We’re pleased to announce this year’s Council Scholarship recipients! Each year, we award scholarships to students from around Wisconsin who are blind or low vision and will be enrolled in post-secondary education in the fall. Past recipients have used the scholarship funds in a variety of ways to help fuel their college experience. In addition… Continue Reading Introducing Our 2026 Council Scholarship Recipients
In May, we hosted our first Dining in the Dark of 2026 at Brix Cider in Mount Horeb. We were joined by a fantastic and diverse crowd of guests who came to both learn about the dining experience for people with vision loss and raise money for the Council. Dining in the Dark is a… Continue Reading Dining in the Dark Mixes Good Food, Friends and Learning
Birding by Ear returns to Aldo Leopold Nature Center in Monona on Saturday, May 2 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.! The Council is teaming up once again with the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (SWBA) and Aldo Leopold Nature Center to offer this unique opportunity to learn to identify birds through close listening rather than… Continue Reading Birding by Ear: Knowledge for a Lifetime of Enjoyment
Xinyue Hippe Former Council Scholarship recipient Xinyue Hippe’s schooling took her all over the globe. The Milwaukee native started college at Calvin University in Michigan, where she studied Chinese, Spanish and German. She had the opportunity to spend a semester in Spain before returning to her home town to finish her degree in Spanish Language… Continue Reading Former Scholarship Recipient Xinyue Hippe’s Wide Skill Set Creates Future Possibilities
It’s no secret that college or other education after high school is one of the best paths to ongoing financial stability. That applies no matter where you fall on the vision spectrum. But college is expensive, and students who are blind or low vision incur additional costs that fully sighted people don’t have to think… Continue Reading Scholarships Can Help Ease the Financial Burden of Postsecondary Education
Attention students, families and teachers: We are now accepting applications for 2026 Council Scholarships! Every year, the Council provides scholarships for blind or low vision students who are Wisconsin residents and are enrolled in postsecondary education in the fall. Past recipients have used scholarship funds in a variety of ways to further their education. In… Continue Reading Applications for 2026 Council Scholarship Now Open
2027 marks the Council’s 75th anniversary. As we gear up to celebrate, we reflect on our rich history, our present environment, the opportunities and challenges in front of us, and the future we want as an organization. These reflections have led us to an exciting project. We will be updating the Council’s “brand,” including a… Continue Reading Honoring Our Legacy While Embracing Our Future
2025 has been another fantastic year at the Council. “I’m proud of our work to promote the dignity and inherent worth of Wisconsinites who are blind and low vision throughout the state,” says Council Executive Director Denise Jess. “It’s exciting to witness the Council’s spheres of influence grow wider and deeper, from legislators and judges… Continue Reading 2025 in Review: Another Productive Year of Hard Work and Relationship Building
Join the Council on Friday, November 7 from 5 to 9 p.m. for our 2025 Gallery Night! Thee event will take place at our offices at 754 Williamson Street in Madison. This year, we are showcasing the work of 11 artists from across Wisconsin who are blind or low vision, featuring works ranging from paintings… Continue Reading Meet this year’s Gallery Night Artists in New Video
Every year since 1964, October 15 has been recognized ad White Cane Safety Day, a time to promote safe and welcoming communities for people who are blind or low vision. Its main purpose is to raise awareness of state White Cane Laws. Wisconsin’s law states that drivers must stop 10 feet before a pedestrian who is using a white cane or guide dog. The Council has celebrated White Cane Safety Day for decades by encouraging state and municipal governments to issue White Cane Safety Day proclamations and urging them to promote pedestrian safety in their communities. Continue Reading Communities Across Wisconsin Celebrate White Cane Safety Day in Their Own Way
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We’re pleased to announce this year’s Council Scholarship recipients! Each year, we award scholarships to students from around Wisconsin who are blind or low vision and will be enrolled in post-secondary education in the fall. Past recipients have used the scholarship funds in a variety of ways to help fuel their college experience. In addition… Continue Reading Introducing Our 2026 Council Scholarship Recipients
In May, we hosted our first Dining in the Dark of 2026 at Brix Cider in Mount Horeb. We were joined by a fantastic and diverse crowd of guests who came to both learn about the dining experience for people with vision loss and raise money for the Council. Dining in the Dark is a… Continue Reading Dining in the Dark Mixes Good Food, Friends and Learning
Birding by Ear returns to Aldo Leopold Nature Center in Monona on Saturday, May 2 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.! The Council is teaming up once again with the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (SWBA) and Aldo Leopold Nature Center to offer this unique opportunity to learn to identify birds through close listening rather than… Continue Reading Birding by Ear: Knowledge for a Lifetime of Enjoyment
Xinyue Hippe Former Council Scholarship recipient Xinyue Hippe’s schooling took her all over the globe. The Milwaukee native started college at Calvin University in Michigan, where she studied Chinese, Spanish and German. She had the opportunity to spend a semester in Spain before returning to her home town to finish her degree in Spanish Language… Continue Reading Former Scholarship Recipient Xinyue Hippe’s Wide Skill Set Creates Future Possibilities
It’s no secret that college or other education after high school is one of the best paths to ongoing financial stability. That applies no matter where you fall on the vision spectrum. But college is expensive, and students who are blind or low vision incur additional costs that fully sighted people don’t have to think… Continue Reading Scholarships Can Help Ease the Financial Burden of Postsecondary Education
Attention students, families and teachers: We are now accepting applications for 2026 Council Scholarships! Every year, the Council provides scholarships for blind or low vision students who are Wisconsin residents and are enrolled in postsecondary education in the fall. Past recipients have used scholarship funds in a variety of ways to further their education. In… Continue Reading Applications for 2026 Council Scholarship Now Open
2027 marks the Council’s 75th anniversary. As we gear up to celebrate, we reflect on our rich history, our present environment, the opportunities and challenges in front of us, and the future we want as an organization. These reflections have led us to an exciting project. We will be updating the Council’s “brand,” including a… Continue Reading Honoring Our Legacy While Embracing Our Future
2025 has been another fantastic year at the Council. “I’m proud of our work to promote the dignity and inherent worth of Wisconsinites who are blind and low vision throughout the state,” says Council Executive Director Denise Jess. “It’s exciting to witness the Council’s spheres of influence grow wider and deeper, from legislators and judges… Continue Reading 2025 in Review: Another Productive Year of Hard Work and Relationship Building
Join the Council on Friday, November 7 from 5 to 9 p.m. for our 2025 Gallery Night! Thee event will take place at our offices at 754 Williamson Street in Madison. This year, we are showcasing the work of 11 artists from across Wisconsin who are blind or low vision, featuring works ranging from paintings… Continue Reading Meet this year’s Gallery Night Artists in New Video
Every year since 1964, October 15 has been recognized ad White Cane Safety Day, a time to promote safe and welcoming communities for people who are blind or low vision. Its main purpose is to raise awareness of state White Cane Laws. Wisconsin’s law states that drivers must stop 10 feet before a pedestrian who is using a white cane or guide dog. The Council has celebrated White Cane Safety Day for decades by encouraging state and municipal governments to issue White Cane Safety Day proclamations and urging them to promote pedestrian safety in their communities. Continue Reading Communities Across Wisconsin Celebrate White Cane Safety Day in Their Own Way