The American Council of the Blind (ACB) was founded in 1961 but many of its state affiliates and local chapters have a history that can be traced back to the 1880s.

Check out Our History for more information.

Our Mission

To increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people.

Our Philosophy

• We accept all people who are blind or visually impaired, regardless of their skills or abilities.
• We believe that people who are blind or visually impaired should strive to be the best they can be, and we believe that each blind or visually impaired person has the right and responsibility to define success on his or her own terms. Put another way, we do not believe that there is a single “right” way to be blind.
• We believe that it is a fundamental responsibility of government at every level to provide a framework of laws, policies, infrastructure, tools and training that permits people who are blind or visually impaired to participate equally in all aspects of society, including education, employment, civic and spiritual life.
• We believe that a strong national ACB organization exists to establish and promote advocacy priorities and to guide and support our state and special interest affiliates, but we believe in the autonomy of our state and special interest affiliates for determining and acting in accordance with the best interests of their individual members and chapters. Put simply, the ACB national organization exists to meet the needs of our individual members, local chapters, and state and special interest affiliates.