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
All financial gifts to the Council are used to support our mission to promote the dignity and empowerment of the people in Wisconsin who are blind and visually impaired. We do this by providing services, advocating public policy and educating the public. Those financial gifts come to us in a variety of forms. One of… Continue Reading Employer Matches Can Make Gifts to the Council Go Farther
Public policy advocacy has been a cornerstone of the Council’s mission since its founding in 1952. For the Council, advocacy is a year-round endeavor. But you don’t have to be a professional advocate to be an effective voice for change! There are ordinary folks all over the state–and in your community–doing it successfully. For example,… Continue Reading Coming May 16: Advocacy Day—A Perfect Blend of Information and Motivation
One of the Council’s most popular events, Birding by Ear, returns for the sixth year on Saturday, May 4. Just as unique as their coloration and shape, bird sounds come in all tunes and pitches. Any experienced birder will tell you that identifying birds is at least as much about hearing them as seeing them.… Continue Reading Springtime Means the Return of Birding by Ear
No matter where you live in Wisconsin, a vision services provider is within reach. That said, available services vary from area to area and from agency to agency. “Each agency offers a certain type of assistance,” says Education and Vision Services Director Amy Wurf of the Council. “Depending on where you are, you may not… Continue Reading Wisconsin’s Vision Services Landscape
Things are always buzzing at the Council offices. But recently a different kind of buzz was heard when the Council hosted a visit by students from the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Janesville. The six students, members of a College and Career Readiness class, and four staff members came to the… Continue Reading Visiting Students Learn About the Council and More
The Big Share is an annual day of online giving that supports nearly 70 nonprofits that are members of Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW). The Council is one of those organizations. CSW members represent a wide range of causes including voting rights, healthy food systems, racial justice, criminal justice reform, housing advocacy and environmental protection.… Continue Reading Empowering People to Join or Stay in the Workforce is a Great Reason to Support the Council During The Big Share
Click toggle for topics
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