As we age, it can be harder to make connections with those around us. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, over one-third of adults 45 and older across the country report feeling lonely, and nearly a quarter of adults 65 and older are considered socially isolated. June 10 – 14 is… Continue Reading Global Loneliness Awareness Week Highlights Importance of Social Connection
In mid-May, Fund Development Director Lori Werbeckes traveled northeast to give a presentation to the Town of Sheboygan Lions Club, which has been a good friend to the Council for many years. Lions Clubs across Wisconsin have long supported the Council’s mission and continue to give to our White Cane Fund. The Council has been… Continue Reading Wisconsin Lions Clubs Have a Long History of Supporting the Council’s White Cane Fund
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
For many people in Wisconsin, vision loss is a life changing experience. Helping those individuals adapt to these changes and maintain their quality of life through education, vision services and accessibility tools is a big part of the Council’s mission. By contributing to the Council, you make it possible for us to provide in-home vision… Continue Reading Support People Experiencing Vision Loss by Giving to the Council this Season
As a high school student in Cedarburg, Brandon Klas got hooked on business and leadership. Brandon is among the Council’s 2021 scholarship recipients, and is continuing his Business Entrepreneurship education as a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The Council recently had a conversation with Brandon about his education and future. Council: Classes returned in… Continue Reading Student Spotlight: Brandon Klas
Navigating the snow and ice of a Wisconsin winter takes extra care for people with visual impairment. These tips will give you the confidence to get outside and enjoy our state’s winter wonderland. 1. Walk like a penguin. Take short, slow, deliberate steps, turning your feet slightly outward. Keep your hands out of your pockets… Continue Reading Ten Tips for Safe Winter Walking
Nearly a third of Wisconsin residents do not drive. It’s a fact that Council Executive Director Denise Jess shared this past spring with members of the State Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance during hearings on the state’s biennial budget. Advocacy is one of the pillars of the Council’s work, along with education and vision services,… Continue Reading Advocacy: The Year in Review
World Braille Day commemorates Louis Braille’s birthday, on January 4, 1809, focusing our attention on the importance of literacy in the blind and visually impaired community. Literacy and academic success are linked to employment. Being able to read and write in braille is vital for people who are blind or legally blind, who are not… Continue Reading World Braille Day commemorates Louis Braille
With cell phone technology constantly evolving and more new models appearing every year, it can be hard to know which device is best for you. So how do you decide which phone to buy? The answer depends entirely on how you want to use it. If all you want to do is make calls, there… Continue Reading Accessible Cell Phones: Which Model is Best for You?
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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
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