News - Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired

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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

ABLE Provides Vital Braille Services During Braille Literacy Month…and the Rest of the Year

Louis Braille, who revolutionized the world for people who are blind with the invention of his raised dot writing system, was born on January 4, 1809. Every January, we recognize Braille Literacy Month to affirm the importance of braille, which has given countless people with vision loss access to written information over the decades. As… Continue Reading ABLE Provides Vital Braille Services During Braille Literacy Month…and the Rest of the Year

Technology Changes, But the Value of Braille Does Not – A World Braille Day Message

Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809, and that date is celebrated internationally as World Braille Day each year in recognition of his revolutionary raised dot system. Before the development of braille, people who were blind had virtually no independent access to written information, cutting them off from a vital form of communication. Today,… Continue Reading Technology Changes, But the Value of Braille Does Not – A World Braille Day Message

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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