Austin Council of the Blind

06/14/2026

For those who are interested. There's an assistive Technology Instructor position open at Criss Cole rehabilitation center in Austin Texas.
You"d be teaching Blind and Vision Impaired adults

Click the link provided to see the complete job description.

03/20/2026

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.

03/16/2026

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!

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....

03/14/2026

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.

12/08/2025

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.

12/05/2025

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

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.