On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire and Swatha provide a smattering of topics and advocacy issues that ACB has been working on over the last month. Topics discussed include video conferencing program accessibility, the Census, and a save-the-date for our 2025 DC Leadership Conference and Legislative Seminar.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire and Swatha preview the 4th annual audio description awards gala with ACB’s Audio Description Project Coordinator, Tabitha Kenlon and one of the hosts of the gala, Alie B. Gorrie. Listen as we tease all that is happening this year at the gala, including what it was like recording at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City. Don’t forget to join us on November 14th at 7:30pm eastern on Peacock, adawardsgala.org, ACB Media, or on YouTube for the most glamorously inclusive award show of the year!

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire and Swatha revisit the topic of accessible voting with Microsoft's Rylin Rodgers. In this global year of elections, listen as we discuss the work Microsoft is doing to make voting more accessible for people with disabilities.

Find more information about the accessible voting options in your state at Accessible voting - Your guide to a private and independent voting experience

Access ACB's Voting Toolkit at www.acb.org/voting.

On This episode of ACB Advocacy Update, Swatha and Claire speak with Sarah Malaier, Senior Advisor, Public Policy and Research at the American Foundation for the Blind, on the long awaited Public Rights of Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG. Listen as we go through what these guidelines are and what they mean for the blind and low vision community.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire and Swatha recap a series of hearings held by the United States Access Board on AI’s impact on people with disabilities. We discuss its implications in the workplace and in transportation, and even how it can be used to enhance accessibility of both the digital environment and the physical built environment. The Access Board also solicits comments from the public on AI and its impact on the disability community. Comments are due on October 31st and can be emailed to events@access-board.gov or submitted on the Federal Register at Regulations.gov.

To access the hearing recordings, visit Artificial Intelligence (access-board.gov)

Scott Thornhill and Claire Stanley Attended the Disability:In conference in Las Vegas Immediately after the annual convention, Scott and Claire had the opportunity to travel to Las Vegas where the 2024 Disability-In conference was held. They had the opportunity to meet with several corporate partners including companies like Google, Microsoft, Athena, and many more. Listen to Scott and Claire discuss the many discussion and experiences they had that week. ACB greatly values the relationships it has with many of these companies.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire and Swatha speak with Cassie Trosper, President of Veterans of ACB and DKM First Timer Award Recipient, and Rachel Schroeder, ACB Board Member, about their experiences at ACB’s 2024 Conference and Convention in Jacksonville, FL.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Swatha speaks with Dania Douglas, Senior Attorney at the National Health Law Program, about the new rule from the US Department of Health and Human Services covering non-discrimination on the basis of disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. We discuss new prohibitions on disability discrimination in crisis standards of care, access to medical equipment, and accessibility standards for websites, mobile apps, and kiosks.

To learn more about the new rule, visit HHS Finalizes Rule Strengthening Protections Against Disability Discrimination | HHS.gov

To access the recording and slide deck for the webinar from NHLP, visit https://healthlaw.org/resource/webinar-section-504-final-rule/

Access comments on the proposed rule from NHLP at https://healthlaw.org/resource/comments-on-section-504-proposed-rules-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-in-health-and-human-services/

To access the blog from the Administration for Community Living, visit Final Rule Implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 | ACL Administration for Community Living

On this episode of ACB Advocacy Update, Claire speaks with Heather Ansley from Paralyzed Veterans of America about Congress’s long over due passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act. This bill includes numerous provisions that will improve the air travel experience for passengers with disabilities. Claire and Heather talk about key provisions of the new legislation including a pilot program to alleviate the burden of service animal attestation forms when flying.

On this episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, Claire and Swatha speak with ACB’s Convention Coordinator, Janet Dickelman, and two members of the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss, Doug Powell, AAVL President, and Jeff Thom, Immediate Past President, on all the things happening at the 2024 annual Conference and Convention. Register for the Conference and Convention at acbconvention.org or by calling Janet at 651-428-5059.