ACB Focus: Health and Wellness

Originally Aired on ACB Media

Participants explored WELL—wisdom, encouragement, listening, and learning—as a guide to supporting one another during demanding days and personal challenges. They discussed practical ways to lead with wisdom, encourage others, listen attentively, and remain open to learning. The session considered how these practices could strengthen relationships, create meaningful connections, build belonging, and support a stronger community.

Originally Aired on ACB Media

The Rehab Issues Task Force examined questions about whether the Rehabilitation Services Administration had moved to the Department of Labor, whether the Older Independent Blind Program had moved with it, and what these changes could mean for service providers and clients. The discussion considered national, state, and local perspectives and possible next steps. …

Originally Aired on ACB Media

Larry Johnson, who had presented fall-prevention workshops lasting from one hour to eight weeks, and Doug Powell, a Tai Chi teacher with more than 20 years of experience, shared ways to improve the home environment and exercises to improve balance. They focused particularly on the needs of people who were blind or had low vision.

Originally Aired on ACB Media

Four individuals described overcoming unexpected circumstances while coping with vision loss. The session addressed resilience, courage, and new ways of thinking in response to life's challenges.

Originally Aired on ACB Media

Building on the virtual fundamentals session, participants practiced self-defense skills through guided, interactive exercises. Activities addressed awareness, reaction time, personal boundaries, and assertive communication in difficult situations. The hands-on session emphasized empowerment, safety planning, realistic strategies for everyday environments, simple defensive techniques, scenario-based responses, and physical and mental readiness.

Presenters: Amy Wilson; Ricardo Salazar, ACBS president, Miami, FL; Gregg Wandsneider…

Originally Aired on ACB Media

Amy Wilson led a virtual session connecting mental well-being and personal safety. The first half addressed managing fear, setting boundaries, and developing assertiveness to support emotional resilience. The second introduced self-defense fundamentals, including awareness, prevention, and simple protective responses. The session combined psychological insight with practical safety education and offered tools for school, work, travel, and social situations, emphasizing confidence, independence, preparedness, and the right to safety…

Originally Aired on ACB Media

Carlos L. Grandela, OD, FAAO, joined Low Vision Alliance to explain low vision evaluations, what they involved, and why people should obtain one. The session included time for questions.

Originally Aired on ACB Media

Brenda Jagatic, a certified diabetes care and education specialist, discussed small behavior changes that could slow or prevent progression from prediabetes to Type 2 diabetes. The presentation cited estimates that one in three U.S. adults and half of adults over 65 had prediabetes, and that 90 percent of affected people did not know it. It addressed the misconception that little could be done to avoid or delay diabetes at that stage. Healthy-lifestyle suggestions also applied to people already diagnosed with diabetes and those…

20250709 1430 Meal Planning for a Healthy Life with Diabetes Originally Broadcasted July 9, 2025, on ACB Media 2

Three dietitians and diabetes educators from Pennsylvania Hospital joined us and shared ideas for planning tasty, fun, and interesting meals following eating recommendations for health with diabetes. Deciding what to eat for your meals and snacks every day is certainly a daunting experience and even more, so, when you're stopping to think about carbohydrates, proteins, fats, nutrition labels, etc. Participants joined us to help pick up some new tips to help make everyday meal planning easier and enjoyable. …

20250709 1300 ACBDA Presents Advocating for Mental Health Techniques in Action Originally Broadcasted July 9, 2025, on ACB Media 3

Participants joined Emily Durfey, MSW, LSW and Stephanie Ash, MSW, LSW, Esq. as they reviewed techniques for how people with diabetes can advocate for their mental health! We reviewed ways to identify and combat stigma and stereotypes, learn techniques to successfully engage in self-advocacy with family, friends, and providers and discuss signs of diabetes distress/burnout and how to seek help. Participants had an opportunity to put learned techniques into action through guided role-plays during the last half of the session and left…