Tag: Advocacy

A hand holding a U.S. passport.

SAVE Act Would Create Major Barriers for Voters with Disabilities

A bill called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act may sound like something positive, but in reality, this piece of federal legislation would create major barriers to voting for many people, including those with vision loss and other disabilities. The SAVE Act would require all Americans registering to vote or updating their registration information… Continue Reading SAVE Act Would Create Major Barriers for Voters with Disabilities

From left to right, photos of Kathleen Callen, Jim Denham, and Denise Jess

Council Staffers Advocate for Change in Their Own Neighborhoods and Communities

Legislative advocacy has been a cornerstone of the Council’s mission since our founding over 70 years ago. Every day, Council staff members work with state and local policymakers to advocate for Wisconsin residents who are blind or low vision on everything from transportation, health care, employment, voting access and more. But public advocacy is not… Continue Reading Council Staffers Advocate for Change in Their Own Neighborhoods and Communities

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

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

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

Hands of various colors on top of each other over an outline of Wisconsin.

New Advocacy Discussion Group Offers a Space for Learning, Support and Action

For several years, the Council has hosted regular online low vision support groups to connect people who are blind or low vision across the state. Earlier this year, the Council started a new kind of group where people with vision loss can share ideas and resources to support their advocacy efforts. Policy advocacy was the… Continue Reading New Advocacy Discussion Group Offers a Space for Learning, Support and Action

Jim Denham accepting a White Cane Safety Day proclamation from the Fitchburg City Council.

More than 30 Wisconsin Communities Proclaimed October 15 White Cane Safety Day

Another White Cane Safety Day has come and gone, with over three dozen municipalities across the entire state (along with the State of Wisconsin and Milwaukee County) issuing proclamations celebrating the day on October 15. 2024 marked the 60th anniversary of White Cane Safety Day, which was first proclaimed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and… Continue Reading More than 30 Wisconsin Communities Proclaimed October 15 White Cane Safety Day

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A hand holding a U.S. passport.

SAVE Act Would Create Major Barriers for Voters with Disabilities

A bill called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act may sound like something positive, but in reality, this piece of federal legislation would create major barriers to voting for many people, including those with vision loss and other disabilities. The SAVE Act would require all Americans registering to vote or updating their registration information… Continue Reading SAVE Act Would Create Major Barriers for Voters with Disabilities

From left to right, photos of Kathleen Callen, Jim Denham, and Denise Jess

Council Staffers Advocate for Change in Their Own Neighborhoods and Communities

Legislative advocacy has been a cornerstone of the Council’s mission since our founding over 70 years ago. Every day, Council staff members work with state and local policymakers to advocate for Wisconsin residents who are blind or low vision on everything from transportation, health care, employment, voting access and more. But public advocacy is not… Continue Reading Council Staffers Advocate for Change in Their Own Neighborhoods and Communities

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

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

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

Hands of various colors on top of each other over an outline of Wisconsin.

New Advocacy Discussion Group Offers a Space for Learning, Support and Action

For several years, the Council has hosted regular online low vision support groups to connect people who are blind or low vision across the state. Earlier this year, the Council started a new kind of group where people with vision loss can share ideas and resources to support their advocacy efforts. Policy advocacy was the… Continue Reading New Advocacy Discussion Group Offers a Space for Learning, Support and Action

Jim Denham accepting a White Cane Safety Day proclamation from the Fitchburg City Council.

More than 30 Wisconsin Communities Proclaimed October 15 White Cane Safety Day

Another White Cane Safety Day has come and gone, with over three dozen municipalities across the entire state (along with the State of Wisconsin and Milwaukee County) issuing proclamations celebrating the day on October 15. 2024 marked the 60th anniversary of White Cane Safety Day, which was first proclaimed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and… Continue Reading More than 30 Wisconsin Communities Proclaimed October 15 White Cane Safety Day