ACB Focus: Health and Wellness

~~An Evening With ACB: Panel on Increasing Financial Literacy: Financial issues touch every aspect of our lives. The more we can learn about successfully navigating this whole area of interest, the more successful we can become in handling various financial matters that contribute to our independence. Although we could never hope to fully handle this subject in one panel session, we presented a sampling of topics we believe will be of interest and assistance to convention attendees. Panelists: ♦ Brian Charlson, Watertown, MA, an expert in the area of credit through his work on the Structured Negotiation on Credit Report Accessibility, shared this expertise with us and presented a discussion of the importance of knowing your credit status, and how to obtain and utilize your free and accessible credit reports from the three major credit bureaus. All financial literacy starts with credit, and Brian will tell us just what we need to know about it to make it work for us. ♦ Judy Dixon, Arlington VA, our resident expert in iOS-related photography, stretched our comfort zones by demonstrating the techniques she uses to allow a totally blind person to deposit a check into her bank account using only her iPhone. ♦ Kelly Ford, a brilliant trainer, answer man, and problem solver from Microsoft's Enterprise Disability Answer Desk, Madison, WI, is adept at all things Excel. Kelly shared information on pivot tables and data types, two awesome and exciting features that are accessible and will allow us to track our expenses and get stock-related information using some cool Excel techniques.

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 21~~

~~Diabetes Education 101: Thriving and living with diabetes: Living with diabetes is tough and living with vision loss adds to the challenge. Presenters: ♥ Brenda Jagatic, BScN, RN, Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist, Marquette, MI ♥ Lisa Golden, MA.Ed.HD, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, Crowley, TX

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 19~~

~~Leading the festivities this year are Pam Shaw, Joy Restoration Coach, Philadelphia, PA and Debbie Hazelton, ACB Radio Program Director, Dothan, AL. Share in the joy, inspiration & empowerment these two phenomenal women bring with them wherever they go!

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

~~SASI presents Employment Strategies for those with a Dual Sensory Loss: Sight and Sound Impaired (SASI) Committee presented a panel of people who have a dual sensory loss of hearing and vision loss. The panel discussed how they used reasonable accommodations, communication techniques, assistive technology and other strategies to gain and maintain employment. Panelists: ♠ Scott Davert, Coordinator of Technology Research and Innovation Center for the Helen Keller National Center, Sands Point, NY ♠ Megan Conway, Research and Accessibility Specialist, Helen Keller National Center, Healdsburg, CA ♠ Kerry Thompson, Senior Officer for Communications, Inclusion, & Analytics, Disability Rights Fund, Boston, MA ♠ Brian Horst, Child Support Program Administrator, Division of Child Support, Washington, DC

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 18~~

The staff from The Seeing Eye were joined by attendees  for a fun and informative discussion on The Seeing Eye’s program, what it’s like to partner with a dog, and an update on what we’ve been up to lately. Mots questions were submitted to; [email protected] in advance. - Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 16

~~Tat’s What Friends are For: Are you having a problem handling low vision? What’s been your journey with low vision? We discussed the journey of low vision, and shared experiences, offered encouragement and strategies. Come join our low vision community as we support one another. Sponsored by CCLVI

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 21~~

~~Diabetes and Nutrition 101: The speakers discussed current nutrition trends & their impact on diabetes.They discussed challenges to healthy eating such as sick days, holidays, traveling & dining out. We also provided tips for healthy grocery shopping and meal planning. Presenters: ♦ Marjorie Debruyne, RD, CDCES, Bloomington, IN ♦ Jeff Bishop, ACBDA Board Member, Kirkland, WA

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 20~~

~~Diabetes and Fitness 101: Attendees joined us to learn about the importance of exercise and how it plays a role with managing diabetes. Speakers: ♥ Karen Kemmis, PT, RN, DPT, Syracuse, NY ♥ Steve Bauer, CCA Board Member, Culver, CA

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 20~~

~~Safety and Fall Prevention Prescription Drug labeling  - Part 1: Fall prevention, Information is the key! Seniors with vision loss are at heightened risk of falls and other types of accidents. Safety expert Cecilia Warren helped us learn to address this problem and improve your quality of life. ♣ Cecilia Warren, Director, Emergency Preparedness Policy, Maryland Department of Disabilities, Baltimore, MD

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 19  Part 2: Accessible Drug Labeling and Medication Management for the Blind and Low Vision Community: The lack of accessible drug labeling and assistance with medication are problems that threatens lives and causes significant medical issues. If you struggle with the availability of accessible drug labeling or the need for help with medication management, attendees listened to the founders of Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind. You just may find that solutions are here! Medication Management for the Blind and Low Vision Community

Speakers: ♣ Dr. Alex Cohen, PhD, Chief Marketing & Accessibility Officer at Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind ♣ Andy Burstein, Chief Executive Officer at Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind, Philadelphia, PA

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 19~~

~~BPI Self Defense: BPI partnered with Strive4you to start us on the road of learning self-defense techniques. With their adaptive program, we learned the basics of strengthening our core and using well-honed skills that inspired us to get up and get moving with confidence and the ability to defend ourselves. Presenters: ♥ Ricky Jones, Co-executive Director, Strive4you, Nashville, TN ♥ Christy Ray, Co-Executive Director, Strive4you, Nashville, TN

• Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 20~~