We’re saddened to announce that Melanie Ramey, Vice Chair of the Council’s Board of Directors, passed away last month at the age of 87. A long-time Madison resident, Melanie was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas and lived a life of advocacy, leadership and mentorship. Melanie lived her life in service of others. A Freedom Rider… Continue Reading Remembering Council Board Member Melanie Ramey
It’s important to have your eyes checked by a professional on a regular basis to monitor eye health. Catching problems early helps preserve as much vision as possible. But because there are several different kinds of vision specialists, it can be hard to know who to see. Will you be best served by an ophthalmologist… Continue Reading More Than Just “Eye Doctors”: Know the Right Vision Specialist for Your Needs
Are you passionate about advancing the Council’s mission? We are currently accepting applications to join our Board of Directors. This is a volunteer position for a three-year beginning in January of 2027. Continue Reading Put Your Skills to Work as a Council Board Member
Fall election season is almost here, when voters across the state will cast their ballots for a number of important statewide and local elections. The partisan primary election is on August 11, with the general election taking place November 3. As you head to the polls on Election Day, voters with disabilities need to be… Continue Reading Know Your Rights at the Polling Place on Election Day
As we age, it’s important to take steps to keep ourselves safe and healthy while recognizing that physical changes or environmental conditions can put us at higher risk for falls. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury and even death in Wisconsin. Continue Reading Stepping On Teaches You the Skills to Stay on Your Feet
We’re pleased to announce this year’s Council Scholarship recipients! Each year, we award scholarships to students from around Wisconsin who are blind or low vision and will be enrolled in post-secondary education in the fall. Past recipients have used the scholarship funds in a variety of ways to help fuel their college experience. In addition… Continue Reading Introducing Our 2026 Council Scholarship Recipients
In May, we hosted our first Dining in the Dark of 2026 at Brix Cider in Mount Horeb. We were joined by a fantastic and diverse crowd of guests who came to both learn about the dining experience for people with vision loss and raise money for the Council. Dining in the Dark is a… Continue Reading Dining in the Dark Mixes Good Food, Friends and Learning
Like many people, Education & Outreach Coordinator Kathleen Callen of the Council has never enjoyed going to the airport. Moving through the busy, winding hallways became even more daunting as her vision declined and she struggled to read signs directing her where to go. Continue Reading White Canes Can Be Useful to Anyone with Vision Loss
This fall, voters will cast their ballots for several important statewide elections, including races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, and three constitutional amendment questions. There will also be local races across the state for seats in the Wisconsin Senate, the State Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives. The partisan… Continue Reading Planning to Vote Absentee This Fall? Make Sure Your Ballot Will Be Counted
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Another Wisconsin summer is almost here, and everyone at the Council hopes to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. While you’re outside, it’s important to protect your eyes from the sun. Sunglasses do more than just make you look cool; they’re vital in protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays and they help you… Continue Reading Enjoy Summer and Protect Your Eyes with Sunglasses
Dining with others is a great way to build community and share an intimate experience. Back in 2019, we published some tips and strategies to help people who are blind or low vision enjoy their dining experience with dignity and confidence. It has remained one of the most popular articles on our website ever since,… Continue Reading Tips for Dining with Vision Loss
Visitors will notice fewer floor lamps in the Sharper Vision Store than in the past. For over 50 years, the Council has operated a store stocked with adaptive products to help empower people who are blind or low vision to live with dignity and independence. As a nonprofit, we keep our profit margins significantly lower… Continue Reading Global Supply Chain Issues Putting Strain on Sharper Vision Store