Oklahoma Council of the Blind

06/18/2026

The U.S. Department of Education announced that the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) will move to the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will move to the Department of Justice.

ACB is concerned about these changes and their potential impact on students with disabilities and their families. The Department of Education plays a critical role in ensuring equal access to education, protecting civil rights, and overseeing services and supports guaranteed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Moving these responsibilities to other agencies may create additional barriers for students, families, and educators seeking services, addressing discrimination, and holding states accountable. While HHS and DOJ serve important functions, we believe the Department of Education is best equipped to oversee these essential programs and protections.

ACB will continue to monitor these developments and advocate for policies that protect the rights of students who are blind or have low vision and all students with disabilities.

Read the Department of Education's announcement: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-announces-additional-partnerships-strengthen-coordination-individuals-disabilities-programs-bolster-civil-rights

05/25/2026

This weekend, ACB’s Kolby Garrison had the opportunity to tour the Tactile Engineering facility in Lafayette, Indiana. Tactile Engineering is the maker of the Cadence tactile graphics tablet, the first tactile device capable of displaying graphics that move and change beneath your fingers in real time.

Pictured, Kolby holds the Cadence Workstation, which bundles four Cadence displays into a single unit. The workstation measures 10 inches wide by 6 inches tall and 1 inch thick, and features large buttons around the perimeter with a braille display in the center. Standing with Kolby is her guide dog, Marty, and Dave Schleppenbach, CEO of Tactile Engineering and Touchable, a Tactile Engineering brand. The two stand outside the Tactile Engineering facility.

Learn more about Tactile Engineering and the Cadence tablet at https://tactile-engineering.com.

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

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05/25/2026

05/11/2026

Member Monday!!!
This week, we are highlighting Marilyn Sanders, president of the Tulsa Council of the Blind and a dedicated member of the Oklahoma Council of the Blind since the 1970s. Marilyn began her career with the Department of Rehabilitation Services in 1973 after being introduced to OCB through her supervisors. At that time, OCB served as an important referral resource connecting Visual Services with Oklahoma’s blind and low vision community.

Throughout her career with Visual Services, Marilyn held a variety of roles, including rehabilitation teacher, state deaf-blind specialist, and eventually program manager for Older Blind Services. Her professional career reflects decades of dedication to serving individuals who are blind or have low vision across Oklahoma.

Born and raised in Stillwater, Marilyn began experiencing vision loss at the age of eight when she developed night blindness caused by Retinitis Pigmentosa. Her vision gradually declined over the years, and she is now completely blind. She shared that one of the most difficult parts of her vision loss journey was giving up driving in her early 20s after being able to drive for six years, as it felt like losing a sense of freedom and independence.

While working for Visual Services, Marilyn met her husband, Perry. Their relationship began as a long-distance romance before both accepted positions in the Tulsa office, where they eventually built their life together. They were married for nearly 48 years before Perry’s passing.

Outside of her professional and advocacy work, Marilyn enjoys cruising and visiting casinos with friends and family. Her long-standing involvement with OCB has included serving in leadership roles such as treasurer and president. She also shares a unique connection with current OCB president Elaine Boykin—Marilyn once served as Elaine’s supervisor, and later Elaine became Marilyn’s supervisor. Today, the two share a strong friendship. Marilyn also credits Jerry Dunlap and Norman Dahlkey for introducing her to OCB and remains deeply appreciative of their contributions to the organization.

Marilyn’s advice to individuals who are newly blind or have low vision—and even to those who have lived with blindness for many years—is simple but powerful: you can do anything you set your mind to. She encourages others to keep trying, even when things do not work the first time, and to find methods that work best for their individual needs. She also emphasizes the importance of setting realistic expectations when helping others learn new skills, noting that what works for one person may not work for another. Her philosophy is to promise only what you know you can truly deliver and to always support others with honesty and encouragement.

05/05/2026

Member Monday!!! This week, we take a look at Zac. Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting the presidents of each chapter of OCB along with the board of directors so you know you is leading the organization.

Zac Lancour is one of the newest members of OCB and has a genuine heart for serving others. Originally from Wisconsin, Zac moved to Oklahoma a few years ago and now calls it home. He is married to his wife, Jamie, and is also the proud father of his son, Charles, both of whom he loves deeply.

Zac is actively involved in disaster relief efforts through Oklahoma Baptists and is currently in training to become a team lead. He enjoys attending church and continues to grow in his faith in Jesus. One of Zac’s greatest joys is spending time talking with his grandmother—they often spend hours on the phone together several times a week.

He currently works at Taco Bell, where he strives to be a positive influence on the high school and college-aged employees he works alongside. As a new member of OCB, Zac looks forward to getting to know the people who make up the organization and discovering ways he can support and encourage others. He is excited to attend the convention and meet many new friends.

04/30/2026

As a proud member of the World Blind Union (WBU), ACB attended this week’s North American & Caribbean Region meeting. Hosted by National Industries for the Blind in Alexandria, Virginia, the gathering brought together leaders from across the region, including Kenneth Suratt of the Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association.

The WBU is an internationally recognized organization representing 338 million people who are blind or have low vision across 190 member countries. It brings together major national and international organizations to advance issues that impact quality of life and inclusion worldwide. Learn more at https://wbu.ngo.

Pictured (left to right) are Zach Kilpa, Board Chairperson, National Industries for the Blind; Kenneth Suratt, Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association; Scott Thornhill, Executive Director, ACB; Mark Riccobono, President, National Federation of the Blind; Jason Broughton, Director, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled; Patricia Leader; Craig Meador, President, American Printing House for the Blind; and Susan LaVenture, former Executive Director of Lighthouse Guild and Executive Director of the National Association of Parents of Children With Visual Impairments, Inc.

Also pictured on the Zoom screen in the background is Kim Charlson, ACB Immediate Past President, along with other virtual attendees. Dan Spoone, ACB Director of Operations, was also in attendance.

04/29/2026

Join ACB in advocating for vision services for young children! Two bipartisan House bills—the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children (EDVI) Act and See the Board Act—would direct funding to diagnose, treat, and serve children with vision loss. The early detection will enable children to receive treatment or school services needed to address their disability. In doing so, it will allow the children to be more successful in the long run.

The EDVI Act picked up eight new cosponsors this month! Help us keep the momentum on this bill by contacting your representatives. Click here to send a message:
https://speak4.app/lp/sm01zs8u?ts=1776872567