News - Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired

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Laptop Loan Program Helps Those Unable to Afford a Computer Practice Their AT Skills

Being comfortable using a computer is helpful for countless daily activities, including finding a job and staying in touch with friends and family. While the Council offers access technology (AT) training to help people learn how to use adaptive software like screen magnifiers and screen reader programs like JAWS, some clients are unable to afford… Continue Reading Laptop Loan Program Helps Those Unable to Afford a Computer Practice Their AT Skills

Two women standing behind a table on which a woven scarf is displayed.

Learning a New Craft Can Be an Enriching Experience for Everyone Involved

By Denise Jess This winter I chose to learn a new craft, to challenge my brain and nurture my creativity. At the Council, we often hear clients and visitors say that while they miss doing things like knitting, woodworking or sewing, they assume they cannot do these things as their vision changes, or they hesitate… Continue Reading Learning a New Craft Can Be an Enriching Experience for Everyone Involved

Infographic on Emergency Preparedness saying Make a plan, build a kit, be informed.

Be Ready to Act When an Emergency Arises

Disasters can come at any time, whether it be a fire, extreme weather, or anything else that threatens our safety. While we don’t know when these disasters will strike, we can plan how to react when they do. Being prepared is the best way to protect yourself in an emergency. Often, people with disabilities face… Continue Reading Be Ready to Act When an Emergency Arises

A light-skinned women holding a white cane standing in front of porch steps

Support Independence and Confidence During the Council’s White Cane Appeal

Sarah Evans says that one of her favorite things is going for a walk in the park near her house. Legally blind from cataracts, Sarah says she was able to walk through the park without a white cane, but crossing the roads to get to the park was a real challenge… Continue Reading Support Independence and Confidence During the Council’s White Cane Appeal

A light-skinned person sitting at a desk using a phone app to identify a piece of mail.

Reading and Organizing Your Mail with Vision Loss

At some point, we’ve all had a growing pile of mail sitting on a table getting larger by the day. As the pile grows, the thought of sorting through it to figure out what is junk and what we need to read becomes more and more daunting. It’s important to stay on top of your… Continue Reading Reading and Organizing Your Mail with Vision Loss

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Birding by Ear participants stand on a trail in beautiful weather last summer.

Only a Few Spots Left in the Birding by Ear Class—Reserve Yours Today

Birding by Ear (Indoor Sessions) Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired office – 754 Williamson Street, Madison Thursday, May 30, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. OR Saturday, June 1, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Birding by Ear (Outdoor Sessions) Location: UW-Madison’s Picnic Point area Thursday, June 6, 6-8 p.m. OR Saturday, June 8,… Continue Reading Only a Few Spots Left in the Birding by Ear Class—Reserve Yours Today

The 2019 Scholarship winners stand in a line holding their certificates.

Congratulations to the 2019 Council Excellence Awards and Scholarship Recipients

The Council is delighted to recognize the 2019 Excellence Awards winners, and to announce the recipients of our scholarship program. Scholarships and Excellence Awards were presented at a luncheon on Saturday, May 18, in Madison. Excellence Awards: Each year, the Council awards individuals and organizations whose outstanding contributions promote the dignity and empowerment of those… Continue Reading Congratulations to the 2019 Council Excellence Awards and Scholarship Recipients

A woman walking toward the camera with a white cane in hand words White Cane Fund

Provide the Gift of Empowerment When You Give to the White Cane Fund

What do the words public transportation, accessible pedestrian signals, and the White Cane Law mean to you? To people with vision loss, those terms mean the world. Without them, getting and holding a job is only a dream. A trip to the doctor requires a costly cab fare. The crosswalk becomes a danger zone. The… Continue Reading Provide the Gift of Empowerment When You Give to the White Cane Fund