Each year, we ask our community to contribute to the White Cane Fund so that we can continue serving the growing number of people who turn to us for help!

Your contribution helps the Council fulfill its mission to “promote the dignity and independence of people in Wisconsin who are blind or visually impaired by providing services, advocating legislation, and educating the general public.”

Some of the free or low-cost services that we provide with the funds we raise during the White Cane Fund Appeal include:

• free white canes
• the Sharper Vision Store
• one-on-one low vision exams
• educational seminars
• assistive technology
• orientation and mobility training
• in-home rehabilitation training
• scholarships
• outreach to rural areas
• legislative advocacy

Full details about the 2010 White Cane Fund Appeal are here.

You can make a donation to the White Cane Fund via mail or via our secure on-line server here.

VOLUME 23, 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 bequest 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
Kathy Lueders
Bruce Parkinson
Rhonda Staats
Ed Weiss
Chris Zenchenko

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.

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 Kathi.

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!

A Message from the President

By Chris Zenchenko

With spring in the air and change on the wind, it should not come as a surprise that not only the weather is subject to change.  The Council said goodbye to two members, welcomed back a returning one, and said “Hello” to our newest member.  Now, we face the prospect of hiring a new executive director as Karen has announced her plan to step out of the hectic life of running the Council and into a period of renewal.

The process of searching for just the right blend of talent and dedication to the Council’s mission is well underway. On our web site, through April 30, 2010, you can find information about the challenging and rewarding position of executive director.  I can’t state strongly enough that if anyone knows of a strong candidate for this job, we depend on you to direct any interested persons to the search information posted at www.wcblind.org. Materials in Braille or large print can also be requested.

We live in an age of electronic communication, and technology is one of the most important pieces in the life of anyone with a visual impairment.  Because of this, we have decided to conduct the entire process without paper.  We will accept application materials via e-mail only.  Karen and I feel confident that, based on the process that has been developed, we can put in place a qualified person who understands the mission, vision and tremendous value of our organization.

For more than 55 years, the Council has existed to serve people in Wisconsin who are blind or who have low vision. Over time, the nature of that service has changed and grown.  Like Karen, the next executive director must possess the management skills, the empathy, and the dedication needed to keep the organization on the right path.

We cannot, nor should we, stop or stand in the way of change.  Instead, we can use it to strengthen our commitment to building programs, raising funds, and improving the services we provide.

We are an extended family, and we are looking forward to welcoming our newest member.

From the Executive Director

By Karen Majkrzak

This will be my last Courier message as I am retiring in August.  I choose to use the term “re-new-ment” as a better word, however!

When I joined the Council in January 2006, we began a journey together. It has been a productive and rewarding trip!  The Council and staff have  made decisions which ensure that our mission …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…will continue for many years to come.

I will not list “my” accomplishments, as they belong to all of us!  Without the continued support of our friends throughout the state and the hard work of Council members and dedicated Council staff, no forward movement would have been possible. I do want to thank all of the above and tell you again what a privilege it is to serve as your Executive Director.

My decision is based on the desire and need to spend more time with my family and take better care of myself in body, mind and spirit. I will be working with the Council’s search committee to secure the best qualified, talented and committed person to carry on our important mission.

I want to share one great challenge and invitation with you. How can we balance the strong historical commitment of the Council to continue to provide services that are free or low cost, and offer adaptive products at a discount, while still raising enough money to operate this statewide nonprofit and not reduce the endowment funds?  We have been fiscally responsible and have actually decreased expenses over the past four years by more than $400,000; however, we do need your help and thoughtful participation to help meet this ongoing challenge.

Have you remembered the Council in your will or estate planning?  Do you belong to a local organization or club that might hold a small fund raiser to benefit the Council?  Would you be willing to make small monthly donations specifically to fund direct services?  When the Annual White Cane Fund Appeal arrives in your mail, will you commit to sending in a donation in whatever amount you can?  These are all ways that, when combined, will make a tremendous difference.

Please remember Helen Keller’s statement:  “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”  It is not being overly dramatic to say that the future of the Council and its services rests in your hands.  Working together is the only way services will reach those in need!  Thank you.

The Council at the Capitol

By Rhonda Staats

Legislative advocacy remains one of the cornerstones of the Council’s mission. The Legislative Committee establishes priorities through which we support and promote laws that will benefit Wisconsin citizens who are blind/visually impaired.

Each year the Council sponsors Legislative Day.  Our 2010 event will be held on April 29 at the Capitol.  Members of the Legislative Committee, council members, and friends will meet with legislators and representatives of state agencies to address issues that are important to us.

We anticipate conducting discussions with State School Superintendent Tony Evers about the Wisconsin Regional Library Service, the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Janesville, and the provision of educational services to students who attend school in their local districts.

Because guide dogs are important to many in our community, we will meet with a representative from Senator Fred Risser’s office to clarify the definition of service animals.  We will also hold discussions to promote and support the Wisconsin Business Enterprise Program.  We will recognize legislation to make the Wisconsin Blinded Veterans Association (WBVA) part of the Wisconsin Veterans Council.

The Legislative Committee will begin plans to expand the definition of minority status so that it includes businesses owned or run by people who are visually impaired.

We welcome this opportunity to speak candidly and constructively to those in positions to influence the policies that are important to us. The Council is committed to being a statewide leader in legislative advocacy.

We encourage you to take an active role by contacting your legislators.  Read an article with many helpful tips and resources at www.wcblind.org.

Scholarship Helps Pakistani Students Pursue Their Dreams

By Ed Weiss

The road to knowledge can be long and arduous for anyone.  It has always been challenging for Council scholarship winners, Hina Altaf who is 26, and her brother Imran Ahmed who is 25.

Hina and Imran were educated in Pakistan, their native country.  Both students are quite fluent in English, and they speak other languages. Hina learned English through reading and communicating with friends all over the world. Imran learned English by reading, communicating with friends, and listening to English radio stations and cricket matches on the radio.

Both students received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Pakistan.  Hina majored in English and history, while Imran majored in economics and history. There are few organizations for the blind in Pakistan.  Hina and Imran were not allowed to take any examinations in braille. They fought for their rights, and eventually became the first blind students to receive examinations in braille.

They wanted to study computer science because “Computers are our passion,” Hina remarked.  They could not pursue these studies in Pakistan because the country lacked the facilities to educate them in this area.

An uncle who lives in Waukesha told them about Carroll College.  Because they had no funds, Hina and Imran had to wait three years before they could attend school there.

The students began to correspond with Gerald Clark, a 75-year-old blind man who lived in Michigan.  He took Hina and Imran under his wing and called them his grandchildren. Clark’s doctor was Pakistani. When he learned about the students’ plight, he offered to sponsor them for a year.

Hina and Imran enrolled at Carroll College in 2006.  DVR assistance was not available because they were not American citizens.  A rehabilitation teacher and an orientation and mobility instructor provided assistance to them on a voluntary basis.  Muslim communities in Milwaukee and New Jersey provided some funding for Hina and Imran.

Both are now in their senior year at Carroll College.  They need to take two classes this summer to complete their course work.  In the future, Hina and Imran hope to attend graduate school.  Their goal is to develop a software program for other blind Pakistanis.  They want to design a screen reader in their native language. The Council has awarded both of them scholarships to help them realize their dreams.

The Council is proud to offer scholarships each year.  If you know a Wisconsin student who needs financial help, please encourage him or her to call the Council or visit our web site to learn more about the application process and deadlines.

Meet New Council Member Jenny Massey

By Kathy Lueders

Jenny Massey brings personal and professional experience to her role as a new Council member.

Jenny understands the challenges of vision loss because she has been living with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) for more than 30 years.  Her father, three of his siblings and their mother all had RP.  Jenny’s brother also has RP.

Jenny first helped her father access help from the Council through shopping at the Sharper Vision Store.  “My Dad learned so much, and he was able to manage daily living activities more effectively, thanks to items like magnifiers and lights.”  Jenny eventually began to shop for herself in the store.

She received a low vision evaluation from Marshall Flax.  Orientation and mobility intern Kay Rhode taught Jenny how to use her cane to travel safely and independently.  She and her father have both received white canes from the Council.

Thanks to her father’s encouragement, Jenny has been involved with blindness support groups and recreational activities for the blind.  She helped form and she currently facilitates the local RP Support Group.   Jenny held a position on the board of the Madison Blind Outdoor Leisure Development and participated in its activities.

Jenny worked in administrative support positions and at the Office of the Blind.  Now, she is a stay-at-home Mom, and she loves it!  She enjoys her three children and two grandchildren.

She has not let her vision loss get in the way of her involvement in Girl Scouting, which she has done for more than 30 years.  She leads both a Kindergarten Scout Troop and a Senior Girl Scout Troop.  “I think it is empowering for my girls to see me doing something positive, regardless of my visual challenges.  My family, friends and working with Girl Scouts feed my spirit and encourage me to keep going and growing.”  Jenny also finds time to volunteer at her church.

We welcome Jenny, and we know that her many experiences and skills will strengthen and support the mission of the Council.

Just for Fun—Any Ideas?

By Rebecca Williams

Losing one’s vision is a major, life-changing event.  Stress levels rise for the person experiencing the loss and for family and friends who want to help.  How can you relieve that stress?  There’s drawing on one’s faith, learning new ways to accomplish tasks, joining support groups, and gaining knowledge through a low vision evaluation and rehabilitation training. Other tools are relaxation and having fun!

I have a friend in recreation therapy. She remarked, “Physical therapists help you get out of bed, and occupational therapists may need to help you dress, but recreation therapists give you a reason to do both.”  While we don’t have a recreation therapist at the Council, we agree strongly that having fun is important and valuable, no matter what one’s vision situation may be. That’s why we have a Recreation Committee.

The Recreation Committee believes it’s important for people with vision loss to learn methods to adapt enjoyable activities like reading, camping, golf and bowling. We are preparing a resource list of recreational activities, and we invite your input.

What’s your favorite hobby? As you pursue this activity, how do you conquer challenges your changing vision presents?  Do you have a favorite adapted game?  How is it adapted? Have you found accessible computer games?  Are some of the activities of your support group recreational in nature? If so, what are they?

Your response to questions like these will help us learn about and promote even more recreational opportunities.  If there is a sport or hobby you’d like to try if you only knew how it could be adapted for you, let us know.  We’ll follow up with some research.

As we travel to Council seminars and other events, the Recreation Committee will collect feedback and ideas. Even if they don’t make it into our new resource guide, you may get a call from us asking for more details. You may even find an article about your favorite hobby in a future issue of the Courier.

Please contact the Council office if you are interested in helping the Recreation Committee. We are eager to receive your ideas.

docuScan Helps the Council Make a Visible Difference

By Rod Keyeski, docuScan Sales Manager

docuScan of Wisconsin, a program of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, specializes in serving corporate, government agencies, and health care organizations who want to improve their efficiency and cut costs by converting paper-based information into electronic images that are easier to share, store and review.

No matter how large or small the project, our docuScan staff believes we can do it more cost effectively, faster and with better quality than organizations that scan these documents in-house.

docuScan supports and strengthens the Council’s mission. This includes providing employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired or may have other disabilities.  Currently, 60% of our staff is visually impaired or blind.  We have partnered with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to place people with disabilities in these jobs.

Each staff member’s job function plays a vital role in the process and result.  Most of our vision-impaired staff handle the prepping of paper files and documents.  This can be a very time-consuming endeavor that involves removing all staples, paper clips and sticky notes so that the pages are loaded smoothly into the scanner.

Here’s an example of one of our happy customers.  The Norwegian American Genealogical Center had a “leaky” basement full of file boxes and file cabinets with handwritten letters by founder Gerhardt Naeseth that dated back to 1847.  Aside from obvious preservation purposes, they needed us to scan these paper files into electronic images so Naeseth’s letters could be uploaded onto their web site.

Center members have access to their family history 24/7 from anywhere in the world.  Our partnership with this organization secured $25,000 for docuScan.  Those funds, in turn, enable us to continue to support the Council’s work.

How can you help docuScan help the Council?  If you have paper files stored in filing cabinets, or if you own a business with tons of paper files that are taking up lots of precious space, please contact us.  You can also help by telling others about docuScan.

Learn more at www.docuScanWI.com or call me at 608-347-3176.

Spring Forward with New Products from the Sharper Vision Store

By Brent Perzentka

Well, we made it through another Wisconsin winter, and now it is time to come out of hibernation and share your blooming personalities with everyone.  We have many products in the Sharper Vision Store to help you embark on your journey back outside.

Don’t let the spring sun blind you as you step outdoors.  Find the right sunglasses for your eyes.  Everyone’s eyes adjust to light differently, so you need to find the right sunglasses to maximize your vision.  Sunglasses come in many different filters and degrees of light transference, along with different styles, such as fit-overs, slip-ins, and clip-ons.  Our staff can help you find the pair that is perfect for you.

On your excursion into the great outdoors, why not keep track of how far you’ve traveled, along with all those calories you’re burning off?  Let our talking pedometer do this for you.  A light-weight unit that easily clips onto your waistband, the pedometer records steps taken, miles walked or biked, and calories burned.  You’ll be humming along with the added feature of an FM radio and ear buds for privacy.  The cost of this unit is $20.25.

Our talking atomic watch will make sure you’re on time for all your appointments. The watch automatically updates itself daily for the exact time, receiving a signal from the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Fort Collins, Colorado. It has an additional calendar feature with the day and date.  The face of the watch is an analog style with black numbers on a white background.  It comes with a chrome finish and offers the options of a leather, expansion, or sport band. The cost is $55.

For those who don’t like to wear watches, let our voice-interactive alarm clock keep you on task and on time. This high-tech clock is voice interactive so it listens to your voice commands and speaks back to you.  You can personalize up to three voice alarms per day, seven days a week. For example, you can program a doctor’s appointment at 3 p.m., dinner with the Johnsons at 6 p.m., and your favorite TV show at 8 p.m.  The clock sells for $69.95.

If you prefer to shop online from home, please visit www.shop.wcblind.org.  We recently added more than 400 new products with detailed descriptions and pictures, along with an easy-to-use shopping cart.

For all other orders or questions, please call us toll free at 1-800-783-5213.  Our friendly customer service representatives are ready to assist you.

News and Notes from the Council

By Kathi Koegle

Community Shares of Wisconsin—The Council is a new member of Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW).

CSW is the oldest social action fund in the U.S. Established in 1971, it has grown to include more than 60 organizations whose vision is to “build social and economic equity and a healthy environment.”

The Council is in good company with other members whose focus is: protecting our environment, empowering people with disabilities, ensuring affordable and accessible housing, fostering civic engagement, supporting women, children and families, and working for a just, equitable society.

Membership with CSW will connect the Council with many other grassroots nonprofits who share our values and commitment.  There will be opportunities for us to collaborate with some of the participating members and to raise awareness of the Council and our work.

Community Shares raises funds for its member groups through workplace giving campaigns in the fall of each year, web site fundraising (www.communityshares.com) and the CHIP donation program at the Willy Street Co-op which is located just a few blocks from the Council office. When you designate a gift specifically to the Council through Community Shares, we receive 100 percent of your donation.  CSW doesn’t keep any of your dollars for administrative purposes.

Please think of the Council when your employer offers Community Shares as a workplace giving option, when you do online giving, and when you shop at the Co-op.

Wisconsin Wisloan Program

This is a statewide alternative loan program that helps people with a disability purchase assistive technology.

Any Wisconsin resident over the age of 18 with a disability who needs assistive technology or home modifications is eligible to apply for a loan.  Loan amounts range from $500 to $50,000.  The actual loan amount depends on the items purchased and your ability to repay.  The current interest rate on a Wisloan is 6.5 percent.  If you have bad credit, including bankruptcy, your application will still be considered.  The focus is on one’s ability to make monthly payments to repay the loan.
For more information or to apply for a Wisloan, call Options at 920-490-8270, extension 179 or 1-888-465-1515, extension 179.

Wisloan is a federally-funded project of the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation, and a cooperative service of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, IndependenceFirst, and M & I Marshall and Ilsley Bank.

Vision Mosaic Fundraising Project

The Council recently teamed up with art therapy students at Edgewood College and Oakwood Village to create a vision mosaic mural.  The goal was to raise funds to support Council programs and services and to increase awareness of the profession of art therapy.

The college students worked with groups of people, including students at the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Janesville, to create individual eight-inch square canvas component pieces.  Then, they assembled the mural, and we unveiled it at a special reception on March 19 at Oakwood Village in Madison.  Guests enjoyed refreshments, viewed the completed mural, and made a donation to the Council in return for one of the original artwork panels.

An added feature of the mural was the inclusion of designs by previous Council artists, friends of the Council, and a Madison watercolor artist.  Our thanks to Mary Mesman, Janis Nussbaum Senungetuk, Richard Springer, Al Majkrzak, Jr., and Virginia Huber for creating and donating a piece.

Wisconsin Lions Camp

Lions Club members have generously supported the Council over the years, so one good turn deserves another! We’d like to let you know about their summer camp programs.

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.  Lions Camp provides outdoor recreational opportunities geared as a resort program for independent, functioning adults.

Summer camp programs and activities take place at the Wisconsin Lions Camp Retreat and Conference Center in Rosholt.  Learn more by calling 715-677-4761 or visiting www.wisconsinlionscamp.com.

2009 Program Statistics

The Council continues to make a visible difference in the lives of people in Wisconsin who are blind or visually impaired.  In 2009, we served 7,355 people. The need for our programs, services, education, advocacy and outreach will only increase as the population ages.  To see a summary of our programs and services for last year, please visit the Council web site.

Macular Degeneration Symposium

Mark your calendar now for “Progress in Sight,” the eighth annual macular degeneration symposium, on October 6, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.

A free, daylong seminar, the symposium is sponsored by the Council and University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.  It is your opportunity to learn about the latest advances in macular degeneration prevention and treatment as well as skills and solutions to help you cope with vision loss.

The August issue of the Courier will include more event details.

Emergency Preparedness: Giving Yourself a Better Chance

By Betsy Gruba

Community disasters are not something anyone really likes to think about.  Dwelling on the subject isn’t the answer either.  Being prepared for an emergency situation is the best, most effective approach—and one that will bring you great peace of mind.

Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with Michael Stienhaur, OTR, MPH, Special Populations Planner for Dane County.  Michael is in the first year of a three-year grant to assist Dane County in identifying the needs of special populations in the event of a disaster.

Dane County maintains a voluntary registry for people to self-identify and share information about their disability and any special equipment they might need in order to remain independent with dignity in a shelter situation for three to four days. This information also helps the command post inform first responders about any special situations they should be aware of when assisting people during an evacuation.  The form asks only for your name, address, city, state, zip, and disability.  It does not require you to provide any specific medical information.

Michael also reviewed the top items that individuals should have in their own emergency preparedness kit.  They include: a flashlight, battery- operated radio, extra batteries, essential medications, cash and credit cards, first aid kit, emergency food and water, non-electric can opener, and sturdy shoes.

For more information on assembling a kit for yourself, please visit www.wcblind.org.

According to Michael, only three counties in Wisconsin have special needs practices in place for an emergency situation. He encourages everyone to contact their local municipalities to find out if these practices are in place and specifically what they are.  Ask if there is a special needs registry in your community or on the county level.  Read the full article on this topic at www.wcblind.org.

Plan an Event for White Cane Safety Day!

By Bruce Parkinson

White Cane Safety Day on October 15, 2010 may seem a long time away, but now is the best time to begin planning for an event within your community.

Holding an event for White Cane Safety Day draws attention to the importance of safe travel for all pedestrians— especially those who travel with a white cane or use a dog guide as they move about the community.  Often, drivers are so intent on getting to their destination that they pay little heed to pedestrians, whether or not they have white canes.  For your own well-being and for others in your local community, you can raise awareness of this issue.

If you want to create a big program with a lot of public notice, now is the time to contact your local police department and/or Lions Club to bring them on board with the planning.  If you start soon enough, the police department may be able to apply for a Department of Transportation grant to help fund the program.  Maybe the Lions Club would designate the event as a project for which they would raise funds.

A police community relations officer might help you involve the print media so that a timely article with photos could run in the local paper.  Area radio and TV stations might air news stories related to the event, and with enough advance planning, folks can make guest appearances for interviews.  Timing is crucial for the success of these efforts, so I suggest that you contact all these people at least three months before your event.

Other strategies to remind people of your White Cane Safety Day event require less advance planning.  For example, call the local high school and ask if they would read a white cane safety message during their daily announcements. This would catch the attention of younger drivers.  Maybe there’s a local student who needs an art project.  He or she could create posters for distribution in the community during the month of October.

Request the opportunity to speak to local service clubs about white cane  and pedestrian safety.  Consider asking some sighted guides from your local Lions Club to conduct a walking tour of your business district using white canes. Do this on or close to October 15, and you’re sure to attract the attention of drivers, especially if you cross plenty of streets as a group.  Be certain to have sighted guides so there are no injuries.  By now, you’ve probably already come up with a few great ideas of your own for an event or a way to promote it!

If you have ideas, but are uncertain about how to proceed, or if you need help getting started, call me, and I will do my best to help.  I can also tell you about some of the events I’ve helped coordinate in the past for White Cane Safety Day.

My phone number in Two Rivers is 1-920-553-3290.

Get started today!

Be Counted in the 2010 Census!

By Carl Durocher, Dane County Complete Count Committee

Every 10 years, the United States conducts a census.  2010 is a census year.

Although the Courier is a statewide publication, this message is targeted at residents of Madison and Dane County.  If you live elsewhere in Wisconsin, you will still find this information relevant, and you will probably also receive localized information from other sources.

Getting a complete count is extremely important—not only for purposes of legislative districting and representation, but also because the amount of many state and federal grants, allocations and appropriations are determined by population.

Every person missed in the census count will result in a loss of $8,000 of funding for human services and other programs in the
affected community.

Census forms were mailed out in mid-March.  If you did not receive a census form in the mail, or if you lost your copy, you can fill out a form at a “Be Counted” site.  Locations include community centers, health clinics, convenience stores, churches and businesses. They target people who did not receive a census questionnaire at home, whose names do not appear on the census questionnaire for their household, and those with no addresses on Census Day.

“Be Counted” sites are often co-located with a Questionnaire Assistance Center (QAC) where census forms are available.  You’ll find QAC’s in public places like retail grocery stores, neighborhood centers, libraries, and places in the community that are convenient for residents to visit.

These sites are staffed by Census Bureau employees at certain times of the day.  Employees are there to offer assistance in completing the forms, and they can provide braille forms and translation services.

For information about the nearest “Be Counted” or QAC site, call your local Census office.  In Madison, the number is 608-327-5600.

For a general overview of the U.S. Census, visit:  http://2010.census.gov/partners/pdf/factSheet_General.pdf.

How Can You Help the Council?

By Nona Graves

When you receive services from the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, or when you read issues of the Courier, do you ever ask yourself, “How can I make a contribution to help the Council continue its valuable and important work?”

Here are a few suggestions to consider:

Once a year, the Council conducts a White Cane Fund Appeal Drive.  If you are on the mailing list, you will receive a letter inviting you to make a contribution.  Any amount truly helps us provide powerful tools for independence for people who are blind or visually impaired.

If it is not convenient for you to make a contribution at that time, you can visit the Council’s web site, where you will find easy steps for secure
online giving.

Another option is to check out price lists for items in the Sharper Vision Store and then make a contribution.  The Council can use your gift to purchase a specific item such as a white cane which we would give at no charge to someone in need.

Maybe you are thinking about leaving a gift to the Council in your will.  You could also make the Council a beneficiary of a life insurance policy.  Plans like these need to be discussed with your attorney or financial advisor.

If you would like more information about how to help the Council make a visible difference in the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired, please call 608-255-1166; send an e-mail to info@wcblind.org, or stop by in person.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

• April 29: Legislative Day at the Capitol
• June 11: Eighth Annual Philanthropy Day Plaza Hotel, Wausau, Wisconsin
• June 23: “In a Moment” Fundraiser Luncheon and Book Signing (Check our web site for details.)
• July 29:  Vision seminar Baraboo, Wisconsin

Please visit www.wcblind.org for event details.

Free White Canes

Wisconsin citizens who are blind or visually impaired are entitled to receive one free white cane per year from the Council.

We offer several kinds of canes, including a support cane, an ID cane and mobility canes.  Some canes require a bit of training, and all canes are available—rigid or folding.

Call 1-800-783-5213 if your vision is 20/70 or less, and you’ve never had a white cane, or want to replace one you’ve had for more than a year.

This newsletter is also available on CD, in Braille or by e-mail.  If you would prefer to receive the Courier in one of these formats, please complete the form below and return it to the Council offices.

If you have already sent us this form, please do not send it again.

Name_______________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________

City_____________________State________ ZIP________________

County__________________________________

E-mail address_____________________________________

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (WCB&VI) is pleased to announce the selection of a new Executive Director.  Loretta A. Himmelsbach, of Oregon, WI, was invited to accept the top leadership position after a national search.  She succeeds Karen Majkrzak, who will retire in August.  Loretta is only the 6th Executive Director of the organization since it was founded in 1952.

“She has excellent credentials including organizational development and management expertise which she brings through her professional experiences to the leadership post of our Council,” said Chris Zenchenko, president of the WCB&VI.  “We are very confident she has the skills and determination to meet the challenges of the future,” he added.

Loretta Himmelsbach brings more than twenty-six years executive management experience in non-profit organizations to the Council. She served as CEO of the Girl Scouts of Black Hawk Council in Madison, WI, where she was recognized nationally with the Francis Hesselbein Award of Excellence, and is an active member of the Downtown Rotary Club in Madison. A graduate of Bradley University in Illinois, she has extensive graduate certificates from Harvard Business School, Yale University, and the Wharton School of Business in leadership development and nonprofit management. Loretta demonstrates successful community collaboration skills which will enhance the Council’s mission and vision.

Loretta has personal family experience related to the vision impairment of her brothers and her late father and is committed to working with the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired as it continues and expands its excellent service to Wisconsin residents who would benefit from the wide range of services the Council offers.

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired is a private, non-profit agency. 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. It is completely funded by an annual drive, private grants and bequests. The Council, founded in 1952, is celebrating its 58th year of providing programs and services to Wisconsin residents.

In a very short span of time, Terri experienced three traumatic events.  She lost her sight.  Her husband’s life was dramatically altered after a near-fatal motorcycle accident, and their 15-year-old son was diagnosed with brain cancer.

In a Moment is a contemporary autobiography of one woman’s roller coaster life filled with pain, struggle, love and triumph.

On Wednesday, June 23, Terri will share her incredible and inspiring story at a special luncheon and book signing event.  She will also speak openly about how to communicate respectfully and effectively with individuals with disabilities.

Please join us, and consider bringing a friend!  Help us spread the word about this special event by sharing the luncheon invitation with others.

Proceeds benefit the programs, services, outreach and advocacy of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind &Visually Impaired.

Time:       11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Date:       Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Location: Madison Marriott West, John Q. Hammonds Drive, Middleton

Cost:        $40 per person

Reservation deadline: June 13, 2010.

Register online

Make your lunch not just filling, but fulfilling!

Please fill out the form below to register and reserve your seat at the In a Moment Luncheon.

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 The focus is on your well-being!

There will be three 30-minute presentations that cover these topics:

• home safety
• falls prevention
• living well with chronic conditions

Our speakers are from the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired, the Sauk County Aging and Disability Resource Center, and St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo.

We’ll also include a panel of three blind or visually impaired individuals who will share their experiences of coping with changing vision and finding resources for living independently and confidently.

During breaks, you will have the opportunity to visit vendors and learn about tools and resources that can enhance your well-being.

Time/date:   8 a.m. to Noon, Thursday, July 29, 2010

Location:     Clarion Hotel, 626 W. Pine Street – Highway 12, Baraboo

Cost:           $15 per person, includes continental breakfast

Registration deadline: July 23, 2010.

Connect with others.  Increase your safety and confidence.  Live well.

Reserve your seat now by completeing the form below! You may also call the Council office at 608-255-1166.

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This legislation places a member of the Blinded Veterans of Wisconsin on the Council on Veterans Programs, a key advisor to the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

This is the first time in the history of the Council on Veterans Programs that a veterans group specifically dedicated to visual disability will become a member.

Gary Traynor, a member of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired and President of the Blinded Veterans Association of Wisconsin, accepted the pen Governor Doyle used to sign SB 578 into law.

Passage of this bill is the culmination and fruit of much hard work by Council members, friends, and some key state representatives.

Governor James Doyle presents Gary Traynor the pen he used to sign

Gary Traynor with State Representative Kristen Dexter (D-Altoona/Eau Claire). Representative Dexter is Gary’s own representative, and she was the main author of the bill in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Council staff, board members and community volunteers had the opportunity to observe this firsthand when we offered “Everyone Sees Differently,” a two-hour educational program for approximately 200 Madison-area Girl Scouts and their troop leaders.

The Fellowship Hall at Lake Edge United Church of Christ was transformed into a welcoming space for several different “activity stations” where girls gained an awareness of the meaning of blindness and low vision and learned about how people with vision loss manage everyday things that the Scouts might take for granted.

Learning activities included: reading and writing in Braille, using a computer with magnification and screen reader, doing everyday activities and participating in sports using simulation goggles, and discussing etiquette toward individuals who are blind or visually impaired.  A highlight, to be sure, was the chance to interact with guide dogs provided by the staff of OccuPaws Guide Dog Association located in Madison.

Each girl received a patch specially designed by the Council to commemorate the event.

Delta Gamma Sorority at the UW-Madison provided several volunteers who cheerfully helped the girls decipher Braille messages that were tucked inside fortune cookies.  The look of concentration at this table was a delight to observe—especially as participants cracked the code.

The Council was able to offer this program thanks to a generous grant from the Madison Rotary Foundation.

Troop leaders overwhelmingly agreed that they were very satisfied with the program.  Wrote one leader, “This was a great event for the girls and adults.  Makes me appreciate my own blessings.  I think the girls realized there is no difference between us—just different roads to take to get to the same end point.”

Special thanks go to Council vision rehabilitation teacher Jean Kalscheur and Council member Jenny Massey for the countless hours they invested in this program.

Enjoy a few photos from the “Everyone Sees Differently” event!

Scouts learn about Braille and how it is written.

A specially designed patch was given out to all scouts who attended

Scouts learned how simple tasks can become complicated with low vision. This scout is using a low vision simulator that reflects macular degeneration.

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Philanthropy Day Seminar & Awards Luncheon

Aging & Changing Vision

Presented by the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired.

Friday, June 11, 2010 – Plaza Hotel & Suites
201 N. 17^th Ave., Wausau, WI   (800-754-9728)
The Plaza Hotel & Suites in Wausau
8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Schedule of Events

8:00 am– 9:00 am Registration–Continental Breakfast  Visit Display Booths, Sharper Vision Store Sales

9:00 am–9:15 am Welcome– Rhonda Staats, Vice President, Council  & Brent Perzentka, Manager, Sharper Vision Store

9:15 am–10:00 am 10 Ways to Cope with Changing Vision,  Marshall Flax, Certified Low Vision Specialist,  Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired

10:00 am–10:15 am  Coffee Break –– Visit Display Tables

10:15 am–11:00 am Improve Safety and Reduce Falls Jean Kalscheur, Rehabilitation Teacher, Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired

11:00 am–11:15 am Marge Lebrick, Office for the Blind & Visually Impaired

11:15–11: 55 Sharing our Stories: Council Panel Presentation, Council Members: Nona Graves, West Allis, Arnold Tucker, Park Falls,  Bruce Parkinson, Two Rivers,  Patty Zallar, Madison

Noon–1:30 pm Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon,  Gary R. Goyke– Council Legislative Director,  Master of Ceremonies

Award Recipients

Dr. Robert J. Alexejun, Wausau

Mr. Brad Karger, Marathon County

Mr. Edmond J. (Joe) Mielczarek, Jr., Wausau

Senator Russell Decker, Wausau

Closing Remarks, Kathi Koegle, Director of Community Relations

Lunch choices are $10.00 each and your choices are:

Chicken Marsala, gently sautéed with button mushrooms in Marsala Wine Sauce. Includes salad, vegetable, dinner roll.

Vegetarian Pasta Alfredo with fresh vegetables and garlic bread.

To reserve your seat at the seminar and the Philanthropy Day Recognition Luncheon,  please call us at Wisconsin Council of the Blind at:
(608) 255-1166.