Post Archive

A Google Nest Audio smart speaker sitting on a table next to a folder and a plant

Smart Speakers Can Keep Families Connected, Bring Easy Access to Common Tasks and Information

Smart speakers, also known as voice assistants, are changing the way people interact with the internet. “Voice assistants have really enabled those with vision impairments to remain independent by utilizing their voice and hearing to assist with daily living tasks,” says Council Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Brent Perzentka. A smart speaker can even be programed by… Continue Reading Smart Speakers Can Keep Families Connected, Bring Easy Access to Common Tasks and Information

3 Advocacy Day folders held up in front of the Wisconsin Capitol.

Reminder: Advocacy Days Provides the Tools to Make Your Voice Heard

Registration is now open for the Council’s 2023 Advocacy Days. This year’s Advocacy Days combines online and in-person components. An online Advocacy 101 Zoom session will be offered on April 18 at two different times: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. On April 19 and April 20, there will be online “Lunch… Continue Reading Reminder: Advocacy Days Provides the Tools to Make Your Voice Heard

A hand holding a clear piggy bank with a mortarboard on its head

Reminder: Scholarship Application Deadline is March 31

We’re accepting applications for 2023 Council Scholarships until March 31. More information and application materials are available on our website. Scholarships of $2,000 are available to up to ten Wisconsin residents living with vision loss and who are planning to attend a two-year college, four-year university or graduate program in the fall. Over the years… Continue Reading Reminder: Scholarship Application Deadline is March 31

Backyard Hero: Karen Lee Weidig

Karen at the Council in April 2019. The Council wishes to congratulate our volunteer, Karen Lee Weidig, who has been selected as one of the Community Shares of Wisconsin’s Backyard Heroes for April 2019. Karen Lee is originally from Milwaukee, and moved to Madison in the 1970s. She has volunteered her time at the Wisconsin… Continue Reading Backyard Hero: Karen Lee Weidig

Gardening Ideas for People with Vision Loss

Gardening can be a fun way to grow your own food, enjoy the outdoors and create something beautiful to share with friends and family. Spring is an excellent time to make a plan, buy some seeds, and dig into the dirt. Adapting gardening for people who are blind or visually impaired can involve containers, raised… Continue Reading Gardening Ideas for People with Vision Loss

A screenshot of WCBVI's new homepage showing the sign on our building that reads Wisconsin Council of the Blind.

Same Link, New Look: Check out the Council’s New Website

The Council’s website, WCBlind.org, is now more accessible for screenreaders and people with low vision. Amanda, a web developer in the Madison area, created the new site. She enjoys giving back to her community, especially by designing for nonprofits. She is now thinking more about the need for accessibility on other websites because of her… Continue Reading Same Link, New Look: Check out the Council’s New Website

Photo of Karen Lee Weidig and Margaret Sommers stuffing folders for the Council’s Legislative Day.

Thank You to Our Many Volunteers

The Council appreciates the wonderful volunteers who work beside staff to enhance our services. Volunteers share a variety of talents including gardening, voice recording, and archiving the Council’s history. No matter the project, our volunteers put their heart into it! Thank you for generously giving of your time and talent in support of the Council.… Continue Reading Thank You to Our Many Volunteers

A man wearing a blindfold runs at a large foam cylinder.

Beep Baseball: An American Pastime Adapted for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

Seasonally, the Council is publishing a series of articles to help you stay active. This spring, we are featuring beep baseball. Check Council publications for future articles. Beep baseball started in the 1960’s in Colorado. The National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) was founded in 1976, and set forth the rules used in the sport today.… Continue Reading Beep Baseball: An American Pastime Adapted for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

Student Spotlight: Sean Whalen

For 2018 Council scholarship recipient and Harvard Law School student Sean Whalen, his experience as a person who is blind gives him empathy and relationship-building skills that will serve him well as an attorney. Sean has one more year left at Harvard Law School. Council’s writer, Katherine Corbett, sat down with Sean to learn more… Continue Reading Student Spotlight: Sean Whalen

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2022 Student Spotlight: Saree Behm

Council scholarship recipient Saree Behm has been adapting all her life. Born in China, she was adopted from an orphanage at age 6. Saree never attended school while she was in China. She entered first grade in Janesville. While she spoke no English, “I was pretty quick to learn the language,” she says. She also… Continue Reading 2022 Student Spotlight: Saree Behm

A overhead of a highway interchange. with Community Shares of Wi and other partners for the Big Share

Focus on Transportation Helped Make The Big Share a Big Success

We’re grateful to all who supported the Council’s work during The Big Share on March 7. Thanks to your generosity, we exceeded our goal of $7,500, raising a total of $10,350 over the course of the event through gifts from 92 donors. The Big Share is a unique, all-day fundraiser organized by Community Shares of… Continue Reading Focus on Transportation Helped Make The Big Share a Big Success

Screen shot showing the title of the video Vision Services at the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired

New Video Provides Overview of Vision Services at the Council

The Council offers an array of vision services provided by certified, professional staff. Our Vision Services staff members combine special training with a compassionate, respectful, client-centered approach. In the February issue of On Sight, we outlined the range of vision services provided at the Council: Low vision evaluations, vision rehabilitation therapy, access technology instruction, orientation… Continue Reading New Video Provides Overview of Vision Services at the Council