ACB Conference and Convention
ACB Conference and Convention

20210719 - An evening with ACB: Audio description and streaming services industry panel

August 10, 2021

~~An Evening with ACB: Audio Description and Streaming Services: This industry panel featured representatives from major streaming services to discuss their product’s, programming, services, and offerings. Moderator: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project, Brighton, MA Panelists: ♣ Melanie Goodman, Lead Digital Supply Chain Specialist, HULU, Agoura Hills, CA ♣ Martha Heller, Vice President, Government Relations and Regulatory Counsel, Viacom CBS, Paramount+ Washington, DC ♣ Sarah Herrlinger, Director, Global Accessibility Policy & Initiatives, Apple, Cupertino, CA ♣ Daniel Kocmarek, Sr., Manager, Prime Video, Seattle, WA ♣ Mirka Pavlikova, Manager, Technical Production, Walt Disney Studios, Burbank, CA ♣ Allison Smith, Globalization Innovation Manager, Netflix, Los Gatos, CA ♣ Andy Larkin, Senior Manager, Accessibility, HBO Max, Chicago, IL ♣ Peacock with Thomas Wlodkowski, Vice President, Accessibility, Comcast, Philadelphia, PA

  • Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 19~~

20210716 - An evening with ACB: Friends in Arts showcase of the performing arts.

August 10, 2021

~~Get ready for another outstanding panoply of performances from musicians, poets, and others. The pinnacle of diversity, creativity, and professionalism.

  • Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 16~~

20210717 - An evening with ACB Get Up and Get Moving kickoff party

August 10, 2021

~~Attendees joined ACB Leaders and our Health Hero partners as we officially kicked off the Get Up and Get Moving Campaign. The campaign raises awareness on the critical issues for people who are blind and visually impaired seeking to take back their health as we all come out of the pandemic. Attendees learned how they can be a part of this three-year campaign and take the Get Up and Get Moving Challenge.

  • Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

20210718 - 2021 ACB general session opening event

August 10, 2021

"• Call to Order: Dan Spoone, President, American Council of the Blind, Orlando, FL • Moment of reflection • Presentation of Colors National Anthem: Matthew H. Shifrin, Auburndale, MA • Welcome to Convention: Janet Dickelman, convention coordinator, Saint Paul, MN • ACB Highlight Video • ACB President's and ACB Director's Report: ◘  President's Report: Dan Spoone, Orlando, FL ◘ Executive Director's Report: Eric Bridges, ACB Executive Director, Alexandria, VA • Sponsor Presentation: Jeff Petty, Principal Program Manager for Windows Accessibility, Microsoft, Seattle, WA Credentials Committee Report: Ralph Smitherman, Jackson, MS Convention Standing Rules and Nominating Committee Report: Brian Charlson, Watertown, MA • Life Member Presentations: Dan Spoone, ACB President, Orlando, FL; and Nancy Becker, ACB Chief Financial Officer, Brooklyn Center, MN • ACB Angels Presentations: Tony Stephens, ACB Director of Development, Alexandria, VA; and Dan Dillon, ACB Board Member, Hermitage, TN ◘  ACB Angel Presentations: Charlie Crawford (1947-2020), Maryland ◘  Berl Colley (1942-2020), Washington • “Special Thank You Tribute” • ACB First Timers: Kenneth Semien Sr., Chair, Durward K. McDaniel First Timers Committee, Beaumont, TX • ACB JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows: Eric Bridges, ACB Executive Director, Alexandria, VA • Roll Call of Affiliates: Denise Colley, ACB Secretary, Lacey, WA • ACB Elections

  • Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 18"

Candidates Forum, June 30, 2021, sponsored by the Board of Publications

2021 ACB Virtual Conference and Convention

July 5, 2021

As members of the American Council of the Blind, we are responsible for electing a slate of individuals who will provide leadership in our organization as officers, members of the ACB Board of Directors, and members of the ACB Board of Publications, in coming months and years. Because ACB was unable to conduct elections at our virtual convention in 2020, we will be electing all five ACB officers, five members of the ACB Board of Directors and all three elected members of the Board of Publications at this year’s ACB convention. With so many elections underway during the week of convention, there are likely to be a few vacated positions up for grabs, as well. Meet the Candidates at ACB Candidates’ Forums This year, because we have 15 announced candidates for 13 positions, the Board of Publications will host two official Candidates’ Forums. All candidates who posted information to the ACB Candidates’ Web Page participated in one of two ACB Candidates’ Forums June 29 and 30 at 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM PT) via Zoom, ACB Radio, YouTube, and Facebook Live.

This podcast is the recording of the second BOP Candidates' Forum held on June 30, 2021.

Candidates Forum, June 29, 2021 sponsored by the Board of Publications

2021 ACB Virtual Conference and Convention

July 5, 2021

As members of the American Council of the Blind, we are responsible for electing a slate of individuals who will provide leadership in our organization as officers, members of the ACB Board of Directors, and members of the ACB Board of Publications, in coming months and years. Because ACB was unable to conduct elections at our virtual convention in 2020, we will be electing all five ACB officers, five members of the ACB Board of Directors and all three elected members of the Board of Publications at this year’s ACB convention. With so many elections underway during the week of convention, there are likely to be a few vacated positions up for grabs, as well. Meet the Candidates at ACB Candidates’ Forums This year, because we have 15 announced candidates for 13 positions, the Board of Publications will host two official Candidates’ Forums. All candidates who posted information to the ACB Candidates’ Web Page participated in one of two ACB Candidates’ Forums to be held June 29 and 30 at 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM PT) via Zoom, ACB Radio, YouTube, and Facebook Live.

This podcast is the recording of the BOP Candidates' Forum held on June 29, 2021.

Candidates Forum, 2021-06-17 sponsored by BPI/GDUI

2021 Virtual Conference and Convention

July 5, 2021

The ACB Election process has joined the convention in the digital world and as a result this may be the most involved Election in ACB History. With 13 open seats there is a a lot of ground to cover for all members who wish to know the platforms and views of candidates. GDUI and BPI have traditionally held both singular and joint candidate forums and this year we are teaming up again to offer our members and the general ACB Membership a set of forums from the Special Interest Affiliate perspective.

Some key topics we wish to address include but are not limited to: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; The role of ACB Leadership in Special Interest Membership generation and retainment; How can the Affiliate and Parent relationship be symbiotic; How does the ACB Leadership plan to address mentorship of current members, new leadership and how ACB Leadership can support the ivtersectionalities of our specific affiliates and all affiliates and committees.

This podcast is the recording of the Executive Board Seat Candidates Forum held on Thursday June 17, 2021 Candidate Forum.

Candidates Forum, 2021-06-16 sponsored by BPI/GDUI

2021 Virtual Conference and Convention

July 5, 2021

The ACB Election process has joined the convention in the digital world and as a result this may be the most involved Election in ACB History. With 13 open seats there is a a lot of ground to cover for all members who wish to know the platforms and views of candidates. GDUI and BPI have traditionally held both singular and joint candidate forums and this year we are teaming up again to offer our members and the general ACB Membership a set of forums from the Special Interest Affiliate perspective.

Some key topics we wish to address include but are not limited to: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; The role of ACB Leadership in Special Interest Membership generation and retainment; How can the Affiliate and Parent relationship be symbiotic; How does the ACB Leadership plan to address mentorship of current members, new leadership and how ACB Leadership can support the ivtersectionalities of our specific affiliates and all affiliates and committees.

This podcast is the recording of the Executive Board Seat Candidates Forum held on Wednesday June 16, 2021 Candidate Forum.

ACB 2021 Virtual Convention Registration Information

All you need to know to Register for the Convention

June 4, 2021

2021 ACB Convention Registration Information

  • Abbreviations
  • Fees and Services
  • Sessions Friday July 16
  • Sessions Saturday July 17
  • Sessions Sunday July 18
  • Sessions Monday July 19
  • Sessions Tuesday July 20
  • Sessions Wednesday July 21
  • Sessions Thursday July 22
  • Sessions Friday July 23
  • Code of Conduct Policy

20200710 005 Digital Daily

American Council of the Blind (ACB) 2020 Virtual Conference and Convention

July 11, 2020

20200710 005 Digital Daily American Council of the Blind (ACB) 2020 Virtual Conference and Convention