The Big Share goes live on March 7! The Big Share is a one-day giving event organized by Community Shares of Wisconsin that raises funds for its 70 member nonprofits, including the Council. “We see The Big Share as a huge collaboration—not a competition,” says Council Fund Development Director Lori Werbeckes. In fact, it’s a… Continue Reading Boosting the Council One Peer at a Time During The Big Share
The Council’s annual Advocacy Days events in April and May are a great way to share your experiences while working to make a difference in public policy. Telling a personal story makes a powerful impression on lawmakers, putting a “human face” on policy issues. “I want people to feel empowered in advocacy work,” says WCBVI… Continue Reading Advocacy Days: Putting a “Human Face” on Issues that Affect People with Vision Loss
Some people find the inspiration for their life calling in a book or a movie. Others find it through the experience of a family member or mentor. While still in high school, Bayfield County native George Tuttle found his on a ski slope in Vermont. George and his brother were part of an adaptive downhill… Continue Reading 2022 Student Spotlight: George Tuttle
Three Wisconsin residents who are visually impaired recognized a need for Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) to be installed in their communities. Penny Happli of Rib Mountain, Joseph Smet of Fond Du Lac, and Denise Jess of Madison, are celebrating the success of their APS installation requests. All three community members mobilized and took initiative to… Continue Reading Celebrating Local Success: Accessible Pedestrian Signals
Read on to learn about the tools and techniques that can help you stay active, go holiday shopping with friends and enjoy our winter wonderland. Continue Reading Safe winter walking
Julie decides to stop in to Bob’s Market on her way home from work. She has her service dog, Jasper, accompanying her. When Bob sees Julie and her dog entering the store, he is confused. He wonders why that lady has a dog with her. Is it a service animal or an emotional support animal,… Continue Reading Updating the Law Regarding Service Animals
Assistive technologies, such as magnifiers and screen-readers, have increased accessibility to information now more than ever before. As someone new to magnification, consider utilizing the built-in accessibility options before purchasing equipment or installing software. “I use these settings every day,” says Kathy Brockman, Council board treasurer. “I can customize my computer to display text in… Continue Reading Built-in Screen Magnifiers: A Free Way to Get the Accessibility You Need, Right on Your Computer
Today is White Cane Safety Day! Alt text: Save the Date graphic for White Cane Safety Day Image: Did you know? October 15 is White Cane Safety Day. Share upcoming posts to educate people you know. #WhiteCaneLaw (logo for the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired) Spread the word about White Cane Safety… Continue Reading On Sight October 2018
State agencies, such as the Department of Workforce Development, the Department of Public Instruction, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Health Services-which houses the Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired (OBVI)-use tax dollars to create and manage programs that help Wisconsinites live happy, empowered lives. The Wisconsin Biennial Budget provides the breakdown… Continue Reading How to Impact the Wisconsin State Budget
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Interested in learning more about the array of vision services the Council offers? We invite you to check out this new video featuring our talented, highly qualified Vision Services team. The 12-minute video provides a great overview of our vision services menu, which includes low vision evaluations, vision rehab therapy, access technology instruction, orientation and… Continue Reading New Video: Vision Services at the Council
Governor Tony Evers will deliver his State Budget Address on February 15. The speech will lay out his vision for state spending during the next two years. The fiscal debate at the State Capitol in the coming months will include what to do with an unprecedented $7.1 billion revenue surplus from the last budget period.… Continue Reading Advocacy Update February 2023
Louis Braille once wrote: “Access to communication in the widest sense is access to knowledge.” The raised dot system he developed has been a powerful and liberating tool for people with vision loss since the early 1900s. January is Braille Literacy Month, but the opportunity to learn braille is now a year-round thing at the… Continue Reading Improving Quality of Life Through Braille Literacy