On May 12, 2010 Governor James Doyle signed Wisconsin Act 298. 

This legislation places a member of the Blinded Veterans of Wisconsin on the Council on Veterans Programs, a key advisor to the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

This is the first time in the history of the Council on Veterans Programs that a veterans group specifically dedicated to visual disability will become a member.

Gary Traynor, a member of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired and President of the Blinded Veterans Association of Wisconsin, accepted the pen Governor Doyle used to sign SB 578 into law.

Passage of this bill is the culmination and fruit of much hard work by Council members, friends, and some key state representatives.

Governor James Doyle presents Gary Traynor the pen he used to sign

Gary Traynor with State Representative Kristen Dexter (D-Altoona/Eau Claire). Representative Dexter is Gary’s own representative, and she was the main author of the bill in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

The National Eye Institute, of the National Institutes of Health, has identified May 2010 as “Healthy Vision Month.”

Individuals are encouraged to take an active role in their health care.  This includes scheduling regular eye exams and using proper safety eyewear in the workplace.

According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), about 2,000 eye injuries that require medical treatment occur each day in workplaces around the country.  NEI estimates that 90% of those injuries could be prevented through the use of proper protective eyewear.

Other statistics indicate that more than 11 million Americans have uncorrected refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia.  Karen V. Majkrzak, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired, remarked, “Eye care professionals can detect these problems during a routine eye exam and prescribe corrective eyewear than can help people see their best.  That’s why the Council supports Healthy Vision Month and encourages everyone to be proactive about their eye health.”

The Council is a statewide, nonprofit agency that provides powerful tools for independence for the thousands of people of all ages in Wisconsin who are blind or visually impaired.  The organization offers one-on-one low vision exams, adaptive technology, orientation and mobility training, rehabilitation training, free white canes, the educational seminars and advocacy, and the Sharper Vision Store that contains hundreds of helpful items for managing everyday activities and recreation.

To learn more about eye exams and prevention and other related vision topics, visit www.nei.nih or www.healthyvision2010.org.   To access information about the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired, go to www.wcblind.org.

The Completed Vision Mosaic Mural

Imagine 135 artists of all ages and abilities working on a single project.  Think of all that creativity!

That’s what we celebrated with the Vision Mosaic Mural fundraiser project. The Council joined forces with Art Therapy students at Edgewood College in Madison to raise funds that will support our programs and services.

On March 19, we unveiled the assembled mosaic mural during a fundraiser reception at Oakwood Village West in Madison.  Guests were amazed and delighted by the beauty and diversity of the individual panels, many of which told a very personal story.

Visitors learned about the profession of art therapy, and many enjoyed the experience of creating a mosaic magnet under the guidance of the Edgewood College art therapy students.

For a suggested minimum donation of $20, each donor will receive one of the original artwork panels.  The project has generated more than $1,000 for the Council, and there’s still time for you to purchase a piece.

Members of Delta Gamma Sorority help out during the reception.

We’re displaying sections of the mural at the Council office until Friday, April 9, when we’ll disassemble it and begin to mail out pieces to those who made a donation.

The Council would like to express its deep appreciation to:

Members of Edgewood College Art Therapy Department posing with Oakwood Village Art Therapy Instructor

Edgewood College, Madison, WI

Nasco Art & Craft Supplies, Fort Atkinson, WI

Oakwood Village Continuing Care Retirement Communities, Madison, WI

All the people who created and contributed artwork

All those who have made a donation to support the Council

Enjoy a few images from the March 19 reception!

Call Kathi at 608-237-8111 or send an e-mail to kathi@wcblind.org if you’d like to make a contribution to support this fundraiser project.

The process of searching for just the right blend of talent and dedication to the Council’s mission is well underway. On our web site, through April 30, 2010, you can find information about the challenging and rewarding position of executive director.  Please note: we are accepting application materials via e-mail only.

For more than 55 years, the Council has existed to serve people in Wisconsin who are blind or who have low vision. Over time, the nature of that service has changed and grown.  Like Karen, the next executive director must possess the management skills, the empathy, and the dedication needed to keep the organization on the right path.

Click here to learn more about this exciting opportunity.