Post Archive

Front cover of the Big Data report on working-age adults

Big Data Working Age Adults Report Paints Sobering Picture, Highlights Need for Advocacy

Last year, the VisionServe Alliance (VSA) released their Big Data Project report on older adults in Wisconsin with vision loss. That report confirmed what the Council has long known: Vision loss in Wisconsin is more prevalent than most people realize, and vision services are not meeting the level of need. VSA has now released a… Continue Reading Big Data Working Age Adults Report Paints Sobering Picture, Highlights Need for Advocacy

Former Council Scholarship Recipient Judy Kilian’s Resilience Inspires Next Generation

After Judy Kilian graduated from Madison Memorial High School at the age of 18, she says her first attempt at college did not go as planned. While she got straight A’s throughout high school, Judy says being a student with vision loss made it difficult to adjust to college. “I didn’t have the self-advocacy skills… Continue Reading Former Council Scholarship Recipient Judy Kilian’s Resilience Inspires Next Generation

The hands of several people placed on top of each other in the middle.

Start a New Tradition by Giving as a Family

Every year around Christmas time, Darwin Kaufman chooses a charity or organization to donate to in his children’s names. “Last year, we gave to the Council for our son who has vision loss,” Darwin says. “Some time ago, we decided that instead of trying to give them gifts that they may or may not care… Continue Reading Start a New Tradition by Giving as a Family

A clear piggy bank full of coins wearing a mortarboard

Introducing Our 2023 Council Scholarship Recipients

We’re pleased to announce this year’s Council Scholarship recipients! Executive Director Denise Jess says the decisions were especially difficult this year due to the excellent pool of applicants. Each year, $2,000.00 scholarships are awarded to students around the state who are blind or visually impaired and are enrolled in post-secondary education in the fall. Past… Continue Reading Introducing Our 2023 Council Scholarship Recipients

A Gift is Making It Easier to Produce Braille Instruction Materials

The Council was pleased to add braille instruction to our Vision Services menu last year. Like all our vision services, braille instruction at the Council is tailored to the goals of each individual client. “We see clients who use braille in a variety of ways,” says Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Rachel Pavone, who teaches braille… Continue Reading A Gift is Making It Easier to Produce Braille Instruction Materials

Denise Jess and Jacci Borchardt presenting on health care during Advocacy Days

Building Data into Your Advocacy on Health Care Issues

The Council’s Advocacy Days, which kicked off in April with a series of online discussions, provides an annual crash course on how to make a difference by communicating with local and state officials. This year, one of the key messages of Advocacy Days was that a conversation that combines data with stories of lived experience… Continue Reading Building Data into Your Advocacy on Health Care Issues

Getting a Smart Start With Your Smart TV

A smart TV can offer great accessibility features for people with vision loss. But setting up and learning to use those features can be a challenge. Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Rachel Pavone says there are a number of strategies for painlessly mastering accessible smart TV features designed for users who are blind or visually impaired.… Continue Reading Getting a Smart Start With Your Smart TV

Volunteers from Anderson & Shapiro cleaning up the front flower bed at the Council office

Volunteering Can Be Gateway to Ongoing Connection

April is National Volunteer Appreciation month. It’s an opportunity to recognize and celebrate volunteerism and its positive community impacts. Americans have always stepped up when it comes to volunteering. According to Americorps, nearly a quarter of Americans age 16 and over donated time formally through an organization between September 2020 and 2021. “Volunteers share their… Continue Reading Volunteering Can Be Gateway to Ongoing Connection

A crowd of people in a large festival tent eating corn and brats

The Council and the Lions: A Lasting Relationship Rooted in Shared Goals

Lions Club International has been a leading advocate for and supporter of people with vision loss since 1925. That’s when Helen Keller challenged Lions Clubs around the world to be “knights for the blind.” Each spring, the Council nurtures our relationships with Wisconsin Lions Clubs by updating them on our current work and goals and… Continue Reading The Council and the Lions: A Lasting Relationship Rooted in Shared Goals

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A group of people watching a fireworks display.

Protect Your Vision When Setting Off Fireworks

The 4th of July is just around the corner, which means people across the country are preparing their grills for burgers and brats and buying fireworks to celebrate our nation’s independence. While fireworks can be fun, they can also be extremely dangerous, and every year thousands of people are hospitalized due to firework-related injuries. July… Continue Reading Protect Your Vision When Setting Off Fireworks

Council staff members standing behind the Council’s information table

Disability Pride Celebrates Diversity in Our Communities

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the diverse community of people with disabilities, reflect on progress that has been made in empowering folks to live with dignity, and re-energize ourselves for the work that lies ahead in building genuinely inclusive communities. Disability Pride has been celebrated for over 30 years, commemorating the… Continue Reading Disability Pride Celebrates Diversity in Our Communities

A light-skinned woman using an accessible voting machine

What to Know About Your Voting Rights as Fall Elections Approach

In just a few months, we will be heading back to the polls to cast our votes in a number of important elections. There are two elections left this year: the August Primary and the General Election in November. Wisconsin residents will have the opportunity to not only help decide who will be President for… Continue Reading What to Know About Your Voting Rights as Fall Elections Approach

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Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired