ACB Focus: Transportation and Advocacy

~~Helen Keller and the Lions: In 1925 Helen Keller challenged the Lions to be“knights of the blind.”  Micheal Hudson, Director of the American Printing House for the Blind Museum in Louisville, KY, took us back nearly 100 years and helped us discover how it all happened. An amazing piece of Helen Keller history. Questions were welcomed. Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 22~~

[GDUI: Help Drive the Future of Driving: In this interactive session, Dr. Giudice described some of his current research on making autonomous vehicles (AVs) accessible for use by blind and visually impaired passengers, discussed the many benefits and huge potential of this newest form of transportation, and highlighted some of the challenges that need to be addressed. A significant part of successfully making AVs accessible is getting input from the key stakeholders and users of these vehicles. Thus occured by answering attendees' questions, both those submitted prior to the session as well as in real time, Dr. Giudice fostered a discussion of user preferences and concerns around the roll-out of AVs. This brain storming can be used to guide future research. Presenter: Nicholas A. Giudice, PhD., Professor of Spatial Informatics: School of Computing and Information Science- University of Maine, Founder & Chief Research Scientist: VEMILab, Co-founder & Chief Research Officer Unar Labs, LLC.,  nicholas.giudice@maine.edu Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 21](mailto:nicholas.giudice@maine.edu)

~~ACBL Lessons in Leadership: Speaker - Dr. Patti Hill, Third Vice President of Lions Clubs International. Since joining the Edmonton (Alberta, Canada) Host Lions Club in 1990, Dr. Hill has served in many capacities, including multinational coordinator for Campaign SightFirst II, Secretary for the Alberta Lions Eyebank Society, Vice President of the Lions Eye Research Institute of Northern Alberta, and Committee Member of the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum. Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 21~~

~~What Is New at the Corner: Attendees learned about the latest Hybrid Pedestrian Beacon, Rectangular Rapidly Flashing Beacon and other new pedestrian signals specified in the Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, how they work and whether they are accessible. Presenters: ♥ Lukas Franck, Sr., Guide Dog Mobility Instructor and COMS from The Seeing Eye, Morristown, NJ ♥ Representative from Polara Enterprises, a manufacturer of accessible pedestrian signals. Co-sponsored by: Environmental Access and Transportation Committees Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 20~~

~~Practical and Legal Issues for Government Employees: Issues and Challenges for today: Members of ACBGE and AAVIA discussed current challenges, practices and law bearing upon the provision of reasonable accommodations to workers with visual impairments. Participants addressed the process of obtaining assistive technology and reflected on the frustrations and the triumphs people face every day. Presenters: ♠ Renee Zelickson, ACBGE President, and Social Security Administration Employee, Chicago, IL ♠ Pat Sheehan, ACB Board Member, and Veteran Affairs Employee, Silver Spring, MD Co-sponsored by: AAVIA and ACBGE Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 20~~

~~State Commissioners and the Future of Blind Rehabilitation: Ever wonder what State Commissioners dream about for the future of blind rehabilitation; or what they might agree and disagree with in ACB's Rehabilitation Issues Task Force White Paper? Attendees joined us to find out what they think about rehabilitation now, and future trends they'd would like to see. Panelists: ♣ Joe Xavier, Director California Department of Rehabilitation, Sacramento, CA ♣ Daniel B. Frye, JD., Administrator, Services for the Blind and Vision Impaired, New Hampshire Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, Concord, NH ♣ Raymond E. Hopkins, Commissioner Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, Richmond, VA Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 19~~

~~That's What Friends are For: Are you having a problem handling low vision? What's been your journey with low vision? We discussed the journey of low vision, and shared experiences, offered encouragement and strategies. Come join our low vision community as we support one another. Sponsored by CCLVI Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 21~~

~~ACBF/MCAC Schools for the Blind - From Segregation to Integration: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in 1954 that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.  How did that landmark case affect schools for the blind across the country? What had gone before, and what came afterward, in the integration of the schools? Micheal Hudson, Director of the museum at the American Printing House for the Blind, guided us through this chapter of our history from both the students' and the staff's points of view. Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 20~~

~~Pedestrian Control Over Drivers' Yielding: All pedestrians are reliant on drivers to yield when they share spaces like crosswalks with vehicles. Many variables affect drivers' behaviors. This presentation reviewed factors that affect the behaviors, emphasizing the principles and techniques pedestrian can use to increase the likelihood of drivers yielding. Presenters: ♣ Rev. Dr. Gene Bourquin, COMS, NY, NY ♣ Chiang Mai, Thailand Co-sponsored by: Environmental Access and Transportation Committees Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 20~~

~~crossings with no traffic signal or stop sign: When you're at a crossing that has no stop sign or traffic signal, do you wonder when is the appropriate time to cross, and whether it is safe to do so?  Then this presentation is for you!  Attendees learned about analyzing these crossings and what kinds of skills you will need. Presenter: ♠ Dona Sauerburger, MA, COMS, Gambrills, MD Co-sponsored by: Environmental Access and Transportation Committees Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 19~~

~~Out and About with Canines and Canes: A panel of cane and guide dog users, with some vision to none, discussed pedestrian adventures, tips and tricks for fun and safe travel. Hear how getting lost can be a confidence-boosting adventure and how to leverage blind street smarts to create a more pedestrian friendly environment for everyone! Moderator: Sheila Styron, chair, ACB Transportation Committee, Kansas City, MO  Co-sponsored by: Environmental Access and Transportation Committees Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 19~~

~~How a Vision Zero campaign can set a new standard for safety on our streets: To Mobility and Beyond presented Leah Shahum, Founder and Director of the Vision Zero Network as the keynote speaker. She brings two decades of proven success championing movements to advance safe, healthy, active transportation and serves on the Steering Group of the national Road to Zero Coalition, as well as the Advisory Board of the Collaborative Sciences Center for Road Safety (CSCRS). Other credits are too numerous to list, but Leah inspired attendees with jaw dropping statistics and proven methods to affect much needed improvements to the pedestrian environment. Presenter: Leah Shahum, Founder, Vision Zero Network, Oakland, CA  Co-sponsored by: Environmental Access and Transportation Committees  Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 18~~

~~Federal Communications Commission and How You Can Be A Change Agent: Co-Presenters: ☺ Suzy Rosen Singleton, Chief, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, ☺ Michael Scurato, Assistant Chief of the Policy Division, Media Bureau, Federal Communications Commission provided overviews and updates regarding audio description, user interface rules, telephone equipment and services accessibility, and advanced communications services; and shared information about the Commission's accessibility-related stakeholder engagement initiatives such as the complaint process, the Disability Advisory Committee, the comment filing process, AccessInfo listserv, and other activities under the purview of the Commission. Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

AAVIA hosts this presentation by Bill Piatt, former dean at St. Mary's law school in San Antonio TX, as he reviews the 2020-21 Supreme courst decisions and their ramifications. Recorded on July 17 during the 2021 ACB virtual conference and convention

~~Saturday School: “Advocating for the Best Learning Options in a Hybrid Environment”: In this workshop, we explored how parents and college students can work with schools to get the best learning options whether instruction takes place in person, online, or using a combination of both methods. Presenters: ♦ Tabitha Brecke, Accommodations Specialist and Adult Education Adjunct Professor, Auburn, AL ♦ Kaila Allen, Parent with Special Needs Experience, Mesa, AZ ♦ Hayley Agers, Parent and Former Independent Living Instructor, Marysville, WA ♦ Nat Ratcliff, Student Perspective, Carson, CA Co-sponsored by: AABT, ACBS AND ACB Next Gen Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

~~RSVA® “The Journey- Navigating the Challenges”: Motivational speaker: Dr. Bill Takeshita, OD, FAAO, F.C.O.V.D., Northridge, CA, spoke on his own challenges as a sighted optometrist and continuing his career after losing his sight. Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

~~RSVA® “The importance of the RS15”: Kathy Roet, Director of the Business Enterprise Program, Iowa Department of the Blind, Des Moines, IA will led this deepening discussion following the initial presentation at the 2021 Sagebrush conference. She shared how to use the RSA form to show the details of each state's current program. Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

~~411 from the IAC – Part 2: Rehabilitation, providing remote services: Attendees heard from two rehabilitation professionals about what providing rehabilitation services virtually has been like. ♠ Megan Conway from the Helen Keller National Center  ♠David Kingsbury from the Carroll Center for the Blind Discussed providing rehabilitation services virtually, what accessibility challenges they faced and how they worked through them to continue serving their clients. They then began a conversation about remote support-based services. Many continue to work from home and they gave some opinions on the leading products in this space and some tips and tricks when working with each of these products. They discussed Apple, Microsoft, AIRA and more during this part of the 411 presentations. In addition, Judy Dixon made a brief presentation about a new technology found on the latest iPhones. Is this truly the thing to have for your iPhone? Attendees learned how this technology can be put to use in your environment to help follow people in a line, learn about a new space, and locate large objects. Presenters: ♠ Megan A. Conway, PhD, Research and Accessibility Specialist, Helen Keller National Center, Healdsburg, CA ♠ David Kingsbury, Assistive Technology Instructor at the Carroll Center, Stoughton, MA ♠ Judy Dixon, Co-chair of the IAC, Arlington, VA ♠ Ray Campbell, Second Vice President of ACB, Glen Ellyn, IL  Co-sponsored by: Information Access committee and Rehabilitation Issues Task Force Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

~~BITS/SASI: Do You Hear What I Hear: Are you getting the most from your hearing devices? Have you ever wondered if any hearing aids will work with other technology such as your iPhone?  Attendees enjoyed an informative presentation during which two audiologists and a Hearing Care Professional served as panelists as they addressed the issues and answered questions. Presenters: • Dr. Carol Hamer, Audiologist, Hellen Keller National Center, Sands Point, NY • Jacob Smith, Hearing Instrument Dispenser, Oak Lawn, IL • Dr. Nancy Mascia, Audiologist, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Birmingham, AL Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

En-vision America: Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda, WILL: Why Asking for Help is so Difficult: En-Vision America briefly addressed the psychology of why it is so hard to ask for help, offered hints and how to overcome hesitations and how to craft more effective requests. ~~Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 16~~

The staff from The Seeing Eye were joined by attendees  for a fun and informative discussion on The Seeing Eye's program, what it's like to partner with a dog, and an update on what we've been up to lately. Mots questions were submitted to; whitec@seeingeye.org in advance. - Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 16

GDB alumni and anyone was interested in Guide Dogs for the Blind and guide-dog access: Attendees joined GDB for an update on the DOT Air Carriers Access Act Service, animal Ruling with national experts. including: ◘ Mr. Ray Prentice (Alaska Airline Accessibility Director) ◘ Mr. Eric Lipp (CEO of Opendoors Organization)  What is the ‘Ruling' in brief? How is the implementation going? Who can you give feedback to and how? Plus creative efforts to make the process more usable. This concern has weighed on many Guide Dog handlers. Attendees joined GDB to shape the future of air travel for guide-dog teams. Questions were sent to Rabih Dow, GDB Director of Outreach and Advocacy in advance at: RDow@guidedogs.com. - Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 16

Welcome to the Transportation and Advocacy Track of the ACB Focus Podcast Series.