Episode Notes

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, we feature the first installment of a panel discussion from the ACB Conference and Convention. Carl Richardson, co-Chair of ACB’s Audio Description Project speaks with representatives from major streaming services to discuss their product’s, programming, services, and offerings. Featured guests include: Melanie Goodman, HULU; Martha Heller, Viacom CBS, Paramount+; Sarah Herrlinger, Apple, TV+; Daniel Kocmarek, Sr., Amazon, Prime Video; Mirka Pavlikova, Walt Disney Studios, Disney+; Allison Smith, Netflix; Andy Larkin, HBO Max; & Thomas Wlodkowski, Comcast, Peacock.

If you enjoy the ACB Advocacy Update, please consider becoming a member and donating to support our initiatives, like the Audio Description Project.

Episode Description

Help us celebrate this milestone, as we launch a goal to raise $60,000 for 60 years of success: what we are calling our $60k for 60 Campaign. Since our founding in 1961, ACB continues to strive to make an impact with important advocacy efforts and value to our community. We continue to fight for not only accessibility but pushing forward equality, diversity, and inclusion for all of those living with vision loss across the country. Of course, we could not do this work alone and we are extremely thankful for all of our members, partners, and stakeholders for their support.

The $60k for 60 Campaign will run through July 6, 2022. Help us to meet our goal by making a contribution today for success for generations to come. Donate today at https://bit.ly/3dhK0Wz.

Episode Description

On this edition of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha highlight the Health & Wellness Track of programming at the 2021 ACB Conference and Convention. Integral to the Health and Wellness Track is the launch of the ACB Get Up & Get Moving campaign on Saturday, July 17. Joining us to discuss the Get Up & Get Moving campaign, and the plethora of sessions included in the Health and Wellness Track this year, are Tom Tobin, Chair of the Get Up & Get Moving Steering Committee, and Leslie Spoone and Terry Suarez, co-Chairs of the Get Up & Get Moving Public Awareness Committee. Registration for the ACB Conference and Convention re-opens on Wednesday, July 14. To join us and be a part of the conversation at this year’s conference and convention, please visit: www.acbconvention.org.

Episode Description

Join ACB’s advocacy team, Clark and Swatha, as they highlight the entertainment track of the 2021 ACB Conference and Convention. Whether in-person or virtual, the ACB Conference and Convention is an opportunity for family and community to come together in a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment. Also participating in this conversation are ACB’s President, Dan Spoone, and ACB’s Convention Coordinator, Janet Dickelman, and we want you to join us for this year’s conference and convention!

To learn more about the 2021 Convention, visit: https://acbconvention.org.

Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha preview the Technology Track of programming for the 2021 ACB Conference and Convention. They are joined by Jeff Bishop, Chair of ACB’s Information Access Committee. To register and join the conversation at the ACB Conference and Convention, please visit: www.acbconvention.org. Registration closes this Monday, June 28th, so make sure to register soon!

Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha highlight the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion track of programming at the 2021 ACB Conference and Convention. We are joined by Peggy Garret, Chair of ACB’s Multicultural Affairs Committee, and Gabriel Lopez Kafati, President of Blind LGBTQ Pride International. To join us and learn more about this year’s ACB Conference and Convention, please visit: www.acbconvention.org.

Episode Notes

On Tuesday, June 8, AT 3pm EDT, ACB’s advocacy team members, Clark and Swatha, hosted a live episode of the ACB Advocacy Update about the interactive transportation programming on offer at this year’s virtual ACB Conference and Convention. Clark and Swatha were joined by leaders of ACB’s Transportation and Environmental Access Committees. In addition to the conference and convention programming, they discussed several transportation-related advocacy issues important to ACB and our members. For details on how to register for our 2021 convention, visit: https://acb.org/2021-convention-registration. To watch the video recording of this event, visit: https://youtu.be/2AakR2RpG-Y

Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha highlight the programming being offered by the Audio Description Project at the 60th ACB Conference and Convention. ACB’s Immediate Past President, Kim Charlson, and ACB’s ADP Coordinator, Jo Lynn Bailey Page join the podcast to share the programming and panelists being featured at the convention. Following the podcast conversation, stay tuned to hear an important announcement on the first ever AD Gala! To register for the ACB Conference and Convention and view the programming, please visit: www.acbconvention.org. To learn more about the AD Gala, please visit: www.acb.org/ad-gala.

Episode Description

On this week's episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, we revisit the ACB special event celebrating the 10th-anniversary of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). ACB's Executive Director Eric Bridges led a conversation with digital accessibility leaders Jennison Asuncion (Co-founder of GAAD and Head of Accessibility Engineering Evangelism at LinkedIn) and Mike Shebanek (Head of Accessibility at Facebook). Together, Eric, Jennison and Mike took a look back at the growth taken place over the past decade in digital accessibility and forecast what new challenges and opportunities rest just beyond the horizon. A video recording of this live event is available at https://youtu.be/EcUy3HT6bRY. Please check-out https://acb.org/GAAD-2021 for a message from ACB’s Executive Director Eric Bridges on the 10th Anniversary of GAAD.

Episode Description

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha celebrate the 10th anniversary of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). GAAD began ten years ago to recognize, celebrate, and increase awareness of digital access and inclusion. We are joined by Audrey Bush from the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs, who shares the technology and training available through the state assistive technology programs, and Larry Goldberg from Verizon Media and Teach Access, who shares about innovations in accessible technology spurred on by advocacy, regulation, and corporate ingenuity. To learn more about the assistive technology program in your state or territory, please visit: www.at3center.net. To learn more about Teach Access, please visit: www.teachaccess.org. To learn more about the Valuable 500, please visit: www.thevaluable500.com.