We are pleased to welcome Jim Unger as the newest member of the Council’s Board of Directors. Jim, a Rhinelander resident, has over 40 years of experience in the blind and low vision rehabilitation field. Most recently, he worked for the Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired (OBVI) as a vision rehabilitation therapist until his retirement in 2019. Continue Reading Welcome Jim Unger to Council Board of Directors
The Council is excited to announce that Debbie Rasmussen has been named development director at the Council, succeeding Lori Werbeckes, who retired in December. Debbie first joined the Council staff as development coordinator in 2022. Continue Reading Debbie Rasmussen Named Development Director
It’s easy to let your home get cluttered and disorganized, especially after the holidays. Having a messy home can cause severe anxiety for anyone, and that is especially true for people who are blind or low vision. Being unable to find something you’re looking for… Continue Reading Organizing Your Home Can Reduce Stress and Frustration
Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809, and that date is celebrated internationally as World Braille Day each year. Before the development of Braille’s revolutionary raised dot system, people who were blind had virtually no way to access written information independently, effectively cutting them… Continue Reading Getting the Rest of Society on Board with Accessibility: A World Braille Day Message
Council staff go out into the community on a regular basis to spread the word about our mission to promote the dignity, independence and inherent worth of people who are blind or low vision; education people about the many services we offer; and encourage others to do their part to make the world more welcoming for people with vision loss. Continue Reading Council Outreach Connects Us With New and Unique Audiences
When someone comes to the Council for services for the first time, they often carry a variety of emotions. They may feel grief from having recently lost their vision, or anxiety about whether they’ll be able to continue doing the things they love. But thanks… Continue Reading Close the Year with a Gift That Opens Doors
Online meetings have become a regular part of many people’s professional and personal lives, as platforms like Zoom and Google Meet have grown exponentially in recent years. For people who are blind or low vision, they offer a major advantage: There’s no need to arrange… Continue Reading Tips and Tricks for a Successful Online Meeting
Earlier this month, Lori Werbeckes’ tenure as Development Director at the Council came to an end as she began her well-deserved retirement. Lori joined the Council in August 2013, and for a dozen years helped shape the way the Council raises money to support the services and advocacy we provide. Continue Reading Retiring Development Director Lori Werbeckes Reflects on Evolution of Council’s Approach to Fundraising
2025 has been another fantastic year at the Council. “I’m proud of our work to promote the dignity and inherent worth of Wisconsinites who are blind and low vision throughout the state,” says Council Executive Director Denise Jess. “It’s exciting to witness the Council’s spheres… Continue Reading 2025 in Review: Another Productive Year of Hard Work and Relationship Building
The holiday season is nearly here, and while it may bring up happy memories of years past, it can also stir up tough emotions for some people, like stress, grief, isolation and depression. Physical barriers to leaving one’s home during the winter, including bad weather,… Continue Reading Protecting Your Emotional Health During the Holiday Season