Council scholarship recipient Saree Behm is in her first year at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she lives in a dormitory on campus. A committed student, she is working towards a double major in Early Childhood Education with certifications in Early Childhood and Special Education. Saree spoke to Council Writer Lynn between her studies. Lynn:… Continue Reading Student Spotlight: Saree Behm
Voters who are blind and visually impaired in Wisconsin face many challenges when casting a ballot. These voters encounter hoops others do not have to navigate including getting a ballot in a user-friendly format and finding a way to fill it out and return it securely. They may not be able to cast their ballot… Continue Reading Voting for Everyone
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness, especially for older adults and African Americans. It is an eye disease that typically causes vision loss by damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is located in the back of the eye, and transfers visual information from… Continue Reading How to Put in Eye Drops for Glaucoma and Other Diseases
Today is White Cane Safety Day! Alt text: Save the Date graphic for White Cane Safety Day Image: Did you know? October 15 is White Cane Safety Day. Share upcoming posts to educate people you know. #WhiteCaneLaw (logo for the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired) Spread the word about White Cane Safety… Continue Reading On Sight October 2018
State agencies, such as the Department of Workforce Development, the Department of Public Instruction, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Health Services-which houses the Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired (OBVI)-use tax dollars to create and manage programs that help Wisconsinites live happy, empowered lives. The Wisconsin Biennial Budget provides the breakdown… Continue Reading How to Impact the Wisconsin State Budget
Age-related macular degeneration affects more than 10 million Americans. It is a common eye condition and a leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 50. The condition affects the central part of the retina – causing distortion or loss of central vision. When faced with a diagnosis of macular degeneration, you… Continue Reading Macular Degeneration Symposium
Student Spotlight: Shannon Columb Shannon accepting her award shown with Council board member Kelsey Tiradani. Staying positive and enjoying the little things in life helps UW-Stevens Point senior, Shannon Columb, focus on her goals. From teaching about the environment at Lions Camp to traveling to Europe for a summer field study, Shannon has discovered that… Continue Reading On Sight September 2018
Since President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed October 15 of each year to be White Cane Safety Day, the White Cane Law has been central to the safety of people who are blind or visually impaired as they travel and go about their daily activities. The law acknowledges the capabilities of the blind and visually impaired… Continue Reading The White Cane Law: Beliefs and Facts
Fall is a time for new beginnings–especially for students. This year’s college freshmen might be both nervous and excited, as they are not sure what to expect when it comes to the differences between high school and college. To ease this transition, the Council would like to offer tips on self-advocacy and obtaining disability services… Continue Reading Preparing for College
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The Council is pleased that Nick Sinram and Karen Heesen are continuing their positions. Nick, a budget and policy specialist with the City of Milwaukee, was introduced to the Council as a scholarship recipient in 2007. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2012 Continue Reading Continuing on the Board: Karen Heesen and Nick Sinram
The Council welcomes two new board members, each bringing valuable experience and perspective to their positions. Melanie Ramey A native of Arkansas, Melanie has lived in Madison for 30 years, and is a communication and speech coach. She also serves on many organizations and is the vice president of the Wisconsin League of Women Voters, chair of the Madison Committee on Foreign Relations… Continue Reading New Board Members Melanie Ramey and Renee Peterson
What are bump dots and why are they an important tool for people who are blind and visually impaired? More people know now, thanks to a billboard campaign that ran throughout 2020 thanks to Adams Outdoor Advertising. The program Adams Collaborate, which provides a few select nonprofits with $250,000 in free billboard advertising for a… Continue Reading Billboard Campaign Gave Council and its Services Visibility
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Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired
