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The article presents several updates related to the legislative bodies in the U.S. as of 2016. Topics include the start of the work of the 115th Congress on January 3, 2017. The passage of an important legislation for veterans with vision loss signed by U.S. President Barack Obama on September 30, 2016. The retirement and disability recipients will receive Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) increase in 2017.

Close your eyes, reach into your wallet, and pull out a piece of paper money. Can you tell what denomination the bill is without looking at it? If you can't, […]

The article presents a report that was delivered during the 54th annual national conference of the nonprofit organization American Council of the Blind (ACB) in Dallas, Texas in July 2015. Topics of the report include the acknowledgement of ACB's officials and members for their contributions to the organization, personnel changes, and the accomplishments of ACB, particularly in legislative aspects.

The article reports on streaming media company Netflix Inc.'s April 14, 2015 announcement of its plans to make select films and television programs available with audio description, with the film "Daredevil" to be released under this initiative. Also mentioned is the planned increase of U.S. television markets required to provide audio-described prime-time programming under the American Council of the Blind's (ACB) Audio Description Project beginning in July 2015.

The article offers information on a lawsuit filed by the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. It states that the lawsuit was filed on behalf of Eric Bridges and the American Council of the Blind (ACB) against four taxicab companies prejudiced practices against visually-impaired individuals accompanied by service animals. The discriminatory treatment for blind and low-vision passengers who use service animals is emphasized.

The article presents the legislative imperatives imposed by the organization the American Council for the Blind (ACB) for 2015. The legislative measures created for the ACB include the Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act of 2015, the Marrakesh Treaty for the Blind, and the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act. Moreover, it cites the successful midyear meeting series concluded by the ACB.

The article focuses on the plan of the U.S. government to provide blind or visually impaired people with currency reader devices to help them determine the denomination of banknotes in the state. It states that the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing has started the first stage of its currency reader distribution program which has been conducted at the summer conventions of various blindness organizations including the American Council of the Blind (ACB).

The article focuses on the report issued by the U.S. Access Board (ACB) in July 2013 on the best practices for making information on prescription drug container labels accessible to people who are elderly, who are blind or visually impaired. It says that the best practices would be utilized voluntarily by pharmacies to guarantee that blind and visually impaired individuals have consistent, safe and reliable access to the information on prescription drug container labels.

The article presents a speech by Brian Charlson, director of technology at Carroll Center for the Blind in Newton, Massachusetts, delivered on behalf of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) on May 14, 2013, is presented. It discusses the services offered by non-profit organization Carroll Center for the Blind, the non-profit organization ACB, and the Audio Description Project (ADP) established by ACB in 2008.

The article discusses the legislation authored by U.S. Representative Edward J. Markey. It notes that the legislation aims to provide visually impaired people the access to information about their prescription medications. In addition, it convenes a working group of pharmacy representatives, patient and consumer advocates to develop guidelines for pharmacists to address the needs of the blinds while taking into accounts the challenges faced by smaller pharmacies.

The article offers information on the alterations to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the U.S. in 2010. One important alteration is that the SSA aims to offer the additional formats of audio compact disc (CD) and large print to those who request them. It mentions that because of the number of requests they have received, they determined to add them to the list of formats that would be automatically allowed upon request.

The article focuses on the notice published by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) outlining its recommendations to make to the Secretary of the Treasury on how to provide blind people with access to U.S. currency. The BEP considers the development of a raised tactile feature that will accommodate people who are blind and visually impaired. It integrates a high-contrast numerals into Federal Reserve notes. It also plans to establish a supplemental currency reader distribution program.

The article offers information on the Social Security Administration (SSA) for the visually impaired beneficiaries and representative payees in the U.S. It cites the changes in the SSA which will provide additional formats in braille to support the interim alternate formats through telephone or mail. It adds that the American courts has mandated the SSA to provide formats in braille, Microsoft Word on compact disk (CD), or large print and audio CD by 2011.

The article reports on the court order arising from the case American Council of the Blind v. Astrue. The order mandates that Social Security beneficiaries who are blind or visually impaired are to be provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) with notices in alternate forms. The article features an SSA letter which informs and instructs the concerned beneficiaries on how to avail with the service.

The article discusses the report done for the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing concerning several options that would make it easier for people with visual impairments to distinguish between different denominations of currency in the country. The author mentions that the usability test utilizes three primary tactile features. She states that the majority of blind participants prefer the notches feature.

The author discusses several laws, programs and conferences including the meeting between the officials of Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) and American Federation of Government Employees' VA Council regarding staffing issues, an initiative by federal agency U.S. Department of Transportation for the disabled people and information about the recovery remuneration Cost of Living Adjustment.

The article focuses on launch of the phase 2 of Money Reader Distribution Program of the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It notes that the U.S. government will make free money identifiers available to people who cannot read regular print because of blindness or a visual impairment and who complete required application. It mentions the advantage of the program and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS).

The article reports on the new rules issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation aimed at addressing some of the challenges facing people with disabilities when they want to travel by air. It requires U.S. and foreign airlines to make pages of their web sites that contain core travel information and services accessible to people with disabilities. Also, it requires airlines to offer the same promotions to both online shoppers and those who contact them in person or by telephone.

The article focuses on the changes in the American Council of the Blind (ACB) office. It states that the ACB seeks for a new director of advocacy and governmental affairs for its national office in Arlington, Virginia. It says that the applications for the said job vacancy will be accepted until September 6, 2013. Information regarding the primary duties of this position is also provided.

The article offers the author's insights on the legislative imperatives of the American Council of the Blind (ABC) for 2013. Topics discussed by the author include the the education for blind or visually impaired children and medicare coverage of low-vision devices wherein the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is involved.

The article focuses on the ways to make a planned giving and help the American Council of the Blind (ACB) at the same time. It says that cash contributions are the easy way for showing the support of the services provided by ACB. It adds that a contribution to help blind people to achieve independence and dignity can be made by leaving a bequest to ACB. Moreover, making the ACB as beneficiary of the pension can be the most cost-effective way to help the organization.

The article focuses on the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program which has been favorably responded by the White House on January 20, 2012. Accordingly, the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America has pushed the program for the talented and creative blind individuals to provide them with a lifetime economic opportunity, independence, and self-sufficiency. The Vending Facility Program allows qualified blind individuals to operate vending facilities on government properties.

The article discusses the accomplishments of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) in 2011. It relates the appointment of several ACB members to the advisory committee of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make recommendations relevant to the implementation of the Communications and Video Accessibility Act. It mentions that the organization has also submitted public comments on issues related to accessibility of streets to visually impaired pedestrian.

The article offers brief information on the updated edition of the "Pedestrian Safety Handbook" issued by the American Council of the Blind (ACB).

The article focuses on the progress toward accessible currency and the efforts made by the U.S. Department of Justice. As stated the Department of the Treasury will use methods with meaningful access to U.S. currency for blind people. Secondly the Justice Department announced a settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act with Wells Fargo and Company to ensure equal access for disable people.

The article offers updates on the 2011 legislative agenda of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) in the U.S. ACB members have supported the House Resolution (HR) 860, which would amend the Internal Revenue Code for the promotion of charitable donations of qualified vehicles. ACB has addressed the issue of accessible labeling for prescription drugs.

The article focuses on the initiatives of American Cancer Society (ACS) and American Council of the Blind (ACB) to ensure accessibility of blind and visually impaired individuals to cancer information. The redesigned cancer.org web site provides information to fight back cancer. The societies worked on a program offering ACS materials in large prints, braille, and audio formats, which could be ordered by visiting www.cancer.org/AboutUs/ACSPolicies/accesibilty-at-the-american-cancer-society.

The article reports on the passage of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act and its technical corrections bill by the U.S. House of Representatives. According to Eric Bridges of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), ACB acknowledges the advocacy of Representative Ed Markey and Senator Mark Pryor through this difficult process. Bridges also mentions that the bill will be signed by President Barack Obama to become a public law.

The article presents the author's view regarding Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez's remarks on whether the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability rights law apply to the Internet. According to the author, Perez's address was wide ranging and which included comments on the Civil Rights Division's efforts to enforce several disability rights laws. Also presented is an excerpt from the remarks of Perez which focuses on the issues related to access to technology.

The article reports on the case filed against the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the U.S. due to its failure to provide benefits for visually impaired recipients. Judge William Alsup of the District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco issued a ruling in favor of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and two classes of 3 million SSA beneficiaries. It challenges the SSA to provide alternative formats enabling recipients to have equal access to SSA programs.

The article discusses the services provided by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for people with disabilities.

The article offers information on the 2015 meeting and legislative seminar to be conducted by blind people organization American Council of the Blind (ACB) at the Holiday Inn National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.

The article discusses nonprofit organization American Council of the Blind's (ACB) annual giving programs as of October 2014. The ACB reportedly enrolls individuals, affiliates, and families who donate to ACB to annual giving societies based on their donation for the year. These giving societies include the Champions Society, Presidents Society, and Patrons Society.

The article discusses several critical issues in relation to the American Council of the blind in the U.S. Issues being presented include problems related to Social Security or social security disability insurance benefits as well as concerns about technology and assistive technology. Other issues related to Medicare and Medicaid are highlighted.

The article reports that American Council of the Blind (ACB) has welcomed the introduction of the H.R. 4040 bill on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in February 2014, which aims to improve the delivery of special education to blind and hearing-impaired students. It adds that the bill was named in honor of Alice Cogswell, the first girl in the U.S. to be educated at a school for the deaf, and Anne Sullivan Macy, best known for teaching author and political activist Helen Keller.

The article offers the author's insights on the American Council for the Blind (ACB) legislative seminar in 2014. She states that the ACB will have two legislative priorities in the seminar such as the passage of the House Resolution (H.R.) 3749 or The Medicare Demonstration of Low Vision Devices Coverage Act of 2013 and the Anne Sullivan Macy Act. She also mentions that the seminar will include topics such as the rehabilitation program, transportation funding, and the wage payments.

The article focuses on the efforts of Representatives Carolyn Maloney and Gus Bilirakis to introduce the Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act of 2013. Topics discussed include the objective of the bill to provide corrections for U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the benefits of the bill for Medicare recipients, and the link of the bill for the American Council of the Blind (ACB).

The article reports on the Report and Order released by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prescribing accessibility requirements for media devices. It mentions that the Report and Order is required by the U.S. Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) and is considered a success for the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and the blind community.

The article focuses on various announcements which were posted on the e-mail lists of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) on September 5, 2014. Topics discussed include the search for a director of advocacy and governmental affairs, the resignation of Eric Bridges, who is responsible for the reach of the organization, and Bridges will return to ACB as director of external relations and policy on September 9.

The article reports that the American Council of the Blind (ACB) is seeking for new advocates and volunteers that would help them in providing assistance for people who needs help concerning legal or access issues. Among the issues being addressed by the organization are social security problems, medicare issues, andrental housing issues.

The article announces that Tom Tobin was appointed as director of development at the American Council of the Blind (ABC).

The article presents the changes to the telephone service of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) in the U.S. It states that ACB can now answer their 800 line during business day and calls can be heard in the Washington Connection menu. The changes will increase the capability of ACB to respond to requests for information and assistance from callers. It also mentions that Steven Obremski, the director of development of ACB has resigned from his position.

Information about the topics discussed at the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) meeting that was held from October 17-19, 2012 is presented. The event focused on the access of books by people with visual disabilities. It notes that the WIPO's Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights advocated the development of an international treaty to address the shortage of reading materials accessible to these people.

The article offers the author's insights on updates of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which was signed by U.S. President Barack Obama. The author says that the American Council of the Blind (ACB) has urge the U.S. Senate to ratify the treaty. She mentions that the CRPD was passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 26, 2012.