ACB Tuesday Topics Paul Edwards, American Council of the Blind

This week we are going to explore a word we hear a lot but what does it actually mean. That word is advocacy! How does it apply to people who are
blind? What are issues we should be advocating for these days? Are there issues we should not be advocating for these days? How should we approach advocacy
for an issue? We will identify one in the first hour and spend part of the second hour deciding how best to advocate for that particular issue. Hopefully
that will give folks an idea of how to put together a campaign to advocate for a particular thing which you and your affiliate or chapter could consider
identifying.

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This time we are going
to spend some time exploring relationships. There is a good deal of controversy as to whether relationships work best if both parties are blind or if one
of the two folks involved can see! What do you think! Where do people who have partial vision fit in? Is a relationship between a blind person and a person
with partial vision the best of all? It's not good enough for you to tell us which is best! Tell us why! What makes for problems with each of the different
kinds of relationship? If you were free and could choose your next partner, would you choose somebody who is blind or partially sighted or fully sight-enabled?

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In many respects, we are the most fortunate generation ever. We have access to more information than we can possibly use and we are at the beginning of
a revolution that will make the data we can acquire now seem infinitely tiny and paltry. Before you turn away in disgust, this is not another exploration
of AI though we are more than a year since we last spent time on it and lots has changed. It is an exploration of the impact of another phenomenon on the
lives of people who are blind or have low vision. Be My Eyes, Envision and AIRA are all programs that fill an important niche in our lives. They allow
us to get information either from other humans or from artificial intelligence entities or, from a combination of the two. What has their impact been on
the world of people who are blind? Have these devices mad people who use them more independent or more dependent? Have they encouraged experimentation
or created reliance on people for help that has limited technological exploration? In the case of AIRA, how does their business model appear to be structured?
Can they afford to pay their employees over time? Does their model depend on selling AIRA to governments, retailers and others? Is there another model
that would work better? What would we lose if Aira were to go away?

Obviously these questions constitute no more than the tip of the iceberg. Join us as we put personal assistance software and people under the microscope
of Tuesday Topics!

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It is common for Tuesday Topics to start something we don't finish and our last program was no exception. We were able to define many issues, provide some
hypotheses for why they happen and confirm that some things need to be done. However, we did not get to the place where we could finalize actions that
can be taken or decide for, sure if actions should be taken. So our program next week will explore actions that can be contemplated to deal with the fact
that many things we have asked for are not being used as much as we might like. Perhaps that's okay! If it's not, what should we do about it? Who is responsible
for doing anything? Individuals, local chapters, state affiliates, the national organization, local communities, states, the Federal government? We will
look at voting, theaters, movies, transit, braille and other components of full inclusion. Join us! Your opinions are crucial!

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Last week we asked you to come up with topics we could consider for future programs. I have to say that the participation of our regular listeners was
just a mite limited. Let me thank those who were there and who participated in our show. Brian Charlson actually came up with the idea for our next Topic
and I think it is an interesting one.

Initially, the topic emerged because Brian was concerned that so many plays where we ask that audio description happen are so poorly attended. Why is that?
Does it have to do with COVID? Does it have to do with the income of people who are blind or low vision? Does it have to do with discomfort with paratransit
or other ways of getting around?

Are theaters the only place where we have become tortoise-like? Are we content to wait at home till accessible movies hit the television screen? Have we
lessened our social outings now? Will our chapters more and more meet via Zoom? Do we use accessible pedestrian signals enough to justify their expense.
How about announcements on buses? Where do Uber and Lyft fit into the system?

At the heart of this issue is whether it matters! Should we be concerned that we are asking for more and involving ourselves less? If the answer is yes,
what should we do about it? Do our chapters have a responsibility to work on these issues?

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You are crucial for Tuesday Topics tonight!
Usually by Wednesday mornings our podcast is available from your usual sources.

So far this year our crew has tackled serious subjects like history, employment, awards and leadership building. We all decided two things after the show
this week. First we decided that we would take a break from earthshaking matters of moment and focus instead on you! What are your plans for your vacation?
What do you like to do during the Summer? Are you a baseball fan? Do you listen to your team on radio? Do you have some specific memories of that? What
else do you like to do these days for fun? What was the last game you played?

If none of these subjects turn you on we have another option for you! For our second hour we think we are going to make it your turn! You get to call in
and talk about anything you like within reason! We are not interested in the mating habits of South African cockroaches though maybe you can persuade us
it's an important subject. However we really do want to open the mike for you to raise any question you like with us! Your comment or question can be earthshaking
or just about you! You are the boss!

We really need you to be ready with topics for Tuesday. Only two out of the five producers of Tuesday Topics can sing. The other three of us are a danger
to ourselves and others and should not be given the chance to destroy ear drums. Save us from ourselves by calling into Click the link below to join the
webinar:

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