In the summer of 2011, I was studying at my local community college in southern California as a radio and television major. I had the opportunity to intern with a few different companies. I signed up for the class that would allow me to do the internship. I was able to make a connection with … Read more
In the inaugural episode of the Next Up with NextGen podcast, we reflect on the early days of ACB Next Generation with the five original members of the Steering Committee. These include Amanda and Matt Selm, Maria Kristic, Greg Lindberg, and Lisa Cushman. The facilitator for this episode is Amber Grant. Learn more about ACB … Read more
Members of ACB Next Generation recognize the name Amanda Selm from before Next Generation was even an affiliate. She was instrumental in creating the affiliate and currently serves as its first president. She has been surrounded by blindness for much of her life. She herself is visually impaired and uses large print and magnification technology. … Read more
The ACB Next Generation Fundraising Committee is happy to announce that our first-ever ACB NextGen Auction will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Below you will find a list of items up for bid in the auction. They are not in their final order, but feel free to browse. If … Read more
On February 22, 2023, ACB Next Generation celebrated its third birthday. Next Generation is a unique affiliate, and leaders and members alike agree there is nothing quite like it anywhere else. Rather than focusing on a specific occupation, hobby, or condition, ACB Next Generation welcomes all blind and low vision individuals between the ages of … Read more
This past August, I got a text from Steven, a friend of mine. He asked if I had heard about the SongSight Music Mentoring Retreat, a brand-new event being put on by legally blind American Idol finalist Scott MacIntyre and several of his colleagues who are plugged into the music scene. The group was … Read more
During the 2022 American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention held in Omaha, NE in July, I had the opportunity to participate in two tours outside of the hotel. These were the first ACB-sponsored tours I attended since I wasn’t able to squeeze any into my convention itinerary when I attended the 2016 ACB … Read more
One may think that gardening is not for the blind. “How will I find the plants, how will I know if the produce is ripe, and what is this bug anyway?” are some common questions that come to mind. While these may be all good questions, they are common to even the sighted gardener. I’d … Read more
dictionary.com defines advocacy as “to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly: to act as an advocate.” Advocating is not just for after the problem. It can also mean carrying on a continuing discussion about a topic or potential issue. Advocating for yourself and others isn’t always easy. Some days … Read more
If you would’ve told me 15 years ago that I’d be employed, happy with my job, and completely blind today, I’d probably have laughed at you. Doctors told me this would happen, all my life I knew this. However, I really didn’t pay attention. I mean, I was aware that I could lose my vision; … Read more
