audio Description Project (ADP). Join us as we discuss the upcoming ADP Conference, the annual ACB Conference and Convention, the Audio Description Awards Gala, and all the other projects and committee activities happening this year. To learn more about the ADP, visit adp.acb.org. To learn more about the 2023 ACB Conference and Convention, visit acbconvention.org.

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Episode Description

Join us for the ACB Advocacy Update as we commemorate Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) with a discussion about the importance of digital access with particular focus on the experiences of people who have multiple disabilities. Clark Rachfal, ACB Director of Advocacy & Governmental Affairs, Swatha Nandhakumar, ACB Advocacy & Outreach Specialist, Dan Spoone, ACB Interim Executive Director, and Carl Richardson, Co-Chair of ACB’s Sight and Sound Impaired Committee take part in this conversation.

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Episode Description

In this follow-up episode, ACB's advocacy team speak with the advocates on the ground in Chicago during the lawsuit for accessible pedestrian signals (APS). Illinois Council of the Blind President, Ray Campbell; ACB of Metropolitan Chicago President, Debbie Watson; and two other named plaintiffs and ICB members, Ann Brash and Maureen Heneghan; discuss their experiences as advocates for increased APS installation in the city and their participation in the federal court lawsuit. They also share advice for affiliates and individuals looking to partake in similar advocacy efforts in their communities. Additionally, we also discuss the events and tours occurring at ACB's convention in Schaumburg, IL.

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Episode Description

Join us for this week’s two-part episode of the ACB Advocacy Update! First, we meet with ACB’s Interim President, Deb Cook Lewis, to discuss her new role. Up next, ACB’s Convention Coordinator, Janet Dickelman, provides exciting updates about ACB's 2023 Conference and Convention in Schaumburg, IL. Learn more about this year’s convention at www.acbconvention.org. Convention registration for ACB members opens next week! If you need assistance in registering, you may contact Janet Dickelman at either [email protected] or (651) 428-5059. You may also call the ACB MN Office at (612) 332-3242.

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Episode Notes

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha speak with Madeleine Reichman, an attorney at Disability Rights Advocates, on a recent federal court case and ruling regarding Chicago’s failure to install accessible pedestrian signals (APSs) for its blind and low vision residents and visitors at its more than 2800 signalized intersections. The case involved both DRA and the American Council of the Blind of Metropolitan Chicago, a chapter of the Illinois Council of the Blind. We discuss how the case came about, what the decision ruling Chicago is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act means for the city and other cities across the country, and what comes next for DRA and the city of Chicago. 

If you need legal assistance from Disability Rights Advocates, you may email [email protected] or call (510) 665-8644.

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* Remote Accessible Voting

Aaron Wilson, Enhanced Voting CEO, Jacksonville, FL Douglas George Town, Access Ready CEO, Pinellas Park FL

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* Remote Accessible Voting

o Karyn Campbell, Illinois Council of the Blind Education and Welfare Committee Chair, Springfield, IL o Dee Ann Hart, ACB of Indiana Legislative and Advocacy Committee Chair, Muncie, IN o Martin Cahill, ACB of New York Legislative Chair, West Chester County, NY
o Ian Foley, ACB of New York Immediate Past Legislative Chair, Buffalo, NY

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