Voters who are blind and visually impaired in Wisconsin face many challenges when casting a ballot. These voters encounter hoops others do not have to navigate including getting a ballot in a user-friendly format and finding a way to fill it out and return it securely. They may not be able to cast their ballot… Continue Reading Voting for Everyone
Say you need to navigate an unsafe intersection regularly that would be vastly improved with an accessible pedestrian signal. How would you go about advocating for the upgrade? Who could you contact? While you might think that reaching out to your legislator is the best first step, that is often not the most efficient way… Continue Reading Knowing Where to Advocate
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
What is the best way to affect positive change? There are several facets of advocacy: education, self-advocacy, litigation and lobbying. Knowing where to start can help you be most effective in your advocacy efforts. This piece will focus on self-advocacy, which is often the quickest and easiest way to make change in your everyday life. Often,… Continue Reading How Self-Advocacy Can Educate and Affect Positive Change
October 15 of each year is National White Cane Safety Day, a day the Council takes to advocate for and educate about the White Cane Law. Since 1964, the day has promoted safe, welcoming communities for people with vision loss or blindness. The White Cane Law encourages the year-round independence of people in the blind and… Continue Reading Commitment to Pedestrian Safety Made in 10 Wisconsin Communities
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
This month, at least eight Wisconsin cities are proclaiming White Cane Safety Day at their City Council meetings: Eau Claire Janesville La Crosse Madison Mequon Oshkosh Stevens Point Sun Prairie If you live in one of these towns, attend the virtual City Council meeting. Consider writing a social media post or letter to the editor… Continue Reading Multiple Cities Honor Pedestrian Safety: Do Your Part
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
The Council is committed to educating the general public as part of its mission. For the past four years, NeuGen (WEA Trust and Health Tradition Health Plan) has generously supported Council education and outreach efforts by sponsoring a variety of programs that fit their organization’s guidelines. NeuGen provides health coverage for teachers and other public state employees in… Continue Reading Donor Feature: The Council Thanks NeuGen for Supporting Education and Outreach Efforts
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) “ensures people with disabilities are given the basic guarantees for which they have worked so long and so hard: independence… and the opportunity to blend fully and equally into the rich mosaic of the American mainstream” (said George H.W. Bush, who signed the ADA into law in July 1990).… Continue Reading How and When to Disclose Vision Impairment in Job-Seeking
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Voters who are blind and visually impaired in Wisconsin face many challenges when casting a ballot. These voters encounter hoops others do not have to navigate including getting a ballot in a user-friendly format and finding a way to fill it out and return it securely. They may not be able to cast their ballot… Continue Reading Voting for Everyone
Say you need to navigate an unsafe intersection regularly that would be vastly improved with an accessible pedestrian signal. How would you go about advocating for the upgrade? Who could you contact? While you might think that reaching out to your legislator is the best first step, that is often not the most efficient way… Continue Reading Knowing Where to Advocate
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
What is the best way to affect positive change? There are several facets of advocacy: education, self-advocacy, litigation and lobbying. Knowing where to start can help you be most effective in your advocacy efforts. This piece will focus on self-advocacy, which is often the quickest and easiest way to make change in your everyday life. Often,… Continue Reading How Self-Advocacy Can Educate and Affect Positive Change
October 15 of each year is National White Cane Safety Day, a day the Council takes to advocate for and educate about the White Cane Law. Since 1964, the day has promoted safe, welcoming communities for people with vision loss or blindness. The White Cane Law encourages the year-round independence of people in the blind and… Continue Reading Commitment to Pedestrian Safety Made in 10 Wisconsin Communities
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
This month, at least eight Wisconsin cities are proclaiming White Cane Safety Day at their City Council meetings: Eau Claire Janesville La Crosse Madison Mequon Oshkosh Stevens Point Sun Prairie If you live in one of these towns, attend the virtual City Council meeting. Consider writing a social media post or letter to the editor… Continue Reading Multiple Cities Honor Pedestrian Safety: Do Your Part
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
The Council is committed to educating the general public as part of its mission. For the past four years, NeuGen (WEA Trust and Health Tradition Health Plan) has generously supported Council education and outreach efforts by sponsoring a variety of programs that fit their organization’s guidelines. NeuGen provides health coverage for teachers and other public state employees in… Continue Reading Donor Feature: The Council Thanks NeuGen for Supporting Education and Outreach Efforts
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) “ensures people with disabilities are given the basic guarantees for which they have worked so long and so hard: independence… and the opportunity to blend fully and equally into the rich mosaic of the American mainstream” (said George H.W. Bush, who signed the ADA into law in July 1990).… Continue Reading How and When to Disclose Vision Impairment in Job-Seeking