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Workplace Giving Makes It Easy to Support the Organizations You Value

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired is among the 70 nonprofits that benefit from Community Shares of Wisconsin workplace giving campaigns. Workplace giving is a simple and effective way for employees to support area nonprofits by having a specified amount deducted from each paycheck. In most cases, employees can choose to make… Continue Reading Workplace Giving Makes It Easy to Support the Organizations You Value

Grace Cain holding a saxophone and standing in front of flowering foliage

2023 Student Spotlight: Grace Caine

Don’t worry, this is not a rerun. But we understand why you might suspect that at first glance. After all, this is the fourth consecutive year UW-Whitewater Senior Grace Caine has been a Council Scholarship recipient. We recently caught up with Grace by phone on a break during marching band practice. The Music Education major… Continue Reading 2023 Student Spotlight: Grace Caine

A person’s hands using the Be My Eyes app on a cell phone

Don’t Fear the Chatbot: The Potential Benefits of Artificial Intelligence

For many, the words “artificial intelligence” conjure up science fiction fears of computers taking over the world. Jim Denham, Access Technology Specialist at the Council, says there’s no need to be afraid. In fact, as new and controversial as it seems, Jim says forms of artificial intelligence (AI) have been put to good use for… Continue Reading Don’t Fear the Chatbot: The Potential Benefits of Artificial Intelligence

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

Let Your Lived Experience Power Your Pedestrian Safety Advocacy

Whether on foot, on a bicycle or in a car, anyone who’s been to the corner of Cottage Grove Road and Monona Drive in Madison during the past five months knows it’s a challenging intersection to navigate these days. Extensive construction, including the laying of new underground piping, while necessary, has turned the intersection into… Continue Reading Let Your Lived Experience Power Your Pedestrian Safety Advocacy

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Zulikha Gondal leaning against a railing

2023 Student Spotlight: Zulikha Gondal

Zulikha Gondal has determination. In fact, you could say the 2023 Council Scholarship recipient went to the mat during her last two years at Bradford High School in Kenosha. That’s when she not only wrestled for the Red Devils’ girls’ team but was also the school’s first girls’ wrestling captain to make it to the… Continue Reading 2023 Student Spotlight: Zulikha Gondal

Blindfolded diners sitting at a long table eating a meal

Old and New Partners Made Dining in The Dark a Success This Spring

The Council collaborated with two Wisconsin restaurants to present Dining in the Dark events this spring. The host eateries represented each end of the spectrum in terms of their involvement with Dining in the Dark: The events have become an annual happening at Beastro & Barley in Reedsburg in recent years, while Brix Cider… Continue Reading Old and New Partners Made Dining in The Dark a Success This Spring

A group of people standing around a garden bed

Sensory Gardens Add a Welcoming Touch to the Council Grounds

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” –William Shakespeare Shakespeare could have been writing about the new sensory gardens planted this past Spring at the Council’s building in Madison. Thanks to artful planning and planting by members of Rock Prairie Master Gardener Association, the gardens have delighted Council visitors and passersby all summer… Continue Reading Sensory Gardens Add a Welcoming Touch to the Council Grounds

Publications

Courier Spring 2023

Courier Spring 2023 – Word
Courier Spring 2023 – PDF

Listen to the audio version of the Spring 2023 Council Courier

Infographic: 2022 by the Numbers

Infographic 2022 – Word
Infographic 2022 – PDF

Listen to the audio version of the Council’s 2022 by the Numbers Infographic

2022 Annual Report

2022 Annual Report – Word
2022 Annual Report – PDF

Listen to the audio version of the Council’s 2022 Annual Report

Toolkits

Accessibility Toolkit

Our toolkit provides helpful hints and best practice guidelines to make information more accessible and engaging.

Accessibility
Toolkit – Word

Accessibility
Toolkit – PDF

Adapting to Low Vision

This booklet is a beginning guide for lifestyle adaptation to low vision.

Adapting to Low
Vision – Word

Adapting to Low
Vision – PDF

A Welcoming Main Street

A guide for businesses and offices to provide quality customer service for those with vision impairments.

A Welcoming Main Street – Word

A Welcoming Main Street – PDF

Making Digital Content Accessible and Inclusive

This resource offers tips to make social media content more accessible to people using screen readers.

Making Digital Content Accessible – Word

Making Digital Content Accessible – PDF

in the news

COVID Challenges Facing Blind People: Vaccine, Voting Accessibility, Virtual Learning

Wisconsin Public Radio:
March 29, 2021

Here & Now: Vaccine Accessibility

PBS Wisconsin:
March 5, 2021

Disability Community in Wisconsin Demands Better Access to Voting

Wisconsin Watch: Jan. 2021

AUDIO RECORDINGS

Online Grocery Shopping

Online Grocery Shopping – Word

Online Grocery Shopping – PDF

Listen to online grocery shopping

Eleven Amazing Accessible iPhone and Android Apps

Eleven Amazing Accessible iPhone and Android Apps – Word

Eleven Amazing Accessible iPhone and Android Apps – PDF

Listen to eleven amazing accessible iphone and android apps

What's New with JAWS and Zoomtext

What’s New with JAWS and Zoomtext (2021) – Word

What’s New with JAWS and Zoomtext (2021) – PDF

Listen to what’s new with jaws and zoomtext

Find the COuncil on YouTube

Share Your Story

Share your experience with the Council and/or about living with vision loss. Stories we collect may be used in social media and publications. If you would like to remain anonymous, write “anonymous” on the name line below. Contact information is collected so we can reach out to you about your story. Contact information will not be shared.

Contact Us

754 Williamson St.
Madison, WI 53703
Toll Free: 800-783-5213
608-255-1166
Fax: 608-255-3301

info@WCBlind.org

Hours

Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Closed Holidays

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Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired