When modern vision services began in America, this vital work was done for little-to-no pay. Performed mostly by women who themselves were blind or low vision, it was seen more as mutual aid than as a true “profession.” These workers were often paid just $1 per day (or around $38 per day in today’s money). Continue Reading The Illusion of Free Services
Have you thought about making a will only to realize you don’t know how to begin? If making a will has been on your mind but you’ve never managed to take the steps to get it done, this is a great time to do it.… Continue Reading Consider the Council During Make-a-Will Month
Judith Rasmussen Judith Rasmussen first learned how to knit as a teen in Home Economics class at school. But after losing her vision, she put down her needles, thinking knitting would be out of her reach. A few years ago, however, she learned of a… Continue Reading Judith Rasmussen Returns to Knitting and Pays It Forward
Jasmine Bertschy With her first year under her belt, 2025 Council Scholarship recipient Jasmine Bertschy says she’s ready for just about anything college has to throw at her. Jasmine is attending UW – Whitewater at Rock County, where she is pursuing a degree in Psychology… Continue Reading 2025 Student Spotlight: Jasmine Bertschy
The Council’s 2024 Annual Report is now available on our website in PDF, Word and audio formats. The Annual Report features our 2024 Year in Review, a “by the numbers” infographic, stories of how our vision services have impacted the lives of clients, and more.… Continue Reading 2024 Annual Report is Now Available Online
Similar to the national landscape, there are multiple organizations across Wisconsin dedicated to empowering people who are blind or low vision. These organizations, including the Council, all fill a different niche in the vision loss community. Over the past several years, these groups have begun… Continue Reading Wisconsin’s Blind & Low Vision Organizations Work Together to Better Serve the Vision Loss Community
Nick Sinram As a teen, former Council Scholarship Recipient and current chair of our Board of Directors Nick Sinram didn’t know exactly what he wanted to study in college, but he did have a good idea of where he wanted to do it. Growing up… Continue Reading From Scholarship Recipient to Board Chair, Nick Sinram Gives Back to the Council
A bus ad the Council ran in Waukesha last fall promoting Wisconsin’s White Cane Law. The Council relies on funding from many different sources. People make individual gifts almost every day. Others contribute through workplace giving or by requesting a matching gift from their employer.… Continue Reading Grants Help Spread the Word About the Council Statewide
Denise Jess, Amy Wurf, Kathleen Callen and Nate Wegehaupt were among the Council staffers on hand at last year’s Disability Pride Festival in Madison. Throughout July, communities across Wisconsin are celebrating Disability Pride Month. Last year, we published this article about what Disability Pride means… Continue Reading Disability Pride Month Celebrates the Diverse Disabilities Community
Christina Wilson working her way up the wall at Boulders Climbing Gym. Before losing her vision, Christina Wilson loved being active in the outdoors. After her vision deteriorated from a macular pucker, however, she struggled to be able to maintain her independence while doing the… Continue Reading Blind and Low Vision Rock Climbers Reach New Heights in Outdoor Recreation