VOLUME 21, NUMBER 2
WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED, INC.
Incorporated under laws of Wisconsin in November 1952, the Council is directed by 19 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 bequest grants, private gifts from individuals and corporations, and the White Cane Fund campaign.
AUGUST 2008
Council Courier
Nona Graves, Editor
Kathi Koegle, Managing Editor
Becky Williams, Copyeditor
Kathy Brockman, Proofreader (print)
Karen Perzentka, Proofreader (Braille)
Ann (Schroeder) Salazar, Braille & Cassette Coordinator
Newsletter Committee
Sarah Heesen
Bruce Parkinson
Rhonda Staats
Amy Snow
Editor’s Note: Are you receiving multiple copies of the Courier unnecessarily? If so, please feel free to let us know. Call Kathi at
608-237-8111, and we’ll make sure you get only one copy of the Courier.
Table of Contents
A Message from the Executive Director
Council Programs Reach Across the State
Perspectives on my Summer Internship
Sharper Vision Store Features Quality Products
How Much is the Old Thing Worth?
A Message from the President
By Chris Zenchenko
This issue of the Courier includes a ballot for electing four Council members. While it comes at a time when politics and elections may be the last thing you want to think about, the Council and our staff will be thinking about them most of the time for the next few months. When times get hard, people with disabilities seem to be forgotten or removed from consideration as budgets and services are slashed. Everyone will be working hard to make sure our issues remain front and center.
Two of our favorite issues are more and better public transportation and the National Library’s Talking Book Program.
It is difficult to argue with improving access to transportation as we see gas prices steadily increase. Even if you drive everywhere, it is likely you know someone in your family who can't. Transportation options should concern you and them. There was a time when a bus or train served almost every town in Wisconsin and other states. Now it is hard to find service between even our biggest towns and cities. Consequently, travel can be inconvenient and time consuming.
With the new digital talking book and magazine service from the National Library Service, blind and low vision people could have something to read as they wait for the bus. This new digital program is a replacement for the bulky—and usually broken—cassettes on which books and magazines are currently recorded. A small digital player the size of a cell phone plays the new material, and everyone who has tried the digital service has found it incredible. Congress is considering funding that would speed up the conversion.
There are, of course, many other important issues at stake during the upcoming elections. I hope each and every one of you gets out there, asks the right questions, and then votes your conscience.
A Message from the Executive Director
By Karen V. Majkrzak
This is an exciting year….and we look forward to a very busy fall with events connected to our strategic vision initiatives. You will see the details of dates and times in the Calendar of Upcoming Events in this issue, but I want to give you a little more information and encourage you to attend if possible!
White Cane Safety and Awareness Walk in Madison. October 11
We encourage groups to come to Madison and join in the fun. We will have displays, refreshments, mobility demonstrations and t-shirts for those registered to walk. We expect to have a “quiet car” or two so we can actually experience what they sound like…. or more to the point, what they DON’T sound like. As you know, these new vehicles present serious challenges to blind and visually impaired individuals for safe street crossing. Sighted individuals will have the option of walking the .5-mile route blindfolded with a sighted guide, or possibly using the vision
simulators (also with a sighted guide). Our goal is to have very good attendance, attract media attention and educate the public. Please join us and invite your friends!
Progress in Sight VII – Macular Degeneration Symposium. October 14
This large regional conference is a must for anyone who has Macular Degeneration or is a concerned family member of someone who has this vision impairment. We co-sponsor this event with the UW Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Services. You won’t want to miss it. We will have the Sharper Vision Store there, and your only cost is the box lunch.
Registration is required—we will be ready for your calls by the time you read this. New this year: a breakout workshop for professionals who work with older adults. This will be led by Marshall Flax of the Council and our friend, Don Golembiewski, of Hadley School for the Blind. There will be a separate registration for this workshop. Please call the office for more information.
Candidate Forums. October 15, 16, 17 in three areas of the state.
In our continuing effort to raise awareness and educate the public, we are taking advantage of this election season to host these events which are new for the Council. Candidates of both parties will be invited to attend and respond to questions of interest and concern for two groups: individuals who are blind and visually impaired and older adults and senior service providers. We all know there are many issues that intersect. See which event is closest to you, invite your friends, and participate in a vital process!
Save the Date! The Council will hold its Annual Awards and Scholarship Dinner on Saturday, November 8, 2008 in Stevens Point. Please save the date and plan on joining us for an inspiring and fun evening. The updated 2008 Scholarship Applications will be posted to our web site by August 15.
As always, please call me directly at 608-237-8103 to give me your feedback, new ideas, invitations to events or anything else! I always enjoy
hearing from you!
The Council at the Capitol Legislative Day 2008
By Rhonda Staats
On Wednesday, May 28, the Wisconsin Council of the Blind &Visually Impaired held its 2008 Legislative Day. Karen Majkrzak, Gary Goyke, members of the Legislative Committee, and additional Council members and friends gathered at the State Capitol for a day-long exploration and discussion around key issues that affect the dignity and well-being of Wisconsin citizens who are blind or visually impaired.
Quiet Cars—We have all heard or read stories about pedestrians or bike riders who have been surprised and/or injured by quiet cars. Consequently, we invited Mary Ann Gerard, Legal Counsel for the Wisconsin Association of Automobile and Truck Dealers, to discuss our safety concerns regarding vehicles that don’t make noise.
We discussed the merits of adding a noise factor to hybrid or electric cars versus placing devices in those vehicles to alert pedestrians and cyclists to their presence. This second option would require pedestrians to wear or carry a receiver device that would deliver an alert to the location of quiet cars. To be most effective, any alert mechanism needs to be directional.
Currently, there is movement supported by the ACB and NFB toward national legislation that would address safety concerns posed by quiet cars. Letters advocating some type of remediation have been sent to the six largest automobile manufacturers. On the evening of May 28, Madison’s Channel 27 News interviewed Council President Chris Zenchenko about issues related to this topic.
Wisconsin’s Instructional Materials Access Bill—This legislation, sponsored by Representative Donna Seidell and Senator Carol Roessler, died with the end of the 2007-08 session. It mandated that colleges and universities make their materials available to print disabled students in a timely manner. It also authorized the development of a textbook repository of alternative format text materials. Mike Wagner, from Senator Roessler’s office, and Natalie Verette, from Representative Seidell’s office, met with us to bring forward strategies that support the re-introduction of this legislation in January 2009.
Advocacy for the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of Wisconsin (RSVW)/Business Enterprise Program (BEP)—Kent Walser presented a brief history of the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Program that employs the greatest number of people nationwide who are blind/visually impaired.
State funding challenges are ongoing, during a time when the program needs to expand to accommodate those certified through NTC, and to explore the feasibility of adopting additional business models. It was suggested that we sponsor a legislative day event to educate lawmakers on the importance, benefits, and economic impact of the BEP, along with the need to garner the greatest amount of matching funds to adequately support the program. Toward this end, we may bring a work group together to identify the outcomes we want for BEP, and why they are beneficial, and to create a cogent one-page document with talking points we can use whenever we are advocating for the expansion and continued success of the Business Enterprise Program.
Our lunchtime speaker was State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass. Since her election in 2006, she has made it a priority to visit all 72 Wisconsin counties each year to inform citizens of the functions and activities of her office. Ms. Sass is serious about returning unclaimed funds and property to Wisconsin citizens. If you have questions about this process, call 608-266-1714.
Minority Status—We invited Tracy Kuczinski, Drafting Attorney for the Legislative Reference Bureau, to meet with us to discuss how best to include people who are blind/visually impaired as a minority status category to help procure state contracts.
By current law, 5% of state contracts need to be awarded to businesses that have demonstrated minority status. (To date, this 5% threshold has not been met.) To be considered for minority status, businesses must be based in Wisconsin, must be owned, managed, or controlled by persons with the minority classification and must perform a useful business function. When applying for state contracts, such businesses must report their minority status to the Department of Administration.
We discussed the relative merits of amending current minority status legislation to include people who are blind or visually impaired.
The last item on our Legislative Day agenda was the definition of service animals. There has been some controversy regarding the exact definition of a service animal following the passage of Casey’s Law in 2006. This legislation offers protection to guide dogs and other service animals. Representative Berceau and Senator Risser would like all groups with an interest in service animals to reach a consensus on a workable definition and identification criteria.
At the conclusion of our Legislative Day activities, Council volunteers hand delivered information packets to all 132 Assembly and Senate offices.
As you can see, those of us who participated in the 2008 Legislative Day had a full and productive schedule. As always, we wish to thank Karen Majkrzak for promoting an environment that supports the Council’s legislative advocacy and Gary Goyke for arranging the event, making his many contacts available and sharing insights into the legislative arena!
Council Programs Reach Across the State
By Bruce Parkinson
The Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired presented its 6th Annual Philanthropy Day Awards Program on Friday, May 16, at the Northwoods Supper Club in Fifield, Wisconsin, during a noon luncheon ceremony.
In the morning, Council members and staff featured the seminar “Aging and vision loss: Finding powerful tools for independence.” The program included a presentation by Ms. Sherry Ashby, R.N. and Mr. Arnold Tucker, R. Ph, on “Fighting back: Winning the battle against diabetes.” There was also a panel presentation by Council members that discussed coping with vision loss from a variety of perspectives. Morning activities also included short presentations about Council programs and services. Sixty-four people attended the morning seminar.
The luncheon portion of the day included awards and recognitions. Recipients included: Bay Area Transit, Ashland, Wisconsin, for outstanding transportation services; Northern Area Agency on Aging, Inc., for outstanding community service; Rep. Steve Wieckert (R-Appleton), for outstanding public service; and Mr. Arnold Tucker, Park Falls, Lifetime Achievement Award.
Council Executive Director Karen Majkrzak best summed up the day, ’’Our Northern Wisconsin Philanthropy Day pays tribute to the many contributions these wonderful organizations and individuals have made to our lives and our great state.”
On June 27, the Council partnered with Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Northern Michigan, Inc. to present “Vision loss: Finding powerful tools for independence.” The seminar, held at Liberty Hall Banquet and Conference Center in Kimberly, served the Appleton and Fox Cities area as well as the greater East Central Wisconsin region.
After introductory remarks, Council Low Vision Specialist Marshall Flax delivered the presentation “Ten ways to thrive with low vision.” A panel presentation led by five members of the Council addressed the topic of “Coping with vision loss.” Their perspectives ranged from total blindness from birth, to vision impairment from birth, and recent vision loss in adulthood.
The luncheon featured video remarks from Congressman Steve Kagen,
M.D., and Mrs. Kagen followed by Dr. Linda Brousard-Norcross. She spoke about genetics, genealogy and vision loss from her personal perspective.
After this presentation, participants chose to attend one of three breakout sessions: “New concepts and treatment in the management of diabetes,” “Families coping with vision loss and the value of support groups,” and “Recreation for blind and visually impaired individuals.”
This full-day seminar was very successful. It was attended by 182 people from the Fox Valley and from as far away as the Lakeshore area.
The Council would like to thank Lutheran Social Services for partnering with us on this very special event. This collaboration surely contributed to its success!
Vision to Change: Grants Bring Ideas to Life
By Mercedes Reed, Outreach and Development Intern
“When a grant is written, it brings forward change,” says Grant Coordinator Melanie McIntosh. “It allows an organization to focus on innovation and make an idea come to life.”
According to Melanie, grant writing is all about a dream to change. It starts with an idea someone has to make a difference and then running with it. “If the Council or a staff person has a vision for a new way to assist people and I’m able to help, that’s the best; to build an internal team. Grant writing is similar to project coordination—taking a new idea and finding support for it, inside the organization and out.”
Currently the Council has experienced good success receiving grants from all over the community and for many different projects.
The Accessible Web Site 101 Workshop series, which teaches Dane County nonprofits and businesses how to make their web sites accessible to the blind and visually impaired, was funded by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC is a state agency whose mission is to ensure that all people have access to telecommunication. In addition, the Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation, a corporate charity led by the company’s employees, provided grant monies to help make this dream
a reality.
The Youth Transitions Program featured a three-day workshop for teenage school students who are visually impaired. Designed to help them make a successful transition to high school and beyond, the program included role models, discussion groups, as well as experiential learning in public places, schools and restaurants. We are grateful to the Madison Rotary Foundation for funding this program.
As Melanie described her grant writing work for the Council, she maintained a sense of excitement, and there was a sparkle in her eyes.
With a strong background in social work for nonprofit and governmental organizations, Melanie possesses a passion for helping a wide variety of people in need. She considers grant writing a powerful tool for fostering change, one step at a time.
Grant Funds Fred
By Kathi Koegle, Council Staff
The Council recently received funding from the Public Service Commission and the Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation in support of the Accessible Web Sites 101 program.
As part of the grant budget, a grant-funded part-time technology assistant position was created. Enter our new staff person Fred Gluck!
Fred brings a wealth of experience in web design and network management. Before relocating from Vermont to Wisconsin, Fred worked for the Vermont Country Store, a catalog company. He put their entire catalog online and built their online store. In addition to this background, Fred has developed strong database management and networking skills.
He will work closely with director of technology Betsy Gruba who can’t seem to wipe the smile of delight from her face.
Welcome, Fred!
Perspectives on my Summer Internship
By Mercedes Reed
I’ve always felt a fulfilling sense of satisfaction when my hard work helps a worthy cause.
I enjoy helping the community that surrounds me. My experience has included participation in high school and college fundraisers and other philanthropic events. As the outreach and development intern at the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, I value the opportunity to explore the world of non-profits on a whole new level.
My relationship with the Council began through my sorority, Delta Gamma. Our national foundation, Service for Sight, has a mission to promote sight preservation and assistance to children and adults who are blind and visually impaired. As vice president of the foundation for a year, I had the joy of working closely with the Council to create volunteer opportunities for the ladies of Delta Gamma. This included helping at a charity golf outing, the Council’s 55th anniversary celebration, and the annual community open house and artist reception.
In my work with the Council, I have learned about all the wonderful things we are doing in the community, for both the visually impaired and the sighted. The White Cane Safety and Awareness Walk, the Accessible Web Sites 101 Workshop, and Old Stuff at the Bluff Antique Appraisal and Sale—all these programs and events support the visually impaired community and create awareness and education. I feel honored to be a part of these efforts and to have the opportunity to add my own ideas and energy.
On a personal note, I am entering my senior year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a major in Consumer Science. I also spend time working as a coordinator of a student organization called Adventure Learning Programs (ALPs) that helps develop group awareness through experiential education. On the weekends, I like to play Ultimate Frisbee, watch movies and participate in the student life in downtown Madison.
Sharper Vision Store Features Quality Products, Great Service and Reasonable Prices
By Gary Traynor
As a patron of the Sharper Vision store, I would like to express my satisfaction and gratitude for a recent Hamilton Beach microwave purchase.
I had been looking all over the Eau Claire area, calling every business that sells appliances, but I couldn’t find a microwave tailored to the needs of people with vision loss. Next, I checked vendors through the Internet and catalogs that sell adaptive technology products. Their microwaves were much more complex and almost twice the price. I wanted a microwave that had plenty of room for cooking, was reliable and easy to use.
Sharper Vision Store staff member Brent Perzentka told me the Hamilton Beach microwave was user-friendly, but I was a little skeptical since I could only use the one minute button, and the start and stop features on my current microwave.
I was amazed at the number of verbal options there were, and at the same time, the simplicity of this unit. When I plugged in the microwave for the first time, a verbal welcome greeted me, and a time-setting mode was in place.
When I placed a cup of water inside the unit, I was further amazed at the ease of using this adaptive appliance, with its verbal responses (which can be adjusted to mute, normal or loud) upon touching the side buttons or turning a single knob.
It is a great feeling to have the ability once again to perform several different cooking operations. I hadn’t been able to do this without help for several years.
If you are blind or visually impaired, you will be extremely pleased by purchasing this adaptive microwave from the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired's Sharper Vision Store.
Now, where was that recipe?!!
How Much is That Old Thing Worth?
By Kathi Koegle, Council staff
Ever wonder what some of those vintage items in your closet, attic or garage might be worth?
Blow off the dust and bring them to “Old Stuff at the Bluff: Benefit Antique Appraisal and Sale” on Saturday, November 1, to find out.
We’ve reserved the Maple Bluff Village Center in Madison for the event, and we hired professional appraiser Shirley Baumann to conduct individual appraisals. A $10 advance registration for a five-minute appraisal is required. You can also shop for unique antique treasures from area dealers.
The Council will sell snacks and beverages during the event which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Proceeds benefit the Council’s programs and services.
More event details are available on our website, and we’d be happy to send you event flyers to post or share.
We hope you’ll join us!
August 16 Jerry’s Race against Childhood Diseases Festival Park Verona, Wisconsin
September 20 Fourth Annual Euchre Tournament Culver’s Restaurant, Edgerton, Wisconsin 10 a.m., registration. 10:30 a.m. tournament begins. $10 registration fee includes lunch.
October 11 White Cane Safety & Awareness Walk WCB&VI fundraiser 1-3 p.m. Madison Area Technical College/Truax Campus $15 registration fee (includes T-shirt)
October 14 Progress in Sight VII Macular Degeneration Symposium Alliant Energy Center Madison, Wisconsin
October 15 Candidate Forum Aging & Disability Resource Center of Brown County 300 S. Adams St.; Green Bay, WI Contact Snooky Zieldmulder, #920-448-4300 9:30-10 a.m., egistration, coffee, rolls, display tables. 10 a.m. – Noon, Candidate Forum.
October 16 Candidate Forum Aging & Disability Resource Center of Central WI 1000 Lakeview Dr.; Wausau, WI Contact Deb Menacher, #715-261-6070 9:30 a.m., registration, coffee, rolls, display tables. 10 a.m. – Noon, Candidate Forum.
October 17 Candidate Forum Auditorium (lower level) Health & Human Service Building 300 N. 4th St., LaCrosse, WI Contact Renee Weston Weston.Renee@co.la-crosse.wi.us 9:30 a.m., registration, coffee, rolls, display tables. 10 a.m. – Noon, Candidate Forum.
November 1 Old Stuff at the Bluff Benefit Antique Appraisal and Sale Maple Bluff Village Center 18 Oxford Place, Madison, WI $3 general admission; $10 item appraisal.
November 8 WCB&VI Annual Awards Banquet Ramada Inn, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Purchase individual tickets through the Council.
Free White Canes
By Ann Salazar, Council Staff
Wisconsin citizens who are blind or visually impaired are entitled to receive one free white cane per year from the Council.
There are several kinds of canes to choose from. You may request a
support cane that you lean on as you walk. An ID cane is a short cane that you hold out while traveling so others know you have a vision impairment. We also have mobility canes that you move in front of you as you walk along. Please remember that using this kind of cane requires a bit of training. All canes are available—rigid or folding.
Call me at 800-783-5213, extension 211, if your vision is 20/70 or less, and you’ve never had a white cane, or want to replace a cane you’ve had for more than a year.
754 Williamson Street Madison, WI 53703
(608) 255-1166 Toll Free 1-800-783-5213
Sharper Vision Store (608) 237-8100
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