Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired

In this issue of the Courier you will be reading about many of the activities that have kept the Council and Council staff on the move this spring. It has been a busy time for all of us, but the office staff has been particularly busy. The Council itself held its spring meeting out of the office. This was in conjunction with our first large seminar in several years. Reaching out to people throughout the state is critical and many of the events you will read about were organized to get the word—and us—out, interacting with the people we serve.

Our new Council members are settling in and already have contributed in many ways to bring new ideas and energy to the activities of our organization. There have been some changes in our staff as well. We will be saying goodbye to Kathy Lange-Novak and welcoming her replacement, Kathi Koegle. It’s with excitement that we welcome our new rehab teacher, Nancy Prussing, whom you will hear more about in future issues.

As gas prices rise and transportation issues become more complex, it remains a priority to get out and be involved with the people we serve. As part of this effort, I will chair a new committee created at our May meeting in Kenosha. This committee will be looking for ways to create and promote leisure activities for blind and visually impaired people wherever they live in our great state. Leisure activities enhance the quality of life for everyone and we will be looking for ways to make sure blind people are not left out. For the past two years, we have held a euchre tournament in the fall in the Madison area. Its success and the interest it generates serve as an example of how important it is to get people doing things and making new friends. We want to build on that idea, and to promote and help bring as many different activities to as many places and people as possible.

I again want to thank the fine staff in the Council office and the Council members who have made this spring busy and successful. From Madison to Kenosha and north to Eagle River and many other places in between, we all have been out there proving that blind and visually impaired people can be valuable members of society.

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

I am pleased and excited to tell you about the Council’s new and challenging plans for the future! These initiatives are guided by a new Vision Statement created jointly by Council and staff members in a planning retreat last February.

The now-familiar mission of the Council describes our purpose: 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. This strong mission statement remains unchanged. Adding a vision statement provides clear direction for future Council activity at a time when the need for services is increasing throughout the state.

A strong vision statement offers many benefits to our organization. It captures the spirit of the Council and describes our hope for the

future. It motivates staff and Council members to achieve measurable new goals. Our vision statement challenges us to stretch and work in true collaboration with other organizations. It will also get people’s attention, encourage new support, and enable more people to access our services. It reads:

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired will be the premier organization serving people who are blind and visually impaired statewide. Through internal excellence and effective collaboration with other organizations we will:

Establish a statewide presence in Wisconsin with a focus on underserved areas and populations,
Facilitate comprehensive education and training for consumers, professionals, and the public,
Increase opportunities for meaningful employment among people who are blind and visually impaired, and
Act as a link to services, advocacy, technology, and information promoting the independence and enhanced quality of life of people who are blind and visually impaired and their families.

The three primary Initiatives for our future work are: Growth, Outreach and State-wide Expansion; Education/Training; and Employment. Each broad initiative has specific goals and objectives over a three year period. To request a complete copy, or to share your comments, suggestions, questions, or offers of help, please call me. My direct number is 608-237-8103. Thank you!

WELL, I’LL BE DOGGED

I’ll call him Juno. Those who have met him know that is not his real name. However, the school from which he came recommends that when an article about a dog guide is written, a pseudonym be used so that there aren’t multitudes of people who might call the dog by name when they see him on the street and thereby distract him from his duties as a dog guide.

Juno was given to me on October 2, 2006 and we began our journey together, I as the visually impaired person needing guidance, and Juno as the dog guide providing it. There wasn’t an immediate bond, nor was one expected when I received him. Dog guides are for the most part bonded to their instructors since they have spent most of the previous four months with them in training. In fact, I trained with Juno for most of the four weeks that I spent in training before I felt that he was forgetting his instructor and was turning to me as his new master.

However, it might be better for me to start at the beginning. I made my initial application to the school in March of 2006. The process is involved. I had to provide information on my physical ability to train with a dog, including a physical exam. Also needed is information on visual acuity from an ophthalmologist to verify that a dog is needed. Three letters of reference are also required. This application process takes time, and when completed, the candidate is placed on a waiting list. When a space becomes available, the candidate is notified, the plans for travel are set, and the day arrives to go and get the dog. I applied in March; I left for school on September 30.

A candidate spends about one month training with a new dog. It only took me about two days to understand why such a long time is required. There is a lot to learn and it is a bit overwhelming. The lessons not only include time out on the street with the dog, but also include classroom time learning how to manage the dog’s health. There is also time for recreation with the dog, time for grooming, and many other daily activities. One of the things emphasized was that the dog’s needs should always come first. When those needs are met, other concerns can then be attended to.

Careful consideration is needed before applying for a dog guide. If you aren’t willing to spend the time required to care for your dog, maybe you shouldn’t get one in the first place. Another concern you need to bear in mind is that there is a cost to having a dog guide. There is food to buy, toys for the dog, trips to the vet, medicines when needed and so forth. If you cannot afford these added expenses in your budget, you should hesitate to get a dog.

After a month away from home the training is complete; the new dog owner and the dog head for home. The dog rides with his owner in the cabin of the plane. My dog was a great traveler. He slept the entire flight back to Milwaukee. He also rides well in the car. He curls up under my legs on the floor of the front seat and goes to sleep. He made himself at home when we got back to Two Rivers, but he stayed close to me for a long time. Now he is a member of the family. He goes everywhere we go and loves every minute of it. He goes to restaurants, the barbershop, church, the doctor’s office, the chiropractor, and anywhere else that I go. He likes to travel and stay in motels; there are such interesting smells and people in motels.

Having a dog guide has increased my mobility. I travel much faster when out walking. When we are in a motel, he can find the room after we have been to it a couple of times. If I leave a meeting room for some reason, he takes me directly back to my chair when I’m ready to return. I only wish that he could talk. I am certain that he would have many questions, comments on things he sees, and just be interesting to talk to. He is a wonderful companion.

I plan to write a follow-up article or two in which I can be more specific about how Juno and I work together as a team to improve my mobility. Maybe in those articles I’ll refer to him as “Freedom,” “ Liberty,” or “ Independence.”

SPORTS: THEY’RE NOT JUST FOR SIGHTED KIDS ANYMORE!

Sports offer a unique opportunity for our youth. They teach about sportsmanship, fairness, working as a team, and other real-life skills. They present the opportunity to be successful and the right to fail. There are ample opportunities to socialize with peers in a relaxed setting and improve social interaction skills. In short, sports can help us learn to deal with things that happen in real life.

Sports are just as important to a visually impaired student’s growth and development as they are for sighted students, if not more so. Students with visual impairments are often denied the opportunity to participate in sports, which I firmly believe is detrimental to their personal growth. Sports have much to teach students of every age and ability.

You might ask, in what kinds of sports can athletes who are blind and visually impaired participate? According to the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) there are ten: Track and Field, Tandem Cycling, Judo, Goalball, Power Lifting, Skiing, swimming, bowling, Wrestling, and 5-A-Side Football.

USABA is a national organization that extends the opportunity to blind and visually impaired athletes of all ages to participate in various competitions. They hold a large event in Colorado every year featuring all of the aforementioned sports, and award various scholarships for other competitions held nationally and internationally. They also support athletes who hope to compete in the Paralympic Games with both money and other necessary resources to help them accomplish their dream. They expect athletes to work hard toward their goals.

One of the most prominent sports competitions for athletes with disabilities is the Paralympics. Founded in 1948 as a way of including war veterans who had sustained injury during battle, the Paralympics is held at the same time as the regular Olympic Games. They are open to any athlete with a physical or intellectual disability (amputees, those with spinal cord injuries, Downs Syndrome, etc). Almost 4,000 athletes from 136 countries compete in the Paralympic Games, which will next be held in Beijing, China in 2008.

At WCBVI/WSVH, where I work as a vision teacher, we have a variety of sports teams that not only keep our students athletically fit, but also give them an opportunity to socialize. Most recently, our swim team went to Ohio for our largest and final meet of the season. Our girls’ team, consisting of two talented young ladies, was able to finish in fourth place out of eight schools, earning 4 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and 1 bronze medal between them. Our boys’ team, also consisting of two up-and-coming swimmers, was able to bring home one seventh place finish and two silver medals. I am proud of every one of them.

Apart from how they did in their events, I think each student got valuable experience from being a part of our team. They were expected to come to practice each day, improve their times, swim legal strokes, keep their grades up, and do all the things that students in a regular public school would have to do in order to remain on a team and succeed. No students were given a “handout” because they were visually impaired—they were all expected to earn their place on the team. This is an important life-lesson for our students.

Why is it so important for students with visual impairments as well as other disabilities to participate in sports programs such as those listed above? The physical and social benefits speak for themselves. And according to research, it is more difficult to encourage physical activity in persons who have physical disabilities. According to the Surgeon General, " persons with physical disabilities are even less likely than their peers without disabilities to engage in regular, moderate physical activity." It is also a well-known and documented fact that they often do not have access to knowledgeable coaches, adaptive physical fitness experts, or role models with similar disabilities who can provide encouragement and feedback. Despite these particular issues, it is wonderful to know there are organizations dedicated to giving athletes with special needs opportunities to participate in sports on an equal playing field.

The very existence of the aforementioned organizations, as well as dozens of others, attests to the fact that not only are sports beneficial for youth and adults with all disabilities, these same people feel that sports are an important part of their lives. And that, perhaps, is the most important point of all.

If you’d like more information on any of these topics, please feel free to visit the following websites:

UNITED FOR ACTION, UNITED FOR INDEPENDENCE

On May 8, eighteen organizations serving Wisconsin citizens who are blind or visually impaired joined to participate in Legislative Day 2007, sponsored by the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired. The event was held in the Capitol Rotunda from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. The overriding spirit of the day was “United for Action, United for Independence.”

The goal of the 2007 Legislative Day was to gather together in the Capitol Rotunda the many organizations that serve people who are visually impaired to demonstrate their commitment and contributions. The Council sent invitations to all legislative and state government offices to visit us throughout the day. In this way, the greatest number of key governmental personnel were able to contact the full range of organizations represented. We had an excellent turn-out from legislators and their staff, and from key state government personnel. Each organization had a table at which it could showcase its mission and accomplishments.

The highlight of the day was the eleven o’clock press conference featuring Representative Donna Seidell (D-Wausau) and the introduction of the Instructional Media Accessibility Act (IMAA) of Wisconsin. This bill mandates that publishers make available all textbooks and instructional materials in alternative electronic formats in a timely manner to all college students who are unable to read standard print. This alternative electronic format would allow each textbook to be turned into large print, Braille, or an audio book according to the needs of each individual student. The bill provides for the establishment of a textbook repository so texts could be readily accessible to any student who needs them. Representative Seidell introduced this legislation in the following weeks. This bill is supported by the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and by each of the organizations participating in the Legislative Day.

Our noon program was broadcast throughout the Capitol. Executive Director Karen Majkrzak gave a brief welcome, which was followed by a presentation from Senator John Lehman, D-Racine. Ms. Majkrzak presented an award to Representative Scott Suder, Republican of Abbotsford, for his invaluable support of dog guide protection legislation. Rhonda Staats introduced Representative Donna Seidell, who again explained key provisions of the IMAS of Wisconsin and the need for its passage. The keynote speaker was Deputy DHFS Secretary Reggie Bicha, who detailed Governor Doyle’s policies regarding the delivery of social services. Mr. Bicha acknowledged the importance of systems advocacy expressed through the united action from the greater visually impaired community to achieve equality and independence.

Packets containing information regarding our programs and services were delivered to all 132 legislative offices. Each folder detailed five legislative issues vital to the Council’s interests: (1) Support for the Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired; (2) Support for the Wisconsin Regional Library Service ; (3) Support for the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped; (4) Support for the Business Enterprise Program as Wisconsin’s largest single employer of people who are visually impaired; and (5) Support for affordable, accessible inter- and intra-city public transportation options.

The event concluded at 2:00 in the afternoon. Participants agreed that we had concluded an exciting and successful legislative event. The presence of eighteen organizations, united for action, united for independence, enables the Council to maintain its leadership role in the advocacy for issues important to Wisconsin citizens who are blind and visually impaired.

SPEAKING UP IN KENOSHA

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired held an informational seminar on May 11 at Kenosha's Best Western-Harborside Inn. Sixty-eight participants gathered to learn about the Council's programs and strategies for coping with vision loss. After a warm welcome from Executive Director Karen Majkrzak and Council Vice-President Bruce Parkinson, the audience viewed a DVD spotlighting the successes of people who are blind and visually impaired and explaining the role the Council plays in helping people adapt to changing vision.

Marshall Flax, Certified Low Vision Therapist and Certified Orientation and Mobility instructor at the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, presented ten ways to cope with low vision. Filled with clarifying examples and explanations, his presentation was extremely easy to understand.

Nona Graves next moderated a panel of Council members who described their experiences with vision loss. "Never lose your sense of humor," she advised. "If you can learn to laugh at nothing else, learn to laugh at yourself."

"As you discover how to do old things in new ways," counseled Rhonda Staats, "remember that your eyes are not your brain. Even if they don't work as well as they used to, you're still capable of thinking and solving problems."

Bruce Parkinson shared his story of gradually worsening vision and the changes he had to make as a result. "I never cried in my beer," he commented, "because no one likes salty beer." Agreeing with Rhonda, he added, "You can figure out where to go from here. Your brain still works and can help you cope with vision loss. You can do this!"

During lunch, Wisconsin State Senator Bob Wirch, representing the 22nd District in which Kenosha is located, spoke about his support for legislative causes of concern to the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired. He discussed transportation needs, timely provision of textbooks in accessible formats, and the Help America Vote Act.

Council member Gary Traynor gave a motivating presentation explaining how he coped with a career-changing vision loss which led him from employment in the United States Air Force to work as an advocate for students with disabilities at UW-Eau Claire and involvement with the Blinded Veterans' Association. As a certified social worker, Gary works with high risk students. "There was fear involved as I went through the process of losing my sight," he said. "I had to get past the fear and accept change."

The second presentation after lunch was given by Caroline Congdon, adaptive technology specialist. "When I was nineteen, I interviewed for a job I was sure I could do," she said. "The lady conducting the interview said, 'You can't do this job because you can't use a computer.'" Through demonstrations of Freedombox, SARA, (Scan and read appliance), and the K-NFB Reader (a portable scanning device), Caroline showed the audience that people who are blind and visually impaired don't have to be afraid of computers.

Gary Goyke thanked Kenosha's low vision support groups for helping to bring so many participants to this seminar. He also thanked everyone who worked behind the scenes and at informational tables, including a special display of materials from the Council's Sharper Vision Store. "It would be impossible for us to put together seminars like this without the assistance of dedicated advocates," he said. Gary asked everyone present to spread the word about the Council's scholarship program. He explained how funds from the White Cane Drive are allocated and encouraged members of the audience to seek assistance with projects like the newspaper reading program in Baron, Wisconsin, and the scouting project in Janesville.

Before closing this busy day, Karen Majkrzak urged the audience to consider uniting for action and uniting for independence. "The key to a vital life," she concluded, "is the ability to learn and change." This information-packed seminar was a fitting event to celebrate 55 years of service provided by the Council. For information about future seminars, call the Council office at (608) 255-1166.

FEATURED SUPPORT GROUP

By Neil M. Ford, Council Member

There is a new low-vision support group that I want to call to the reader’s attention. First, someone might ask why I am mentioning programs that pertain to the subject of vision. I have macular degeneration that affects both eyes: the wet kind in my left eye and the dry kind in my right eye. How this condition developed is another story. The result, however, is no vision in the left eye (20/zip) and limited vision in the right eye (20/200+).

Although I was told by the first retinal doctor that I saw that there was nothing that could be done to correct the problem in the left eye I, being somewhat stubborn, sought opinions from other sources. During this search I interacted with a variety of people and organizations including the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired.

Last November the Council asked me to become a member of the WCB&VI, an honor which I readily accepted. During the orientation session I learned that vision support groups exist throughout the state but 20 counties do not have groups. A quick inquiry told me that Columbia County was one of the twenty. This inquiry put me in touch with several people from the Wisconsin Office for the Blind & Visually Impaired who expressed strong interest in the development of a vision support group for Columbia and Marquette Counties.

The first regular meeting of the Portage Area Low Vision Support Group was held May 16, 2007 from 1:00 pm to 2:30pm at the Divine Savior Hospital, Classroom D. The support group plans to meet the third Wednesday each month at the same time. Refreshments will be served.

The purpose of the support group is to provide an opportunity for those who have serious vision problems such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, etc. to discuss concerns, learn about vision loss issues, and to offer support to each other. The group will focus on discussion, education, social activities and sharing resources and experiences.

Dennis Wittig, Division Administrator at the Columbia County Department of Health & Human Services, spoke at the May meeting. He described the many resources available to area residents and how to obtain them. He also highlighted changes and new services now available.

Transportation is available. Call Sara at the Commission on Aging at 608-742-9213. For further information contact Neil Ford at 608-592-5574 or nford@bus.wisc.edu.

WCB&VI’S ANNUAL WHITE CANE DRIVE:

MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF SHARING AND GIVING

The merry month of May is always filled with exciting events that usher in the summer season. To those of us who have been associated with the Council, May is synonymous with our annual White Cane Fund drive. Each year, proceeds from the drive are distributed to programs and groups who provide services and activities around the state for blind and vi sually impaired children and adults. The success of each year’s drive depends on a great deal of preliminary work and planning before 80,000 letters are sent to individual households.

Each year, between sixty and seventy thousand dollars are available to be shared with groups who request a grant from the fund. In past years, White Cane drive funds have been granted to groups including a Boy Scout troop for vi sually impaired children, a center for deaf/blind adults, and a small local library so that a local weekly newspaper can be read to vi sually impaired senior citizens. The request form for a grant from the fund is located on the Council website. Funds also provide for the yearly free white canes available from the Council to each legally blind citizen in the state.

If you are reading this article, you have probably already received a letter asking for a contribution to the White Cane fund drive. Like me, you probably receive many more requests for your financial contributions than you can afford to support. If you give a donation to the White Cane drive, your gift will be shared with many groups and programs that provide a variety of much needed services and activities to blind and vi sually impaired people. Please join me and help the Council give a gift that will enrich the lives of blind and vi sually impaired people throughout Wisconsin.

PHILANTHROPY DAY 2007

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired Philanthropy Day for 2007 was held at the Eagle River Inn and Resort in Eagle River, Wisconsin, on Friday, May 18. The day consisted of a morning seminar titled “Coping with Low Vision,” followed by an awards luncheon at noon.

Over fifty people registered for the seminar and were welcomed by Bruce Parkinson, Council vice-president, and Karen Majkrzak, Executive Director. A presentation titled “Fighting Back: Winning the Battle against Diabetes” was presented by Sherry Ashby, R.N., certified Diabetes Educator. Many people in the audience indicated that they were diabetic and the presentation was well received. Following Sherry’s presentation, Joanne Schehl, RSA, Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired, presented an update on programs and services offered by the local state office.

Following a coffee break, a panel discussion titled “Coping with Vision Loss” was presented by Council members Rhonda Staats and Bruce Parkinson, and Bruce’s wife Kathy. Rhonda presented her perspective as a person who has been totally blind all her life. Bruce presented his views from the perspective of a person who has been losing vision as time passes. Kathy presented her thoughts from the perspective of a person coping with a loved one who is losing sight. A question-answer period followed.

At the conclusion of the question-answer period a representative from Bankers Life was introduced and gave a presentation on the collaborative venture between Bankers Life and the Council on Health and Long-term Care Insurance. Then the entire group adjourned to the dining room for the luncheon and awards program.

Following dessert the awards were presented. The first was the Outstanding Service Organization Award presented to The Knight’s Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. On hand to receive the award was Sir Knight Bob Latzel, Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandry, Knight’s Templar of Wisconsin. The award was presented by Bruce Parkinson, in recognition of the thousands of dollars the foundation puts towards eye surgeries and other eye care needs per year.

The Outstanding Public Service Award was presented to State Senator Roger Breske by Rhonda Staats, chair of the Council’s Legislative Committee. Receiving the award for the senator was Sue Meinholz, the Senator’s Chief of Staff. Senator Breske has been instrumental in improving access to public transportation for handicapped persons in rural areas of the state.

The Outstanding Educational Institution Award was presented to Adrian Lorbetske, President of Nicolet College which serves northern Wisconsin from its campus near Rhinelander. In collaboration with OBVI, the school put together a wonderful program to help visually impaired people learn to use computers. The award was presented by Bruce Parkinson.

Lavetta Torke, Chairman of the Board of the Apostle Islands Area Community Foundation received the outstanding Charitable Organization Award from Karen Majkrzak. The award was given in recognition of this new foundation’s commitment to improving the quality of life in Northern Wisconsin.

The final award was to Dr. Joseph Yeung, an ophthalmologist from the Marshfield Clinic. This Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Gary Goyke, Public Relations and Marketing Director for the Council, was in recognition of the doctor’s twenty years of service at the Marshfield Clinic in Northern Wisconsin.

Closing remarks were given by Karen Majkrzak, Executive Director, and the Philanthropy Day program came to a close.

FUNDRAISING BIRTHDAY BASH AT THE COUNCIL

When Karen Majkrzak approached Gary Goyke about a celebration for his 60 th birthday, he agreed—on one condition: that it benefit the Council. The idea for a fundraising party was born. And on the afternoon of Friday, May 4, a good number of distinguished guests made their way to the Council offices on Williamson Street in Madison. The crowd included Council staff, current and past Council members, colleagues from Gary’s many years as a lobbyist, family, friends—even a past executive director, and US Representative Tammy Baldwin.

Refreshments were donated by several vendors from the Randolph Sheppard Vendors Association and the space was adorned with photographs of Gary from years past. Kent Walser, director of the Business Enterprise Program, which helps blind and visually impaired people train to be small business owners, served as master of ceremonies for the night. A number of toasts and speeches were made.

Gary, who has worked at the Council since 1984, keeps a sign on his door that reads simply: “Have fun. Do good. Raise money.” And true to the motto, the night featured fun for a good cause and raised $3,646 for the Council.

If you missed the party but want to send in a donation in honor of our longtime advocate Gary Goyke, please feel free to do so. Just write “ Gary Goyke’s 60 th” in the check memo. Thank you!

FREE WHITE CANES

You are entitled to 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 problem. We also have mobility canes that you move in front of you as you walk along—remember that using these requires some training. All canes are available, rigid or folding, so they may be tucked away.

Call Ann at 800-783-5213 Ext. 211, if your vision is 20/70 or less and you have never had a white cane, or want to replace a cane that you have had for more than a year.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 19 WCB&VI Mobile Store at the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups Annual Convention
Holiday Inn Convention enter Stevens Point , Wisconsin

Sept. 17 O’Connor Golf Outing and Fundraiser
Bishops Bay Country Club, Middleton, Wisconsin

Sept. 22 3 rd Annual Blind Euchre Tournament
Culver’s Restaurant, Edgerton, WI 10 am— 2 pm

Dec. 7 WCB&VI Community Open House,
Council Offices, Madison WI, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

By Chris Zenchenko