2023 American Council of the Blind 62nd Annual Conference and Convention

Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center, Schaumburg, IL and, via Zoom and ACB Media

Opening General Session, July 1, 2023, Schaumburg Ballroom

• Call to Order, Moment of Reflection
• Pledge of Allegiance
• National Anthem: Sharon Howerton, Illinois Host Committee member, Chicago IL
• Welcome to Convention: Ray Campbell, President, Illinois Council of the Blind, Springfield, IL, and Rachel Schroeder, Immediate Past President, Illinois Council of the Blind, Springfield, IL
• ACB President's Report: Deb Cook Lewis
• Executive Director's Report: Interim Executive Director, Dan Spoone, Orlando, FL
• Life Member Presentations: Deb Cook Lewis and Nancy Marks-Becker, ACB CFO, Brooklyn Center, MN
• ACB Angels Presentations: Warren Toyama, Waipahu, HI; Camille Caffarelli, Lake in the Hills, IL; Billie Jean Keith; Ridgeland, MS
• ACB First-Timers: Gema Ceniceros, El Paso, TX; Janae Miller, Columbus, OH
• ACB JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows: Benjamin Wright, Henderson, KY; Malaina Vanderwal, Caledonia, MI; Terrie (Mary Theresa) Terlau, Louisville, KY; Liz Bottner, Washington, DC; Cheryl Cumings, Seattle, WA
• Nominating Report: Brian Charlson, Watertown, MA
• Credentials Committee Report: Ralph Smitherman, Jackson, MS
• Roll Call of Affiliates: Denise Colley, Richmond, TX
• Elections

Video of the session can be viewed at 2023 ACB Conference & Convention: General Session July 1, 2023 - YouTube

The full CART Transcript can be downloaded at Download the Saturday July 1 Opening Session CART file

Reading of Resolution 2023-16 and amendment regarding ACVREP for Record Vote in English and Spanish.

2023 Convention newspaper second issue for Saturday July 1, 2023

Initial issue of 2023 Convention Newspaper.

20220713 ACB Convention Final Voting on Resolutions and Amendments Originally Aired July 13, 2022, on ACB Media This session concluded the 2022 ACB Annual Conference and Convention along with their Annual Business Meeting.  The Affiliate Roll Call vote was recorded along with the individual vote for the remaining Resolutions and Constitutional Amendment and Bi-Law changes.  The 2022 ACB Conference and Convention and Annual Business Meeting concluded after the announcement of the voting results. Edited By: Jenine Stanley

20220711 ACB Convention Second Reading of Constitutional Amendments Originally Aired July 11, 2022, on ACB Media This session continued the 2022 Annual Business Meeting where the second reading of the Constitutional and Bi-Law Amendments occurred. Edited By: Brian McCallen

20220711 ACB Convention Constitutional Amendments Originally Aired July 11, 2022, on ACB Media This session continued the 2022 Annual Business Meeting where the Constitutional and Bi-Law Amendments were introduced and debated. Edited By: Brian McCallen

20220711 ACB Convention Resolutions continued Originally Aired July 11, 2022, on ACB Media This was a continuation of the 2022 ACB Conference and Convention where the remaining resolutions were discussed and debated.  This session concluded with the Annual Business Meeting of the items of unfinished business and new business. Edited By: Brian McCallen

20220706 DKM Reception Originally Aired July 6, 2022, on ACB Media Attend the 26th annual DKM First-Timers Reception to meet the Classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022. Participants got to witness the first-ever induction ceremony of the Durward K. McDaniel (DKM) Leadership Select Honor Society. Edited By:  Douglas Hunsinger

20220707 ACB Banquet Originally Aired July 7, 2022, on ACB Media Keynote speaker: Judy Heumann ** Judy has been involved in the Disability Rights movement since the early 1970's. She was instrumental in establishing the independent living movement and was a key player in fighting for the passage of the landmark Rehabilitation Act of 1973. She is considered the mother of disability rights, and because of her ongoing and tireless efforts, she is an internationally recognized disability advocate. Judy served as the highest official for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at the Department of Education under President Bill Clinton and served under Barack Obama as the senior official for International Disability Rights at the State Department. In 2020, she published her memoir "Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist." As a true advocate and civil rights activist, she is well familiar with the needs of people with all disabilities, including those who are blind and low vision. Judy Heumann is making a difference for all of us in the 21st century.**