Austin Council of the Blind

Spring is here, Austin, and it’s time to reconnect.

Join the Austin Council of the Blind for our March Chapter Meeting this Saturday, March 21, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center, 808 Nile Street.

We’ll spend the morning catching up, sharing updates from both national and local ACB, talking through community happenings, and digging into advocacy and transportation news. Expect good conversation, familiar faces, and a few new ones too. Refreshments will be available, and if you’re feeling lucky, bring a little extra for the split-pot drawing.

After the meeting, we’ll keep the momentum going with lunch at Wingzup, 1000 E 41st St, Suite 210, for great food and even better company.

All are welcome, so spread the word and bring a friend. We’re looking forward to seeing you there.

Are you an ACB member wanting to expand your leadership skills within the ACB community? Apply now to become either a DKM First-Timer or JP Morgan Chase Leadership Fellow for the Class of 2026!

If selected for either award, you'll attend the 65th ACB Conference and Convention in St. Louis, MO from July 24-31, 2026, where you'll participate in leadership activities and experience personal growth while networking with other attendees. Recipients receive round-trip air travel and supporting transportation, hotel accommodations (double occupancy), a per diem allowance, and more.

Members must submit an online application and have the president of their affiliate or chair of an ACB committee submit a recommendation form on their behalf.

Get all the info and complete the online application process at http://acb.org/dkm.

Good luck!

Durward K. McDaniel Fund Committee | American Council of the Blind This webpage was updated on February 26, 2026. 2024 Committee Members (from left to right): Melanie Alt Sinohui, Sheila Young, Anthony Akamine, Amanda Selm, Zelda GebhardMissionTo honor the memory and contributions of ACB pioneer Durward K. McDaniel, the DKM First Timer Committee annually selects t....

A Major ADA Digital Accessibility Rule Is Now Final!

For years, disabled people were often told the same thing when a website or app didn’t work with screen readers or other assistive technology: file a complaint, request an accommodation, and wait for the issue to be fixed after access was already blocked.

That approach is finally changing.

In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice finalized an important update to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. For the first time, the rule establishes clear technical standards for digital accessibility across state and local government services.

Under the new rule, government websites and mobile apps must meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. These standards cover things like screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, alt text for images, captions and transcripts for media, accessible forms and documents, and mobile app accessibility.

The requirement applies broadly to digital services provided by public entities such as cities, counties, public schools, universities, and other government agencies. If a government agency uses third-party platforms or vendor tools to deliver services to the public, those services must also meet accessibility requirements.

The rule also sets clear compliance deadlines:

• Public entities serving populations of 50,000 or more must comply by April 24, 2026.
• Smaller jurisdictions and special districts must comply by April 26, 2027.

Accessibility obligations under the ADA are not new, but until now there was no officially adopted technical standard for digital services. This update brings clarity by formally adopting WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the benchmark for compliance.

For millions of disabled Americans, this matters in everyday ways: paying bills online, accessing school materials, completing government forms, reading public announcements, and using essential services.

Accessibility in digital public services is not a convenience. It is a civil rights requirement.

Jingle, jingle, jingle. The lights are shining, the cocoa is warm, and the holiday spirit is filling the air. That can only mean one thing: it is time for the Austin Council of the Blind Annual Holiday Party.

Join us on Saturday, December 13, 2025, as we begin the festivities at 6 PM at DK Maria’s Legendary Tex-Mex Restaurant. Enjoy a delicious dinner with your choice of beef or chicken enchiladas, served with rice, beans, and a drink for $19.95. Please RSVP to [email protected] by this Thursday with your meal choice of chicken or beef.

You do not have to be an Austin Council of the Blind member to attend the party. Everyone is welcome to join the celebration. But If you would like to become a member, the cost is only $12 for the entire year.

The fun continues with a lineup of festive activities, including:

Pass the Parcel,

A lively holiday trivia showdown,

The famous Ugly Sweater Contest,

A special visit from Blue Santa for holiday photos,

Will anyone defeat Marcus Manning’s long-standing reign as the king of ugly sweaters? Come see for yourself or try to take the title.

The evening will run from 6 PM to 9 PM, giving you plenty of time to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and celebrate the season with warmth, laughter, and community.

We cannot wait to celebrate this joyful night with you. And just so nothing gets lost in the tinsel and sparkle, here is your cheerful holiday reminder of all the details:

Saturday, December 13, 2025

6 PM to 9 PM

DK Maria’s Legendary Tex-Mex Restaurant

1807 Slaughter Lane, Austin, Texas

Join us for good food, good company, and a whole lot of holiday cheer.

Attention everyone,

The NLS Alexa My Talking Books skill is officially available for service. For those of you who had existing My Talking Books accounts prior to October 2025, your profiles have been retained.

Those of you who are not using the NLS Alexa skill called My Talking Books, can begin using the skill by filling out the registration form found at the following web address: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mtb-open-beta

Patrons under the age of 18 will need to have a parent or guardian fill out the Parental Acknowledgement form at the following web address: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mtb-parental-acknowledgment

Thank you,

Your NLS team

My Talking Books - Parental Acknowledgment Form Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

🍁 **Austin Council of the Blind – November Chapter Meeting!** 🍁
**Saturday, November 15, 2025 • 10 AM – 12 PM**
📍 *Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center*
808 Nile Street, Austin, TX

Hey everyone! The air is getting crisp, pumpkin spice is in full swing, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner — so it’s the perfect time for our **November ACB Chapter Meeting!**

Come join us this Saturday for a great morning of connection, updates from the State and National Organization, refreshments, and important chapter business. We’ll also be holding **elections for Chapter Officers and one Director seat**, so we’d love to have as many members as possible there to vote!

🎉 **Special Holiday Fun!**
Instead of our usual split-pot, we’re doing a **Thanksgiving Potluck Drawing** with *two amazing stuffed holiday baskets* full of delicious goodies! Tickets are just **$1**, so bring a little cash and try your luck!

🥗 **Lunch After the Meeting**
Everyone is invited to join us afterward for lunch at:
**Baby Acapulco – Baby A’s**
9505-B Stonelake Blvd, Austin, TX 78759

Everyone is welcome, so feel free to share this post and invite others. We can’t wait to see you there!

Austin Council of the Blind Home Welcome to the Austin Council of the Blind The Austin Council of the Blind (Austin Council) is a consumer-based advocacy organization. It is a chapter of the American Council of the Blind of Texas (ACBT). ACBT is an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind (ACB). The Austin Council addres...

Join us this Saturday, October 18th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Austin Council of the Blind Monthly Chapter Meeting!

When: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Where: Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center, 808 Nile Street, Austin, TX

After the meeting, we'll be grabbing lunch at Tapioca House (1906 Guadalupe Street, Austin) - feel free to join us! Check out the menu and come hungry!

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, make friends, and network with other blind and vision-impaired individuals who share similar experiences and interests. We'll be discussing advocacy reports, transportation updates, and getting ready for our upcoming Christmas party, plus more.

If you'd like to enter our split pot drawing, don't forget to bring some cash - that's physical dollar bills - to increase your chances of winning!

We'd love to have you there and look forward to meeting you! Hope to see you on Saturday!

Join ACB in urging Congress to support the Blind Americans Return to Work Act!

Today, Americans who are blind receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) face an unfair “earnings cliff” — if they earn just a bit too much, their benefits are cut off completely. This system discourages people from working and limits economic independence.

The Blind Americans Return to Work Act would replace the cliff with a fair, gradual reduction in benefits. This model would empower people who are blind to pursue meaningful employment without fear of losing all support.

It only takes a minute to ask your members of Congress to support this critical legislation. Send a message today: https://speak4.app/lp/5t01cset/?ts=1759238261

ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs Claire Stanley provides a summary on our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/shorts/vERzl5OBRe4

You're Invited: PC Navigation Workshop!

Get ready to master your Windows PC and unlock a world of possibilities! Join us this Saturday for a FREE hands-on Tech Workshop, hosted by the Austin ACB Chapter.

Discover How To:

• Navigate Windows with confidence
• Locate items and files with ease
• Browse the web safely and efficiently
• Get answers to your personal PC questions

When: This Saturday, October 11th
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: Medina Highland Apartments Conference Room, 212 W. Highland Mall Blvd.

What to Expect:

• Interactive learning in a supportive environment
• Expert guidance from our experienced hosts
• Opportunities to ask questions and get personalized help

Come Ready To:

• Learn, explore, and take control of your Windows PC
• Meet new people and make connections
• Have a productive and enjoyable experience

We're Looking Forward to Seeing You There!

Governor Greg Abbott launched the 10th annual Texas HireAbility campaign with the Texas Workforce Commission to highlight the value of hiring people with disabilities.

Nearly 2 million Texans with disabilities strengthen our workforce & make our state stronger.

More: http://bit.ly/4nXJDSS

Go Texas! 

Today at 10:30 a.m. Central Time, Texas TSBVI will face Atlanta in the gold medal match, after their semi-final win over FSDB A team from Florida. The game will be live-streamed at: https://www.facebook.com/gablindsports