ACB Focus: Advocacy
American Council of the Blind

20250709 1430 Advocacy Bootcamp

Originally Broadcasted July 9, 2025, on ACB Media 3

July 10, 2025

20250709 1430 Advocacy Bootcamp Originally Broadcasted July 9, 2025, on ACB Media 2 Advocacy can look like a lot of things, there is no right or wrong way to do it. This session talked through the structure of our government to understand the various platforms in which to advocate through. Then, the discussion expanded further to explore other, out-of-the-box forms of advocacy that do not require engaging with the government at all. Lets put on our thinking caps to find various ways to advocate and make change for the blind and low vision community.

20250708 1600 You May be Missing Out on Services for Seniors

Originally Broadcasted July 8, 2025, on ACB Media 3

July 8, 2025

20250708 1600 You May be Missing Out on Services for Seniors Originally Broadcasted July 8, 2025, on ACB Media 3 Benefits Counseling, Medicare Enrollment, Home Delivered Meals, Fall Prevention Exercises. These are just a sampling of the programs and services which may be available free in your community from a Senior Center or Area Agency on Aging. Participants joined AAVL and learned how they can find out where they are and if they are eligible. Facilitator: Doug Powell, AAVL President, Falls Church, VA Presenters: Fallon Finney, Program Manager, ADRC of Dallas County Dallas TX, Oliva Umoren, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, US Aging, Washington, DC, Donna Alexander, Director Access and Assistance, Dallas AAA, Community Council of Greater Dallas, Dallas TX, Renae Perry, COO The Senior source, Dallas TX, and Jasmine Kelley, the Wellmed Senior Center, Dallas, TX.

20250707 1300 The ABCs of Advocacy-Parts 1 and 2

Originally Broadcasted July 7, 2025, on ACB Media

July 7, 2025

20250707 1300 The ABCs of Advocacy-Parts 1 and 2 Originally Broadcasted July 7, 2025, on ACB Media Participants joined us for an interactive session exploring the fundamental principles of advocacy, what it is, why it matters, and how you can make an impact. Whether it's at the local, state, or national level, advocacy is a powerful tool for driving change. Through interactive discussions, small group collaborations, and role playing exercises, attendees gained practical strategies and confidence to amplify their voice. Co-sponsored by the ACB Advocacy Steering Committee and ACB Next Generation Presenters: Jeff Thom, Chair of ACB's Advocacy Steering Committee, Sacramento, CA and Koni Sims, ACB Board Member, Sioux Falls SD Facilitators: Aaron Espinoza, ACB Next Generation Advocacy Committee Chair, Bakersfield, CAand Amanda Selm, Immediate Past President, ACB Next Generation, Louisville, KY.

20250707 1300 The Supreme Court Term in Review

Originally Broadcasted July 7, 2025, on ACB Media 3

July 7, 2025

20250707 1300 The Supreme Court Term in Review Originally Broadcasted July 7, 2025, on ACB Media 3 Participants found out from St. Mary's University Law School professor about the significant decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court in its 2024-25 term and its work generally. Presenter: Professor Bill Piatt, San Antonio, Texas

20250706 1430 Issues in Immigration Today

Originally Broadcasted July 6, 2025, on ACB Media 3

July 6, 2025

20250706 1430 Issues in Immigration Today Originally Broadcasted July 6, 2025, on ACB Media 3 Participants heard from a lawyer with decades of experience about the host of matters affecting immigration into the U.S. Presenter: Oliver J. Langstadt, Miami, Florida Co-sponsored by AAVIA and IRC

20250706 1300 Are We Meeting the Needs of Seniors with Vision Loss

Originally Broadcasted July 6, 2025, on ACB Media 2

July 6, 2025

20250706 1300 Are We Meeting the Needs of Seniors with Vision Loss Originally Broadcasted July 6, 2025, on ACB Media 2 AAVL examined specialized services for blind or low vision seniors in Texas and looked more generally at innovative ways to bridge the enormous level of unmet needs in our nation for these services. What lessons can we learn from the Texas experience and what can we do to enhance services for our community. Facilitator: Jeff Thom, Immediate Past President, Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss, Sacramento CA. Presenters: Juanita Barker, Director of Blind Services, Texas Workforce Commission Dallas TX, Stacy Fuller, Vice-President Rehabilitation Services, Envision Inc.TX. Dallas TX, and Hannah Christenson, Director Community Services, Envision Inc. TX. Dallas TX.

20250706 0900 Update on Legislation

Originally Broadcasted July 6, 2025, on ACB Media 3

July 6, 2025

20250706 0900 Update on Legislation Originally Broadcasted July 6, 2025, on ACB Media 3 Participants joined ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, Claire Stanley, as she provided a look at 2025 federal legislation of concern to people with vision loss. She covered not only those items in which ACB has been involved, but other legislative issues of concern to people with vision loss. Also, we urge attendees who are working on current legislation in their states to report on their progress. Presenter: Claire Stanley, ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, Alexandria, VA. Facilitator: Jeff Thom, ACB Advocacy Steering Committee, Sacramento, CA.

20250626 1600 Update on Legal Advocacy Impacting People with Disabilities

Originally Broadcasted June 26, 2025 on ACB Media 3

June 26, 2025

20250626 1600 Update on Legal Advocacy Impacting People with Disabilities Originally Broadcasted June 26, 2025 on ACB Media 3 Participants learned about the legal landscape in what many on all sides of the political spectrum view as an unprecedented period in our history. Experts in disability advocacy law covered a spectrum of issues important to our community. Be prepared with your questions about the latest happenings in disability law. Panelists: Matthew Handley, Partner, Handley Farah and Anderson, Washington, DC, Rachel Weisberg, Supervising Attorney, Disability Rights Advocates, Chicago, IL, and Madeleine Reichman, Staff Attorney, Disability Rights Advocates, New York, NY Facilitators: Claire Stanley, ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, Alexandria, VA and Jeff Thom, ACB Advocacy Steering Committee Chair, Sacramento, CA

20240710 1430 To Advocate and Educate, The History of Activism in Jacksonville

Originally Broadcasted July 10, 2024, on ACB Media 3

July 10, 2024

20240710 1430 To Advocate and Educate, The History of Activism in Jacksonville Originally Broadcasted July 10, 2024, on ACB Media 3 Attendees continued with us on our odyssey through the history of Jacksonville. Participants interacted with a panel of diverse voices shaping the community of Jacksonville today, "the new, bold city of the south." Edited By: Mary Ann Grignon

20240710 1430 Advocacy Bootcamp 101

Originally Broadcasted July 10, 2024, on ACB Media 2

July 10, 2024

20240710 1430 Advocacy Bootcamp 101 Originally Broadcasted July 10, 2024, on ACB Media 2 This session explored how a person can advocate for themselves individually, or how a larger group can advocate at a local or national level to bring about widespread change. Advocacy can occur at an individual level, work to advance change in legislation, bring legal action, or bring together a whole community to amplify an issue. This session explored the numerous tactics and venues that can be used to advocate for change. Edited By: Mary Ann Grignon