Tag: Accessibility & Civil Rights

Road sign with accommodation written on it

When and How to Request Employment Accommodations

Most public and private employers are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. These adaptive tools and strategies allow employees to perform the essential function of their jobs and fully participate in the workplace environment. Why might employees with disabilities not have these necessary ways to… Continue Reading When and How to Request Employment Accommodations

A person’s hands use an accessible voting machine.

Overcoming Barriers to Voting

Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired staff serve on statewide coalitions that empower people with disabilities to have accessible voting and transportation options. One of these coalitions is the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition (WDVC). Among other activities, the WDVC shares real voter experiences with the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC). In turn, WEC shares… Continue Reading Overcoming Barriers to Voting

A woman holds up an absentee ballot envelope.

Make Your Voting Plan

Voting absentee is a safe option during the COVID-19 pandemic, but requires a witness. Someone who is blind or visually impaired may also need an assistant to ensure their ballot is marked correctly. According to a study by Rutgers University, voting among people with disabilities increased by 8.5 percent in 2018. This meant that nearly… Continue Reading Make Your Voting Plan

A slide showing 353,000 car deficient households in Wisconsin.

An Advocacy Update: The New Wisconsin Non-Driver Interagency Advisory Council

  The speakers in this video, titled “WisDOT Working to Improve Transportation for Wisconsin’s Non-Drivers” are: Jennifer Jako, ADRC of Baron, Rusk and Washburn Counties; Denise Jess, WCBVI; and Carrie Diamond, Easterseals National Aging and Disabilities Transportation Center. The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired advocated for an advisory council to bridge the… Continue Reading An Advocacy Update: The New Wisconsin Non-Driver Interagency Advisory Council

A line outside of a Social Security Administration office building in the Bronx, New York.

Unemployment and Social Security Disability Application Assistance Information

If you would like assistance in applying for unemployment or Social Security benefits (SSI or SSDI), or need information about local emergency food resources, reach out to the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in your county. The ADRCs are well-equipped with benefits specialists, who can assist with completing your application over the phone. Find… Continue Reading Unemployment and Social Security Disability Application Assistance Information

Census is written out with scrabble titles

Reminder: Take the 2020 Census

This year, the U.S. Census Bureau will count every one living in the United States. Data gathered through this count will influence issues pertaining to the BVI community, such as funding for Medicaid and public transit dollars available. The 2020 census has been made accessible by mail, phone and online, so all can participate. Read… Continue Reading Reminder: Take the 2020 Census

A collage of curling photos.

Getting Out on the Ice: Adaptive Curling for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Curling is Canada’s national sport, and is quickly gaining popularity in the United States. Over the past twenty years, curling has been adapted for people who are blind or visually impaired. The Wauwatosa Curling Club hosts a free adaptive curling program for people of all abilities, including those who are blind or visually impaired. “We… Continue Reading Getting Out on the Ice: Adaptive Curling for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired

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Road sign with accommodation written on it

When and How to Request Employment Accommodations

Most public and private employers are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. These adaptive tools and strategies allow employees to perform the essential function of their jobs and fully participate in the workplace environment. Why might employees with disabilities not have these necessary ways to… Continue Reading When and How to Request Employment Accommodations

A person’s hands use an accessible voting machine.

Overcoming Barriers to Voting

Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired staff serve on statewide coalitions that empower people with disabilities to have accessible voting and transportation options. One of these coalitions is the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition (WDVC). Among other activities, the WDVC shares real voter experiences with the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC). In turn, WEC shares… Continue Reading Overcoming Barriers to Voting

A woman holds up an absentee ballot envelope.

Make Your Voting Plan

Voting absentee is a safe option during the COVID-19 pandemic, but requires a witness. Someone who is blind or visually impaired may also need an assistant to ensure their ballot is marked correctly. According to a study by Rutgers University, voting among people with disabilities increased by 8.5 percent in 2018. This meant that nearly… Continue Reading Make Your Voting Plan

A slide showing 353,000 car deficient households in Wisconsin.

An Advocacy Update: The New Wisconsin Non-Driver Interagency Advisory Council

  The speakers in this video, titled “WisDOT Working to Improve Transportation for Wisconsin’s Non-Drivers” are: Jennifer Jako, ADRC of Baron, Rusk and Washburn Counties; Denise Jess, WCBVI; and Carrie Diamond, Easterseals National Aging and Disabilities Transportation Center. The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired advocated for an advisory council to bridge the… Continue Reading An Advocacy Update: The New Wisconsin Non-Driver Interagency Advisory Council

A line outside of a Social Security Administration office building in the Bronx, New York.

Unemployment and Social Security Disability Application Assistance Information

If you would like assistance in applying for unemployment or Social Security benefits (SSI or SSDI), or need information about local emergency food resources, reach out to the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in your county. The ADRCs are well-equipped with benefits specialists, who can assist with completing your application over the phone. Find… Continue Reading Unemployment and Social Security Disability Application Assistance Information

Census is written out with scrabble titles

Reminder: Take the 2020 Census

This year, the U.S. Census Bureau will count every one living in the United States. Data gathered through this count will influence issues pertaining to the BVI community, such as funding for Medicaid and public transit dollars available. The 2020 census has been made accessible by mail, phone and online, so all can participate. Read… Continue Reading Reminder: Take the 2020 Census

A collage of curling photos.

Getting Out on the Ice: Adaptive Curling for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Curling is Canada’s national sport, and is quickly gaining popularity in the United States. Over the past twenty years, curling has been adapted for people who are blind or visually impaired. The Wauwatosa Curling Club hosts a free adaptive curling program for people of all abilities, including those who are blind or visually impaired. “We… Continue Reading Getting Out on the Ice: Adaptive Curling for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired