Membership
If you’ve wondered about being affiliated with the American Council of the Blind, here’s your opportunity to help make it happen! The Palmetto Council of the Blind is the South Carolina affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.
Pictured above: row of colorful houses, Charleston, SC
If you’ve wondered about being affiliated with the American Council of the Blind, here’s your opportunity to help make it happen! The Palmetto Council of the Blind is the South Carolina affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.
The Palmetto Council of the Blind offers resources from State agency information to technology links to tips and tricks.
September Monthly Meeting
Thursday, September 17
7:00 PM Eastern
Please join the Palmetto Council of the Blind for our September monthly meeting on Thursday, September 17 at 7:00 PM Eastern.
Our meeting will be held virtually. Members, prospective members, friends, family members, and others interested in learning more about Palmetto are welcome to join us.
Come hear what is happening with Palmetto, connect with others in our community, and learn about opportunities to become involved.
To receive the virtual meeting link email info@scblind.org.
The Palmetto Council of the Blind is excited to help bring opportunities to South Carolina for eligible U.S. military veterans who are legally blind to receive a pair of Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses at no cost while supplies are available.
Through a partnership between the American Council of the Blind and Meta, distribution events are being held across the country, including right here in South Carolina.
Two South Carolina events are currently scheduled:
Myrtle Beach – Tuesday, October 13
1:00–4:00 PM Eastern
Tidal Creek Brewhouse
3421 Knoles Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Columbia – Friday, October 16
9:00 AM–1:00 PM Eastern
South Carolina Commission for the Blind
1430 Confederate Avenue
Columbia, SC 29201
Additional South Carolina distribution events are being planned for October, so please check back for updates as new locations, dates, and times are confirmed.
Who Is Eligible?
To receive Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses through this program, an individual must:
ACB membership is not required, and there is no cost to eligible veterans receiving the glasses.
Advance registration is strongly encouraged. Veterans who register in advance will receive priority during the first hour of their selected event. Registration does not guarantee receipt of glasses. After the first hour, available glasses will be distributed to eligible veterans who are present, including walk-ins, as supplies permit.
Glasses must be received in person at a participating distribution event and cannot be shipped to individual recipients.
To learn more, select a distribution event, and register, visit: https://www.acb.org/glasses-blinded-veterans
Please continue checking the Palmetto Council of the Blind website as additional South Carolina distribution events are planned for October.
September is National Guide Dog Month, recognizing the important role guide dogs play in supporting independence, mobility, and freedom for people who are blind or have low vision.
Guide dogs are specially trained to help their handlers navigate safely, but the person—not the dog—determines where they are going. When you encounter a working guide dog, remember not to pet, call to, feed, or distract the dog without first asking the handler.
Guide dogs are one of several mobility options available to people who are blind or have low vision. Some people use white canes, some use guide dogs, some use other tools or techniques, and the choice is personal. What matters is having access to the training, tools, and opportunities that support independence.
September is Healthy Aging Month, an opportunity to focus on physical, emotional, and social well-being throughout every stage of life.
For people who are blind or have low vision, healthy aging can include maintaining independence, staying active, remaining connected with family and community, learning new skills, and having access to information, technology, transportation, and other resources.
Vision loss does not mean giving up the activities, relationships, or experiences that make life meaningful. With accessible resources, training, support, and opportunities, people can continue learning, contributing, connecting, and living independently as they age.
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
The blindness and low-vision community includes people from many cultures, backgrounds, generations, and experiences. Each person brings perspectives, traditions, talents, and experiences that strengthen our communities.
At the Palmetto Council of the Blind, we believe strong communities are created when people have opportunities to participate, contribute, lead, and belong.
Falls Prevention Awareness Week provides an opportunity to talk about safety while also recognizing the importance of independence and confidence.
For people who are blind or have low vision, accessible environments can make a difference. Orientation and mobility training, appropriate mobility tools, clear and uncluttered pathways, good lighting and contrast for people with usable vision, and attention to strength and balance can all contribute to safer environments.
Preventing falls is not about limiting someone's independence. It is about having information, tools, skills, and environments that allow people to move through their homes and communities safely and confidently.
Falls Prevention Awareness Week provides an opportunity to talk about safety while also recognizing the importance of independence and confidence.
For people who are blind or have low vision, accessible environments can make a difference. Orientation and mobility training, appropriate mobility tools, clear and uncluttered pathways, good lighting and contrast for people with usable vision, and attention to strength and balance can all contribute to safer environments.
Preventing falls is not about limiting someone's independence. It is about having information, tools, skills, and environments that allow people to move through their homes and communities safely and confidently.
Palmetto Council of the Blind President Jennifer Bazer will travel to North Carolina in September to attend the North Carolina state convention as a national representative of the American Council of the Blind.
This opportunity provides another way to build connections between state affiliates, learn from one another, share ideas, and strengthen relationships within the broader ACB community. We are proud to have Palmetto represented as Jennifer connects with members and leaders in North Carolina.
Palmetto Council of the Blind is proud to share that President Jennifer Bazer has been invited to serve as keynote speaker at the Georgia Council of the Blind State Convention, October 8–10, 2026.
The Palmetto Council of the Blind is proud to congratulate our President,Jennifer Bazer, on her election to the American Council of the Blind Board of Directors during the 2026 ACB National Conference and Convention.
Jennifer's election reflects her long-standing commitment to leadership, service, and advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. Throughout her career, she has worked to expand opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision through workforce development, community engagement, mentoring, and organizational leadership.
While serving on the national Board of Directors, Jennifer remains committed to leading the Palmetto Council of the Blind as we continue to strengthen our affiliate, expand opportunities for members, and promote independence, inclusion, and equal access throughout South Carolina.
Please join us in congratulating Jennifer on this exciting achievement. We look forward to the leadership and perspective she will bring to both our affiliate and the American Council of the Blind.
Our Kicking for a Cause Online Auction is almost here! Bidding will be open September 10–20, with a variety of items available throughout the auction.
Items are still being added, so keep checking the auction site for the most up-to-date list. You do not have to register to browse and view the auction items; however, you will need to register to place a bid.
While auction bidding is only available September 10–20, our Impact Items are available for purchase at any time. Impact Items provide another way to directly support the work of the Palmetto Council of the Blind. You do not have to wait for the auction to begin—or worry about being outbid—to make an impact!
Be sure to look for the Impact Items when visiting our auction site.
Proceeds help the Palmetto Council of the Blind provide opportunities, resources, outreach, peer support, member assistance, and support for members to participate in conventions and other activities.
A special thank you to the businesses, organizations, and individuals who have generously donated items to make this auction possible. Thank you to everyone who is sharing our auction link with friends, family, coworkers, and communities, and thank you in advance to everyone who will join us and bid!
Every donation, share, purchase, and bid helps support the work of the Palmetto Council of the Blind.
Funds will support:
We are currently seeking donations of auction items, including:
Ways You Can Support
Your support helps expand access to resources, strengthen community connections, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals who are blind or experiencing vision loss in South Carolina.
For questions or to donate an item: info@scblind.org
The Palmetto Council of the Blind is an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind
