Support Groups

Find a low vision support group near you

The following Wisconsin low vision support groups may be helpful to you or a loved one affected by vision loss. They are not run by Wisconsin Council of the Blind and we cannot guarantee the information listed below is current. Call or email the contact person to get more information. If you have updated contact information or know of a group that is not on this list, please email Info@WCBlind.org or call (608) 255-1166.

In addition, the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired hosts a statewide monthly low vision support group.  To learn more visit the event page.

Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually
Impaired

Open to all counties in Wisconsin, WCBVI has the following groups running:

  • Trailblazers Low Vision Support Group
    Contact: Brent Perzentka
    Phone: (608) 237-8112
    Email: BPerzentka@WCBlind.org
    Online support group meets the second Monday of the month. Led by Vision Services staff. Open to all.
  • College and Working Age Low Vision Support Group
    Contact: Jim Denham
    Phone: (608) 237-8104
    Email: JDenham@WCBlind.org
    Devoted to topics of interest to college and working age adults under 45. The group meets virtually the third Tuesday of the month and is open to people across Wisconsin.

Vision Forward

Meeting info: Three different groups for individuals with vision loss. Please call Erica for more information.

Additional info: Support group available for parents of children with a vision loss. 

Contact Name: Erica Weise
Contact Name: Tracey (Parents of children)
Phone:
414-615-0163
Email: EWeise@Vision-Forward.org

Lighthouse Center for Vital Living
Duluth MN, Ashland and Bayfield Counties
Contact: Felicia
Phone: (218) 624-4828 Ext. 1000
Meets by phone third Tuesday of every month from 1:00-2:00 PM
Topics vary from month to month. Group provides an opportunity to listen to others with similar issues.

Barron County Low Vision Support Group

Barron County Government Center
335 East Monroe Avenue
Barron WI 54812

Contact Name: Chris Hagen (leave message)
Phone: (715) 537-6225
E-mail: Alisa.Lammers@co.barron.wi.us

Meets first Thursday of the month from 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. Vision loss information and resources discussed, guest speakers and time allocated for discussion, questions and comments.

Transportation is available.
Open to the friends, family members and the public.

Visually Impaired Support Group of Brown County

Salvation Army
626 Union Ct.
Green Bay WI 54303
Contact: Pam Benoit
Phone: 920-489-8045
Email: Pamela.Gambrel@Yahoo.com

Meeting Info: Meets the second Tuesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Additional Info: No meetings in September and May

Transportation is available

Chippewa County, Dunn County, and Eau Claire County Low Vision Support Group

CV VIP (Chippewa Valley
Visually Impaired Persons) Support Group

Saint John’s Apartments Dining Room*
815 Chapin Street
Eau Claire, WI 54701

Contact Name: Renee K-S
Phone: (715) 379-9011 
Email: ChipValleyVIP@gmail.com  

Meets the second Wednesday of the month from 12 pm until 2 pm.
(We Do Not Meet in January, June, or December)

Lunch* / Social at 12 pm and Meeting / Speaker at 12:30 pm. Lots of resources and information related to low vision and blindness. Speakers occasionally. Very relaxed and fun atmosphere. Site is wheelchair accessible.

*We meet at Perkins in February and Owen Park in July. Call, text or email with any questions and to order lunch. Transportation may be available. Hope to “see” you there! 🙂

Monona Low Vision Support Group
Monona Senior Center
1011 Nichols Road,
Monona, WI 53716
Phone: (608) 222-3415
Email: DMikelbank@CI.Monona.Wi.us

Meeting Info: Meets the 4th Friday of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Additional Info: Transportation is available for Monona residents.
Open to the public.

Stoughton Low Vision Support Group
Stoughton Area Senior Center
248 West Main St,
Stoughton, WI 53589

Stoughton WI 53589
Contact Name: Murl MacKinnon
Phone: (608) 873-8585
Email: MMackinnon@CI.Stoughton.Wi.us

Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m. General topics, occasional speakers.

Transportation is available.
Open to the public.

Evansville Primetimers
Evansville Senior Center
102 Maple St.
Evansville, WI 53536

Contact Name: Kristin Fountaine
Phone: (608) 882-0407
Email: Kristin.Fountaine@DHS.Wisconsin.gov

Meeting Info: Meets 1st Thursday of each month at 10:00 AM. Open to the public.

Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually
Impaired
Open to all counties in Wisconsin, WCBVI has the following groups running:

  • Trailblazers Low Vision Support Group
    Contact: Brent Perzentka
    Phone: (608) 237-8112
    Email: BPerzentka@WCBlind.org
    Online support group meets from 3 – 4 p.m. on the second Monday of the month. Information & support for anyone affected by vision loss. Led by Vision Services staff. 
  • College and Working Age Low Vision Support Group
    Contact: Jim Denham
    Phone: (608) 237-8104
    Email: JDenham@WCBlind.org
    Online support group meets from 7 – 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month. Devoted to topics of interest to college and working age adults under 45. The group meets virtually and is open to people across Wisconsin.

Northern Door Visually Impaired Support Group 

First Baptist Church 
2622 S. Bay Shore Dr.
Sister Bay, WI 54234

Contact name: Angie Zalig 
Phone: (920) 241-2641
Email: Angela.Zalig@DHS.Wisconsin.gov

Meeting Info: Meets the second Tuesday every other month from 1:00 – 3:00 pm 

Additional Info: Meetings are held every other month. January, March, May, July September and November. 

The Eyes Have it
Berlin Senior Center
142 Water Street,
Berlin WI 54923

Contact: Sara Rutkowski
Phone: (920) 361-5422

Meets fourth Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. for about an hour.

Transportation is available, call Sara.

Note: This group is meeting, but is social distancing (some people wearing masks).

Revital Eyes
Villa Cierra Community Room
1940 27th Avenue,
Kenosha, WI 53140

Contact: Tami
Phone: (262) 925-6097
Email: TFrentzel@SocietysAssets.org

Meets second Thursday of every month from 1:30-3:00 PM. We meet monthly to give insight into living with a visual impairment and provide resources for anyone with vision loss.  

Limited transportation provided, call Tami.

VIP Coffee Connection

Harry J. Olson Center
1607 North St,
La Crosse, WI 54603

Contact: Jeannie Nylander
Phone: (608) 781-3361

People curious about the group or who just want to talk.

Open to the public. Meets 1st Friday of each month. Virtual available. 

Out of Sight
Low Vision Support Group
Barney Center
1000 E Montgomery St,
Sparta WI 54656

Contact: Evelyn Allen
Phone: 608-433-4031
Email: Sheridan5112@outlook.com

Meets the third Monday of the month at 1:00 p.m. Variety of topics.

Open to the public.

The Northwoods Low Vision Lunch Club

Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month for casual conversation and food at local restaurants in the Minocqua area.

For more information visit:

viplunch.wordpress.com

Appleton VIP Support Group
Fox Valley Lutheran Homes (Meets in Community Room)
425 North Linwood St,
Appleton WI 54911

Contact: Dawn fisher
Phone: (920) 205-0645
Email:  dmsf2754@gmail.com
Support Group’s Website

Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.  Speakers, general topics. Sometimes it is just a social gathering.

Transportation is available. 

The Mequon/Thiensville VIP (Visually Impaired Persons)
Frank L. Weyenberg Library
11345 N Cedarburg Rd,
Mequon, WI 53092

Contact Name: Gary Norton
Phone: (414) 248-6861 – Cell
Email: Emperor-Norton@sbcglobal.net

Meets the last Monday of every month with exception of November and December from 10:30 AM-12:00 PM. The May 2022 meeting is pending.

Portage County VIP Support Group
ADRC – Portage County
1519 Water St,
Stevens Point, WI 54481


Contact Name: Lai Lor Pang
Phone: (715) 343-6272

Meets the third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. April through October, and December, (does not meet November, January – March).

Open to the public.

Creekside Place Low Vision – Evansville, WI

102 Maple St,
Evansville, WI 53536

Contact: Kristin Fountaine
Phone: 608-267-4038

Meets 1st Thursday of every month at 10 a.m.

Blackhawk Pioneers

Blackhawk Pioneers are visually handicapped people living in the Beloit, South Beloit, Clinton and Janesville areas. This activity is sponsored by the Beloit Noon Lions assisted by Beloit Lioness and Beloit Evening, South Beloit and Janesville Lions Clubs.

Contact: Janesville Lions
Email: Admin@Janesvillelions.org
Website: janesvillelions.org/blackhawk-pioneers/

The Northwoods Low Vision Lunch Club

Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month for casual conversation and food at local restaurants in the Minocqua area.

For more information visit:

https://viplunch.wordpress.com

Walworth County VIP Support Group
Woodview Senior Apartments
353 Tyrrell Ct,
Delavan, WI 53111

Cedar Ridge Low Vision Support Group
113 Cedar Ridge Drive,
West Bend, WI 53095

Contact Name: Audrey McGarvie
Phone: 262-353-3193

Meets the second Monday of every month in the community room at 10:00.

Oshkosh Visually Challenged Support Group

Evergreen Retirement Community
1130 North Westfield St,
Oshkosh WI 54902

Contact: Shirley
Phone: (920) 235-8138

Meets the first Tuesday of the month from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. No meeting in January or July.

Hadley
Hadley offers a variety of discussion groups that provide an opportunity for those with similar interests and questions to learn from experts and one another. Discussion groups topics include – gardening, books, cooking, braille, and many others. Visit their website for additional information including a schedule and how to join the discussions.

Contact  
Phone: (800) 323-4238
Email: info@hadley.edu

Lighthouse Guild
The Lighthouse Guild coordinates several tele-support groups for various ages and interests. To learn more about the various groups and how to register, visit the Lighthouse Guild Tele-Support Group webpage.

Contact 
Phone: (212) 769-6318

Vision Aware
For information on how to select a support group, how to start your own support group, and links to other organizations that host support groups, visit the VisionAware website.

Contact
Phone: (800) 232-5463
Email: connectcenter@aph.org

You may also be interested in resources available through the Council’s Sharper Vision Store and our Vision Services program. Please call with questions.