ACB Conference and Convention

• 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…

~~An Evening With ACB: Panel on Increasing Financial Literacy: Financial issues touch every aspect of our lives. The more we can learn about successfully navigating this whole area of interest, the more successful we can become in handling various financial matters that contribute to our independence. Although we could never hope to fully handle this subject in one panel session, we presented a sampling of topics we believe will be of interest and assistance to convention attendees. Panelists: ♦ Brian Charlson, Watertown, MA, an expert in the area of credit through his work on the Structured Negotiation on Credit Report Accessibility, shared this expertise with us and presented a discussion of the importance…

~~An Evening with ACB: Audio Description and Olympics Opening Ceremony Extravaganza: Pre-Show Olympic coverage which spotlighted the process of providing audio description for the Olympics through interviews with NBC personnel responsible for delivering television coverage of the event, profiles of the audio describers, interviews with present and past Paralympians, the members of the U.S. Goalball team, and much more.

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 22~~

~~ACB Banquet: Banquet Emcee: Dan Spoone, ACB President, Orlando, FL ♠ Moment of reflection ♠ God Bless America, Anthony Corona, BPI member and host of Sunday Edition, Miami, FL ♠ Keynote Speaker: Peter Sagal Best known as the host of the Peabody Award-winning NPR news quiz “Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me!” One of the most popular shows on public radio. In addition, he is, has been, and perhaps someday will be again, a husband, father, playwright, screenwriter, author, journalist, columnist, marathoner, Jeopardy contestant, dramaturg, podcast host, documentary host, foreign correspondent, wedding officiant, and magician’s assistant. …

~~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…

~~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~~

~~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~~

"• 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…

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. …

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. …