An iPhone, with its array of accessibility features, can be a powerful tool for staying connected to friends and family and for many other tasks. iPhones have a robust VoiceOver feature that enables people who are blind or low vision to access every app and feature available to them. But learning how to use VoiceOver… Continue Reading New Video Covers Basic Gestures for VoiceOver on iPhone
Attention students who are blind or low vision: Applications for 2025 Council Scholarships are now open! Every year, we award up to ten $2,000 scholarships to Wisconsin students who are blind or low vision and who are enrolled in post-secondary education in the fall. Past recipients have used scholarship funds in a variety of ways… Continue Reading Apply Now for 2025 Council Scholarships
People support the Council for a wide variety of reasons. Often they donate because the Council made a positive impact on their life or the life of a loved one. Sometimes their gift takes the form of a planned estate gift, such as a bequest or making us the beneficiary of a life insurance policy.… Continue Reading Planned Gifts Can Create a Legacy of Giving
People who use ZoomText or Fusion from Freedom Scientific know these programs offer a number of magnification levels. As of the current release, magnification levels from 1 to 60 times are available. Many users rely on a few specific magnification levels. But switching between these levels can often require multiple keystrokes or mouse clicks. For… Continue Reading Select Your Favorite Magnification Levels to Use ZoomText and Fusion More Efficiently
A recent survey by the senior living referral service Caring.com found that two-thirds of Americans do not have an up-to-date will. October 16-22 is National Estate Planning Week. It’s the perfect time to map out or update an estate plan. When you do, we hope you’ll consider including an estate gift to the Council in… Continue Reading Planned Giving Shows Strong Support with a Focus on the Future
October is Pedestrian Safety Month, which includes White Cane Safety Day on October 15. How keen is your pedestrian safety knowledge? Take our quiz and see how you do! 1. What percentage of Wisconsin residents do not drive? a) 11% b) 31% c) 6% d) 21% Answer: b) 31% Factoid: Non-drivers face daily challenges in… Continue Reading Test Your Pedestrian Safety and White Cane Knowledge
Patty Slaby of Arcadia has found many benefits to living and working with her guide dog, Carter. “Walking in and out of medical facilities, church, stores, businesses and just taking walks,” Patty says. But the partnership demands that both participants stay focused and play by the rules. “You must be aware of what your dog… Continue Reading Guide Dogs: A Relationship Built on Love, Trust and Discipline
The Older Americans Act (OAA) was first passed in 1965 as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” initiative, with the goal of supporting older Americans to continue living at home and in their community with dignity and independence for as long as possible. It authorized a wide range of services, including home-delivered meals, support… Continue Reading New Rules Provide Opportunity to Improve the Older Americans Act
Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW) is honoring Council Executive Director Denise Jess for her years of work promoting the rights and dignity of people living with vision loss. At CSW’s September 28 Community Change-Maker Awards event, Denise will be presented with the Linda Sundberg Civil Rights Defender Award. The Linda Sundberg Award is given each… Continue Reading Executive Director Denise Jess Receives Civil Rights Award
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Before her 2023 trip to Bali, Indonesia to earn her yoga teacher certification, 2024 Council Scholarship recipient Mia Zutter dedicated her life to being the best at everything she took on. After losing her vision at age 12, she felt she had to be the best so that she wouldn’t be seen as just “the… Continue Reading 2024 Student Spotlight: Mia Zutter
In November, Access Technology Specialist Jim Denham of the Council presented a webinar on how to use artificial intelligence (AI) to simplify everyday tasks. AI can streamline and assist with some computer tasks that are particularly challenging for people who are blind or low vision. Whether you’re writing a paper for a class or figuring… Continue Reading You Can Use AI in Everyday Life
Following last year’s redrawing of the state’s legislative maps, a bevy of new members of both the State Senate and Assembly were sworn into office on January 6. These new lawmakers are probably still learning the ropes of their new jobs, and while they certainly have their legislative priorities, they are still figuring out how… Continue Reading New State Legislature Provides New Opportunities to Make Advocacy Connections