I am safely on the ground in Beijing.  The flight was only 3.5 from tokyo instead of 4.5 as stated in the itinerary.  yeah, Delta! Total travel time was 24 hours. I was met at the airport by Jennifer and Jason and brought to the Jade Palace Hotel — very nice — reminds me of a Chinese version of the Pfister.

It is midnite here and 10:00 AM in Wisconsin.  I meet my hosts at 8:50 so I have a lot to do, including trying to sleep.

I’ll write more later Marshall

Progress in Sight VIII: Macular Degeneration Symposium

8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Alliant Energy Center, Madison

 Mark your calendar NOW for the eighth annual Macular Degeneration Symposium!

 While we’re currently in the planning stages, we can share a few details.

 The symposium is a free, daylong educational seminar, sponsored by the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired and the University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

 Our talented speakers will bring you the latest information on:

  Clinical research in Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)

•  Updates on ARMD treatment trials
•  Nutrition and the eye
•  Use of intravitreal injections for people with ARMD
•  Cataract surgery in people with ARMD

 This year’s event also includes two breakout sessions led by Marshall Flax, Certified Low Vision Specialist and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist at the Council.

Marshall’s workshop titles are: “Free and low cost resources: a workshop for support group leaders and senior center staff” and “Mom is ‘legally blind’—now what do I do? Support for family members of persons with low vision.”

Exhibitors will display the latest in video magnifiers, computer aids and other resources.

 Parking is free in the Alliant Energy Center parking area. Box lunches will be available.

 As soon as we confirm all the details, we’ll post a full program on our web site.

 Please tell others about this free education event and let us know if you’d like a brochure.  Call 608-255-1166 or e-mail: info@wcblind.org.

Special note

We will begin to accept and process symposium registrations onTuesday, August 10.

cforms contact form by delicious:days

Island Escape - Collage paper, photograph and beads. by Mary Mesman

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired is teaming up with Edgewood College art therapy students in a new adventure that embraces the idea of uniting our community through the arts. 

 The goal of the project is to support the programs and services of the Council and raise awareness of the profession of art therapy. 

A large-scale mosaic mural, composed of more than 100 unique artwork panels, will be created by people of all ages, including students from the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Janesville and a few artist-friends of the Council. 

On Friday, March 19, from 4-7 p.m., we invite you to view the completed Vision Mosaic Mural and purchase one of the original art pieces by making a donation to 

Digitally Enhanced Photography - Janis Nussbaum-Senungetuk

the Council.  Oh yes!  We’ll have nice refreshments to enjoy, too, during the reception. 

Find more event details. 

Everyone is welcome, so please forward the event flyer to others. 

Creating the Components for the Vision Mosaic Project

Working together visually impaired students and aides create mosaic tiles.

On Friday, February 26, Edgewood College art therapy students conducted a workshop for a small group of students who attend the Wisconsin Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired in Janesville.  Together, they worked on mural artwork panels to be used in the Vision Mosaic Mural Fundraiser effort. 

Each student was paired with an art therapy student who introduced them to various media and tactile items that could serve as components of their 

Creating Tiles proves to be fun and creative.

artwork panel.  The morning was marked with lots of laughter, stories and energy.  The pride in these students’ eyes was apparent as they expressed their unique creativity and donated a piece for the Vision Mosaic Mural. 

docuScan employee Calvin Tucker prepping documents to be scanned and archived

Calvin came to docuScan by way of the Council, where he was working as a temporary employee.  Council Executive Director Karen Majkrzak is dedicated to providing employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.  She was really impressed with Calvin’s attention to detail and reliability, so she told him about an opening with docuScan.  He jumped at the chance, and now he’s a permanent employee of docuScan.

Calvin’s work for docuScan involves prepping documents to be scanned.

He pays close attention to each piece of paper to make sure there are no staples or paper clips, and if there are, he removes them.  He aligns the sheets of paper so everything is ready for a smooth and efficient scanning process.

Calvin knows from personal experience how hard it can be to find meaningful work. “Growing up black in America in the 60s and 70s, you learned that you had to be extra-ordinary to get noticed.  It wasn’t enough to just be ordinary.  I needed to prove myself and show that I was a capable person. ”

Calvin lost his vision to glaucoma nearly 25 years ago.  That presented an additional barrier to employment, but he persevered, and it has paid off.

“Getting this job with docuScan means I can get married now!  It provides some of the financial security I needed to tie the knot.”  This is news Calvin shares with a huge smile!

What does Calvin want prospective clients to know about docuScan?  “Our staff respects the confidential nature of the information we handle.  We are committed to accuracy and attention to the smallest of details.  We care about the final product, and we stand behind every step of our work.”

When businesses hire docuScan, they receive an excellent service and at the same time, they increase employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.  It’s a win/win all around!

Maggie wanted these middle schoolers and a few other teachers to see BORDERLAND, our current art exhibit by Thomas Ferrella.  She was fascinated by the idea that someone had brailled poems directly onto each photographic portrait.

Since the group was traveling from Milwaukee, we wanted to make it worth their visit, so we added a few presentations by staff to round out the experience.

Marshall Flax, Certified Low Vision Specialist and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, invited students to talk about their future dreams, and he encouraged them to discover the joy of reading.  He emphasized the importance and value of orientation and mobility training, and he encouraged the group to take advantage of these opportunities now.

Virginia DeBlaey, Council program assistant, described for the students what it was like to work with Thomas and spend 20 hours manually brailling the poems onto the photographs.  She accompanied some of the students as they examined each of the pieces and read the poems.

We concluded the students’ visit with a tour of the Sharper Vision Store, where they learned from Brent Perzentka about the many “cool” items we carry.

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired is happy to announce that we have joined Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW).

Community Shares of Wisconsin is just one more way you can help support the work of the Council, in addition to our White Cane Fund Appeal and Annual Appeal.

CSW is the oldest social action fund in the United States. Established in 1971, Community Shares has grown to include 65 organizations. Their vision is to “build social and economic equity and a healthy environment.”

CSW’s composition is reflected in these categories of members:

• protecting our environment
• ensuring affordable, accessible housing
• fostering civic engagement
• supporting women, children and families
• empowering people with disabilities
• working for a just, equitable society.

Community Shares of Wisconsin raises funds for its member groups through:

• workplace giving campaigns in the fall of each year
• web fundraising (www.communityshares.com)
• the CHIP donation program at the Willy Street Co-op in Madison.

Membership in CSW will connect the Council with many other grassroots nonprofits that share our values and commitment. There will be opportunities for us to collaborate with some of the participating members, and CSW membership will raise awareness of the Council and our work on behalf of people in Wisconsin who are blind or visually impaired.

When you designate a gift specifically to us, we receive 100% of your donation. CSW doesn’t keep any money for administrative purposes.

Please think of the Council when:

• your employer offers Community Shares as a workplace giving option
• you do online giving
• you shop at the Willy Street Co-op—remember to say “yes” to CHIP.

If you have questions about CSW or the Council’s involvement, please contact Kathi Koegle, Director of Community Relations at 608-237-8111 or kathi [at] wcblind.org.

Yes. Some people go in their house, shut their doors, and don’t do anything. But I believe you just have to find alternative ways to do things. I just see differently now….”

These are comments, reflections and observations Bruce Parkinson made when interviewed for his hometown newspaper. They demonstrate his “can do” attitude and outlook on life.

Bruce has been legally blind for 25 years. A former English and speech teacher, Bruce has maintained a very active life. Among his numerous community activities, he serves on the boards of the American Council of the Blind-Wisconsin Chapter, the Statutory Council on Blindness for the State of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired.

“Being visually impaired,’’ Bruce remarks, “isn’t a handicap, because I won’t let it be a handicap.”

To help manage daily activities, Bruce has purchased numerous items from the Council’s Sharper Vision Store. These include: an indoor/outdoor talking thermometer, a talking atomic clock, a talking travel alarm clock, lighted magnifiers, a large-faced watch, tactile cribbage board, and large-faced playing cards. Bruce also bought locator dots for kitchen appliances and his CD player, as well as braille overlays for his computer keyboard and a small portable CCTV.

Bruce appreciates that the store carries a large variety of items for reading, keeping track of appointments, bill paying, cooking and recreation. From the comfort of his home—and at any time of the day or night— he can log on to the store’s new web site (www.shop.wcblind.org) and shop. If he and wife Kathy are in Madison, they can stop by the store and check out new items.

We are inspired by people like Bruce, and we are pleased to provide him with powerful tools for independence.

Photos by Doug Sundin, copyright 2009, Herald Times Reporter. Used with permission.

Dear Marshall and Council staff,

Thank you so very much for the donation of low vision supplies for the kids at La Gracia School in San Juan, Guatemala.

Just something like a hand-held magnifier is such an improvement for the kids! Schools in Guatemala are closed for break now, but they will re-open after January 1. My 10-year-old friend Karlita was very excited to explore all the “new” devices that she and her friends will be able to use for school next year.

She wanted me to send you this photo of her and her friends from La Gracia School: Marisa, Shirley, Karlita and Eluvia.

Thanks for the good work you all do, and especially thanks for the donations to the kids at La Gracia.

Sincerely,

Boni Westover

My Mother was so happy with the low vision aids you recommended, and that I bought for her.  She’s 83 years old, and she has macular degeneration.  One of her few pleasures is reading books.  Thanks to these aids, my Mother can read books again.  You helped return a joy to her life, and it has made a huge difference!

I also really appreciate the comprehensive way you work with people.  In addition to the low vision evaluation that helped my Mother understand her eye condition, you told her about all the tools and resources available in your Sharper Vision Store.  That’s an added benefit that will enhance her feeling of independence.

Thank you for making such a positive difference in my Mother’s life!