April is National Volunteer Appreciation month. It’s an opportunity to recognize and celebrate volunteerism and its positive community impacts. Americans have always stepped up when it comes to volunteering. According to Americorps, nearly a quarter of Americans age 16 and over donated time formally through an organization between September 2020 and 2021. “Volunteers share their… Continue Reading Volunteering Can Be Gateway to Ongoing Connection
Lions Club International has been a leading advocate for and supporter of people with vision loss since 1925. That’s when Helen Keller challenged Lions Clubs around the world to be “knights for the blind.” Each spring, the Council nurtures our relationships with Wisconsin Lions Clubs by updating them on our current work and goals and… Continue Reading The Council and the Lions: A Lasting Relationship Rooted in Shared Goals
Finally, spring has come. Some outdoor enthusiasts, including those with vision loss, are storing away their snow skis and switching over to warm weather activities like tandem biking and hiking. These adaptive recreational opportunities—and more—are offered across Wisconsin, several of them by Blind Outdoor Leisure Development, Inc., or BOLD. BOLD’s purpose is to offer people… Continue Reading Spend Time in the Great Outdoors to Boost Physical, Mental and Social Well-Being
The Council’s Advocacy Days, which kicked off in April with a series of online discussions, provides an annual crash course on how to make a difference by communicating with local and state officials. This year, one of the key messages of Advocacy Days was that a conversation that combines data with stories of lived experience… Continue Reading Building Data into Your Advocacy on Health Care Issues
A smart TV can offer great accessibility features for people with vision loss. But setting up and learning to use those features can be a challenge. Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Rachel Pavone says there are a number of strategies for painlessly mastering accessible smart TV features designed for users who are blind or visually impaired.… Continue Reading Getting a Smart Start With Your Smart TV
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Transportation equity is a major focus of this year’s Advocacy Days. For an advocate, it’s a topic that takes a lot of focus and endurance. There are many reasons for that. Transportation policy varies from community to community and from county to county. One must approach both state and local agencies to advocate for positive… Continue Reading Advocacy Days Preview: Knowledge + Lived Experience is a Powerful Advocacy Combination
Smart speakers, also known as voice assistants, are changing the way people interact with the internet. “Voice assistants have really enabled those with vision impairments to remain independent by utilizing their voice and hearing to assist with daily living tasks,” says Council Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Brent Perzentka. A smart speaker can even be programed by… Continue Reading Smart Speakers Can Keep Families Connected, Bring Easy Access to Common Tasks and Information
Registration is now open for the Council’s 2023 Advocacy Days. This year’s Advocacy Days combines online and in-person components. An online Advocacy 101 Zoom session will be offered on April 18 at two different times: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. On April 19 and April 20, there will be online “Lunch… Continue Reading Reminder: Advocacy Days Provides the Tools to Make Your Voice Heard
Our toolkit provides helpful hints and best practice guidelines to make information more accessible and engaging.
This booklet is a beginning guide for lifestyle adaptation to low vision.
A guide for businesses and offices to provide quality customer service for those with vision impairments.
This resource offers tips to make social media content more accessible to people using screen readers.
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.
754 Williamson St.
Madison, WI 53703
Toll Free: 800-783-5213
608-255-1166
Fax: 608-255-3301
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
