Welcome to Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired

Gabe DeLeon and Rick Ziller from Adaptive Technology Resources (ATR) demonstrated two pieces of equipment this week at the Council. In this photo, Rick demonstrates GrandCare, a caregiving tool that enables designated family members to remotely interact with, care for, and monitor activities and the health status of a loved one. It provides the loved one with one touch access to socialization, reminders and family connection. The company also sells the Patriot Voice Plus, the simplest text to speech stand alone reading machine, giving the freedom to again enjoy books spoken aloud, labels on food packages, and so much more. #AdaptiveProducts #AssistiveTechnology #AgingInPlace

Giving Tuesday is a way for people to give back to nonprofits that do so much throughout the year. This year, you can support the three vision services we offer: #AssistiveTechnology, #LowVision and #VisionRehabilitation. AT training maintains or improves an individual's functioning and independence, thereby promoting their well-being. Example: Learn how to use apps to shop for groceries or schedule rides. A low vision evaluation tests vision function, contrast, color and lighting so people can use their existing vision. Example: Place white pills on a bright colored paper or place mat. Vision rehabilitation consists of home, work or school site visits to assess the impact of vision loss on daily activities. Solutions aim to create a safe environment. Learn new approaches to common tasks. Example: Put bright, tactile markings on microwave or stove controls. Your gift of $60 can fund one hour of assistive technology training for someone searching for a job to start their career. A gift of $35 pays for a white cane for someone learning orientation and mobility skills. Your gift of $50 will help to pay for a low vision evaluation for someone who needs the financial assistance. GIVE TODAY at WCBlind.org/donate. #GivingTuesday #GivingTuesday2019

Council CEO/Executive Director Denise Jess provided testimony at the Wisconsin Elections Commission this morning. She advocated for accessible voting equipment as a way to ensure dignity for voters with disabilities. @CSW member organization @LeagueofWomenVoters also provided public comment saying, “Communities of color have been hit by many attacks to undermine their ability to vote,” referring to a proposal to remove registered voters if they don’t respond within 30 days. Barbara Beckert of Disability Rights Wisconsin also provides testimony supporting wider use of accessible voting machines. #Advocacy #RevUp #AccessibleVoting

A representative from LS & S is at the Council today to demonstrate new products for the Sharper Vision Store. One is this tactile clock which also speaks the time. #AdaptiveProducts

The vision services team hosted a webinar today covering portable magnifiers and smart assistants. Education Coordinator Jean Kalscheur and Education & Vision Services Director have fun with the technology! Not pictured: Store Manager Kris Johanssen. Find out about upcoming classes at WCBlind.org/events. #AdaptiveProducts #AssistiveTechnology #LowVision #Blindness

The Council's Education & Vision Services Director Amy Wurf is at the @AlliantEnergyCenter today for a the Southern Wisconsin Vets Conference. Amy is handing out Adapting to Low Vision toolkits and demonstrating magnifiers and lighting that can help with low vision. The exhibit hall is open until 2:30 p.m. today. The event is hosted by the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). #MadisonWI #Vets @wisvets