The Council Courier

APRIL 2011

VOLUME 24, NUMBER 1

WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND

& VISUALLY IMPAIRED, INC.

Contact information

800-783-5213 (Outside Madison)

608-255-1166 (Madison area)

608-237-8100 Direct Line, Sharper Vision Store

FAX: 608-255-3301

www.wcblind.org

Incorporated under laws of Wisconsin in November 1952, the Council is directed by nineteen volunteer delegates: eleven are appointed by five organizations representing people who are blind; four delegates-at-large are elected by blind people throughout the state; four are appointed by the Council.

The Council is a strong voice for blind citizens of Wisconsin. Its mission is to promote the dignity and independence of people in Wisconsin who are blind and visually impaired by providing services, advocating legislation and educating the general public. The Council is funded through proceeds of endowments established through bequests, grants, private gifts from individuals and corporations, and the White Cane Fund campaign.

 

Council Courier

Becky Williams, Editor

Kathi Koegle, Managing Editor

Nona Graves, Copy Editor (braille)

Kathy Brockman, Proofreader (print)

Karen Perzentka, Proofreader (braille)

Glen Schroeder, CD Duplicator

Judith Rasmussen, Braille Transcriber

Newsletter Committee

Nona Graves

Bruce Parkinson

Rhonda Staats

Chris Zenchenko

Editor’s Note: Are you receiving multiple copies of the Courier unnecessarily? If so, please feel free to let us know. Call Ray at 608-237-8104, and we’ll make sure you get only one copy of the Courier.

If your media preference has changed, and you wish to receive future issues of the Courier in a different format, please use the form on the back of this newsletter or call Ray.

Do you have a friend, family member, or neighbor who would like to be on our mailing list? Please have them contact us by phone, e-mail, or through the mail. We’re happy to help!

We welcome story ideas you’d like us to consider for future issues. Call Kathi at 608-237-8111 or send an e-mail to: kathi@wcblind.org to share your suggestions.

A Message from the President

By Chris Zenchenko

The Council begins 2011 with a sense of hope and, as with any new year, plans and more plans.

In recent years, we identified several key goals for our organization. At the Council’s first quarterly meeting in January, we revisited these and considered how we would rank their importance for 2011. All of these goals are important, and with limited resources, we must prioritize. Council members identified the top two goals for this year: growth, outreach and statewide expansion, plus fund development.

You will meet Debby Anderson Meyer, our new fund development director, elsewhere in this issue of the Courier. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and we are looking forward to developing unique and innovative ways to make sure the Council is around for many years, providing the service and support for which we have become known.

Telling our story in as many ways as possible and in as many places as possible creates interest and new friends. As I write this, it has never been more clear just how important friends and support are. Traditional systems of assistance through long-established programs are under threat. The public and the media observe the spectacle taking place at the Capitol, and, regrettably, the good that comes from public programs is forgotten.

We affirm our commitment to the Council’s mission, and we understand that the need for our services, programs and advocacy will only increase as our population ages. Expanding statewide awareness of our organization and increasing funding resources will guide our activities and efforts this year.

I understand that many people are concerned with other critical issues that are also part of the Council’s plans and goals. Employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired continue to fall far behind that of other minority and disability groups. We will always remember the importance of independence for our stakeholders, and we will be mindful that our efforts continue to address this critical need. This is one of our major goals; however, we cannot achieve this without the respect and understanding generated by reaching out to new friends and supporting existing relationships.

I look forward to great progress for the Council in the year ahead, and I ask each of you to support us in whatever way you are able.

From the Executive Director

By Loretta A. Himmelsbach

As I write this message, I am reading segments of current legislative bills, being asked for my opinion on various aspects of them, or fielding requests from others who want me to sign numerous petitions. I’ve been invited to several sessions to review the Governor’s budget. I’ve listened to rumors and truths. I’ve read numerous e-mails surrounding the latest activities and events at the Capitol.

I am reminded of what our founders had in mind when they created the Wisconsin Council of the Blind. Their initial goal was to advocate legislatively for people in Wisconsin who were blind or visually impaired. Nearly 60 years ago, George Card envisioned a Council that would have impact and influence for people with vision loss; however, 60 years ago, advocacy moved at a little slower rate, with only telephones and postal mail available to the myriad of constituents. Today, with e-mails, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, not to mention a variety of websites, YouTube postings and blogs, opinions and news travel at lightning-quick speed.

I wonder what our original organizers would have thought. Would they be there with the flash mobs, singing, or would they be rallying outside? Would they be circulating petitions, or would they be working behind the scenes? What role did their advocacy play?

As history unfolds this year, the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired continues its legacy, not only through legislative advocacy, but also by promoting the dignity and independence of the people in Wisconsin who are blind and visually impaired by providing services and educating the general public. It gives us all pause to think. Did George Card envision what we have become? How about you? What do we look like as we approach our 60th anniversary next year? What will we celebrate? How will we celebrate?

We would like to hear from you. How has the Council impacted your life? How has your life changed because of the Council? How would you like to celebrate a 60th anniversary? How can we make any celebration(s) intergenerational? Which collaborating organizations should be involved with our celebrations? How can we best showcase all the great things the Council has accomplished over the past 60 years? How can we involve YOU?

We would love to hear your stories and receive your ideas for next year. Please send them to Kathi Koegle; kathi@wcblind.org; 608-237-8111. We’ll begin planning for 2012 this summer, and we will post your stories on our website as we begin to celebrate our 60th. Come celebrate with us and enjoy your legacy!

2010 Program Statistics

The Council is committed to providing services for better living for people in Wisconsin who are blind or visually impaired. How did we do in 2010? The summary below helps answer that question.

11,433 The number of people served by the Council in 2010

3,060 The number of customers in our Sharper Vision Store

1,088 People who received computer technology training or advice

355 Number of rehabilitation training home visits

6,192 People who attended Council-sponsored seminars, programs and presentations

561 White Canes distributed throughout Wisconsin

146 Low vision evaluations administered

31 Clients who received orientation and mobility training

406 Hours spent on direct and indirect advocacy on behalf of the blind and visually impaired

2,928 Volunteer hours donated by our friends and supporters special events, mailings, 

meetings, publications, committee work, and outreach

49,596 Miles logged by Council members and staff for programs, services and advocacy

640,311 Number of web site “hits”

Continued Council Advocacy Efforts

By Rhonda Staats

We are living in interesting times in Wisconsin!

Each of us understands that Wisconsin is facing a deficit of several billion dollars. We also know that Governor Walker plans to address the current Fiscal Year 2011 deficit with his Budget Repair Bill, SSSB 11. In addition, a biennial budget for Fiscal Year 2012/13 needs to be passed by the usual July 1 deadline.

A large number of new legislators began their term on January 3, when the Assembly and Senate members were sworn in. These current factors provide significant opportunities for us to contact our new and continuing legislators to educate and advocate for programs important to us. We are a small subgroup, as far as Wisconsin’s citizen interest groups go. Consequently, it is very important to contact our legislators personally and let them know about the programs and services we value, and why it is necessary to keep current funding mechanisms in place in any budget deliberations.

Here are key issues that are at stake for us:

Transportation. Since we can’t drive, we rely on public fixed route or paratransit public transportation to get to work, medical appointments, church, and social events. We rely on tax-payer funded transportation to maintain our independence. Governor Walker has made it clear that he does not value or prioritize public transportation. If we lose both state and federal funding for mass transit, both fixed route and paratransit for people who are elderly and/or disabled will be greatly affected and curtailed. If too much funding is lost, service will have to be cut back, and some systems may have to close.

Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Did you know that the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library, as well as Newsline, are funded through a contract from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction? Imagine our lives if we could not depend on the talking books we receive through the mail! If this contract is significantly reduced or eliminated from DPI’s budget, these services will be significantly restricted or terminated.

A second DPI program that is important to people who are blind or visually impaired is the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WSVH) and its K-12 outreach and services. We need a guarantee that students with low or no vision have educational opportunities that are equal to their sighted peers. Services to school-age children may be jeopardized if the Wisconsin DPI has to absorb significant budget cuts.

Department of Health Services (DHS). The Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired (OBVI) is housed in the Department of Health Services. OBVI assists people with significantly-changing vision by providing rehabilitation training as well as orientation and mobility. OBVI staff provide an extremely cost-effective and important service to people in Wisconsin over age 55 who are experiencing vision loss. There needs to be sufficient funding in the DHS budget to maintain this office at its current funding level so that OBVI may continue to serve people with vision loss.

The Department of Health Services also funds and supports several medical programs. Many Wisconsin residents rely on these for their basic medical care.

If you believe that any or all of these programs and services are important and need to be continued, please contact your local Wisconsin Senators and Assemblymen. There are more than 30 new legislators this year, and they may not be familiar with these programs and services. They may not realize how important they are to us as we seek to remain socially active and independent in our homes and communities. If we are not able to raise awareness about the importance of these programs, legislators may decide to cut funding from services that they believe may be used by only a small segment of Wisconsin residents. We must all be responsible to inform state lawmakers about our priority issues so that our voice is heard.

Each legislator has his/her own e-mail address and phone number. You may call them at their Capitol offices in Madison, or their offices in their local districts. You can find contact information for each legislator on the Council’s web site at www.wcblind.org. If you don’t know the name of your local Assemblyman or Senator, contact your local library or AARP chapter.

We will have a far better chance of maintaining our state services if we work together and take this opportunity to educate and inform our state lawmakers. And, it never hurts to write directly to Governor Walker to express your views!

Meet Debby Anderson Meyer

By Bruce Parkinson

The newest employee in the Council offices is Debby Anderson Meyer. Debby came on board in January as Fund Development Director. It will be her job to seek out sources of money to help fund the Council’s ongoing programs and services.

Debby grew up in Delano, Minnesota, a small town just west of the Twin Cities. She admits to having been a Viking fan when she was young, but since moving to Wisconsin in 1987, she has become a Packer backer.

Debby’s educational and career background includes a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer education from Mankato State University, and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She has served as a campus worker for Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, a college admissions counselor, and a grant administrator in both the State Departments of Administration and Justice. For the last eight years, Debby worked for the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign as its outreach and development director. Debby also found time to be a stay-at-home Mom when her three sons were preschoolers. In her spare time, Debby is a quilter, a reader, a gardener, a biker, and an Ultimate Frisbee player. For her, Ultimate Frisbee is a challenge, since she has monocular vision. Having sight in only one eye makes the game difficult, but Debby likes to “push the envelope” to see what she can and can’t do. She feels a personal connection to the Council’s mission because of her own vision impairment. Debby’s husband has early-onset glaucoma, which deepens this sentiment.

In the next 20 years, Debby believes that the Council will find itself serving people who will say, “But, I’m not blind.” Helping folks recognize that they have new vision challenges and providing resources to address them will be part of the Council’s work. The challenge will be to move folks beyond denial to opportunity.

Grant Awards Help Council Expand Services

By Debby Anderson Meyer and Judy Nolde

We are grateful for the support of foundations that are helping the Council reach out to more people who are blind and visually impaired. With their gifts, we have been able to expand services, help educate communities and support the growing work of docuScan. These new partnerships also strengthen our mission to promote the dignity and independence of all who are blind and visually impaired.

The Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission, with additional funds from the Overture Foundation and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation, awarded the Council a $3,000 grant for its project, “Creative Expressions from Inner Vision.” This is a collaborative project of the Madison Metropolitan School District, Edgewood College and the Council that lifts up the work of three blind and visually impaired artists and encourages students with vision impairments to engage in the arts.

At the heart of the project are two activities. First, the Madison School District’s Vision Program will hold a Vision Potluck on April 7. During the event, the three participating artists will share and speak about their work, and Edgewood College art therapy students will facilitate an art activity with visually impaired students and their families. Second, the Council will host an artists’ opening reception and public presentation on May 6. Guests will be able to enjoy an exhibit created by the three adult artists and visually impaired students from the Madison schools.

An anonymous foundation awarded the Council a $7,000 grant to provide low vision evaluations, rehabilitation services and free assistive devices to people in Iowa County and Southwestern Wisconsin.  The Courtier Foundation provided us with a similar grant of $1,000 that focuses on serving blind and visually impaired, low-income elderly in rural Dane County.

 A $1,000 grant from the Endres Manufacturing Foundation offers program support for docuScan. An additional gift for docuScan comes from the Madison Gas & Electric Foundation. Their generous grant of $5,525 will enable docuScan to purchase a small scanner to provide the convenience of scanning services at client locations.

We also appreciate the support of Subzero Foundation, H.J. Hagge Foundation, the Hartshorn Charitable Trust, the Stateline Community Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin  (DUWI Fund).

Grants from all these foundations help the Council make a visible difference and a lasting impact in the lives of people in Wisconsin who are blind or visually impaired.

Make Those Good Grades Pay!

By Becky Williams

Student life today is far from cheap, so it’s never too early to begin working toward a scholarship from the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Last year, several full-time students received as much as $1,500 each, and part-time or technical college students up to $1,000.

All scholarship programs have certain rules and guidelines. You can find ours at www.wcblind.org. You may also contact the Council office at 1-800-783-5213 to request an application kit.

Here’s an overview of what you’ll need to tell us: your grade point average, field of study, and information about your visual impairment. We’ll need letters of reference plus a copy of your transcripts. We’re interested in learning about your extra-curricular activities and future employment plans. Everything is clearly defined in the application, and we urge you to pay particular attention to the importance of providing all the required information on time.

We announce and present this year’s scholarships at a special event on Saturday, November 19, in Madison. Why not be one of the lucky students who joins us?

Falls and Older Adults

By Jean Kalscheur

Each year, about one-third of people over the age of 65 fall. Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls, and falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries in older adults. Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear can limit activities and movement and lead to decreased physical activity, which in turn, increases the risk of falling.

But, take heart! You can prevent many falls. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend four actions to take:

• Begin a regular exercise program. It’s important that exercises focus on increasing leg strength and improving balance. Find an enjoyable exercise routine. For example, research has demonstrated that Tai Chi exercises can improve balance and decrease falls. To find out about falls prevention programs in your community, contact your physician, a physical therapist, the local Senior Center, or the Aging and Disability Resource Center.
• Review medicines with a health care provider. Some medicines or combinations of medicines can reduce mental alertness and worsen balance. Have a conversation with your doctor or pharmacist and review all prescribed and over-the-counter medicines to reduce side effects or interactions that may cause dizziness or drowsiness.
• Make your home safer. About half of all falls occur at home. Common fall hazards include tripping over objects on the floor, poor lighting, loose rugs, lack of grab bars, and unsteady furniture. Two home safety checklists that can identify hazards and suggest safer alternatives are the “AARP Home Fit Guide” and the CDC “Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults.” You can find this information on the Internet. Request a home safety evaluation from a vision rehabilitation specialist or occupational therapist.
• Have your vision checked once a year. Become aware of typical, age-related vision changes that can contribute to falls. These include decreased depth perception, increased sensitivity to glare, increased time needed to adjust to dark-light changes, and increased lighting requirements. These changes can limit your ability to negotiate the environment safely. Eye disease can increase the risk of falls. Older persons with low vision are about twice as likely to fall. When vision is poor, it is especially important to take action to compensate for vision loss by improving balance, reducing drug side effects and learning strategies to move safely throughout your home.

Falls prevention works. If you are an older adult, is it time to take preventative action and reduce your risk of a fall?

Council News and Notes

By Kathi Koegle

Bye, bye, Betsy

When life calls us in a new direction, it can feel both exhilarating and sad because we are leaving the familiar and charting unknown paths. Betsy Gruba, our Director of Technology, left the Council in late February to pursue a variety of professional opportunities.

Betsy joined the staff in May 2002. She was responsible for maintaining the Council’s website and data management systems, as well as supporting the staff’s technology needs. She offered technical help to computer users who are blind or visually impaired by conducting technology evaluations and providing personalized computer training. In May 2008, Betsy received “Venus,” a 48-pound, 20-inch tall, black lab dog guide from Guide Dogs for the Blind in Boring, Oregon. Venus became a much-loved member of our staff.

We wish Betsy much success and happiness, and we thank her for the positive impact she had on so many lives!

Williamson Street construction update

Major reconstruction and resurfacing of Williamson Street, where the Council is located, is scheduled to begin on April 11. During most of the summer, Williamson Street will become a gravel, single-lane, one-way street. Traffic will be west, or inbound. The project extends into October or November. Updates are available at http://cityofmadison.com/engineering/williamson. Our offices, including the Sharper Vision Store, are open and eager to welcome you throughout the road work. Find additional details about accessing our parking lot and building at www.wcblind.org.

Interested in pottery?

The Council recently learned that a Madison-area pottery instructor is interested in teaching this craft to a small group of people who are blind or visually impaired. If you are interested in learning more, please visit www.wcblind.org or call Judith at the Council, 608-255-1166.

Send us your story ideas!

We would like Courier articles to be informative, uplifting and valuable to you. We welcome your story ideas and overall content recommendations. Send your suggestions to Kathi Koegle at kathi@wcblind.org. Thank you!

Scholarship resources

Each year, the Council awards scholarships for students in college and vocational/community school programs to help them pursue their educational goals and dreams.

We recently learned about these additional resources:

www.chairscholars.org/scholarships.html

www.fastweb.com

www.absolutelyscholarships.com

www.brokescholar.com

www.collegeboard.com

www.fastaid.com

www.freschinfo.com

www.scholarship-page.com

www.wiredscholar.com

www.acb.org

www.nfb.org

Check out the Federal Student Aid Website at http://studentaid.ed.gov to find out how you can make higher education affordable.

Resource for veterans with vision loss

The Council encourages veterans with vision loss to contact the Blinded Veterans Association of Wisconsin (BVAWI). An organization of blinded veterans helping other blinded veterans, BVA offers service programs, regional groups, resources, and advocacy before the legislative and executive branches of government. They work to help make life better for blinded veterans and to offer encouragement and support. There is no charge for BVA services, and membership is not a prerequisite to obtain help. Visually impaired veterans are also eligible for BVA’s assistance, whether their sight loss is service connected or not. To learn more, contact BVAWI President Gary Traynor at 715-864-1900 or gstraynor@aol.com.

Wisconsin Lions Camp— Through statewide support from Lions, Lioness and Leo Clubs, summer camp programs are available at no charge. Blind and visually impaired children ages six to seventeen are eligible if they require attendance in a special class or school for the blind or visually impaired. They are also eligible if they have vision in one eye or require special aids, instruction or services, even if they’re not using them now.

There are two separate adult resort programs for people ages 18 and over who are blind or visually impaired. Summer camp programs and activities take place at the Wisconsin Lions Camp Retreat and Conference Center in Rosholt. Call 715-677-4969 or visit www.wisconsinlionscamp.com.

Council Celebrates the Creative Spirit!

When people lose their sight, or if their sight becomes greatly diminished, they tend to give up on creative ventures. Many times in low vision support groups we hear, “Well, I used to knit” or “I made candy when I could see.”

Vision impairment is no reason to stop being creative or to abandon the activities that make us feel happy and proud. Items like the socks that are made for a spouse or the necklace created for a daughter are all within reach of the visually impaired.

As part of the Council’s mission to promote the independence and dignity of people who are blind or visually impaired, the Sharper Vision Store will be featuring juried items designed by visually impaired artists. They will be available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the Council’s programs and services.

The first featured artist is Betsy Gruba. Betsy’s beautiful, original, handmade jewelry is currently on display and available for sale. Using stone, pearl, crystal and acrylic components, she has taken “Bling” to a whole new level! Please stop by and check out these beautiful pieces.

If you are visually impaired and interested in displaying your hand-crafted items, please contact Barbara Weiss at bweiss@wcblind.org or call her at 608-237-8115. She can provide more information and an application form for consideration. Visit www.wcblind.org to learn about new displays.

Calendar of upcoming events

May 6 Opening artists’ reception for “Creative Expressions from Inner Vision” at Council offices

May 6 – July 1 “Creative Expressions from Inner Vision” art exhibit at the Council

May 14 “Everyone Sees Differently” Grant-related program for Girl Scouts

           Badger Association of the Blind &Visually Impaired, Milwaukee

June 25 Third quarter Council meeting

November 18-19 Fourth quarter Council meetings

November 19 Annual Awards and Scholarships Luncheon

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