20230415-1 2023 Arizona Council of the Blind Conference 20230415-1 Sessions 1 and 2

This year’s theme was “Care, Connect and Create,” and each of our sessions and speakers focused on how we can come together to offer friendship and support within our local chapters, through our state organization and through our national parent organization, the American Council of the Blind.

• Opening o President’s Welcome o Meet the AzCB Board of Directors o Meet the AzCB Convention Committee

• Session 1 – Care, Connect, Create at the National Level o Kenneth and Jeff are two members of ACB’s national board and have held leadership positions for many years within ACB. Both led us through a discussion focusing on the most important principles of ACB’s core values, which being our people and our affiliates.

• It starts with caring. We as a national organization are here for each one of you, no matter what your position is within your affiliate. We are truly a family, and we need each of you to be supported and for you to support us. It takes all of us to achieve more!

• It’s about connections. We as people thrive on connecting with one another and we discussed the tools, strategies, and opportunities that the national organization provides to connect you locally, nationally, and dare we say it, even internationally with blind people no matter where they are. We discussed the programs and services that the national organization provides to empower you in your journey with ACB and how we could also use your help to empower others.

• It is about creating or empowering you to achieve more. How can you help grow your affiliate or chapter? What about advocacy? What about community, technology, health care? All of these are crucial aspects as individuals, and you play a part in driving change in and outside of the organization. o We are a family, and all the members of that family are crucial for a healthy and thriving organization at all levels. Participants learned how they fit into the organization, how they can contribute back to the organization and how they can shape the direction at every level of ACB in the work that they do to achieve more!

• Session 2 – Care, Connect, Create at the State Level o Panelists:

• Ron Brooks

• Kaila Allen
• Michael Godino
• Sarah Harris
• Lori Scharff o They shared the role that a strong state affiliate can play in helping to support local chapters and members so that our overall organization, our mission, and our members are supported and able to  succeed.

Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230402 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention 20230402 Annual Business Meeting

• President Gabe Griffith Presiding o 2022 Convention Minutes o Treasurer's Report o Newell Perry Report o voting on proposed Resolutions and Bylaw Amendments

Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230401-3 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention 20230401-3 CCB Banquet

• MCs: Larry Gassman and Regina Brink o Heard about the importance of mentorship and peer support in our community and how it impacts independence, employment, and quality of life from ACB Board Member Kenneth Semien Sr. o Presentation of CCB Awards

Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230401-2 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention 20230401-2 Third General Session

• Second Vice-President Rob Turner & Secretary Steve Bauer Presiding o Met the new CEO of the San Francisco Lighthouse Sharon Giovinazzo o Be amused and inspired with a "Tale of Two Presidents" with CCB President Gabe Griffith and NFBC President Tim Elder o heard from California Department of Aging Director Susan Demarois o Heard a presentation from the newly formed California Agencies for Blind and Visually Impaired Inc. with Anita Aaron Executive Director and Shellena Heber Executive Director Valley Center for the Blind and CABVI Board Member.

Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230401-1 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention 20230401-1 Morning Session

Department of Rehabilitation, DOR Employment Services and Updates

• Participants heard from key Blind Field Services staff including: o Laura Rasmussen District Administrator o Peter Dawson Regional Director o Nancy Ybarra Regional Business Specialist about DOR Employment Services including benefits, opportunities, and behind the scenes work being done to help people who are blind or have low vision have successful employment outcomes. o Jamie Gibson-Barrows employment Specialist for Valley Center for the Blind- Discussed their employment services model and how it has been successful.

• the latest updates from DOR from: o Joe Xavier Director of DOR o Sue Pelbath Deputy Director Specialized Services Division o Ana Acton Deputy Director Independent Living Services.

Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230331-2 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention Second General session Part 2

• President, Gabe Griffith Presiding o Heard from Deb Cook-Louis, ACB President o Gabe's President's Report o The Governmental Affairs Committee shared the latest happenings in advocacy and legislation. o Remembered our friends who have passed away over the last year and paid respect to their life and our fond memories. o Elections followed.

Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230331-1 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention Second General session Part 1

• President, Gabe Griffith Presiding o Heard from Deb Cook-Louis, ACB President o Gabe's President's Report o The Governmental Affairs Committee shared the latest happenings in advocacy and legislation. o Remembered our friends who have passed away over the last year and paid respect to their life and our fond memories. o Elections followed.

Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230328 California Council of the Blind-2023 Conference and Convention 20230328 First General Session

• President Gabe Griffith presiding
• Adopted our Convention Rules o Heard from Credentials and Nominating Committee Chair, Frank Welt o Heard proposed Bylaw amendments from Bylaws Committee Chair Steve Bauer

Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

The American Council of the Blind and Supporters Rally to Demand Accessible and Inclusive Currency

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 10, Harriet Tubman Day, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and supporters rallied in front of the White House and marched to the U.S. Treasury to highlight the ongoing fight for accessible and inclusive currency for all. Tweet this ACB and supporters rallied at White House to highlight the ongoing fight for accessible and inclusive currency for all. Blind, low vision, and sighted protestors of all ages shout passionately in the rain during Show Me the Money: Marching Together for Accessible and Inclusive Currency on Friday, March 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. The US Treasury is currently redesigning the $20 bill to include a portrait of Harriet Tubman, and a 2008 Federal Court Order says that any new currency redesigns must include accommodations to individuals who are blind or low vision. On Harriet Tubman Day, supporters came together for a rally in front of the White House with one clear demand: we need accessible and inclusive currency now! As a result of this rally, five members of the American Council of the Blind met with representatives of the U.S. Treasury and Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and for the first time, touched the certified tactile feature that will be included as part of the $10 bill redesign in 2026. The U.S. Treasury agreed to quarterly meetings with the American Council of the Blind to provide progress reports on the key milestones as they work toward completing the redesign of the $10 bill by 2026. "50 years of advocating and 20 years of litigation have brought us to this momentous occasion," said ACB President Dan Spoone. "We are on the cusp of the United States joining the more than 100 nations whose currency is already accessible to people who are blind and low vision, and the American Council of the Blind remains resolute in our advocacy to help the Biden Administration and the U.S. Treasury finish the job." During the rally, a coalition of disability, women's, and civil rights organizations gathered together to demand a $20 bill redesign that features a portrait of Harriet Tubman and includes accessibility features for people who are blind and low vision. The American Council of the Blind greatly appreciates the support of its members and a diverse set of cross-organizational partners to bring greater awareness to this long-standing and important issue. Our collective voice calls on the United States to express its commitment to the equality of all people by ensuring U.S. paper currency is accessible and inclusive. "ACB is grateful for the enduring advocacy of our members and the broad support that we have received from the disability and civil rights communities on this issue, including from the Harriet Tubman family and Women on 20s, as we work to make our currency more accessible and inclusive for everyone," said Clark Rachfal, ACB's Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs. The American Council of the Blind is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind and visually impaired. For more than 60 years, ACB has become a leader in national, state, local, and even international advocacy efforts. With 68 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve the quality of life for all people who are blind and visually impaired. For more information, visit www.acb.org. SOURCE American Council of the Blind

Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co

20230312 2023 DC Leadership Conference Luncheon Speakers

• National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) o Jason Broughton, Director, NLS o Jason Yasner, Deputy Director, NLS

• American Printing House For the Blind (APH) o Paul Schroeder, Vice President, Government and Community Affairs

Find out more at https://acb-events.pinecast.co