When someone who is blind finds themself in an unfamiliar environment, whether it’s an office, a store or a city sidewalk, they may want some assistance in finding their way. In this video, the second installment in our new Vision Services video series, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist Brent Perzentka shows you the basics of… Continue Reading New Video Shows How to Be a Better Human Guide
For most people, the idea of uprooting their life to move to Turkey would be incredibly daunting. But not for 2024 Council Scholarship Recipient Miso Kwak. Miso moved to Izmir, Turkey for nine months on a Fulbright Scholarship to work as an English Teaching Assistant. While she knew little about Turkey at the time and… Continue Reading 2024 Student Spotlight: Miso Kwak
As the holidays grow near, it might be tempting to go to your favorite online retailer to buy your loved one with low vision a magnifier as a gift. But when buying online, you don’t always get what you want or need. While online retailers may be convenient, they are no substitute for going to… Continue Reading The Sharper Vision Store is Your Best Choice for Magnifiers This Holiday Season
We’re pleased to announce this year’s Council Scholarship recipients! Executive Director Denise Jess says the decisions were especially difficult this year due to the excellent pool of applicants. Each year, $2,000.00 scholarships are awarded to students around the state who are blind or visually impaired and are enrolled in post-secondary education in the fall. Past… Continue Reading Introducing Our 2023 Council Scholarship Recipients
The Council was pleased to add braille instruction to our Vision Services menu last year. Like all our vision services, braille instruction at the Council is tailored to the goals of each individual client. “We see clients who use braille in a variety of ways,” says Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Rachel Pavone, who teaches braille… Continue Reading A Gift is Making It Easier to Produce Braille Instruction Materials
The Council’s Advocacy Days, which kicked off in April with a series of online discussions, provides an annual crash course on how to make a difference by communicating with local and state officials. This year, one of the key messages of Advocacy Days was that a conversation that combines data with stories of lived experience… Continue Reading Building Data into Your Advocacy on Health Care Issues
A smart TV can offer great accessibility features for people with vision loss. But setting up and learning to use those features can be a challenge. Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Rachel Pavone says there are a number of strategies for painlessly mastering accessible smart TV features designed for users who are blind or visually impaired.… Continue Reading Getting a Smart Start With Your Smart TV
April is National Volunteer Appreciation month. It’s an opportunity to recognize and celebrate volunteerism and its positive community impacts. Americans have always stepped up when it comes to volunteering. According to Americorps, nearly a quarter of Americans age 16 and over donated time formally through an organization between September 2020 and 2021. “Volunteers share their… Continue Reading Volunteering Can Be Gateway to Ongoing Connection
Lions Club International has been a leading advocate for and supporter of people with vision loss since 1925. That’s when Helen Keller challenged Lions Clubs around the world to be “knights for the blind.” Each spring, the Council nurtures our relationships with Wisconsin Lions Clubs by updating them on our current work and goals and… Continue Reading The Council and the Lions: A Lasting Relationship Rooted in Shared Goals
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Winter is almost here, and many of us are hanging up the hiking boots until spring and looking forward to cozying up with a good book. For people who are blind or low vision, the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL) offers talking books in a variety of ways, whether you’re settling in with… Continue Reading Keep Reading with Free Books from the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library
When Sara Guggenheim lost most of her vision over the course of two short months, her ophthalmologist wasn’t able to provide her much support. Sara even found herself getting lost in her doctor’s office. So she decided to find other resources to help her adjust and live the life she wanted. That’s when she found… Continue Reading Giving Thanks to Everyone Who Supports Our Work
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Around 38 million people across the country have diabetes, including around one out of every 11 Wisconsinites. According to the VisionServe Alliance’s Big Data Report on Older Adults, about 22% of people with vision loss over the age of 65 in Wisconsin have diabetes, compared to around 17% of those… Continue Reading Stay Confident with Healthy Eating Habits This Holiday Season