Until recently, we didn’t have much concrete data on the impact vision loss is having on aging adults across Wisconsin. We could estimate how many people in the state are blind and visually impaired, and we had plenty of anecdotal information about how vision loss is affecting their well-being. But the numbers to back up… Continue Reading You’re Not Alone: Help is Available for Older Adults with Vision Loss
2023 was a year of positive change for Lewa Diarra. The two-time Council Scholarship recipient transferred from the University of Minnesota to UW-Madison for her junior year. “I’m really enjoying being back in Madison and being closer to family,” the Madison West High School graduate says. The switch to Madison included a change in majors… Continue Reading 2023 Student Spotlight: Lewa Diarra
Last month, we shared with you a workaround to help deal with a recent change to the Windows Notepad application. The workaround allows the user to land in a new blank document upon launching Notepad rather than in the last document that was worked on. We like Notepad. But it’s far from the only option… Continue Reading Take Note: More Tools for Tackling Your Notetaking Needs
Join the Council on Tuesday, March 2, for a day of online giving hosted by Community Shares of Wisconsin during The Big Share. This event is an opportunity for you to make a difference for people who are blind or visually impaired in Wisconsin. Below is a brief timeline of the day so you can… Continue Reading Make A Difference at The Big Share March 2
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
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
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From the Council offices to clients’ homes to the State Capitol, 2023 was a productive year in all aspects of the Council’s work—advocacy, education and vision services. As the new year begins, there’s a lot to celebrate even as the work continues. “At the close of each year, I’m touched and amazed at what the… Continue Reading Pausing to Reflect on a Year Well Spent:
2023 in Review
A new year brings changes to the Council’s Board of Directors both in membership and leadership. Board Chair Nick Sinram of Milwaukee remains at the helm. Nick says the transition of new officers creates opportunities for individual members and the board at large. He is also respectful of the extra demands that come with members… Continue Reading New Year Brings Changes to the Board of Directors
Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809. Five years ago, the United Nations honored him by proclaiming that date World Braille Day. World Braille Day celebrates the importance of Braille’s revolutionary raised dot system, which allows people who are unable to interact with ordinary print to read through touch. World Braille Day also kicks… Continue Reading The Ongoing March of Access Technology: A World Braille Day Message