20250627 1900 Constitution Bylaws 2nd Reading and Debate

Unedited recording of the ACB business meeting held during the 2025 annual conference and convention on Friday June 27th where one proposed by law change was read and debated. A second proposal for a constitutional change was also read and debated.

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ACB NextGen Candidates Forum

This is ACB Next Generation's second annual Candidates Forum. During this event, we hear from the individuals seeking election to the ACB Board of Directors. Just like last year, our NextGen members have submitted questions for the candidates to answer during the event.

Sponsored By ACB Next Generation

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ACB Board of Publications Candidates Forum

Hear directly from the candidates vying for positions on the Board as they answer pre-submitted questions and engage with live questions from the audience.

Sponsored by ACB Board of Publications.

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Proposal 2025-01

Amend Bylaw 4, Section A to clarify the language pertaining to the notice of meeting requirements

Purpose: to reduce the required notice period for meetings and agendas from 15 days to 5 business days for both the ACB Board and the Membership.

Bylaw 4 Duties of the Officers:

Replace the 6th sentence of Section A, which currently reads:

Bylaw 4 Duties of the Officers: A. ... The president shall send each board member an agenda fifteen (15) days prior to any board meeting, except the post-conference and convention board meeting.

Proposed language for the sixth sentence reads:

Bylaw 4 Duties of the Officers: A. ... The president shall provide written notice of each board meeting to the Board of Directors and to all ACB Members not less than five (5) business days prior to each board meeting. This notice shall include the proposed agenda, information on how members can listen to the meeting, and a method for members to provide comments to the board on any agenda items prior to the meeting.

Bylaw 4A as amended reads: A. The president, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall employ and supervise an executive director. The executive director shall be responsible for the selection, supervision, and dismissal of all employees of this organization (except the editor of The ACB Braille Forum) and shall also perform other duties and responsibilities prescribed in a written job description approved by the Board of Directors. The executive director, with the approval of the Board of Publications, shall employ an editor of The ACB Braille Forum. The editor of The ACB Braille Forum shall perform the duties and responsibilities prescribed in a written job description prepared and approved by the Board of Publications. Not less than sixty (60) days prior to the opening of the annual conference and convention, the president shall have the responsibility to appoint a qualified individual who is familiar with and has access to a current copy of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, to serve as Parliamentarian during that annual conference and convention. The president shall provide written notice of each board meeting to the Board of Directors and to all ACB Members not less than five (5) business days prior to each board meeting. This notice shall include the proposed agenda, information on how members can listen to the meeting, and a method for members to provide comments to the board on any agenda items prior to the meeting. The president may, with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors, appoint an Assistant Secretary and/or Assistant Treasurer. Such assistants may be paid for their services.

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RESOLUTION 2025-11

PRESERVATION OF THE NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

Submitted by: DeAnn Elliott

Whereas, in the 2026 budget the Administration is proposing to eliminate the National Eye Institute (NEI), with its functions proposed to be folded into a larger neuroscience institute; and

Whereas, previous NEI initiatives have led to treatments for macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, inherited retinal diseases, and many other eye conditions that impact millions of Americans; and

Whereas, over 12.5 million Americans aged 40 years and older are blind or have low vision; and

Whereas, due to baby boomers aging into vision loss, this number is expected to double by 2050, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Big Data Project from VisionServe Alliance; and

Whereas, according to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the NEI supports vision research through more than 2,000 research grants made to scientists at more than 150 medical centers and universities, and eliminating or reducing this vital research would have a devastating impact on the continued advancement of cutting-edge treatments;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind, assembled in virtual convention this xx day of June, 2025, that this organization will advocate to preserve the independence of and full funding for the National Eye Institute.

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RESOLUTION 2025-09

EXPANSION OF AVAILABLE BRAILLE TITLES

submitted by: Library Users of America

WHEREAS, although the number of braille titles released annually has grown slightly, it is dramatically less than the number of audio titles released; and

Whereas, for a variety of reasons, it is far easier to produce and distribute braille titles than it has ever been; and,

Whereas, These reasons include but are not limited to: availability of digital titles, use of free NLS e-readers and other braille devices, and reliable braille translation systems.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American council of the Blind in convention assembled virtually this XX day of June, 2025 that we join with Library Users of America to request that the National Library Service expedite the expansion of available braille titles beyond the limited numbers now available. and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NLS be requested to report back to ACB and Lua at the ACB Convention in 2026 on decisions made in response to this resolution.

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RESOLUTION 2025-07

IMPACT OF RECENT EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON THE BLIND AND LOW VISION COMMUNITY

Submitted by Matt Selm and DeAnn Elliott)

Whereas, over 12.5 million Americans aged 40 years and older are blind or have low vision; and

Whereas, due to baby boomers aging into vision loss, this number is expected to double by 2050, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Big Data Project from VisionServe Alliance; and

Whereas, the American Council of the Blind (ACB), a leading national blindness consumer advocacy organization, has advocated for the equality and civil rights of blind and low vision individuals throughout the country since 1961; and

Whereas, the lives of Americans who are blind or have low vision have been improved immeasurably over the past 50 years by Congressional enactment of strong, bipartisan legislation, including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1975, the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA); and

Whereas the current administration has signed executive orders (EO's) and proposed fiscal year 2026 budgetary changes that adversely impact blind and low vision individuals, including but not limited to: EO 14242: Elimination of the Department of Education, which currently enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and IDEA compliance in educational programs. Staff reduction and relocation of the Rehabilitation Services Administration which provides training and employment services for individuals with disabilities including people who are blind or have low vision, empowering them to go to work and gain financial independence. EO 14173: Dramatic realignment of the mission of the Civil Rights division of the Department of Justice, responsible for the enforcement of Section 504 and the ADA, contributing to the departure of 70% of its civil rights attorneys. FY-2026 Budget Request: Funding cuts to state Protection and Advocacy agencies that protect vulnerable residents with disabilities. EO 14238: Elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services which provides grants to NLS network libraries in 44 states and supports the provision of braille and audio books to students and adults with print disabilities who cannot read standard, hardcopy print. Internal VA memo: Proposed layoffs of 70,000 staff members at the Department of Veteran's Affairs which will significantly impact services to blind and low vision veterans. Proposed FY26 budget: Sharp reduction in grant funding to the National Institutes of Health, and the elimination of the National Eye Institute, slowing the research and development of new treatments for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind, in virtual convention assembled this xx day of June, 2025, that this organization is profoundly concerned about a pattern of action that, if implemented as proposed, will erode decades of progress for people who are blind or have low vision; and

Be it further resolved that ACB members are strongly encouraged to vigorously and vociferously advocate to Congress, the public, and other entities regarding the protection of the civil rights and programs outlined in this resolution in order to safeguard funding for vital programs, provide continuity of services, and promote enforcement of civil rights laws; and

Be it further resolved that the board and staff of this organization are strongly encouraged to continue to incorporate the issues discussed in this resolution into the ACB advocacy agenda; and

Be it further resolved that this organization calls on the Administration to release appropriated funds and calls upon Congress to fully exercise its oversight in order to support their constituents who are blind or have low vision.

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