Support Groups
Find a low vision support group near you
The following Wisconsin low vision support groups may be helpful to you or a loved one affected by vision loss. They are not run by Wisconsin Council of the Blind and we cannot guarantee the information listed below is current. Call or email the contact person to get more information. If you have updated contact information or know of a group that is not on this list, please email Info@WCBlind.org or call (608) 255-1166.
In addition, the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired hosts a statewide monthly low vision support group. To learn more visit the event page.
Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually
Impaired
Open to all counties in Wisconsin, WCBVI has the following groups running:
- Trailblazers Low Vision Support Group
Contact: Brent Perzentka
Phone: (608) 237-8112
Email: BPerzentka@WCBlind.org
Online support group meets the second Monday of the month. Led by Vision Services staff. Open to all. - Supernovas: College and Working Age Vision Support Group
Contact: Jim Denham
Phone: (608) 237-8104
Email: JDenham@WCBlind.org
Devoted to topics of interest to college and working age adults under 45. The group meets virtually the third Tuesday of the month and is open to people across Wisconsin.
Vision Forward
Meeting info: Three different groups for individuals with vision loss. Please call Erica for more information.
Additional info: Support group available for parents of children with a vision loss.
Contact Name: Erica Weise
Contact Name: Tracey (Parents of children)
Phone: 414-615-0163
Email: EWeise@Vision-Forward.org
Lighthouse Center for Vital Living
Duluth MN, Ashland and Bayfield Counties
Contact: Felicia
Phone: (218) 624-4828 Ext. 1000
Meets by phone third Tuesday of every month from 1:00-2:00 PM
Topics vary from month to month. Group provides an opportunity to listen to others with similar issues.
Barron County Low Vision Support Group
Barron County Government Center
335 East Monroe Avenue
Barron WI 54812
Contact Name: Chris Hagen (leave message)
Phone: (715) 537-6225
E-mail: Alisa.Lammers@co.barron.wi.us
Meets first Thursday of the month from 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. Vision loss information and resources discussed, guest speakers and time allocated for discussion, questions and comments.
Transportation is available.
Open to the friends, family members and the public.
Visually Impaired Support Group of Brown County
Salvation Army
626 Union Ct.
Green Bay WI 54303
Contact: Pam Benoit
Phone: 920-489-8045
Email: Pamela.Gambrel@Yahoo.com
Meeting Info: Meets the second Tuesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Additional Info: No meetings in September and May
Transportation is available
Appleton VIP Support Group
Linwood Apartments (Meets in Community Room)
425 North Linwood St,
Appleton WI 54911
Contact: Rod Maccoux
Phone: (920) 585-7443
Email: appletonvisuallyimpaired@gmail.com
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Speakers, general topics. Sometimes it is just a social gathering.
Transportation is available.
Chippewa County, Dunn County, and Eau Claire County Low Vision Support Group
CV VIP (Chippewa Valley
Visually Impaired Persons) Support Group
Saint John’s Apartments Dining Room*
815 Chapin Street
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Contact Name: Renee K-S
Phone: (715) 379-9011
Email: ChipValleyVIP@gmail.com
Meets the second Wednesday of the month from 12 pm until 2 pm.
(We Do Not Meet in January, June, or December)
Lunch* / Social at 12 pm and Meeting / Speaker at 12:30 pm. Lots of resources and information related to low vision and blindness. Speakers occasionally. Very relaxed and fun atmosphere. Site is wheelchair accessible.
*We meet at Perkins in February and Owen Park in July. Call, text or email with any questions and to order lunch. Transportation may be available. Hope to “see” you there! 🙂
Monona Low Vision Support Group
Monona Senior Center
1011 Nichols Road,
Monona, WI 53716
Phone: (608) 222-3415
Email: DMikelbank@CI.Monona.Wi.us
Meeting Info: Meets the 4th Friday of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Additional Info: Transportation is available for Monona residents.
Open to the public.
Stoughton Low Vision Support Group
Stoughton Area Senior Center
248 West Main St,
Stoughton, WI 53589
Stoughton WI 53589
Contact Name: Murl MacKinnon
Phone: (608) 873-8585
Email: MMackinnon@CI.Stoughton.Wi.us
Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m. General topics, occasional speakers.
Transportation is available.
Open to the public.
Evansville Primetimers
Evansville Senior Center
102 Maple St.
Evansville, WI 53536
Contact Name: Kristin Fountaine
Phone: (608) 882-0407
Email: Kristin.Fountaine@DHS.Wisconsin.gov
Meeting Info: Meets 1st Thursday of each month at 10:00 AM. Open to the public.
Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually
Impaired
Open to all counties in Wisconsin, WCBVI has the following groups running:
- Trailblazers Low Vision Support Group
Contact: Brent Perzentka
Phone: (608) 237-8112
Email: BPerzentka@WCBlind.org
Online support group meets from 3 – 4 p.m. on the second Monday of the month. Information & support for anyone affected by vision loss. Led by Vision Services staff. - Supernovas: College and Working Age Vision Support Group
Contact: Jim Denham
Phone: (608) 237-8104
Email: JDenham@WCBlind.org
Online support group meets from 7 – 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month. Devoted to topics of interest to college and working age adults under 45. The group meets virtually and is open to people across Wisconsin.
Northern Door Visually Impaired Support Group
First Baptist Church
2622 S. Bay Shore Dr.
Sister Bay, WI 54234
Contact name: Angie Zalig
Phone: (920) 241-2641
Email: Angela.Zalig@DHS.Wisconsin.gov
Meeting Info: Meets the second Tuesday every other month from 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Additional Info: Meetings are held every other month. January, March, May, July September and November.
The Eyes Have it
Berlin Senior Center
142 Water Street,
Berlin WI 54923
Contact: Sara Rutkowski
Phone: (920) 361-5422
Meets fourth Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. for about an hour.
Transportation is available, call Sara.
Note: This group is meeting, but is social distancing (some people wearing masks).
Revital Eyes
Villa Cierra Community Room
1940 27th Avenue,
Kenosha, WI 53140
Contact: Tami
Phone: (262) 925-6097
Email: TFrentzel@SocietysAssets.org
Meets second Thursday of every month from 1:30-3:00 PM. We meet monthly to give insight into living with a visual impairment and provide resources for anyone with vision loss.
Limited transportation provided, call Tami.
Coffee Connection
La Crosse County
American Legions Post 336
731 Sand Lake Rd
Onalaska, WI 54650
Contact: Jeannie Nylander
Phone: (608) 781-3361
Meeting info: Meets the first Friday of the month from 10:30 to 12:00 There is a virtual option as well. If interested please call Jeannie.
Out of Sight
Low Vision Support Group
Barney Center
1000 E Montgomery St,
Sparta WI 54656
Contact: Evelyn Allen
Phone: 608-433-4031
Email: Sheridan5112@outlook.com
Meets the third Monday of the month at 1:00 p.m. Variety of topics.
Open to the public.
Out of Sight
Low Vision Support Group
Barney Center
1000 E Montgomery St,
Sparta WI 54656
Contact: Evelyn Allen
Phone: 608-433-4031
Email: Sheridan5112@outlook.com
Meets the third Monday of the month at 1:00 p.m. Variety of topics.
Open to the public.
Appleton VIP Support Group
Linwood Apartments (Meets in Community Room)
425 North Linwood St,
Appleton WI 54911
Contact: Rod Maccoux
Phone: (920) 585-7443
Email: appletonvisuallyimpaired@gmail.com
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Speakers, general topics. Sometimes it is just a social gathering.
Transportation is available.
Appleton VIP Support Group
Fox Valley Lutheran Homes (Meets in Community Room)
425 North Linwood St,
Appleton WI 54911
Contact: Dawn Fisher
Phone: (920) 205-0645
Email: dmsf2754@gmail.com
Support Group’s Website
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Speakers, general topics. Sometimes it is just a social gathering.
Transportation is available.
Portage County VIP Support Group
ADRC – Portage County
1519 Water St,
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Contact Name: Lai Lor Pang
Phone: (715) 343-6272
Meets the third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. April through October, and December, (does not meet November, January – March).
Open to the public.
Burlington VIP
Love, Inc.,
480 S. Pine Street
Burlington, WI 53105
Contact Name: Kathleen Connell
Phone: (262) 787-8545
Email: Kathleen.Connell@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Meets the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Creekside Place Low Vision – Evansville, WI
102 Maple St,
Evansville, WI 53536
Contact: Kristin Fountaine
Phone: 608-267-4038
Meets 1st Thursday of every month at 10 a.m.
Blackhawk Pioneers
Blackhawk Pioneers are visually handicapped people living in the Beloit, South Beloit, Clinton and Janesville areas. This activity is sponsored by the Beloit Noon Lions assisted by Beloit Lioness and Beloit Evening, South Beloit and Janesville Lions Clubs.
Contact: Janesville Lions
Email: Admin@Janesvillelions.org
Website: janesvillelions.org/blackhawk-pioneers/
Creekside Place Low Vision – Evansville, WI
102 Maple St,
Evansville, WI 53536
Contact: Kristin Fountaine
Phone: 608-267-4038
Meets 1st Thursday of every month at 10 a.m.
Blackhawk Pioneers
Blackhawk Pioneers are visually handicapped people living in the Beloit, South Beloit, Clinton and Janesville areas. This activity is sponsored by the Beloit Noon Lions assisted by Beloit Lioness and Beloit Evening, South Beloit and Janesville Lions Clubs.
Contact: Janesville Lions
Email: Admin@Janesvillelions.org
Website: janesvillelions.org/blackhawk-pioneers/
Walworth County VIP Support Group
Woodview Senior Apartments
353 Tyrrell Ct,
Delavan, WI 53111
Cedar Ridge Low Vision Support Group
113 Cedar Ridge Drive,
West Bend, WI 53095
Contact Name: Audrey McGarvie
Phone: 262-353-3193
Meets the second Monday of every month in the community room at 10:00.
Appleton VIP Support Group
Linwood Apartments (Meets in Community Room)
425 North Linwood St,
Appleton WI 54911
Contact: Rod Maccoux
Phone: (920) 585-7443
Email: appletonvisuallyimpaired@gmail.com
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Speakers, general topics. Sometimes it is just a social gathering.
Transportation is available.
Oshkosh VIP Support Group
Evergreen Retirement Community
1130 North Westfield St
Oshkosh, WI 54902
Contact: Shirley Schmid
Phone: (920) 235-8138
Email: mstaffy3@charter.net
Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month from 1:00pm – 2:30 p.m. General topics and discussion. Open to the public. No meeting in January or July.
Hadley
Hadley offers a variety of discussion groups that provide an opportunity for those with similar interests and questions to learn from experts and one another. Discussion groups topics include – gardening, books, cooking, braille, and many others. Visit their website for additional information including a schedule and how to join the discussions.
Contact
Phone: (800) 323-4238
Email: info@hadley.edu
Lighthouse Guild
The Lighthouse Guild coordinates several tele-support groups for various ages and interests. To learn more about the various groups and how to register, visit the Lighthouse Guild Tele-Support Group webpage.
Tele-Support Groups for All Ages. The Groups Include:
Tele-Support for Parents
Tele-Support for Teens
Tele-Support for Young Adults (age 20 – 34)
Tele-support for Adults (35+)
Tele-Support for Partners of People with Vision Loss
Contact
Phone: (212) 769-6318
Vision Aware
For information on how to select a support group, how to start your own support group, and links to other organizations that host support groups, visit the VisionAware website.
Contact
Phone: (800) 232-5463
Email: connectcenter@aph.org
You may also be interested in resources available through the Council’s Sharper Vision Store and our Vision Services program. Please call with questions.
