News - Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired

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Gov. Tony Evers sitting at a table signing a bill with a group of advocates standing behind him

Wisconsin Workers Who Are Blind Can Claim the New Transportation Credit on their 2024 State Taxes

Last year, the Wisconsin Legislature passed into law a new tax credit for workers who are blind. If you (or your spouse if you’re filing a joint return) are blind, employed and paid for transportation services to get to work, you can claim a credit for 50% of your transportation costs on your 2024 Wisconsin… Continue Reading Wisconsin Workers Who Are Blind Can Claim the New Transportation Credit on their 2024 State Taxes

Screenshot from a video showing Jim Denham's hands demonstrating a VoiceOver gesture on an iPhone.

New Video Covers Basic Gestures for VoiceOver on iPhone

An iPhone, with its array of accessibility features, can be a powerful tool for staying connected to friends and family and for many other tasks. iPhones have a robust VoiceOver feature that enables people who are blind or low vision to access every app and feature available to them. But learning how to use VoiceOver… Continue Reading New Video Covers Basic Gestures for VoiceOver on iPhone

Apply Now for 2025 Council Scholarships

Attention students who are blind or low vision: Applications for 2025 Council Scholarships are now open! Every year, we award up to ten $2,000 scholarships to Wisconsin students who are blind or low vision and who are enrolled in post-secondary education in the fall. Past recipients have used scholarship funds in a variety of ways… Continue Reading Apply Now for 2025 Council Scholarships

Shannon Columb and her guide dog standing in a playground.

Former Scholarship Recipient Shannon Columb Continues Mission of Accessibility

Growing up on a dairy farm in Door County, Shannon Columb always felt more comfortable in nature. After she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at a young age, she says sitting in a classroom could be difficult at times. But when she was done with school for the day, she felt at home exploring the… Continue Reading Former Scholarship Recipient Shannon Columb Continues Mission of Accessibility

A song sparrow with white and reddish-brown feathers sings while sitting on a branch with thorns.

Birding By Ear Returns May 10

One of our favorite springtime events, Birding by Ear, returns on Saturday, May 10! Just like color and shape, bird songs are unique. Experienced birders know that you identify birds as much by hearing them as by seeing them. The Council is once again partnering with the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance and the Aldo Leopold… Continue Reading Birding By Ear Returns May 10

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A red white and blue button that says your vote matters

Make Your Voting Plan For the 2025 Spring Elections

The 2025 Spring General Election will take place on April 1, and this year there will be at least three contested statewide races. This ballot will include the race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and one ballot referendum question to change the state constitution to mandate that… Continue Reading Make Your Voting Plan For the 2025 Spring Elections

Make a Big Difference During The Big Share on March 4

The Big Share goes live on Tuesday, March 4! This annual one-day giving event is organized by Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW) to benefit the Council and dozens of other local nonprofits. The Council’s theme for this year’s The Big Share is Accessibility for All. Accessibility can look different depending on what a person needs… Continue Reading Make a Big Difference During The Big Share on March 4

Brent Perzentka working on white cane skills with a client

Council Vision Services Are Not Covered by Medicare or Other Insurance. We Believe They Should Be

When someone comes to the Council for any of our vision services, the care they receive is not covered by most insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. While the Council does work with providers like the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and the Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired on a fee for service basis,… Continue Reading Council Vision Services Are Not Covered by Medicare or Other Insurance. We Believe They Should Be