Serving the blind and low vision population of South Central Kentucky
A chapter of the Kentucky Council of the Blind

OUR PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

Information and Referral:

All ACB staff provides information on a wide range of blindness-related questions. The toll-free number to call is 1-800-424-8666 (between 2 and 5 p.m. Eastern time). The direct number is 1-202-467-5081. For online information, send an e-mail message to info~acb.org.

Employment:

Every two weeks, ACB posts a job bank on its web site at http://www.acb.org with nationwide employment opportunities of particular interest to blind and visually impaired people. Information about job announcements is also available from the Washington Connection, 1-800-424-8666 during evenings and weekends.

Scholarships:

More than twenty-five scholarships are awarded annually to outstanding legally blind post-secondary students who are enrolled in academic, professional or technical training programs. Hundreds of legally blind students who have benefited from this program over the years have gone on to careers in computer science, law, teaching, music and many other fields.

Internship Programs:

ACB offers internships at the organization's national office in Washington, D.C., to provide college students with valuable knowledge of ACB's legislative and governmental activities, and an awareness of the variety of issues that a large national organization of people who are blind and visually impaired deals with on a daily basis.

Publications:

"The Braille Forum," ACB's national magazine, is published monthly in large print, Braille, cassette, and computer disk, or can be downloaded from the ACB web site at http://www.acb.org or via email upon request. "The Braille Forum" features articles on employment, legislation, disability and civil rights issues, advocacy, sports/leisure activities, and new products and services of particular interest to people who are blind or visually impaired.

Information Hotline:

"The Washington Connection" provides up-to-date legislative news and information on issues, which are important to blind and visually impaired people. Call on evenings and weekends at 1 -800-424-8666, or visit the Washington Connection link on the ACB web site at http://www.acb.org.

Resources:

Topical brochures and resource lists are available to provide information on a variety of subjects ranging from computer equipment to diabetes management, or how to start an ACB local chapter.

ACB Radio:

ACB Radio on the Internet delivers a variety of programming streams, including music by blind musicians, interactive programming by blind DJs and commentators, old-time radio, and informational programming about topics, which are of particular interest to people who are blind. This new and popular service is available 24 hours a day at www.ACBRADIO.ORG

Radio Broadcasts:

"ACB Reports" is an informative monthly radio news and feature program broadcast on radio reading services across the country. The recording is available on the cassette edition of "The Braille Forum," on ACB Radio, and through real audio files on the ACB web site.

The ACB Web site:

The ACB web site provides a wide range of resources about the Council and its activities, information on state and special interest affiliates, and links to other useful blindness-related web sites at http://www.acb.org.

ACB Internet Users Group List:

ACB-L provides an Internet forum for open exchange of ideas regarding blindness-related topics. You can join ACB-L or other informational lists from ACB's web site at http://www.acb.org.

Legislative and Governmental Monitoring:

Staff in the ACB national office routinely monitors legislative issues of vital interest to blind and visually impaired people. Legislative language is drafted, with the specific needs of blind people in mind, and sent to key congressional staff to be included in proposed legislation. ACB governmental staff advocate on behalf of blind and visually impaired citizens in congressional hearings, meetings with government officials and with decision-makers throughout the government.

In like manner, our SCKCB organization carefully monitors legislative issues of vital interest to blind and visually impaired people in the state of Kentucky. We draft Legislative language, with the specific needs of blind people in mind, and send to key General Assembly staff to be included in proposed legislation.

Legislative seminars:

Legislative seminars sponsored by ACB in Washington, D.C. and during the ACB annual convention teach blind and visually impaired people how to advocate for themselves.

Public Awareness and Education:

Through radio and television public service announcements, special events, and personal presentations, ACB and its many state affiliates and chapters promote the independence, dignity and advancement of all people who are blind and visually impaired.

Legal Advice and Assistance:

ACB provides free consultation on the rights, services and benefits available to people who are blind or visually impaired through our advocacy services program.