This is the time of year when college students across the country are heading back to campus. Or, if they are first-year collegians, heading there for the first time. Knowing what resources are available to support your success is important for any incoming freshman. But for students with vision loss, it’s especially critical to learn… Continue Reading Back to School Learning Starts Even Before Classes Begin
Governor Tony Evers signed the 2023-2025 biennial state budget in early July. This concluded a full year of drafting and legislative action on the massive document, during which the Council and our allies made a lot of calls, paid numerous visits and sent many emails to the policymakers who created the bill. Our efforts… Continue Reading State Budget Disappointments Do Not Detract from Ongoing Momentum
“If you don’t have a seat at the table, then you’re probably on the menu.” The coining of that phrase is attributed to many people, but the meaning never changes: Get involved, be an active participant in public decisions, or expect to live with decisions you may not like. Council Executive Director Denise Jess has… Continue Reading Local Boards and Commissions Need the Disability Perspective. You Can Provide It!
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
Voters will fill an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the statewide spring election on April 4. Voters around the state will also cast ballots for judges running for seats on Circuit Courts and the Court of Appeals. From the state’s highest court down to the local level, courts impact our lives in… Continue Reading From Circuit to Supreme, Courts Matter… A LOT
The Council’s annual Advocacy Days events in April and May are a great way to share your experiences while working to make a difference in public policy. Telling a personal story makes a powerful impression on lawmakers, putting a “human face” on policy issues. “I want people to feel empowered in advocacy work,” says WCBVI… Continue Reading Advocacy Days: Putting a “Human Face” on Issues that Affect People with Vision Loss
Governor Tony Evers will deliver his State Budget Address on February 15. The speech will lay out his vision for state spending during the next two years. The fiscal debate at the State Capitol in the coming months will include what to do with an unprecedented $7.1 billion revenue surplus from the last budget period.… Continue Reading Advocacy Update February 2023
Digital accessibility is one of the Council’s top advocacy priorities for 2023—and beyond. The good news is that state agencies are making progress in this area. The not-so-good news, as agency heads themselves admit, is that there’s still plenty of room for improvement. The Council has been leading the charge on digital equity on public… Continue Reading Digital Accessibility: Progress Continues, Challenges Remain
Suppose the County Board where you live is considering building a new roundabout that would replace a traditional four-corner crossing. You’re against it. You do some homework. Make some notes. The night before the County Board meeting where your item is on the agenda, you stay up late writing and polishing your comments. Your arguments,… Continue Reading Understanding the Process is Key to Avoiding Advocacy Frustration
There are many paths to take on the way to becoming a grassroots advocate. Danita Jackson’s path led to the polls on election day. Danita lost her vision when she was 16 and she remembers the first time she went to the polls to cast a vote. She walked into the polling place in her… Continue Reading Courage, Patience and Persistence are Stepping Stones on the Various Paths to Becoming a Grassroots Advocate
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This is the time of year when college students across the country are heading back to campus. Or, if they are first-year collegians, heading there for the first time. Knowing what resources are available to support your success is important for any incoming freshman. But for students with vision loss, it’s especially critical to learn… Continue Reading Back to School Learning Starts Even Before Classes Begin
Governor Tony Evers signed the 2023-2025 biennial state budget in early July. This concluded a full year of drafting and legislative action on the massive document, during which the Council and our allies made a lot of calls, paid numerous visits and sent many emails to the policymakers who created the bill. Our efforts… Continue Reading State Budget Disappointments Do Not Detract from Ongoing Momentum
“If you don’t have a seat at the table, then you’re probably on the menu.” The coining of that phrase is attributed to many people, but the meaning never changes: Get involved, be an active participant in public decisions, or expect to live with decisions you may not like. Council Executive Director Denise Jess has… Continue Reading Local Boards and Commissions Need the Disability Perspective. You Can Provide It!
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
Voters will fill an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the statewide spring election on April 4. Voters around the state will also cast ballots for judges running for seats on Circuit Courts and the Court of Appeals. From the state’s highest court down to the local level, courts impact our lives in… Continue Reading From Circuit to Supreme, Courts Matter… A LOT
The Council’s annual Advocacy Days events in April and May are a great way to share your experiences while working to make a difference in public policy. Telling a personal story makes a powerful impression on lawmakers, putting a “human face” on policy issues. “I want people to feel empowered in advocacy work,” says WCBVI… Continue Reading Advocacy Days: Putting a “Human Face” on Issues that Affect People with Vision Loss
Governor Tony Evers will deliver his State Budget Address on February 15. The speech will lay out his vision for state spending during the next two years. The fiscal debate at the State Capitol in the coming months will include what to do with an unprecedented $7.1 billion revenue surplus from the last budget period.… Continue Reading Advocacy Update February 2023
Digital accessibility is one of the Council’s top advocacy priorities for 2023—and beyond. The good news is that state agencies are making progress in this area. The not-so-good news, as agency heads themselves admit, is that there’s still plenty of room for improvement. The Council has been leading the charge on digital equity on public… Continue Reading Digital Accessibility: Progress Continues, Challenges Remain
Suppose the County Board where you live is considering building a new roundabout that would replace a traditional four-corner crossing. You’re against it. You do some homework. Make some notes. The night before the County Board meeting where your item is on the agenda, you stay up late writing and polishing your comments. Your arguments,… Continue Reading Understanding the Process is Key to Avoiding Advocacy Frustration
There are many paths to take on the way to becoming a grassroots advocate. Danita Jackson’s path led to the polls on election day. Danita lost her vision when she was 16 and she remembers the first time she went to the polls to cast a vote. She walked into the polling place in her… Continue Reading Courage, Patience and Persistence are Stepping Stones on the Various Paths to Becoming a Grassroots Advocate