Public policy advocacy has been a cornerstone of the Council’s mission since its founding in 1952. But you don’t have to be a professional advocate to be an effective voice for change! Our organization works tirelessly to lay the groundwork for progress, but to be effective, we need the help of on-the-ground advocates across the state. That’s why we are proud to host our Advocacy Days on May 6 and May 28.
On Tuesday, May 6, the Council will host a virtual session to help participants build their advocacy skills. We will provide an overview of the State Budget process and discuss priority issues, such as transportation, voting rights and health care access. After a short presentation, participants will break out into small groups to discuss best practices when talking with legislators. Then on Wednesday, May 28, we’ll gather at the State Capitol, where participants will have the opportunity to meet with their representatives in the State Legislature. You must attend the virtual session on May 6 to participate in the May 28 Capitol visit.
With State Budget deliberations in full swing in May, the Council has several legislative priorities that we will continue to push for. Transportation is regularly one of the Council’s top priorities and this year is no different. Wisconsin needs more transportation options, especially in rural areas, to enable people who are blind or low vision to get to medical appointments, jobs, social gatherings, and everywhere else they need to go.
Another area of focus will be ID equity. Last year, the disabilities community scored a win with the passage of Steve’s Law, which allows nondrivers to use a state ID rather than a driver’s license to prove state residency when using the Department of Natural Resources’ Go Wild website for things like buying a hunting or fishing license. The passage of Steve’s Law created a doorway to allowing state ID cards to be used for identification purposes in all areas of government where a driver’s license is currently required.
The Council will also be working with lawmakers to educate them on the importance of vision services. These services are critical lifelines to allow people to continue to live in their homes with dignity after they have lost their vision. But a shortage of certified vision services professionals and a lack of funding for these programs leaves people with vision loss without the skills they need to live independent lives.
It is more important than ever to advocate on the issues that matter to you. People with vision loss and other disabilities worked tirelessly to get us to where we are now, and we owe it to them to continue their work to make the world more equitable for the next generation. If we don’t speak up, we will become invisible to those with the power to make change.
In addition to providing guidance on how to talk with a legislator, we plan to have a state legislator join both the virtual and in-person event to help us understand exactly what they want to hear from an advocate. We will make the Capitol event as accessible as possible, with volunteer guides available to help participants find their way around the building.
The lived experience of people who are blind or low vision is so valuable in advocacy. While we can provide data to illustrate how certain policies affect people with vision loss, that data can only go so far. Personal stories help show lawmakers that the issue is not abstract, but very real in your life. Remember that advocacy is a process, and change does not come overnight. Talking to your legislators once will probably not result in the change that you want. But your work does move the needle, and when you and your fellow grassroots advocates build relationships with your legislators, you can make a difference.
It’s important to remember that you are not alone in your advocacy journey. Advocacy Days not only teaches you the skills you need to create change but also connects you with others who are fighting for a more equitable future. By creating a partnership network between the Council and dedicated on-the-ground advocates around the state, we can achieve life-changing advances in state government to help people who are blind or low vision across Wisconsin live with dignity and independence. You can register for Advocacy Days on our website at WCBlind.org/Events/Advocacy-Day, or by calling the Council offices at 608-255-1166.
If you live in the Madison area and do not have vision loss, you can help the Council during our May 28 Advocacy Day at the Capitol by volunteering to be a sighted guide! For more information on how to get involved, contact Education & Outreach Coordinator Kathleen Callen at KCallen@WCBlind.org.
