Support Groups
Find a low vision support group near you
The following Wisconsin low vision support groups may be helpful to you or a loved one affected by vision loss. They are not run by Wisconsin Council of the Blind and we cannot guarantee the information listed below is current. Call or email the contact person to get more information. If you have updated contact information or know of a group that is not on this list, please email Info@WCBlind.org or call (608) 255-1166.
In addition, the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired hosts a statewide monthly low vision support group. To learn more visit the event page.
Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually
Impaired
Open to all counties in Wisconsin, WCBVI has the following groups running:
- Trailblazers Low Vision Support Group
Contact: Brent Perzentka
Phone: (608) 237-8112
Email: BPerzentka@WCBlind.org
Online support group meets the second Monday of the month. Led by Vision Services staff. Open to all. - College and Working Age Low Vision Support Group
Contact: Rachel Pavone
Phone: (608) 237-8106
Email: RPavone@WCBlind.org
Devoted to topics of interest to college and working age adults under 45. The group meets virtually the third Tuesday of the month and is open to people across Wisconsin.
Vision Forward
Vision Forward offers support groups for people to learn from each other’s life-tested knowledge and wisdom. Groups offered include those for younger adults, older adults, persons with partial vision and parents of visually impaired children.
Support groups are small and based on the needs of the members. Some meet in person while others are held over the phone or through Zoom. Using a computer is not required to participate.
Contact Name: Erica Weise
Phone: 414-615-0163
Email: EWeise@Vision-Forward.org
Lighthouse Center for Vital Living
Duluth MN
Contact: Betsy
Phone: (218) 461-8961
Meets by phone third Tuesday of every month from 1:00-2:00 PM
Topics vary from month to month. Group provides an opportunity to listen to others with similar issues.
Barron County Low Vision Support Group
Barron County Government Center
335 East Monroe Avenue
Barron WI 54812
Contact Name: Chris Hagen (leave message)
Phone: (715) 537-6225
E-mail: Alisa.Lammers@co.barron.wi.us
Meets first Thursday of the month from 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. Vision loss information and resources discussed, guest speakers and time allocated for discussion, questions and comments.
Transportation is available.
Open to the friends, family members and the public.
Visually Impaired Support Group of Brown County
Salvation Army
626 Union Ct.
Green Bay WI 54303
Contact: Pam Benoit
Phone: 920-489-8045
Email: Pamela.Gambrel@Yahoo.com
Schedule: Meets the second Tuesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
No meetings in September and May
General focus. Summer – often take trips, winter – speakers. Open to the public.
Transportation is available
Chippewa County, Dunn County, and Eau Claire County Low Vision Support Group
CV VIP (Chippewa Valley
Visually Impaired Persons) Support Group
Saint John’s Apartments Dining Room
815 Chapin Street
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Contact Name: Renee K-S
Phone: (715) 379-9011
Email: ChipValleyVIP@gmail.com
Meets the second Wednesday of the month from 12 pm until 2 pm.
Lunch / Social at 12 pm and Meeting / Speaker at 12:30 pm. Lots of resources and information related to low vision and blindness. Speakers occasionally. Very relaxed and fun atmosphere. Site is wheelchair accessible.
We meet at Perkins in February and Owen Park in July. Call, text or email with any questions and to order lunch. Transportation may be available. Hope to “see” you there! 🙂
Monona Low Vision Support Group
Monona Senior Center
1011 Nichols Road
Monona WI 53716
Phone: (608) 222-3415
Email: DMikelbank@CI.Monona.Wi.us
Meets the 4th Friday of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. About 50% of meeting have speakers, no constant focus (general in nature).
Transportation is available for Monona residents.
Open to the public.
Stoughton Low Vision Support Group
Stoughton Area Senior Center
248 West Main Street
Stoughton WI 53589
Contact Name: Murl MacKinnon
Phone: (608) 873-8585
Email: MMackinnon@CI.Stoughton.Wi.us
Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m. General topics, occasional speakers.
Transportation is available.
Open to the public.
Evansville Primetimers
Evansville Senior Center
102 Maple St.
Evansville WI 53536
Contact Name: Kristin Fountaine
Phone: (608) 882-0407
Email: Kristin.Fountaine@DHS.Wisconsin.gov
Meets 1st Thursday of each month at 10:00 AM. Open to the public.
Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually
Impaired
Open to all counties in Wisconsin, WCBVI has the following groups running:
- Trailblazers Low Vision Support Group
Contact: Brent Perzentka
Phone: (608) 237-8112
Email: BPerzentka@WCBlind.org
Online support group meets from 3 – 4 p.m. on the second Monday of the month. Information & support for anyone affected by vision loss. Led by Vision Services staff. - College and Working Age Low Vision Support Group
Contact: Rachel Pavone
Phone: (608) 237-8106
Email: RPavone@WCBlind.org
Online support group meets from 7 – 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month. Devoted to topics of interest to college and working age adults under 45. The group meets virtually and is open to people across Wisconsin.
Northern Door Visually Impaired Support Group
First Baptist Church
2622 S. Bay Shore Dr.
Sister Bay WI 54234
Contact name: Angie Zalig
Phone: (920) 241-2641
Email: Angela.Zalig@DHS.Wisconsin.gov
Schedule: Meets the second Tuesday of every month from 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Meetings are held in January, March, May, July September and November.
There is no cost to attend.
The Eyes Have it
Berlin Senior Center
142 Water Street
Berlin WI 54923
Contact: Sara Rutkowski
Phone: (920) 361-5422
Meets fourth Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. for about an hour.
Transportation is available, call Sara.
Note: This group is meeting, but is social distancing (some people wearing masks).
Revital Eyes
Villa Cierra Community Room
1940 27th Avenue
Kenosha WI 53140
Contact: Tami
Phone: (262) 925-6097
Email: TFrentzel@SocietysAssets.org
Meets second Thursday of every month from 1:30-3:00 PM. We meet monthly to give insight into living with a visual impairment and provide resources for anyone with vision loss.
Limited transportation provided, call Tami.
Coffee Connection
Not Currently Meeting
2422 Onalaska Avenue
La Crosse, WI 54603
Contact: Jeannie Nylander
Phone: (608) 781-3361
People curious about the group or who just want to talk can contact Jeannie via phone. Open to the public.
Out of Sight
Low Vision Support Group
Barney Center
1000 East Montgomery Street
Sparta WI 54656
Contact: Evelyn Allen
Phone: 608-433-4031
Email: Evey5112@OutLook.com
Meets the third Monday of the month at 1:00 p.m. Variety of topics.
Transportation available.
Open to the public.
The Northwoods Low Vision Lunch Club
Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month for casual conversation and food at local restaurants in the Minocqua area.
For more information visit:
Appleton VIP Support Group
Fox Valley Lutheran Homes (Meets in Community Room)
425 North Linwood Street
Appleton WI 54911
Contact: Dawn fisher
Phone: (920) 205-0645
Email: dmsf2754@gmail.com
Support Group’s Website
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Speakers, general topics. Sometimes it is just a social gathering.
Transportation is available.
The Mequon/Thiensville VIP (Visually Impaired Persons)
Frank L. Weyenberg Library
11345 N Cedarburg Road
Mequon, WI 53092
Contact Name: Gary Norton
Phone: (414) 248-6861 – Cell
Email: Emperor-Norton@sbcglobal.net
Meets the last Monday of every month with exception of November and December from 10:30 AM-12:00 PM. The May 2022 meeting is pending.
Portage County VIP Support Group
ADRC – Portage County
1519 Water Street
Stevens Point WI 54481
Contact Name: Lai Lor Pang
Phone: (715) 343-6272
Meets the third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. April through October, and December, (does not meet November, January – March).
Open to the public.
Creekside Place Low Vision – Evansville, WI
102 Maple Street
Evansville, WI 53536
Contact: Kristin Fountaine
Phone: 608-267-4038
Meets 1st Thursday of every month at 10 a.m.
Blackhawk Pioneers
Blackhawk Pioneers are visually handicapped people living in the Beloit, South Beloit, Clinton and Janesville areas. This activity is sponsored by the Beloit Noon Lions assisted by Beloit Lioness and Beloit Evening, South Beloit and Janesville Lions Clubs.
Contact: Janesville Lions
Email: Admin@Janesvillelions.org
Website: janesvillelions.org/blackhawk-pioneers/
Shawano Blind and Low Vision Support Group
Shawano Public Library
128 S. Sawyer Street
Shawano WI 54166
Contact: Caroline Melcher
Phone: (715) 851-1076
Meets the fourth Monday of the month at 2:00 p.m. Call Caroline for details.
Sheboygan County Low Vision
Sheboygan Senior Center
428 Wisconsin Avenue
Sheboygan WI 53081
Note: No group currently meeting.
VIP
Generations
Plymouth WI
Group no longer meeting.
The Northwoods Low Vision Lunch Club
Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month for casual conversation and food at local restaurants in the Minocqua area.
For more information visit:
Walworth County VIP Support Group
Woodview Senior Apartments
353 Tyrell Court
Delavan, WI 53111
Cedar Ridge Low Vision Support Group
113 Cedar Ridge Drive, West Bend, WI 53095
Contact Name: Audrey McGarvie
Phone: 262-353-3193
Meets the second Monday of every month in the community room at 10:00.
Oshkosh Visually Challenged Support Group
Evergreen Retirement Community
1130 North Westfield Street
Oshkosh WI 54902
Contact: Shirley
Phone: (920) 235-8138
Meets the first Tuesday of the month from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. No meeting in January or July.
South Wood County Area Visually Impaired Persons Support Group
Note: Currently not meeting due to COVID.
Lowell Center, Brehm Room
220 3rd Avenue South
Wisconsin Rapids WI 54495
Contact Name: Mandi Grys
Phone: (715) 421-0014
Email: Mandi.Grys@gmail.com
Schedule: Meets the second Monday of each month, except January and February at 10:30 a.m.
Various topics are covered from open talk including: fall safety, neurological aspects, mental health and vision loss, different eye issues, what devices are out there to assist with life for those with vision issues and any topics in between.
Transportation: Transportation can be arranged by calling Wood County Transportation program (715) 421-8989 by noon the Friday before the meeting.
If you would like to receive mailed flyers containing the date, time and topic of the next meeting, please leave your mailing address with the ADRC.
Open to the public.
Hadley
Hadley offers a variety of discussion groups that provide an opportunity for those with similar interests and questions to learn from experts and one another. Discussion groups topics include – gardening, books, cooking, braille, and many others. Visit their website for additional information including a schedule and how to join the discussions.
Contact
Phone: (800) 323-4238
Email: info@hadley.edu
Lighthouse Guild
The Lighthouse Guild coordinates several tele-support groups for various ages and interests. To learn more about the various groups and how to register, visit the Lighthouse Guild Tele-Support Group webpage.
Contact
Phone: (212) 769-6318
Vision Aware
For information on how to select a support group, how to start your own support group, and links to other organizations that host support groups, visit the VisionAware website.
Contact
Phone: (800) 232-5463
Email: connectcenter@aph.org
You may also be interested in resources available through the Council’s Sharper Vision Store and our Vision Services program. Please call with questions.
