When 2024 Council Scholarship recipient Marin Gundlach first got her hands on an iPod Shuffle at age 5, she says she immediately became interested in technology. That was when the Belleville native, who has been blind since birth, first encountered VoiceOver technology that allowed her to fully utilize the music device. “Finding that really opened… Continue Reading 2024 Student Spotlight: Marin Gundlach
After 16 years at the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired, Program Assistant Judith Rasmussen is leaving her position to begin her next stage in life. Judith has been an invaluable member of the Council team, often serving as the first face or voice people encounter when they reach out to the Council… Continue Reading Thank You, Judith, For 16 Wonderful Years With the Council!
How to change the time on a talking watch is one of the most frequent questions we get at our Sharper Vision Store. So we made a video starring Customer Care Specialist Greg Schmidt to show you how to do it step by step. In case you need to change the date as well, Greg… Continue Reading New Video Shows You How to Change the Time on a Talking Watch
The Big Share is an annual day of online giving that supports nearly 70 nonprofits that are members of Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW). The Council is one of those organizations. CSW members represent a wide range of causes including voting rights, healthy food systems, racial justice, criminal justice reform, housing advocacy and environmental protection.… Continue Reading Empowering People to Join or Stay in the Workforce is a Great Reason to Support the Council During The Big Share
“I believe I’ve always been an overachiever.” So begins the essay Luke Robel wrote for his 2023 Council Scholarship application. And talking with the Colgate, Wisconsin native, you get a glimpse into the truth of that statement. Luke put his scholarship to good use. Last October he graduated from Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) with… Continue Reading 2023 Student Spotlight: Luke Robel
Black History Month, celebrated throughout February each year, is a time to honor Black Americans’ achievements and their central role in U.S. history. It’s also a time to acknowledge the systemic barriers Black people in this country have faced throughout that history and consider the work we must all engage in to eliminate the resulting… Continue Reading Recognizing Inequities in Access to Health Services
Last month in On Sight, we provided strategies for healthy eating, including tips for navigating the grocery store, shopping online, and phone apps and services for shoppers with vision loss. We also shared suggestions for safe food prep and kitchen work. Eating healthy is an important part of staying well. However, many people with disabilities… Continue Reading Eating Right Requires Access to Healthy Food
Voters with disabilities are casting ballots in increasing numbers. According to researchers at Rutgers University, nearly 18 million voters with disabilities voted in 2020, up from 16 million in 2016. People with vision loss vote in higher numbers than do voters with other disabilities. That said, due to systemic barriers and recent changes in election… Continue Reading It’s Time to Make Your Voting Plan for Spring Elections
Someone once said, “The internet may give you what you want, but it won’t give you what you need.” Whether it’s surfing for accurate product reviews day or purchasing a pair of shoes that fit properly from Amazon, internet shopping can be a true “buyer beware” endeavor. There’s no substitute for an actual storefront staffed… Continue Reading Sharper Vision Store Offers a More Supportive, Better-Informed Shopping Experience
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Earlier this month, members of the Council staff took the hour drive from Madison to Dodgeville for our On Sight: Vision Loss Resources in Southwest Wisconsin event. At this free educational event, Council staff gave presentations on a variety of topics important for people in Southwest Wisconsin who are blind or low vision, from accessing… Continue Reading On Sight Event Brought the Council to Southwest Wisconsin
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
When Liz Fryseth started her new job as a housing navigator at the YWCA in La Crosse, she ran into an issue almost right away: Nearly all their documents were printed on paper and not available digitally. For someone who is low vision or blind like Liz, those documents were inaccessible. After bringing up this… Continue Reading Disability Employment Month Celebrates All Workers
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Madison, WI 53703
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Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired
