Post Archive

DA2 player with charging cord and all buttons displayed

Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library to Roll Out New Talking Book Players

Later this fall, the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL) will begin rolling out a new talking book machine. The Digital Advanced Player 2 (DA2), will still play the classic talking book cartridges, but they will also connect to the internet so you can download books directly from BARD to your device. The National… Continue Reading Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library to Roll Out New Talking Book Players

Amy Wurf demonstrating tactile labelling techniques using a television remote

The Illusion of Free Services

When modern vision services began in America, this vital work was done for little-to-no pay. Performed mostly by women who themselves were blind or low vision, it was seen more as mutual aid than as a true “profession.” These workers were often paid just $1 per day (or around $38 per day in today’s money). Continue Reading The Illusion of Free Services

A post-it reading Make a Will placed on a calendar page

Consider the Council During Make-a-Will Month

Have you thought about making a will only to realize you don’t know how to begin? If making a will has been on your mind but you’ve never managed to take the steps to get it done, this is a great time to do it. August is Make-A-Will month! Having a will benefits your loved… Continue Reading Consider the Council During Make-a-Will Month

Pay Attention to These Important Deadlines for the November 5 Election

We are less than one month away from the November 5 election, when Wisconsin residents will have the opportunity to decide not only who becomes the next President of the United States, but also a litany of other local, state and federal races. We encourage everyone to make their voice heard on Election Day. Voters… Continue Reading Pay Attention to These Important Deadlines for the November 5 Election

A woman using an accessible voting machine

Know Your Voting Rights as We Approach November Election

Last week, the Council teamed up with Vision Forward, the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition, and the Statutory Council on Blindness for a webinar on voting rights and making your plan to vote in the November 5 election. No matter how you vote, it’s important to make your voice heard at the polls. That’s especially true… Continue Reading Know Your Voting Rights as We Approach November Election

A sign reading "push button to turn on warning lights" mounted above a button on a street light.

Pedestrian Safety Month is an Opportunity to Advocate for Street Features that Make Us Safer

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, dedicated to raising awareness about pedestrian safety for all people, including those who are blind or low vision. Pedestrian Safety Month also includes White Cane Safety Day on October 15, during which communities across the country bring attention to their state’s White Cane Law requiring drivers stop for pedestrians… Continue Reading Pedestrian Safety Month is an Opportunity to Advocate for Street Features that Make Us Safer

The words In loving memory carved in stone.

Memorial Gifts Honor Your Loved One’s Legacy Through Our Work

When a loved one passes away, many of us feel a strong desire to do what we can to continue their legacy. One way of honoring a departed loved one is by supporting a cause or organization that was important to them. If your loved one had been impacted by the Council in some way,… Continue Reading Memorial Gifts Honor Your Loved One’s Legacy Through Our Work

Photo of Jayquan Jaeger wearing a suit and tie and smiling.

2024 Student Spotlight: Jayquan Jaeger

Two-time Council Scholarship recipient Jayquan Jaeger began his tenure at UW-Madison with a bit of a head start, having already completed most of his general education credits in high school. That allowed the sophomore to focus on his main areas of study: theater and music. “My first year in college was wonderful!” Jayquan says. “All… Continue Reading 2024 Student Spotlight: Jayquan Jaeger

A split photo with Amy Wurf giving a presentation on the left and hands examining bump dots on the right.

Learn How to Access Eye Care, Navigate Your Community and Work a Cell Phone at our Upcoming Southwest Wisconsin Event

The Council is coming to Dodgeville on Wednesday, October 9 for a free information event, On Sight: Vision Loss Resources in Southwest Wisconsin. On Sight will provide a wealth of knowledge useful to area residents who are blind or low vision, their families and their caregivers. The event takes place at the Iowa County Health… Continue Reading Learn How to Access Eye Care, Navigate Your Community and Work a Cell Phone at our Upcoming Southwest Wisconsin Event

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Judith Rasmussen sitting in a chair knitting

Judith Rasmussen Returns to Knitting and Pays It Forward

Judith Rasmussen Judith Rasmussen first learned how to knit as a teen in Home Economics class at school. But after losing her vision, she put down her needles, thinking knitting would be out of her reach. A few years ago, however, she learned of a knitting group that gathered weekly at the library near her… Continue Reading Judith Rasmussen Returns to Knitting and Pays It Forward

2025 Student Spotlight: Jasmine Bertschy

Jasmine Bertschy With her first year under her belt, 2025 Council Scholarship recipient Jasmine Bertschy says she’s ready for just about anything college has to throw at her. Jasmine is attending UW – Whitewater at Rock County, where she is pursuing a degree in Psychology with the hope of one day becoming a mental health… Continue Reading 2025 Student Spotlight: Jasmine Bertschy

2024 Annual Report is Now Available Online

The Council’s 2024 Annual Report is now available on our website in PDF, Word and audio formats. The Annual Report features our 2024 Year in Review, a “by the numbers” infographic, stories of how our vision services have impacted the lives of clients, and more. You can find the Annual Report on our website at… Continue Reading 2024 Annual Report is Now Available Online