Louis Braille once wrote: “Access to communication in the widest sense is access to knowledge.” The raised dot system he developed has been a powerful and liberating tool for people with vision loss since the early 1900s. January is Braille Literacy Month, but the opportunity to learn braille is now a year-round thing at the… Continue Reading Improving Quality of Life Through Braille Literacy
The Council relies on support that comes in many forms, from small monetary donations to community sponsorships to the talents of our wonderful volunteers. We’d like to invite you to consider giving to the Council in a new, everlasting way: planned giving. A planned gift is a contribution arranged in the present to be donated… Continue Reading Support the Council in a Lasting Way Through Planned Giving
Start getting ready for this year’s Big Share online fundraising extravaganza, which takes place Tuesday, March 7. The Big Share is a one-day giving event organized by Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW). This fun, interactive affair is an all-day event that benefits the 70 nonprofit organizations that are CSW members, including the Council. Last year,… Continue Reading Get Ready for The Big Share on March 7
This year, the U.S. Census Bureau will count every one living in the United States. Data gathered through this count will influence issues pertaining to the BVI community, such as funding for Medicaid and public transit dollars available. The 2020 census has been made accessible by mail, phone and online, so all can participate. Read… Continue Reading Reminder: Take the 2020 Census
Experiential dining events have been popular in cities around the world for several years. If you have been trying to get tickets to one of the Council’s popular Dining in the Dark events, now is your chance. A multi-course dinner takes place in Fitchburg on Wednesday, July 29 (note: this is an updated date). Arrive… Continue Reading Join Us for the First Dining in the Dark of 2020
It is truly an honor to be named in someone’s will. It is a privilege the Council acknowledges with deep gratitude. In 2019, the Council received more than $300,000 in bequests from generous donors who cared deeply about providing services and resources for people who are blind or visually impaired. These six individuals felt so… Continue Reading Your Legacy is the Council’s Future
For 12 years, Judy Lehman provided classroom aid for students with disabilities in the Watertown Unified School District. In May 2019, the Council honored her impact on the lives of students who are blind or visually impaired with a Community Volunteer Excellence Award. She retired in June 2019. “When I worked with each student, I… Continue Reading Judy Lehman Recognized with a 2019 Council Excellence Award
The Council’s advocacy mission is guided by the experiences of those living with vision loss throughout Wisconsin. You can assure your experience is represented by completing the Council’s 2020 Advocacy Survey. Wisconsin uses a two-year budget cycle, or biennium. In even-numbered calendar years, state agencies develop budget proposals for the programs they administer. In the… Continue Reading the Council’s 2020 Advocacy Survey
Betty stands in the hallway of her apartment. Betty Zajicek, 84, was diagnosed with macular degeneration eight years ago. When her adult children recently visited her senior apartment, they noticed it seemed dark in her living space and decided to get some help to improve the lighting. Betty did not realize how large of an… Continue Reading Adjusting to Vision Loss as You Age
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A card party at the Berlin Senior Center Overall wellness, especially for older people, can be a little harder to maintain during the winter months than during warmer times of the year. We spoke to staff at some senior centers around the state, who gave us some good advice for winter well-being. They agreed about… Continue Reading Keys to Winter Wellness: Stay Connected and Keep Moving
2022 Council Scholarship recipient Nathan Schmitt says his first semester at Milwaukee Area Technical College was “actually pretty easy.” The 2022 Franklin High School graduate locked in a 3.9 grade point average. When Nathan says things were “pretty easy,” he’s not being immodest. He’s been interested in and learning about electronics and information technology since… Continue Reading 2022 Student Spotlight: Nathan Schmitt
The Council is pleased to welcome three new members to our Board of Directors this year. Each represents a different background and brings a unique perspective to the Council. Chamomile Harrison Madison resident Chamomile Harrison is a 2021 UW-Whitewater graduate who majored in Psychology. While at the university, she worked in the Office of Leadership… Continue Reading Welcome to Our New Board Members!
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Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired
