News - Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired

Latest updates

The Year Ahead: 2025 Will Bring Renewed Focus on Collaboration, Learning, and Events Old and New

2024 is in the rearview mirror, and the Council is ready to dive into the new year with a strong-as-ever commitment to empowering people who are blind or low vision to live the life they choose. As we look ahead to 2025, we are excited to continue the work we’ve already started and bring some… Continue Reading The Year Ahead: 2025 Will Bring Renewed Focus on Collaboration, Learning, and Events Old and New

The legs of a person walking on snow with the aid of a white cane.

With the Right Preparation, Winter Conditions Need Not Be Dangerous and Disorienting

Winter is here, and in Wisconsin that means a few months of potentially slippery sidewalks and street crossings. But just because you live in a cold climate doesn’t mean you have to avoid walking to where you need to go. Here’s an article we first published in November of 2022 that contains some great tips… Continue Reading With the Right Preparation, Winter Conditions Need Not Be Dangerous and Disorienting

Photos of Chamomile Harrison, Rebecca Arrowood, and Nat Tarnoff

Thank You to Outgoing Board Members Chamomile Harrison, Rebecca Arrowood, Nat Tarnoff

The close of 2024 also brings an end to the terms of six members of the Council’s Board of Directors. Our board provides valuable governance and oversight to our organization, and we would like to thank our outgoing Board members for their contributions to the Council’s mission. This is the second of two articles thanking… Continue Reading Thank You to Outgoing Board Members Chamomile Harrison, Rebecca Arrowood, Nat Tarnoff

The capital building in Madison Wisconsin at dusk

How to Impact the Wisconsin State Budget

State agencies, such as the Department of Workforce Development, the Department of Public Instruction, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Health Services-which houses the Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired (OBVI)-use tax dollars to create and manage programs that help Wisconsinites live happy, empowered lives. The Wisconsin Biennial Budget provides the breakdown… Continue Reading How to Impact the Wisconsin State Budget

Macular Degeneration Symposium

Age-related macular degeneration affects more than 10 million Americans. It is a common eye condition and a leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 50. The condition affects the central part of the retina – causing distortion or loss of central vision. When faced with a diagnosis of macular degeneration, you… Continue Reading Macular Degeneration Symposium

Click toggle for topics

Hands holding an iPhone showing the ChatGPT welcome screen.

You Can Use AI in Everyday Life

In November, Access Technology Specialist Jim Denham of the Council presented a webinar on how to use artificial intelligence (AI) to simplify everyday tasks. AI can streamline and assist with some computer tasks that are particularly challenging for people who are blind or low vision. Whether you’re writing a paper for a class or figuring… Continue Reading You Can Use AI in Everyday Life

Members of the Wisconsin Assembly in the chamber listening to a speech.

New State Legislature Provides New Opportunities to Make Advocacy Connections

Following last year’s redrawing of the state’s legislative maps, a bevy of new members of both the State Senate and Assembly were sworn into office on January 6. These new lawmakers are probably still learning the ropes of their new jobs, and while they certainly have their legislative priorities, they are still figuring out how… Continue Reading New State Legislature Provides New Opportunities to Make Advocacy Connections

Governor Tony Evers to Lay Out Upcoming Budget and Policy Priorities

The Wisconsin Legislature is preparing for a busy year as lawmakers begin to craft a new two-year state budget. In the coming weeks, Governor Tony Evers will kick off the deliberations with two speeches in which he will lay out his priorities. Those two speeches are his State of the State address on Wednesday, January… Continue Reading Governor Tony Evers to Lay Out Upcoming Budget and Policy Priorities