VOLUME 19 ISSUE 3

WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND

& VISUALLY IMPAIRED, INC.

Incorporated under laws of Wisconsin in November 1952, the Council is directed by 19 volunteer delegates: ten are appointed by four organizations representing people who are blind; five delegates at large are elected by blind people throughout the state, four 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.

NOVEMBER 2006

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

By Chris Zenchenko

It seems hard to believe that we are sending out the final edition of the 2006 Council Courier. This year has been one of the most important in Council history with many changes and new plans. All of the Council members have been busy with interesting and exciting projects. The Council staff has been even more involved, and together we have accomplished many things.

I do want to take a moment to introduce some new staff members and bid farewell to several long-time Council members. The Council is pleased to welcome five new people to our office.

First, helping out Gary Goyke and Kathy Lange-Novak is Nicky Lehming. Nicky and her husband moved to the Madison area from Chicago. She brings experience and enthusiasm to one of our most important functions—getting the word out about the wonderful services available at WCB&VI. Nicky she does graphic design and also spends time taking pictures.

Next, Kate Hollander provides general administrative assistance for the Council staff. She is also assuming responsibility for the production and mailing of the Courier. Another of her tasks will be grant writing. With a degree in writing from Boston University, I am sure she will be a tremendous help to those of us who are a bit on the amateur side in the writing department. Kate also writes poetry and has published in several literary journals.

The Council is also pleased to welcome to our staff another part-time employee. She is no stranger to the Council. In fact, she is a former Council member and past Council president: Virginia DeBlaey. Virginia brings knowledge and experience that we all will find useful. She will be helping Gary Goyke and others on special projects, and making presentations to various community groups. Our long range plans call for closer collaboration with other organizations, and Virginia will be helping make those important connections.

Dawnetta Osborne is the new voice greeting you on the phone or as you enter the office. Dawn is with us part-time and joins us through the AGEAdvantage work training program.

Our final new staff member is a former scholarship-winner who will be a student intern for the next two semesters. Mike Hinrichs has been in the Madison area for many years. At one time, he worked as an EMT, but vision loss sent him back to school. Mike comes to us with experience and energy to spare. He is currently pursuing a degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Mike and his guide dog, Patches, will become a familiar sight around the office as he gains credits toward his degree and we gain from his knowledge and special insights.

All of these fine people are a welcome addition to our staff, and together they will improve customer service, outreach, and marketing, and fill a host of other needs in our efforts to better serve the blind and low vision people of Wisconsin.

Finally, “So long, and thank you,” to several great folks who have been a part of the Council for many years. Two long-time members and two one-year members are leaving us. We say goodbye to Bob Hueller, Kathy Hudziak, Katherine Schneider and Steve Heesen. Both Bob Hueller and Kathy Hudziak have been on the Council for many years.

Bob has been a valuable voice from the eastern part of the state and we all will miss him and his wife Liz at Council meetings and events. We hope they will find ways to stay in touch and be part of the Council in the years to come.

Kathy Hudziak, from Janesville, with her experience as a teacher, has been a vital part of the awards and scholarship committees. Her trained voice has led us at many a banquet. We all hope Kathy will also find ways to join us at Council activities and in a song whenever possible.

Katherine Schneider from Eau Claire and Steve Heesen from Milwaukee were with us for only one year. The new voices and views they brought to our Council meetings have added to the range of experience the Council needs to serve its functions.

To all of these and to all former Council members and staff we owe a huge thank you! The Council of today and the future is a part of what you have brought us. See you in 2007.

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

By Karen V. Majkrzak

This time of year is a good one for reflection and thanksgiving. Looking back on this year, my first as your director, I am thankful for your support and for the hard work and dedication of all our Council members and staff. We have had a very busy and productive year, as you will be able to tell from reading the articles in this issue of the Courier.

The Council has received thank you notes and calls from many individuals and groups who value our work and services. You will read about this year’s scholarship winners in another article, which reaffirms the Council’s support for future leaders. Mike Hinrichs received scholarship assistance from the Council in the past and this year is working with us as a social work intern. His words echo those of others and underscore the importance of our mission and the value of your continued support.

“My name is Mike Hinrichs, and I am in my senior year at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Last year, I was selected to receive one of your most generous scholarships, for which I will be eternally grateful. Seven years ago, at the age of 32, I went blind due to diabetes. With my life turned upside down and my job skills as an EMT dependent on having sight, I was lost and frightened of what my future would hold....I decided to attend college for the first time in my life, and needed all the help I could get! My deepest heartfelt thanks to all your wonderful supporters, without whom this scholarship would not be possible; and a big heartfelt thank you to the awesome people at the Council, who remind me each day that I should not refuse to look to the future, instead, I should embrace the thrill of the journey to my next goal.

Sincerely, Mike Hinrichs”

I am also thankful for organizations and leaders with whom we have begun new collaborative relationships. With a small grant from the Office for the Blind, we provide services for older adults in Dane County who are experiencing vision loss. We have a new and strong connection with Hadley School for the Blind now and I encourage you to request their current catalog (available in print, Braille, tape or CD). More than that, I hope you will take advantage of the high-quality course offerings which will enhance your life, improve your job skills, and teach you new recreational activities...without cost! Our relationship with the UW Hospitals and Clinics is proving successful, as Marshall Flax, our Certified Low Vision Therapist, provides needed services to more individuals.

The Council is very grateful for three successful golf outings, raising $21,590 this year. Many thanks to Tom O’Connor and family members for the Autumn Ridge golf outing, to John and Pat O’Connor for the first annual Madison golf outing at Bishop’s Bay, and to the Dahmer family, including Liz and Bob Hueller, for their family’s golf outing. These events help us provide much needed services!  Watch for more to come in the 2006 Annual Report.

I am so thankful for the strong financial support the Council has received over the years, which makes it possible to provide high-quality programs and services, advocacy and many assistive technology products—all valuable tools for independence.

As you know, we depend on the generosity of friends to provide resources through planned giving and bequests. We also have been fortunate over the years to receive your gifts through the annual White Cane Fund Appeal. These donations allow us to provide many free white canes as well as give assistance to other smaller organizations serving blind and visually impaired children and adults. This year our White Cane donations have been less than in years past. If you have not had an opportunity to send a gift in support of the Council’s programs and services, please consider making one before the end of the year. I can assure you that your gift, of any amount, will be wisely used and greatly appreciated. Our mission is an important one; please join us in making a real difference for blind and visually impaired neighbors throughout our state. Thank you—and best wishes for good health and happiness in the coming year!

AVAILABLE AT LAST! ACCESSIBLE SECRET BALLOTS AT YOUR LOCAL POLLING PLACE

By Rhonda Staats

Prior to the 2006 election cycle, the secret ballot has been largely unavailable to persons who are blind or visually impaired. Local polling sites, with printed ballots which required assistance to complete, have traditionally not been welcoming places for blind and visually impaired individuals. Consequently, many of us have chosen to exercise our suffrage via the absentee ballot, which allows us to vote with the assistance of someone we trust.

I am happy to report that this situation is now a thing of the past. The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) mandates that all polling sites should be accessible to people with disabilities beginning with the 2006 election cycle. This means that physical barriers have been removed, and that there is at least one accessible voting booth in each polling place.

Casting your ballot using this newly-accessible talking voting equipment is painless. It is simple to learn, and easy to use. You are guided through every step of the process, and all poll workers have received training—just in case you have issues or questions. If you are as excited as I am about actually casting your vote in secret, here are some details about my recent voting experience to encourage all persons who are blind or visually impaired to go to the polls. If you are already registered to vote, you can simply show up at your polling place on Election Day and state your need to use the accessible voting booth. If not already registered, you must present a Wisconsin driver’s license, a Wisconsin identification card or non-valid license, or provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

In La Crosse, for example, we use the AutoMark system, one of the three most commonly used types of accessible voting equipment. First, it is recommended that persons bring their own headphones if at all possible. Of course, there will be headphones at your local polling place, but you may wish to use your own for sanitary and safety reasons. All electronic systems need to scan the ballot so that it can be read back to you. Consequently, the first thing you need to do is to insert your ballot. This may take more than one try, but after the ballot is lined up correctly, the machine feeds it into the system, after which you are prompted to wait for the scanning process to be complete.

The AutoMark has a separate keypad containing easily identifiable and differentiated controls. The voter is able to control the speed and volume of the machine from the keypad. There are right and left arrow keys, and up and down arrow keys to refine the reading of the ballot so you can easily arrow through the list of names, and even check spellings. The selection of candidates is made using the enter key which, on the AutoMark, stands all by itself in the middle of the keypad. The machine reads the ballot one office at a time in a clear and intelligible voice. You can go over the list of candidates line by line using the arrow keys so that you can easily make your choice and mark your ballot using the enter key.

The State Elections Board (SEB) has approved about a half dozen accessible voting systems for all polling sites throughout Wisconsin. The majority of municipalities use one of three accessible voting systems: the AccuVote, the Sequoia Edge, and the AutoMark. Each municipality or township will use whichever accessible system fits best with the voting technology currently in place. There is even a non-electronic system, the VotePad, for rural areas where ballots are counted by hand. Please go to the State Elections Board web site at http://elections.state.wi.us and follow the accessibility links for more information on all accessible voting systems and the counties and municipalities in which they are used.

If you have issues or difficulties casting your accessible ballot, your first line of defense is the poll workers. All poll workers have received training on whatever system is used in your locality, and they have all cast mock ballots on the equipment itself. If your local poll worker cannot resolve your issue, then contact your local municipal or county clerk whose job it is to deal with every issue relating to voting. If this still does not address your concern, or if you feel that your voting rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Wisconsin State Elections Board by calling (866) 868-3947.

The Wisconsin State Elections Board will be the recipient of the “Outstanding Public Service Award” presented by WCB&VI at its Awards Banquet on Saturday, November 11. The Council believes that the State Elections Board has done an exceptional job in considering the needs of people who are blind or visually impaired in its effort to meet the accessibility provisions of the Help America Vote Act and be in compliance for the 2006 election cycle and beyond.

COUNCIL AWARDS YEARLY SCHOLARSHIPS

By Amy Snow

Well, it’s that time of year again! Time to announce the recipients of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired Scholarships. With a total of 13 applications, the committee had a very difficult time sorting through them and deciding on the nine candidates who will be receiving funds to help finance their continuing education.

There were seven academic scholarships, each worth $1,500, awarded this year. The winners are as follows:

Adam Alft of White Lake is currently attending UW Madison, pursuing a degree in Biology. His long term goal is to become a medical doctor and he is very active in several health-related organizations on campus including AHANA, AIDS Walk, and the AIDS Charity Ball, and he volunteers at both the UW Hospital and Meriter Retirement Center.

Elizabeth Allred of Madison is pursuing a degree in Music with an emphasis on vocal performance, and would like to become a private voice teacher and vocal performer. She is very involved in UW-Madison’s opera program. She is also active in the Wisconsin Association of Blind Students.

Jason Corning of Beloit hopes to obtain a job in information technology. He is pursuing a degree at UW-Whitewater and is active in the Residence Hall Association, Leadership Involvement Team, the Student Access Society, and the Information Technology Association.

Douglas Martens of Appleton is working toward his master’s degree in Social Work at UW-Oshkosh. When he finishes his education, he would like to become a therapist. Doug volunteers on an addiction intervention team at Lutheran Social Services.

Roberto Torrez of Green Bay already has his baccalaureate in law and now hopes to obtain a master’s degree in Social Work. Roberto is originally from Nicaragua and has a wife and two children. His goal is to become a successful professional in the Untied States.

Meghan Whalen of Waukesha is currently attending UW Madison and hopes to enter the human services field. She is very interested in joining diversity organizations and advocacy committees for students with disabilities.

Nathan Writz of Medford already has an associate’s degree in Applied Science and now is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Vocational Rehab at UW-Stout. Nathan has hopes of obtaining a master’s in Vocational Counseling. He is the vice-president of The Vocational Rehabilitation Club.

We were also pleased to present two $1,000 scholarships to participants in the Business Enterprise Program:

Gene Hermanson of Black River Falls is currently attending North Central Technical College (NCTC) pursuing licensure as a business enterprise operator. Gene indicates he is excited to complete the program and get a vending location to support his family.

Doug Ley of Cassville is also currently attending NCTC and on his way to earning his Business Enterprise license. Doug is also pleased to be earning his license very soon and is supporting a family while completing the program.

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients! You are each very deserving of this honor.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Council’s Scholarship Committee of Caroline Congdon, Scott Hegle, Kathleen Hudziak, and Jeff Scott. Your time and effort were greatly appreciated!

AWARDS COMMITTEE REPORT

By Scott Hegle

We are happy to announce the following awards for 2006:

The Employer of the Year Award will be presented to Swiss Colony of Monroe, Wisconsin. Swiss Colony was nominated by Art Bartsch who has been employed there for many years as the Vice-President of Operations.

Our Public Service Award will be presented to the Wisconsin State Elections Board. For the first time in Wisconsin’s history, blind and visually impaired people can cast a secret ballot at every polling place.

Our Legislator of the Year Award goes to State Senator Fred Risser of Madison. Sen. Risser has been a terrific advocate for all our efforts over a period of many years.

Our final award recipient is Dot Coakley of Menasha. She is a former Council member, who volunteers in a visually-impaired support group and who advocates for the Council at every opportunity. Dot will be recognized with the Louis Seidita Volunteer Service Award.

The public service demonstrated by all these organizations and individuals is absolutely fantastic. We thank you all very much.

I would also like to recognize my Committee members. They are: Ed Weiss, Kay Malmquist, Caroline Congdon, Becky Williams, Steve Heesen, Gary Goyke and Karen Majkrzak, our Executive Director. The 2006 recipients have contributed to some of the most significant legal protections, employment opportunities and electoral participation guarantees for all blind and visually impaired citizens in Wisconsin in many years.

WORKSHOPS A SUCCESS

By Marshall Flax

“Now I finally get it!”

The physical therapist who said those words summed up what many of the PT’s, occupational therapists, nurses, certified nursing assistants and other care providers felt at the end of a day long workshop on “Caring for Older Adults with Low Vision” sponsored by the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired with the generous support of the National Eye Institute (NEI). Four such workshops took place in September in Prairie du Chien, Superior, Eau Claire and Woodruff.

Marshall Flax, the certified low vision therapist and certified orientation and mobility specialist for the Council, provided a lecture that covered anatomy of the eye, normal refractive errors, the normal eye exam, changes in vision related to aging, age-related eye-diseases, and the rehabilitation options that are available to older adults with low vision. Each participant received a packet of material on age related eye diseases as well as local and state-wide resources to help older adults live more independently with low vision. The handout materials were highlighted by a copy of “Making Life More Livable” by Maureen Duffy (AFB Press), a book that offers practical suggestions for everyday living for a person with low vision and his or her family.

Participants learned about cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration and how these diseases can affect the way a person functions. For many, the highlight of the day was the chance to try low vision simulators, goggles that have been modified to simulate different types of low vision. They were asked to walk around, locate other rooms by number, make a purchase from a vending machine, wash their hands in the restroom and use the elevator. As they found, all of these tasks were made more challenging with the simulator obscuring the view.

Some of the adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (kitchen, recreation, telling time) was shown and participants could see how a large-print kitchen timer was much easier to read, or how a talking clock made it possible to tell the time.

The students were given a short test at the beginning and the same test at the end to see if there was any change in what they knew, and there was an increase in correct answers ranging from 35% to nearly 80% at the end of the day.

“The level of interest in this topic, and in what the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired could do to help people, was very, very high,” said Marshall. “Everyone really appreciated that we were able to bring such a high quality program to their area—they didn’t have to drive to Madison.”

The Council appreciates the work of Kathy Lange-Novak and Marshall Flax in writing and securing the NEI grant.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING AT THE SHARPER VISION STORE

By Virginia DeBlaey

Are you looking for the perfect holiday gift for a friend or family member, or even for yourself? Here are some suggestions from the Council’s Sharper Vision Store. One of the newest items available for purchase is a portable CCTV called “Sense View.” It is small enough to carry in a pocket or purse and comes with its own protective case and belt clip. It magnifies up to 26x and there are several viewing options available. It has a freeze frame feature for looking at specific information such as a label or price tag. Priced at $825.00, the Sense View costs significantly less than a full-sized CCTV.

If you’re looking for a gift idea that isn’t quite so expensive, there are several talking clocks and watches available from $8.50 to $40.00. Two of our most popular products are the atomic clock and atomic watch. The time is always correct because it is set via satellite every twenty-four hours. Both items also speak the date and have an alarm feature.

Another popular product is the big button universal remote control which can be programmed for your TV, VCR and DVD player. It is priced at $25.00. There are also several big-button corded and cordless telephones available.

Here are several suggestions for inexpensive stocking stuffers: 20/20 pens at $1.00 each, wall calendars for $3.00 and large-print playing cards for $2.50 per deck. A large-print address book which comes with a pen for $11.00 can also be purchased.

CALENDARS ARE HERE!

By Top Tantivivat

It’s that time of the year again, the holidays are just around the corner and the New Year is approaching. Every year, the Council’s Sharper Vision Store prints our very own Large Print Calendar, and this year is no exception. The calendar measures 13 inches by 20 inches, and features one month per page.  It has large, one-inch-tall, bold numbers and space for your important notes. It can be wall-hung or used as a desk calendar. The calendar will be available at the beginning of November. The price is $3.00 (taxes and shipping included). Calendars are available on a first come, first served basis, so order one before they are gone! To order the calendars call the Sharper Vision store at 1-800-783-5213; locally in Madison 608-255-8100, or e-mail at sales@wcblind.org.

In addition to the Large Print Calendar, the store always carries various types of magnifiers, talking products, lamps, etc. We would be happy to help you select from these more practical gifts or from a number of helpful and fun items such as board games, playing cards, and stationary with features for those who are blind or with low vision. And remember, any necessary batteries are always included.

If you have any questions about assistive devices, Top or Brent will be glad to help you in the store or over the phone.

STATE OF WISCONSIN BUDGET UPDATE:

STATE-ISSUED ID’S AND TECHNOLOGY ACCESS

By Rhonda Staats and Gary Goyke

We have some wonderful news to share with all of you. The Council has received word from Governor Jim Doyle’s office that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has included statutory language changes in the biannual budget bringing parity to all licenses and ID’s issued by the State. This means that, just like drivers’ licenses, our ID’s will now be issued for an eight year period rather than the current four years. We have advocated for this change for some time. Our thanks go to Governor Doyle and all who worked on this issue.

In another important change, the State of Wisconsin has restored a full-time Technology Access Coordinator position. Applications for this new position, which will be based at the Wisconsin Department of Administration, will be posted very soon. Currently, Council President Chris Zenchenko serves in the position in a temporary capacity. This is a very important step in insuring that all blind and visually impaired citizens will have equal access to the information the state lists on its websites. Thank you again, Governor Doyle!

NOMINEE AGENCY CELEBRATES TWO SUCCESSFUL YEARS

By Jeff Scott

I am happy to report to all our friends around the state that the

Business Enterprise Program (BEP) has now successfully operated as a nominee agency for two years. It’s hard to believe how fast the time has gone. The program continues to grow with a record number of students in the Northcentral Technical College certificate program. We hope to open more vending locations throughout Wisconsin. The BEP continues to be one of the largest and most successful employers of blind and visually impaired individuals in the state. We appreciate the new scholarship program started by the WCB&VI which will help many of our students. I am always happy to answer any questions about our program and I thank everyone involved for their continued support.

WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY: A BIG SUCCESS!

By Gary R. Goyke

The Council, along with many other state organizations, celebrated White Cane Safety Day on Monday October 16, 2006. We started our educational program with the distribution of Governor Jim Doyle’s state proclamation of White Cane Safety Day. Many local newspapers carried the story. This year 12 other communities and friends of the Council coordinated a single important message to the general driving public: please observe the White Cane Law and stop at least 10 feet from a person carrying a white cane when he or she enters the thoroughfare.

Here at the Council office we enlisted the help of the Madison Evening Lions Club, the Madison Police Department Safety Division and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in conducting a demonstration of crossing a very busy street. Our staff colleague

Ann Schroeder and her good friend Patty Zallar did the crossing and survived! We had some great TV coverage. Ann and Patty are now television stars. Even Marshall Flax got in the picture. This was Nicky Lehming’s first public press event, and as a new Council staffer she was an excellent addition to our efforts to make the day a success.

Please start the planning process for 2007. Next year White Cane Safety Day will be on Monday October 15th. If you are interested in helping please call us.

FREE WHITE CANES

By Ann Schroeder

You are entitled to one free white cane a year from the Council.  You may request a support cane, which you would lean on as you walk; an ID cane, a short one that you would hold out so others know you have a vision problem; or a mobility cane, one that you tap as you walk along (but its use requires some training).  All canes are available rigid or folding, so they may be tucked away when you are not using them.   

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

December 1 Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired Holiday Open House: 4:00 pm—6:00 pm Council Offices 754 Williamson St. , Madison, WI 53703

All contributions gratefully accepted. Beverages and refreshments will be served.

December 16 Midwest Association for the Blind Annual Holiday Meeting & Dinner VFW Hall 501 N Richmond St , Appleton, WI 54911

January 22 Louis Braille Birthday Celebration (CORRECTION) 10:00 am—11:00 am Council Offices 754 Williamson St. , Madison, WI 53703

Join us for cake in celebration of Louis Braille’s great contributions!

February 23—24 WCB &VI Staff and Council Retreat Warner Park Community Center Madison, WI 53703

April 18 Symposium on Macular Degeneration Sponsored by WCB&VI and UW-Madison Alliant Energy Center 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way Madison , WI 53713