Posted as is.
Note. First event a hearing at Seattle City Council on Friday September 12
What's the news: Library funding
From ACB
Dear Colleagues:
I’d like to share some remarkable news regarding the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). First, after more than five months with little to no communication from the IMLS, in July funding reimbursements from IMLS began again with regularity. This may be because the end of the federal fiscal year is September 30,, 2025 and despite the efforts to defund IMLS as outlined in Executive Order 14238 this funding was previously approved by Congress for museums and libraries across the country. There are also several pending lawsuits regarding this action.
On the evening of 9/2/25, the FY2026 budget took a huge step in the right direction for IMLS. The House Appropriations released its version of the FY 2026 budget bill that includes $291.8 million for IMLS. In its version the Senate included $295 million for IMLS funding. This is a $3 million reduction from the previous year but it’s a major turnaround from the President’s budget which included $6 million to shutter the agency.
There is still a ways to go. The marked-up version of the bill goes to the full House next Tuesday and then we await the reconciliation of the House and Senate budgets. But this is promising news and we’ll keep you updated as we learn more.
Thank you to everyone who took the time over the past few weeks to contact Congress. It has made a difference.
What's the event: Seattle urban forest hearing
Seattle’s trees are on the line. On Friday, Sept 12 at 3 p.m., the Seattle City Council will hold a hearing on the comprehensive plan that will shape the future of our urban forest.
Seattle City Hall
We will bring signs and have talking points.
Two Key Amendments
City Council will soon vote on the comp plan zoning and amendments that could make or break Seattle’s climate resilience. Two key amendments would be huge wins:
• Amendment 93 → Guarantees greenspace on every lot. Without it, 95% of every lot can be paved, cementing in a future without greenspace or even soil.
• Amendment 102 → Brings Seattle up to other cities’ tree protection standards (think: NYC, Boston, Portland), closing three glaring loopholes in our tree ordinance.
Can’t join us in person? Send an Email to: council@seattle.gov
Thank you for caring about Seattle’s irreplaceable urban forest.
What's the Event: Paid research opportunity for National Parks
There are two opportunities for paid research assistance with a national park project, via both synchronous focus groups and an asynchronous online survey, coming up in late September and October.
Because this is all for the same park, I only can hire each individual for one or the other, a focus group or a survey, so if you are interested, please let me know, and let me know if you want to participate in a focus group (online, via Zoom, for about an hour), or an online survey (asynchronous, I'm guessing this survey also will take about an hour). Or you can say, either, and I can fit you into the one that needs the most help. Because the focus group is synchronous and probably a bit more strenuous, the stipend is higher.
Focus Group (15 slots available): ~1 hour, online, synchronous, via Zoom, a discussion of media-accessibility issues related to visiting a national park, stipend: $50.
Online survey (30 slots available): ~1 hour, online, asynchronous, via our online uReview system (same as the Description), a discussion of media-accessibility issues related to visiting a national park, stipend: $25.
Best wishes,
Brett Oppegaard, Ph.D.
He/Him/His
Founder | Executive Director of Access Hound
360-521-8150
brett@accesshound.com
What's the event: White Cane Day, October 11.
New White Cane Day merch is here!
We are thrilled to share our 2025 Logo!
This design was submitted by Seattle area artist, Laura Graden-Cotts.
Description: Logo-style illustration within a black circle. In the center, two white canes, on with a red tip one without, are crossed diagonally creating quadrants. Surrounding the canes are four images: a green pine tree at the top, a brown guide dog with a harness on the right, a blue mountain range with snow caps at the bottom, and an orca whale on the left. Below the circle, in bold black text, it says "WHITE CANE DAY" and beneath it, "2025" is written in a thinner font.
You can purchase your White Cane Day 2025 merch via Bonfire
Purchase soon to ensure your order arrives before the event. Merch will not be available at the event due to logistics.
Event Information:
You don't need to join us for White Cane Day 2025 to purchase a shirt, but we'd love to have you!
Registration is highly encouraged: https://shorturl.at/eM1Un
Event Date: Saturday, October 11th 2025
Event Address:
Starting: South Base of the Space Needle near the Howard S. Wright Memorial Fountain: 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109
Ending: Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL): 2021 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Timeline:
• 9:00 am - 9:50 Arrive at starting place
• 9:50 - Official Group Photo
• 10:00: The Walk begins!
• 10:45 : Speakers at WTBBL
• 1:00pm Event ends
WTBBL will host a reception and a vendor area! Details to come!
We are working to make this event more youth friendly! Stay tuned for more information.
You Cane Give Initiative is sponsoring a cane drive for this event! Wondering what to do with that old cane you no longer use in the closet? Is that drawer of used canes collecting dust and taking up space? Donate your old canes to the “You Cane Give” program. And turn that old cane into newfound independence for individuals in need.
Thanks,
White Cane Awareness Network Team
Questions? Ideas! Email us: white.cane.awareness.network@gmail.com
What's the Event: Deep Dive conference
The Seattle Cultural Accessibility Consortium (SCAC) invites you to be part of the 3rd Annual Deep Dive Day Conference, happening Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Town Hall Seattle. We are excited to be expanding this year's conference to a day-long convening with a larger space available. We are continuing the theme of Sustaining Accessibility in Challenging Times and our goal is to bring together accessibility champions across the arts and cultural
sector to advance accessibility and inclusion.
Registration for Deep Dive Day will open on September 4! We hope you will attend this
important and fast-growing conference!
With gratitude,
The team at Seattle Cultural Accessibility Consortium (SCAC)
What’s the Event: audio described opera
Seattle Opera offers one performance per mainstage opera at McCaw Hall with audio description. Using an infrared headset, patrons who are blind or have low vision can listen to a live, verbal description of actions, costumes, scenery, and other visual elements of a performance. The description begins 10 minutes prior to the start of the performance.
Patrons who wish to listen to the description must pick up a headset. Headsets are distributed free of charge and can be requested ahead of time using our request form. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. You may pick up your headset from the assistance booth (around the corner from coat check) located on the main entry level of McCaw Hall. Please ask for a headset with audio description.
The following performances will offer audio description. Description begins at 1:50 PM, ten minutes prior to each of the following 2:00 PM Sunday matinee performances:
· The Pirates of Penzance—Sunday, October 26
