Press Release: For Immediate Release

Monday, May 13, 2024

Debra Hill
American Council of the Blind of Virginia (ACBVA)
Board Member
DebraHill.ACBVA@gmail.com
1 (804) 424-0407

The American Council of the Blind of Virginia (ACBVA) to Host Free Summer Information Sessions at Richmond Public Libraries

Richmond, Virginia, May 13, 2024— The American Council of the Blind of Virginia (ACBVA) is proud to announce its latest community initiative called, How we do it: Learn about accessible reading resources for the blind and low-vision, aimed at furthering community awareness, knowledge, and independence. In collaboration with Richmond Public Libraries, ACBVA will host three free summer information sessions from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm, on June 4, July 2, and August 6.

Admission is free and open to the public. These helpful sessions will provide valuable insights and resources for individuals living with visual impairments and their families and caregivers. Attendees will learn about various topics related to accessible reading tools and technologies such as organizational audio and live reading services, personal experience reflections, and support and advocacy efforts.

Event Details
Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2024
● Time: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
● Location: Richmond Public Library, Main Branch
● Address: 101 E Franklin St

Date: Tuesday, July 2, 2024
● Time: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
● Location: Richmond Public Library, Broad Rock
● Address: 4820 Old Warwick Rd

Date: Tuesday, August 6, 2024
● Time: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
● Location: Richmond Public Library, Belmont
● Address: 3100 Ellwood Ave

“We are excited to partner with Richmond Public Libraries and our other community partners to offer this free summer informative event,” said Doug Powell, President of ACBVA. “This effort reflects our mission to bring together Virginians who are blind or have low vision, and to partner with others, to create opportunities for friendship, personal growth, independence, community, education, employment, and advocacy.”

Patrick DeRoche, Library Senior, Richmond Public Libraries said, “Richmond Public Library values accessible and inclusive programs for the entire community. This initiative is just one way we engage in relevant and informative communication with the public.”

Along with ACBVA and Richmond Public Libraries, these sessions will be led by representatives from Virginia Voice, the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) Library and Resource Center, and inspirational author Judith “Judy” Goode Kirby.

Kirby will share insights on her personal journey with legal blindness in her new book, Blurred Vision. As a member of ACBVA, Kirby desires to empower family and friends and provide other resources to understand the challenges of caring for someone with blind and low vision. Her book, Blurred Vision will be available for purchase at each session.

“At Virginia Voice, we believe that accessibility and inclusion are community
imperatives that bring our citizens of our region together and strengthen the
resiliency of our community. Our radio reading and audio description services
connect Virginians with blindness and other disabilities to our community and the information that supports their choice to live and thrive independently,” said
Yvonne Mastromano, Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Voice

James L. Norman, Jr, Assistant Director, Department for the Blind and Vision
Impaired (DBVI) Library and Resource Center, said, “We provide services and
resources which empower individuals who are blind, vision impaired, or deafblind to achieve their desired levels of employment, education, and personal independence. The Library and Resource Center provides Braille and audiobooks to the citizens of the Commonwealth through the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled and provides adaptive equipment and Braille textbooks for k-12 students through Cooperative Agreement with the Department of Education.”

Please register with your name, email, phone number, and the session date you will be attending to Debra Hill at DebraHill.ACBVA@Gmail.com or, call or text 1 (804) 424-0407.

Note to Editor: Please see the attachment with the information about each organization. Feel free to edit information as needed. Please let me know if you need anything else.

###

Debra Hill

Debra Hill is an independent inspirational singer, author, songwriter, and writer. As a blind performer, she adds a personal story of God’s faithfulness. Her life exemplifies that Christ’s power will work to lift all regardless of circumstances.

Learn More

American Council of the Blind (ACBVA) Membership Drive

Looking for ways to serve and support the blind and visually impaired community?

Join the ACBVA community.

Click here for more information