When someone comes to the Council for services for the first time, they often carry a variety of emotions. They may feel grief from having recently lost their vision, or anxiety about whether they’ll be able to continue doing the things they love. But thanks to the support of the people who give to the… Continue Reading Close the Year with a Gift That Opens Doors
Online meetings have become a regular part of many people’s professional and personal lives, as platforms like Zoom and Google Meet have grown exponentially in recent years. For people who are blind or low vision, they offer a major advantage: There’s no need to arrange transportation to attend your class, meeting or event. But just… Continue Reading Tips and Tricks for a Successful Online Meeting
Earlier this month, Lori Werbeckes’ tenure as Development Director at the Council came to an end as she began her well-deserved retirement. Lori joined the Council in August 2013, and for a dozen years helped shape the way the Council raises money to support the services and advocacy we provide. Continue Reading Retiring Development Director Lori Werbeckes Reflects on Evolution of Council’s Approach to Fundraising
Executive Director Denise Jess receiving a check from David Anderman of the Madison South Rotary Foundation. The Council relies on a variety of funding sources to help us meet the needs of Wisconsinites who are blind or low vision. We receive gifts from individuals almost every day. Store customers round up their purchases to the… Continue Reading Local Grants Support the Council’s Efforts to Change Lives
Are you an artist who is blind or low vision? We are currently accepting submissions for Gallery Night 2025, which will take place on Friday, November 7. We welcome artwork in a wide range of formats. Past exhibits have included paintings, photographs, digital drawings, fiber arts, wood carvings, ceramics and more. You can check out… Continue Reading Showcase Your Talent at Gallery Night This Fall
Wisconsin summer is in full swing, and we at the Council hope you are able to spend some time outdoors and enjoy the warm weather. While you’re outside, it’s important to protect your eyes from the sun. Sunglasses don’t just make you look cool; they are vital in protecting your eyes from UV rays and… Continue Reading Protect Your Eyes Outdoors This Summer with Sunglasses!
Advocates and Council staff met in a State Capitol hearing room to strategize about their legislator meetings. Public policy advocacy has been a cornerstone of the Council’s mission since our founding over 70 years ago. In May we continued that mission with our annual Advocacy Days event, both virtually and in-person at the State Capitol… Continue Reading Advocacy Days Brought Council Priorities to Lawmakers
We’re pleased to announce this year’s Council Scholarship recipients! Each year, we award $2,000 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… Continue Reading Introducing our 2025 Council Scholarship Recipients
Karen Heesen Karen Heesen has been teaching students who are blind or low vision at the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WSBVI) in Janesville how to read braille for 25 years. In that role, Karen has helped generations of students with vision loss connect with written language. Her efforts have not gone… Continue Reading Former Board Member Karen Heesen Wins Crystal Apple Teaching Award
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2025 has been another fantastic year at the Council. “I’m proud of our work to promote the dignity and inherent worth of Wisconsinites who are blind and low vision throughout the state,” says Council Executive Director Denise Jess. “It’s exciting to witness the Council’s spheres of influence grow wider and deeper, from legislators and judges… Continue Reading 2025 in Review: Another Productive Year of Hard Work and Relationship Building
The holiday season is nearly here, and while it may bring up happy memories of years past, it can also stir up tough emotions for some people, like stress, grief, isolation and depression. Physical barriers to leaving one’s home during the winter, including bad weather, can amplify feelings of isolation and loneliness. It is important… Continue Reading Protecting Your Emotional Health During the Holiday Season
When piano teacher Amy Hansel got a new student who was legally blind, she says she had to make a few adjustments to how she taught. Her student had some usable vision and benefited from large-print music, further enlarged by a magnifier attached to his piano. Continue Reading Year-End Gift to the Council Can Come in Many Forms