Birding by Ear (BBE), an annual educational event the Council hosts in collaboration with partner organizations, helps people understand that sound is just as important as sight when birding. Each bird has unique sounds, and experienced birders know that being able to differentiate between these sonic cues is important to properly identifying birds in your… Continue Reading Birding by Ear Continues to Delight Birders of All Abilities
June 10-16 is Vision Rehabilitation Week, an opportunity to spread the word about important vision rehabilitation services that can help improve the lives of people with vision loss. Since last fall, Certified Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist Brent Perzentka of the Council has traveled to the Sauk Prairie School District once a week to give… Continue Reading Shortage of Vision Services Professionals Puts Strain on Both Clients and Providers
Public policy advocacy has been a cornerstone of the Council’s mission since our founding over 70 years ago. One thing we’ve always emphasized is that anyone can be an effective advocate; you just have to know where to start. That’s why this this year’s Advocacy Day, which took place virtually on Thursday, May 16, focused… Continue Reading Advocacy Day Showcases the Power of Local Action
When Jean Kalscheur announced her impending retirement to her Council coworkers last spring, she chose her words thoughtfully. “My ‘sell-by date’ is approaching,” she wrote in an email to colleagues. Jean is reaching that sell-by date this month, leaving a legacy that has shaped the Council’s education and outreach mission. She joined the organization in… Continue Reading Council Bids Farewell to Education Program Specialist Jean Kalscheur
The Council is a proud member of Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW). Through its 70 member nonprofits, CSW promotes social and environmental justice through fundraising and a variety of programs that help member organizations connect, grow and thrive. While most people think of Community Shares mainly in terms of coordinating workplace giving campaigns, for… Continue Reading Community Shares Benefits Go Beyond Fundraising
Individual donors are the fuel on which the Council runs, and we are grateful to everybody who supported our work last year. Our donors understand how important they are to the community we serve, and that’s why so many of them give to the Council year after year. Here is a quick snapshot of our… Continue Reading Thank You to All Our 2021 Donors!
Judges in Wisconsin have recently heard cases that could affect elections for us all. Municipal clerks make decisions about voting that affect where and how you vote. Yet when it’s time to cast ballots for judges, clerks and other local elected officials, many voters choose to sit out the election, under the mistaken belief that… Continue Reading Jumpstart Your Advocacy by Voting in Local Elections
Three years ago, the United Nations proclaimed January 4, the date on which Louis Braille was born in 1809, World Braille Day. World Braille Day recognizes the importance of Braille’s revolutionary raised dot system that allows people who are blind to read through touch. It also kicks off Braille Literacy Month, which we observe throughout… Continue Reading Reflections on Adult Braille Literacy: A World Braille Day Message
Ongoing research to prevent and treat eye diseases has the potential to change the lives of millions in the United States living with vision loss. For the 100,000 people in Wisconsin with conditions including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, childhood disorders and more, these studies hold promise and hope. Studies on eye disease interventions… Continue Reading Clinical Trials Hold Promise for Eye Diseases
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Last year, the Council gave over 500 white canes to people with vision loss across the state. In addition, we served hundreds of clients with vision rehabilitation visits, low vision evaluations, orientation and mobility training and access technology instruction. The various services the Council provided helped people become or remain employed, get an education, and… Continue Reading Support All of the Council’s Services During Our White Cane Appeal
During the solar eclipse in April, Katie Corbett traveled to Indiana on a mission: to listen to the wolves. While visiting a wolf sanctuary last year, Katie learned that during a solar eclipse, wolves will begin to howl at the shadow of the moon as it obscures the sun. It also just so happened that… Continue Reading Solar Eclipse Offered Unique Opportunity to Experience Nature in New Ways
Everybody experiences vision loss differently. But it is not easy for anyone. You may have questions or anxieties about how you can continue to do the things you love. While professional vision rehabilitation services can help you cope with daily living challenges, sometimes it’s easier to hear from someone else who has gone through the… Continue Reading Low Vision Support Groups Across the State Provide Safe Space to Learn, Share and Connect