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
It happens all the time. You’re going through your home for spring cleaning, and you find an adaptive product that you no longer need. Maybe it’s your first magnifier that you’ve since replaced with a stronger one. Or maybe it’s a CCTV that no longer fits your needs. Before you throw your used adaptive item… Continue Reading Have a Good Adaptive Product You No Longer Need? Donate It to the Council!
Thanks to technological improvements at the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) over the last several years, people who want to continue reading have more options than ever. And more digital advances are on the way. Created by a 1931 Act of Congress, NLS is a free braille and talking book… Continue Reading Changes on the Way from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
The Council relies on the generosity of our donors to support the services we provide. Every donor has their own preferences for how they make their gifts—some like to write a check, while others prefer to use a credit card or donate online via PayPal. One charitable giving method you may not be as familiar… Continue Reading Donor Advised Funds are a Smart and Convenient Way to Support the Council
Meet Lindsey Fritz! She is one of the Council’s outstanding scholarship recipients for 2021 and is the subject of this month’s Student Spotlight. Congratulations to Lindsey as she receives $2,000 to support her ongoing education. The 23-year-old from Madison is continuing her studies at Madison College this fall. Lindsey is working on her associate degree… Continue Reading Student Spotlight 2021: Lindsey Fritz
Paintings, photos, sculptures and more! The Council is looking forward to sharing the artwork of eights artists from across Wisconsin who are visually impaired, something we’ve now been doing for a decade. This year’s Gallery Night event will be virtual-only; there will be no in-person gathering. But that means anybody can tune in for the… Continue Reading Coming Soon: Gallery Night, Friday, November 12
“I was diagnosed with retinal degeneration and told it’s an inherited deficit impacting my field of vision,” Becky says. “But I had no idea I would lose my eyesight because of it.” “I had to stop driving in 2016 and that’s when I quickly realized I could no longer walk around safely either. Uneven sidewalks,… Continue Reading One Woman’s Story: A White Cane Provides a New Sense of Safety
Calling a nearby friend or the neighborhood hardware store is about to get slightly more complicated. But it’s for a very good reason. Starting October 24, 2021, everyone in Wisconsin will have to use 10 digits to make a local phone call. This means you’ll need to dial the area code plus the seven-digit phone… Continue Reading Say Hello to 10-Digit Dialing for Local Calls
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Falls are one of the leading causes of injury, and even death, in Wisconsin. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Wisconsin had the highest fall death rate among older adults in the United States in 2021. But many falls can be prevented. Fall reduction classes across the state can provide skills… Continue Reading Fall Reduction Training Keeps You Safe at Home and in the Community
State lawmakers are leaving Madison for the year as the 2023-24 legislative session comes to an end. The Council worked diligently over the past year to advocate for bills that would positively impact the lives of people with vision loss and other disabilities across the state, and against bills that could have caused harm. Through… Continue Reading Legislative Session Ends with Some Wins and a Strong Foundation for Future Progress
Earlier this month, Council Executive Director Denise Jess traveled to Kansas City to attend the VisionServe Alliance’s (VSA) 2024 Executive Leadership Conference. The Council has been a member of the VSA for around a decade, and they are an invaluable partner in our mission. VSA is a membership group formed over 30 years ago to… Continue Reading VisionServe Alliance: Working to De-Silo the Vision Services Field