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
Attitudes, beliefs and values are often formed in families. Philanthropic values are important as they instill a sense of helping others and expand your compassion beyond the needs of your immediate family. Many families choose to create a passion for giving by making charitable donations a part of their traditions. At family gatherings, such as… Continue Reading Start a Family Tradition of Giving Back
Shannon Columb is a 2019 Council scholarship recipient turning her passion for the outdoors into a career. She is a senior at UW-Stevens Point and graduates in May 2020. She sat down with Council writer, Katherine Corbett, to talk about how she picked the right major for her, how she learned to accept herself as… Continue Reading Student Spotlight: Shannon Columb
Thursday, September 12 (sold out) 6:30-9:30 p.m. Vignette Dining Club, Fitchburg Tuesday, September 24 6:30-9:30 p.m. Touchdown Tavern, 125 E. Main Street, Reedsburg Wednesday, October 23 (sold out) 6:30-9:30 p.m. Vignette Dining Club, Fitchburg Dining in the Dark is a delicious multi-course meal that challenges participants to rethink the importance of vision… Continue Reading An Evening of Fresh Food and a Unique Perspective at Dining in the Dark
Over 100,000 people in Wisconsin are blind or visually impaired. As the population ages, this number is expected to double in the next 10-20 years. Chances are good that you already have—or will have in the future—someone who is blind or visually impaired in your social media audience. People who are blind or visually impaired… Continue Reading The Power of Engagement: How and Why to Make Social Media Accessible to Everyone
There is nothing like feeling the wind on your face and travelling smoothly over water in a sailboat. Thanks to developments in technology, people who are blind or visually impaired can race sailboats without sighted assistance on board. How does Adaptive Sailing Work? People who are blind or visually impaired take part in two types… Continue Reading Technology Makes Sailing Fully Accessible to People who are Blind or Visually Impaired
An excerpt from the Arrive Together report shows multiple people holding signs saying “I heart my bus ride” or “I heart public transit.” Stories from around the state illustrate the necessity for affordable, accessible transportation. One in six Milwaukee households does not have access to a car, and half of DVR clients and trainees in… Continue Reading Moving Forward Together to Impact Transportation
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Warmer months bring on the need to fix things up around the home, both indoors and out. Whether it’s keeping your lawn under control, cleaning out the attic or working on a home repair project, your to-do list is screaming for attention. Since these are chores that often present a risk of eye injury, it’s… Continue Reading Protect Your Eyes Indoors and Out This Spring
Governor Tony Evers’ proposed biennial budget for fiscal years 2023-25 weighs in at just under $104 billion of proposed state spending. The state budget impacts everyone in Wisconsin, but certain parts of it are of particular interest to the Council. Those include provisions related to mass transit, specialized transportation, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) services,… Continue Reading Council Setting its Advocacy Focus on Biennial State Budget
We’re pleased to announce this year’s Council Scholarship recipients! Executive Director Denise Jess says the decisions were especially difficult this year due to the excellent pool of applicants. Each year, $2,000.00 scholarships are awarded to students around the state who are blind or visually impaired and are enrolled in post-secondary education in the fall. Past… Continue Reading Introducing Our 2023 Council Scholarship Recipients