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The opening screenshot from a Freedom Scientific training video showing the words ZoomText Favorite Zoom Levels

Select Your Favorite Magnification Levels to Use ZoomText and Fusion More Efficiently

People who use ZoomText or Fusion from Freedom Scientific know these programs offer a number of magnification levels. As of the current release, magnification levels from 1 to 60 times are available. Many users rely on a few specific magnification levels. But switching between these levels can often require multiple keystrokes or mouse clicks. For… Continue Reading Select Your Favorite Magnification Levels to Use ZoomText and Fusion More Efficiently

An adult’s hands passing a small plant into a child’s hands.

Planned Giving Shows Strong Support with a Focus on the Future

A recent survey by the senior living referral service Caring.com found that two-thirds of Americans do not have an up-to-date will. October 16-22 is National Estate Planning Week. It’s the perfect time to map out or update an estate plan. When you do, we hope you’ll consider including an estate gift to the Council in… Continue Reading Planned Giving Shows Strong Support with a Focus on the Future

The words Pedestrian Safety and a yellow traffic sign showing a graphic of a pedestrian crossing a street

Test Your Pedestrian Safety and White Cane Knowledge

October is Pedestrian Safety Month, which includes White Cane Safety Day on October 15. How keen is your pedestrian safety knowledge? Take our quiz and see how you do! 1. What percentage of Wisconsin residents do not drive? a) 11% b) 31% c) 6% d) 21% Answer: b) 31% Factoid: Non-drivers face daily challenges in… Continue Reading Test Your Pedestrian Safety and White Cane Knowledge

A Man Gives Back to the Council in a Unique Way

Rajnish and his family have been monthly Council donors for a number of years. This year, he decided to sell personal items on eBay and give some of the proceeds to the Council. “Giving from my eBay sales is another way I could support the Council,” he says. Rajnish remarked that the difficulties nonprofits were… Continue Reading A Man Gives Back to the Council in a Unique Way

Your Right to Vote During the Pandemic

2020 is a major election year, with the fall primary in August and the presidential and general election in November. Safety precautions due to COVID-19 posed unique challenges for many voters with vision loss, other voters with disabilities and older adults. Act now to be sure you are prepared for these upcoming elections. Your vote… Continue Reading Your Right to Vote During the Pandemic

Job Searches, Applications and Interviews: Firsthand Experiences of People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Gone are the days in which a person held the same job for forty years or more. People are likely to have many jobs throughout their working life. To keep up with your interests, acquired skills and lifestyle desires, you will likely search for a job many times throughout your career. Did You Know? The… Continue Reading Job Searches, Applications and Interviews: Firsthand Experiences of People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired

2 people walking down a street together, one is using a cane.

Effective Communication: Living Authentic Kindness

During interactions with friends, family members and strangers, it is important to remember to treat others the way you would like to be treated. This can be accomplished by keeping kindness top-of-mind. Being kind builds rapport, establishes relationship and makes situations that might be uncomfortable or awkward less so. What does it mean to act… Continue Reading Effective Communication: Living Authentic Kindness

A group of 20 people stands outside on a nature trail.

Try a New Hobby: Birding by Ear

Birding by Ear participants and instructors from 2019. To pass the time during quarantine, it might be fun to learn birding by ear or to freshen up your birdsong repertoire. This new hobby will start you on the path to identifying the birds that chirp, sing, whistle and make other sounds, right in your own… Continue Reading Try a New Hobby: Birding by Ear

Four people stand in a public transit building; two have white canes and one has a service dog.

Your Gift to the White Cane Fund is More Important Than Ever

Part of the Council’s mission is White Cane Law advocacy, which improves pedestrian safety in the state of Wisconsin. Now is the time to make a gift to the Council’s annual White Cane Fund. Last year, more than 500 people received free white canes thanks to generous donors. This year, we live in a time when… Continue Reading Your Gift to the White Cane Fund is More Important Than Ever

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Guide Dogs: A Relationship Built on Love, Trust and Discipline

Patty Slaby of Arcadia has found many benefits to living and working with her guide dog, Carter. “Walking in and out of medical facilities, church, stores, businesses and just taking walks,” Patty says. But the partnership demands that both participants stay focused and play by the rules. “You must be aware of what your dog… Continue Reading Guide Dogs: A Relationship Built on Love, Trust and Discipline

President Lyndon Johnson with Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus after signing the Older Americans Act

New Rules Provide Opportunity to Improve the Older Americans Act

The Older Americans Act (OAA) was first passed in 1965 as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” initiative, with the goal of supporting older Americans to continue living at home and in their community with dignity and independence for as long as possible. It authorized a wide range of services, including home-delivered meals, support… Continue Reading New Rules Provide Opportunity to Improve the Older Americans Act

Denise Jess standing at a podium speaking at a press event

Executive Director Denise Jess Receives Civil Rights Award

Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW) is honoring Council Executive Director Denise Jess for her years of work promoting the rights and dignity of people living with vision loss. At CSW’s September 28 Community Change-Maker Awards event, Denise will be presented with the Linda Sundberg Civil Rights Defender Award. The Linda Sundberg Award is given each… Continue Reading Executive Director Denise Jess Receives Civil Rights Award