The below research request is being provided for informational purposes only. ACB has no involvement in this research.

We hope this email finds you well. We would like to invite you to participate in a research study run by the Human Computer Interaction (HCI) research team in the Department of Computer Sciences, University of Wisconsin Madison. We are reaching out to you because we are interested in studying how various techniques might help blind and low vision people with a sense of awareness within a social VR space.

Our study consists of two parts: an interview and an experimental portion. Your participation would consist of answering questions regarding your experience with social VR and our prototype in the interview, then completing various tasks utilizing our prototype in the experimental portion. Participation can be done remotely or in-person. If done remotely, we will use Zoom as the primary platform for communication during the study.

We will provide you with monetary compensation of $20 per hour of the study. If participating in-person, costs of travelling to our lab will be reimbursed by up to $30 (receipts will be needed). The study will last for approximately 2 hours (Half hour interview and prototype introduction, 1 1/2 hour task completion). 

 To participate in the study, :

You must be 18+ years in age

You must be blind or low vision for at least one year (i.e. be “experienced” in living without vision or limited vision)

Your participation in this study is voluntary and will not impact any health care you receive.

If you are interested in participating in the study, please use the survey link below to fill in our information. Our research team will contact you if you are eligible to the study.

The link to the survey:

Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

If you have any questions, please contact us at tfji@... (Tiger Ji).

Please feel free to share this email with anyone who might be interested. We look forward to learning about your experience! Thank you for your time.

Announcement: American Council of the Blind (ACB) and Walmart to Team Up on White Cane Day to Amplify the Importance of Health for Independence for Blind and Low Vision Americans

(Alexandria, VA) Oct. 15 – Today, in honor of White Cane Day, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and Walmart have teamed up to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity and routine eye exams for the visually impaired.

The national Get Up & Get Moving campaign is designed to encourage the visually impaired communities to take charge of their independence and overall health.

“We are excited to be collaborating with Walmart to amplify these messages and share health information, for which they continue to push for progress inside and outside of the company through their support of their customers in the communities where they live and overall commitment for accessibility,” Eric Bridges, Executive Director of ACB.

Notable past collaborations between the two organizations include ScripTalk in 2019, which provides audible prescription labels at the patient’s request and is available in over 1,952 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across the country.

Over 4 million Americans experience severe vision loss and blindness, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), puts a $51.4 billion burden on our annual economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the additional needs many individuals experiencing blindness have when it comes to locally accessible, reliable healthcare options including nutrition, eye health and diabetes management.

Currently, of the 34 million Americans with diabetes, nearly one-third will experience diabetes-related vision loss. Despite this causal link between diabetes and vision loss, there are few resources and technologies available to allow someone with vision loss to independently test, manage and care for their diabetes.

Together, we hope to empower both our ACB members and the over 30 million Americans with severe vision loss to take control of their health. For more information on the tools and resources available www.acb.org

Join Walmart and ACB in celebrating the importance of health and wellness for independence, today, October 15, for International White Cane Day by making a commitment for your health to be a priority and to Get up and Get Moving!

About the American Council of the Blind

The American Council of the Blind is a national member-driven consumer organization representing Americans who are blind and visually impaired. During the organization’s 60-year history, ACB has become a leader in national, state, local, and even international advocacy efforts. With 68 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve the quality of life for all people who are blind and visually impaired. For more information, visit www.acb.org

About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 220 million customers and members visit approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 48 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2021 revenue of $559 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmart.

Related Links

Visit the Get Up & Get Moving home page at https://www.acb.org/GUGM 

Announcement URL https://acb.org/GUGM-Walmart

Jennifer Flatt

Manager of Communications

American Council of the Blind

Together for a bright future . .. :

Join us for the ACB Get up and Get Moving Dance Party Today, October 15th to celebrate White Cane Day.

We will be playing the chart toppers to inspire you, starting with the 1960s with DJ Darrow at 2pm ET / 11am PT. The fun will continue all through the afternoon until we reach today’s hits.

Help us celebrate ACB’s 60th year as we celebrate the importance of White Cane Day, the ACB way!

The dance party will be live on ACB Media 4: https://www.acbmedia.org/home/streams/media4/ starting at 2pm ET

Event Schedule:

2pm ET: The 60s with facilitators: Dan Dillon and Tony Stephens, DJ: Darrow Loucks, and host: Sheila Young

3pm ET: The 70s with facilitator: Dan Spoone, DJ: Darrow Loucks, and host: Cindy Hollis

4pm ET: The 80s with facilitator: Leslie Spoone, DJ: Darrow Loucks, and host: Monica Svopa

5pm ET: The 90s with facilitators: Tom Tobin and Sheila Styron, DJ: Larry Gassman, and host: Belinda Collins

6pm ET: The 2000s with facilitator: Terry Suarez, DJ: Larry Gassman, and host: Kolby Garrison

7pm ET: The 2010s with the Get Up and Get Moving Committee, DJ: Darrow Loucks, and hosts: Cindy Hollis and Kolby Garrison.

#ACBGetMoving

ACB Oct 15^th Events and Messaged for White Cane Day and Get Up & Get Moving

The Get up and Get Moving Sub-committee will host a live-streamed event on October 15^th to highlight Celebrating the importance of health and wellness for independence on White Cane Day. The event is The ACB Get Up & Get Moving Dance Party. The dance party will be live on October 15^th on ACB Media 4 Cafe: https://www.acbmedia.org/home/streams/media4/ starting at 2pm ET

ACB Messages

Event posts

1. ACB encourages all of our Affiliates and our Members to make a commitment to raise awareness of the importance of White Cane Day this year on October 15, 2021.

1. Get up & Get Moving Dance Party - Oct 15, 2021: Join us for the Get up and Get Moving Dance Party on October 15th to celebrate White Cana Day. We will be playing the chart toppers to inspire you, starting with the 1960s with DJ Darrow at 2 pm ET / 11am PT. The fun will continue all through the afternoon until we reach today’s hits. Help us celebrate ACB’s 60th year as we celebrate the importance of White Cane Day, the ACB way! Listen on ACB Media 4. #ACBGetMoving

History of White Cane Posts

1. World White Cane Day is celebrated every year on October 15. Also known as White Cane Safety Day, the day was first marked in 1964 in the United States by President Lyndon B Johnson.
2. White Cane Day is observed worldwide and recognizes the movement of blind people from dependency to active participation in society. It also celebrates the achievement of blind people.
3. The first special White Cane Ordinance was passed in December 1930 in Peoria, Illinois. It granted blind pedestrians protections and the right-of-way while carrying a white cane. In 1935, Michigan began promoting the white cane as a visible symbol for the blind. Governor Frank Murphy signed the bill into law in March 1937.
4. On October 6, 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress, HR 753, was signed into law authorizing the President of The United States of America to proclaim October 15th of each year as "White Cane Day."
5. In the first White Cane Proclamation President Johnson commended blind people for the growing spirit of independence and the increased determination to be self-reliant and dignified. He said in part: "A white cane in our society has become one of the symbols of a blind person's ability to come and go on his own. Its use has promoted courtesy and opportunity for mobility of the blind on our streets and highways."

HOW WILL YOU OBSERVE #WhiteCaneDay

• The day primarily focuses on the independence and equality of those with visual impairments. Celebrating White Cane Day supports those who are blind or with low vision by raising awareness that this navigation tool is essential for many to help attain their goals and be seen as equal, and that the white cane itself, symbolizes those achievements. Use #WhiteCaneDay to post on social media.

• Join ACB in Celebrating the importance of health and wellness for independence on October 15, White Cane Day, by sharing what you are doing to help raising awareness and celebrate #WhiteCaneDay”

Related links to share:

• Visit the Get Up & Get Moving home page https://www.acb.org/GUGM
• Read ACB’s Clark Rachfal’s Get Up and Get Moving article on Modern Wellness The Role of Health and Wellness in Independence: https://www.modernwellnessguide.com/childhood-wellness/the-role-of-health-and-wellness-in-independence-for-the-blind-community/

Jennifer Flatt

Manager of Communications

American Council of the Blind

ACBM will hold our October   board meeting via zoom conference call on Monday, October   18 at 6:30 PM.  Guests are always welcome; if you would like to attend please contact Steve Robertson, he will send you the zoom link and phone number.

Please call (612) 223-5543 or send an email to

stevetrobertson4@....

Janet Dickelman, president, ACBM

Hello again,

Our speakers were just confirmed,

Kate Grathwol President and Chief Executive Officer and Mariah Lossing, director of activities at Vision Loss Resources will be our speakers on October 23^rd.

Janet

The Podcast of last night’s ACB Board Meeting, Resolutions Part Two is now available via the podcast feed “ACB Events”.

The podcast can be accessed directly at:

https://pnc.st/s/acb-events/a34d5eab/acb-board-of-directors-meeting-september-29-2021-resolutions-p-art-two

Thanks for your support of the ACB Media Network!

Rick Morin

Technical Director, ACB Media Network

+1 (860) 426-9161

rmorin@...

Hello ACBM members and guests,

Our quarterly meeting will be held on Saturday, October 23rd at Joseph's

Grill 140 S Wabasha in Saint Paul. Social hour is from 11:30 until 12:30

followed by lunch and the ACBM quarterly business

meeting.

 The meeting will conclude by 3:00 PM.

lunch choices:

1. Penne Rosa 

  Roasted Red Peppers, Sliced Roma Tomatoes,

  Grilled Chicken Breast, Mushrooms, Alfredo and

  Marinara Sauces and Parmesan Cheese. 

2. Flatbread pizza: Italian sausage, house pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese on

  Lebanese Flatbread and baked to perfection.

3. Cheeseburger

Agenda items:

Invited speaker TBA

committee reports

special reports from groups of special interest to ACBM members

additional items will be added to the agenda at the meeting.

 Responses:

Exciting news you may now select and pay for your lunch from our website, go to

https://acbminnesota.org/meetings/

You can even add in $1.00 to cover processing costs.

You can still e-mail Steve Robertson with your meal choices at

stevetrobertson4@...

or call him at (612) 223-5543.

We would appreciate hearing from you by Sunday, April 12th.

payment methods:

you may pay for your meal via PayPal at

www.acb.org/minnesota

send your payment to

Box 23543

Richfield, MN 55423

or pay by check or cash at the meeting.

cancellation policy: If you make a reservation and then find you are unable to attend, please call Steve by noon on Friday, October 15^th  If you cancel after that time, you will be responsible for paying for your meal.

We look forward to seeing you.

ACBM calling committee

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Hello all,

Hello all, 

ACB Resolutions Committee – Involve Yourself in the Process: 7:30pm ET, 4:30pm PT, 1:30pm HT

The Resolutions Committee invites you to take part in the discussion over submitted resolutions. We may not be voting on them during the convention as done in person, but everyone can have input in the process and take part in the committee’s work.

Sponsored by the ACB Resolutions Committee

Listen on ACB Media 2: www.acbmedia.org/2

Or tell your Amazon device to, “ask ACB media to play 2.”

Join the webinar:

https://acb-org.zoom.us/j/84761814754

One tap mobile: +13126266799,,86833380393#

Phone: 312-626-6799

Webinar ID: 847 6181 4754