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
The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired is among the 70 nonprofits that benefit from Community Shares of Wisconsin workplace giving campaigns. Workplace giving is a simple and effective way for employees to support area nonprofits by having a specified amount deducted from each paycheck. In most cases, employees can choose to make… Continue Reading Workplace Giving Makes It Easy to Support the Organizations You Value
Don’t worry, this is not a rerun. But we understand why you might suspect that at first glance. After all, this is the fourth consecutive year UW-Whitewater Senior Grace Caine has been a Council Scholarship recipient. We recently caught up with Grace by phone on a break during marching band practice. The Music Education major… Continue Reading 2023 Student Spotlight: Grace Caine
For many, the words “artificial intelligence” conjure up science fiction fears of computers taking over the world. Jim Denham, Access Technology Specialist at the Council, says there’s no need to be afraid. In fact, as new and controversial as it seems, Jim says forms of artificial intelligence (AI) have been put to good use for… Continue Reading Don’t Fear the Chatbot: The Potential Benefits of Artificial Intelligence
Whether on foot, on a bicycle or in a car, anyone who’s been to the corner of Cottage Grove Road and Monona Drive in Madison during the past five months knows it’s a challenging intersection to navigate these days. Extensive construction, including the laying of new underground piping, while necessary, has turned the intersection into… Continue Reading Let Your Lived Experience Power Your Pedestrian Safety Advocacy
Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss in the United States. They are extremely common among older adults— About one in six Americans aged 40 and older will get a cataract, and more than half will get them by the time they are 80 years old. But younger people, even babies, can… Continue Reading Understanding Your Options is Key to Dealing with Cataracts
Zulikha Gondal has determination. In fact, you could say the 2023 Council Scholarship recipient went to the mat during her last two years at Bradford High School in Kenosha. That’s when she not only wrestled for the Red Devils’ girls’ team but was also the school’s first girls’ wrestling captain to make it to the… Continue Reading 2023 Student Spotlight: Zulikha Gondal
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As we enter the new year, we are pleased to welcome four new members to the Council’s Board of Directors. Each of our new board members brings unique experiences and backgrounds that will help the Council reach people who are blind or low vision from across all of Wisconsin. “The Board is pleased to welcome… Continue Reading A New Year Means a Warm Welcome to Our Four New Board Members
Louis Braille, who revolutionized the world for people who are blind with the invention of his raised dot writing system, was born on January 4, 1809. Every January, we recognize Braille Literacy Month to affirm the importance of braille, which has given countless people with vision loss access to written information over the decades. As… Continue Reading ABLE Provides Vital Braille Services During Braille Literacy Month…and the Rest of the Year
Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809, and that date is celebrated internationally as World Braille Day each year in recognition of his revolutionary raised dot system. Before the development of braille, people who were blind had virtually no independent access to written information, cutting them off from a vital form of communication. Today,… Continue Reading Technology Changes, But the Value of Braille Does Not – A World Braille Day Message