Each year, the month of February is recognized by several national vision health organizations as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)/Low Vision Awareness Month.

 Marshall Flax, the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired’s Certified Low Vision Specialist, wrote the article below about AMD for our publication The Council Courier. We encourage you to share it with others.

If you or someone you know has AMD, please encourage them to contact the Council at 1-800-783-5213 to learn about the October 18, 2012 macular degeneration symposium we are co-presenting with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences.

What is age-related macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older. It is a disease associated with aging that gradually destroys sharp, central vision. We need central vision to see objects clearly and to perform common daily tasks such as reading and driving.

AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. In some cases, AMD advances so slowly that people notice little change in their vision. In others, the disease progresses faster and may lead to a loss of vision in both eyes. AMD occurs in two forms: wet and dry. It causes no pain. (more…)

Perkins School for the Blind values your opinion. Can you take a few minutes to complete a survey to help us better understand the needs of educators and parents of students who are blind and visually impaired?

Survey participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of 2 free iPads to be awarded on Friday Feb. 17th. A summary report of the survey will also be given to participants if they choose.

Click here to take survey.<https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/perkins-online>

Please note that if Madison schools are closed due to inclement weather, we will also be closed.

How can caregivers enhance the safety and independence of an older adult who has a visual impairment?

Click here to learn about a free new booklet.

Becky Williams of Milwaukee died on November 7 after a long battle with breast cancer.

Becky will be remembered for her smile that could light up a room, her sense of gratitude and optimism that inspired all who met her, and the spirit of generous service that exemplified her entire life.

Always smiling and always gracious.

Becky worked in Janesville at the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped before moving to Milwaukee and joining the staff at the Badger Association of the Blind, now known as Vision Forward Association.  She served as president of the Badger Association Board of Directors, president of the Alumni Association for the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped, president of the Midwest Association for the Blind, and she was a member of the board of directors for the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired.  That is how we know Becky best.

 Becky’s connection with the Council may go back almost 20 years.  Her willingness to help with a variety of issues found her serving on numerous committees, including the Awards Committee, Scholarship Committee, Recreation Committee, Bylaws Committee, Advocacy Committee, and Newsletter Committee. She accepted leadership roles as Council Secretary and Vice-President, and she traveled in all kinds of weather throughout the year to attend and support Council-sponsored events and programs. (more…)

Computer accessibility helps you connect with people and resources.

Stay connected with friends, family and important resources.  This FREE class for older adults who are visually impaired meets once a week for six weeks, from 10 a.m. to Noon, at the Madison Senior Center on Mifflin Street.                                                        

Topics cover: accessibility options on Windows-based PCs, low vision software, voice recognition software, applications to Internet and e-mail, and use of Skype.  At the conclusion of the series, participants will receive a large-print manual and a high-contrast keyboard.  Optional home visits can be scheduled to transfer classroom skills to home computers. 

This training is presented by technology staff at the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired. 

Class limit: 12 participants.  Registration is required and begins January 23, 2012. 

Transportation assistance may be available.  Call Jean at 237-8106 or e-mail: jkalscheur@wcblind.org. 

This program is made possible by a grant from the Universal Service Fund of the Public Service Commission.

Please help us by telling others about this learning opportunity.

 At a recent awards and scholarships luncheon in Madison, the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired recognized individuals and organizations that have made a difference in the lives of people with changing vision.

 EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

 The UW School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) received the Council’s Employer of the Year Award

Bob Golden accepts the award on behalf of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.

for providing assistance to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.  The school provides special equipment and enables visual describers to accompany a medical student from classes to the operating room, making modifications to augment his or her studies and improve opportunities for personal success.

 The award also recognizes the UW School of Medicine and Public Health as home of the UW Eye Research Institute, a multidisciplinary community of scholars working to gain critical knowledge about the science and art of vision and apply it to blindness prevention as they advance research and treatment.  SMPH also provides speakers for the Progress in Sight symposium on age-related macular degeneration– a collaborative event co-sponsored by the UW Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired.

 LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

 The Council presented its Legislator of the Year Award to Joe Knilans, State Assembly member, Republican, 44^th district, from Janesville. The award recognizes Knilans for his leadership as the main sponsor of AB 322, the Instructional Materials Accessibility Act of Wisconsin. 

Rep. Knilans humbly and graciously accepts his award.

 This legislation will require publishers to provide disabled post-secondary students, including returning veterans, with accessible textbooks.  Council President Chris Zenchenko commented, “Representative Knilans’ leadership in this bill’s passage will have enormous long-term employment implications for our community’s success in the years ahead.”  Accepting the award, Rep. Knilans said, “This award will sit on my desk at the Capitol, and I look forward to explaining to people why I received it.”  Knilans also represents the district in which the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped is located. (more…)

Each year, the Council provides scholarships to support blind and visually impaired students who want to enhance their education and achieve their professional goals and dreams.

Applicants must reside in Wisconsin when applying for a Council scholarship, and they need to attend a school in the state.  They must also be high school graduates or returning students, carrying a full load of classes as defined by the institution they will attend, and have an accumulated GPA of at least 2.5.  Part-time students must verify their courses and schedules.  All applicants must have identified goals for the future, including eventual employment.

During our November 19 Awards and Scholarship Luncheon, we presented nine $1,500 scholarships to an amazing and inspiring group of young people.

This year’s recipients are:

Margaret Fitzwilliams, Verona, Madison College, Major: Judicial Reporting
Andrew Ollmann, Kohler, St. Norbert College, Major: Religious StudiesYouth Ministry
Zeynep Yilmaz, Madison, UW-Madison, Major: Psychology
Blair Seidlitz, Greenfield, UW-Madison, Major: Engineering Physics
Katherine Watson, Sauk City, UW-Whitewater, Major: Print Journalism
Mitchell Sween, Delevan, UW-Whitewater, Major: Biology
Richard Warner, Jr., Milwaukee, UW-Madison, Major: Chinese
Valarie Pufall Masanz, Mosinee, UW-Stout, Major: Physiology
Yea Ji Kim, Madison, UW-Madison, Major: Piano Performance and Pedagogy (more…)

Ever wonder what we do or how we have “touched” people’s lives?  See what people are saying here.  Read about Jodi here.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common and debilitating complications of diabetes. Approximately 30 percent of U.S. adults age 40 and older with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy.

During National Diabetes Month, the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, is encouraging people with diabetes to get annual dilated eye exams and take steps to avoid vision loss.

Learn more at www.nei.nih.gov/diabetes and please share this resource with others.