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
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
It wasn’t hard for former Council Scholarship recipient Ashley Handrick to decide on where to go to school. Edgewood College in Madison was just a short drive from her hometown of Mount Horeb, and she had a few friends also going there with whom she could share a dorm suite. Having a friend who knew… Continue Reading Past Council Scholarship Recipient Ashley Handrick Brings Smiles to Her Students’ Faces
Due to the current volatility of the global economic landscape, the prices of most items in the Sharper Vision Store have increased. Most adaptive products found in the Sharper Vision Store are manufactured overseas and are therefore subject to tariffs. The store already runs on a tight profit margin to ensure that you are getting… Continue Reading Sharper Vision Store Prices Have Increased Due to Global Tariffs
A bill called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act may sound like something positive, but in reality, this piece of federal legislation would create major barriers to voting for many people, including those with vision loss and other disabilities. The SAVE Act would require all Americans registering to vote or updating their registration information… Continue Reading SAVE Act Would Create Major Barriers for Voters with Disabilities
Being comfortable using a computer is helpful for countless daily activities, including finding a job and staying in touch with friends and family. While the Council offers access technology (AT) training to help people learn how to use adaptive software like screen magnifiers and screen reader programs like JAWS, some clients are unable to afford… Continue Reading Laptop Loan Program Helps Those Unable to Afford a Computer Practice Their AT Skills
By Denise Jess This winter I chose to learn a new craft, to challenge my brain and nurture my creativity. At the Council, we often hear clients and visitors say that while they miss doing things like knitting, woodworking or sewing, they assume they cannot do these things as their vision changes, or they hesitate… Continue Reading Learning a New Craft Can Be an Enriching Experience for Everyone Involved
Disasters can come at any time, whether it be a fire, extreme weather, or anything else that threatens our safety. While we don’t know when these disasters will strike, we can plan how to react when they do. Being prepared is the best way to protect yourself in an emergency. Often, people with disabilities face… Continue Reading Be Ready to Act When an Emergency Arises
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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
For the past six months, clients who call the Council to ask about vision services have been welcomed by our navigator, Kate Bleyl-Ericson. We’ve known for years that people coming to the Council in search of vision services frequently have needs beyond what we can address. It’s not uncommon to discover that a client is… Continue Reading Giving Tuesday Gift Supports New Service for Council Clients