Jack Lichosik will have a running start this fall when he begins his studies in the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management program at Fox Valley Technical College. A big running start. The Kimberly High School senior and 2023 Council Scholarship recipient has been cooking with his father Jake in their Appleton home since he was… Continue Reading 2023 Student Spotlight: Jack Lichosik
The Council serves a clientele that is diverse in every way, including economic status. This year, grants from four foundations are enabling the Council to provide adaptive products that enhance safety and assist with daily living tasks at no cost to clients who cannot afford to purchase them on their own. We’re grateful to the… Continue Reading Grants Support Tools to Promote Safety and Independence
One of the Council’s ongoing advocacy priorities is the quest to persuade businesses and public agencies to make their documents and forms accessible to people with vision loss. Sometimes accessibility issues come into play in the Council’s own efforts to function well as an organization—one that happens to be led by a person who is… Continue Reading Changing Systems One Business at a Time
What is a family foundation? A family foundation is a grant-making organization whose funds come from a single family. The founding family makes financial contributions to qualified non-profits whose mission aligns with that of the family. Giving through a family foundation may offer tax incentives not available as an individual. Family foundations can be a… Continue Reading Make a Difference by Establishing a Family Foundation
“I show people that just because you are blind does not mean you have to be nervous or afraid when you are out travelling,” says Jim. “You can still travel in public confidently and independently.” Jim tailors his lessons to the abilities of each student. In addition to students with visual impairments, he has taught… Continue Reading Self-Defense Instructor Jim Turk Receives 2019 Council Excellence Award
The Council strives for a collaborative approach in advocacy. One way it collaborates with other groups and individuals is through coalition work. In 2018, the Council joined the Dignity at Work Coalition. The Dignity at Work Coalition was formed to advocate with a unified voice around issues affecting employment. Multiple factors impact whether a person… Continue Reading Collaborating to Better the Lives of Workers: The Council and the Dignity at Work Coalition
Photo by Royal National Institute of Blind People Dining with others is a way to build community and share an intimate experience. As a person experiencing vision loss, you may have many questions about how to go about eating a meal with dignity and poise. In this article, we provide a variety of tips or… Continue Reading Dine Confidently: Tips for Eating with a Visual Impairment
Do you or someone you know express creativity through photography, woodworking, painting, fiber arts or other art forms? The Council is seeking artists who are blind or visually impaired to participate in MMOCA’s annual Gallery Night. The event takes place Friday, October 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Wisconsin Council of the Blind… Continue Reading Seeking Art Submissions for Fall Gallery Night
If you or someone you know is looking for a way to make a difference in the lives of others, learn and grow, and meet new people, consider filling out a Council board application. Current board members cite various benefits from belonging to the board. “My position on the board has enabled me to reach… Continue Reading Make an Impact: Join the Council Board
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To most sighted people, a white cane has a simple meaning: the person holding the cane is blind. But for the user, the meaning is more complex and personal. The cane, for many users, represents—and enables—independence. Each year, the Council’s White Cane Fund campaign pays for hundreds of white canes to be given away free… Continue Reading White Cane Fund is About More Than Free Canes
The Council teamed up with Madison Audubon Society once again earlier this spring to present Birding by Ear, an education program we’ve been offering since 2018. This year’s events included an online educational session offered at two different times in April and two field trips to Warner Park on Madison’s north side in May. The… Continue Reading Birding by Ear Provides Skills for Lifelong Happiness
The road to an inclusive Wisconsin transportation plan is a long one. But thanks to work underway by a steering committee serving the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), positive change is in motion. The committee is steering toward what’s called an active transportation plan for the state. What is it? Think about the different modes… Continue Reading Active Transportation: The Missing Link Between Pedestrian, Bicycle and Motor Transportation Planning