ACB Focus: Advocacy

20260726 1400 The Supreme Court Term in Review Originally Aired on ACB Media A prerecorded presentation by St. Mary's University Law School professor Bill Piatt examined significant U.S. Supreme Court decisions from the 2025–26 term and the Court's work generally. Presenter: Prof. Bill Piatt, San Antonio, TX

20260726 1130 Reflections on the 36th Anniversary of the ADA Originally Aired on ACB Media On the ADA's 36th anniversary, the ACB Advocacy Steering Committee and the American Association of Visually Impaired Attorneys presented a panel reflecting on ADA successes and failures from the blindness community's perspective. The panel also discussed current and potential political and legal risks to the ADA and the possible impact of AI on ADA rights.

20260725 1000 Advocacy Bootcamp Originally Aired on ACB Media The session examined the structure of government and the different platforms available for advocacy. It then explored creative approaches that did not require engagement with government, encouraging participants to consider ways to make change for the blind and low vision community.

20250709 1430 Advocacy Bootcamp Originally Broadcasted July 9, 2025, on ACB Media 2   Advocacy can look like a lot of things, there is no right or wrong way to do it. This session talked through the structure of our government to understand the various platforms in which to advocate through. Then, the discussion expanded further to explore other, out-of-the-box forms of advocacy that do not require engaging with the government at all. Lets put on our thinking caps to find various ways to advocate and make change for the blind and low vision community.

20250708 1600 You May be Missing Out on Services for Seniors Originally Broadcasted July 8, 2025, on ACB Media 3   Benefits Counseling, Medicare Enrollment, Home Delivered Meals, Fall Prevention Exercises. These are just a sampling of the programs and services which may be available free in your community from a Senior Center or Area Agency on Aging. Participants joined AAVL and learned how they can find out where they are and if they are eligible.   Facilitator: Doug Powell, AAVL President, Falls Church, VA   Presenters: Fallon Finney, Program Manager, ADRC of Dallas County Dallas TX, Oliva Umoren, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, US Aging, Washington, DC, Donna Alexander, Director Access and Assistance, Dallas AAA, Community Council of Greater Dallas, Dallas TX, Renae Perry, COO The Senior source, Dallas TX, and Jasmine Kelley, the Wellmed Senior Center, Dallas, TX.

20250707 1300 The ABCs of Advocacy-Parts 1 and 2 Originally Broadcasted July 7, 2025, on ACB Media   Participants joined us for an interactive session exploring the fundamental principles of advocacy, what it is, why it matters, and how you can make an impact. Whether it's at the local, state, or national level, advocacy is a powerful tool for driving change. Through interactive discussions, small group collaborations, and role playing exercises, attendees gained practical strategies and confidence to amplify their voice.   Co-sponsored by the ACB Advocacy Steering Committee and ACB Next Generation   Presenters: Jeff Thom, Chair of ACB's Advocacy Steering Committee, Sacramento, CA and Koni Sims, ACB Board Member, Sioux Falls SD   Facilitators: Aaron Espinoza, ACB Next Generation Advocacy Committee Chair, Bakersfield, CAand Amanda Selm, Immediate Past President, ACB Next Generation, Louisville, KY.

20250707 1300 The Supreme Court Term in Review Originally Broadcasted July 7, 2025, on ACB Media 3   Participants found out from St. Mary's University Law School professor about the significant decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court in its 2024-25 term and its work generally.   Presenter: Professor Bill Piatt, San Antonio, Texas

20250706 1430 Issues in Immigration Today Originally Broadcasted July 6, 2025, on ACB Media 3   Participants heard from a lawyer with decades of experience about the host of matters affecting immigration into the U.S.   Presenter: Oliver J. Langstadt, Miami, Florida   Co-sponsored by AAVIA and IRC

20250706 1300 Are We Meeting the Needs of Seniors with Vision Loss Originally Broadcasted July 6, 2025, on ACB Media 2   AAVL examined specialized services for blind or low vision seniors in Texas and looked more generally at innovative ways to bridge the enormous level of unmet needs in our nation for these services. What lessons can we learn from the Texas experience and what can we do to enhance services for our community.   Facilitator: Jeff Thom, Immediate Past President, Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss, Sacramento CA.   Presenters: Juanita Barker, Director of Blind Services, Texas Workforce Commission Dallas TX, Stacy Fuller, Vice-President Rehabilitation Services, Envision Inc.TX. Dallas TX, and Hannah Christenson, Director Community Services, Envision Inc. TX. Dallas TX.

20250706 0900 Update on Legislation Originally Broadcasted July 6, 2025, on ACB Media 3   Participants joined ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, Claire Stanley, as she provided a look at 2025 federal legislation of concern to people with vision loss. She covered not only those items in which ACB has been involved, but other legislative issues of concern to people with vision loss. Also, we urge attendees who are working on current legislation in their states to report on their progress.   Presenter: Claire Stanley, ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, Alexandria, VA.   Facilitator: Jeff Thom, ACB Advocacy Steering Committee, Sacramento, CA.