On this week's episode, Clark and Swatha return to the roots of the ACB Advocacy Update Podcast and provide a myriad of little updates relevant to ACB and our members. Topics we cover include Social Security, accessible voter registration, Discord, and Planet Fitness.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha speak with Guillermo Robles from ACB’s Multicultural Affairs Committee, and Gabriel Lopez Kafati from ACB’s International Relations Committee, about the month-long celebration of Hispanic heritage. Guillermo and Gabriel share what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them and their community, advocacy issues important to the blind Hispanic community, and ways ACB may be more inclusive of the Hispanic community and lift up their voices within the organization. More information about the Spanish-language community calls can be accessed by emailing [email protected].

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha meet with Joe Nahra, Director of Government Relations at Powers Law, and co-Coordinator of the ITEM Coalition, to discuss legislative action surrounding Medicare Coverage of low vision devices. We revisit ACB’s Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act legislative imperative, discuss H.R. 4187, the Medicare Vision Act, and discuss current efforts to add low vision device coverage in the budget reconciliation package. ACB urges all our members and friends to contact their elected officials in support of including the Medicare Vision Act, H.R. 4187, in the budget reconciliation package.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha meet with the 2021 DKM First Timers, Belinda Collins and Kaila Allen, and one of this year’s scholarship winners, Bhavya Shah. We talk to them about getting and staying involved in ACB, their experiences advocating for themselves both personally and professionally, and ask them for advice on getting involved in advocacy efforts both independently and through ACB.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha, along with guest Tom Tobin discuss the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 4853). We talk about how requiring medical device accessibility will enable people who are blind and experiencing vision loss to take control of their health. ACB urges all of our members and friends to contact their members of Congress in support of H.R. 4853.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Clark and Swatha discuss the reintroduction of the Exercise and Fitness for All Act (H.R. 4756/S. 2504) with guest Sheila Styron, ACB’s Transportation Committee Chair. We share the details of this important legislation, how it relates to ACB’s Get Up and Get Moving campaign, and urge all ACB members and friends to contact their members of Congress in support of the Exercise and Fitness for All Act.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Swatha and Clark speak with the ACB officer and board members who were newly elected in ACB’s first-ever virtual elections this July. Joining them for the conversation are ACB First Vice President Deb Cook Lewis, and Board Members Koni Sims, Kenneth Semien, and Chris Bell. Our guests share what drew them to ACB, their personal advocacy experience, and why they are excited to take on their new roles.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, we feature the second 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.

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.

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.